SJM: Could you please introduce yourself and give a short summary of the bands history so far?
Jeff: yo. what up. this is Jeff from Red Tape. Red Tape that is... from Sacramento, Northern California. We started out as a 3 piece punk band in 1999. We did a record called "High Revoltage!" that came out on New Age Records in 2000. Then Twig joined & raised the energy level with a heavier approach to the music and strong backing vocals. We put out the "Constructivism" EP on our own, and played tons of local shows. Then we got in touch with Amir Derakh and made a demo that ended up getting us signed to Roadrunner Records. We added Mark on guitar in December 2002, then JD on drums a few months later. We recorded new record "Radioactivist" in 2003 and it just came out on Feb 9th, 2004. We finally been touring the US and got our eyes set on Europe next.

SJM: How do your songs come into life, what inspires you most?
Jeff: I'm inspired by restlessness, boredom, insomnia, and loneliness to write songs... and on the other hand just sitting around an playing guitar and writing lyrics to pass the time -sooner or later you end up with songs!

SJM: How did you start working with Roadrunner Records and do you feel fine with them ?
Jeff: RR got ahold of that demo we did w/Amir. Their A&R guy, Mike Gitter is way into punk and hardcore music. He called me and we talked for hours. Then he came to Sacramento to see us play, and a month later they offered us a deal. Yeah, I feel fine w/RR because we never expected any kind of record deal for this band -especially not one w/such good distribution and tour support!

"Radioactivist" is your first Album. Did any of you play in other bands before? What did they do?
Yes- Twig and JD have been in hardcore punk bands for years. Diseptikons, Spinach, Fatso, and Angora Machinegun to name a few. Mark was in a speedy pop punk band called Double Think. I've jammed with other bands before, but Red Tape is my 1st "real" band- that has actually recorded and played shows and stuff.

What can a listener, who doesn´t know you expect from the record ? How would you describe it ?
The sound is madness. The songs are short, fast, heavy, and to the point. There's lot's of little hooks and changes to satisfy your attention deficit disorder.

How is the feedback on the new record so far?
We've had really good feedback! I just saw Kevin Seconds tonight (from the legendary punk band 7 SECONDS) -he said he loves it! If Kev loves it -that's good enough for me.

Do you plan to go on tour in Europe?
Yeah- hopefully in the next few months will be hitting the UK. I want to spend several months over there and try to play as many different countries as possible. We get emails from Germany, UK, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Poland, Norway, and bunch of places... It's about time we get our ass over there!

What are your greatest examples/models in Music ? …in General ?
Wow- the GREATEST? -I'd have to say the classics like Hendrix, Zeppelin, The Who, Doors, Sabbath -as well as the early punk/hardcore ground-breakers like Bad Brains, Black Flag, Slayer, Motorhead, The Clash, etc....

Please name some of your own favourite records of all time ? …at the moment ?
LED ZEPPELIN - PHYSICAL GRAFFITI
BLACK FLAG -DAMAGED
BAD BRAINS - THE ROIR SESSIONS
SMASHING PUMPKINS- MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADDNESS
SLAYER - REIGN IN BLOOD
PUBLIC ENEMY - YO! BUM RUSH THE SHOW
DISCHARGE- WHY
PARLIMENT - OSMIUM
R.A.T.M.- EVIL EMPIRE
THE CURE - DISINTEGRATION


Do you feel part of a certain scene in your hometown ? If so, please tell us about it.
Right now, I'd have to say no. That's not to say there are cool bands here that we'd like to play with. There's Pipedown, The Hoods, Pressure Point, Whiskey Rebels, and The Nits. Unfortunately, due to lack of venues here, everyone is off doing their own thing.

Are you involved in other political activities besides making music ?
We helped promote the idea of building a skate park in downtown Sacramento. That a mostly a social activity, but a bit political too because we had to overcome this attitude among cops and politicians that skateboarders were outlaws. In the end the park was built. We've also done a few benefit shows for things like Women Escaping A Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.) and raising money for breast cancer research. I felt the calling dedicate myself to any one particular political cause, there's too many things to pay attention to these days.

Your view on American Politics?
Frustrating. Issues like Social Security, Healthcare, Education are all fucked up -it's hard for me not to give up hope. The sad reality is that if you don't have tons of money in this country, you have no power and you are gonna be fucked in many different ways. Almost everyone I know is deep in debt, and will probably live most of their lives trying to pay stuff off. My parents both have both served time in the military, and worked hard most of their lives -yet they have nothing to hand down to me or my sister. Our family owns nothing -we are all in debt. It's all about money, fame, and power -and most people are born into it. The rest of us have to play Lotto. It disgusts me to see all this new US imperialism, and world policing while there are fewer and few job opportunities here. Yeah, and let's spend a few billion dollars to go to fucking Mars... gimmie a break!

What's your opinion on filesharing ?
As much as I love free shit... I'm all about it! There's tons of bands I'd probably never have even listened to if I didn't download their shit. The only problem is that has taken away tons of money that used to go to the musicians. I guess dudes will have to be in it for the love of playing music and not the money... imagine that! OK, actually the downside will be tons of "hit-maker" bands trying to solely make money. Bands like Red Tape will try our best to stay together and tour, while keeping our day-jobs. By the way, I saw our CD on Soulseek and was actually kind of happy -I hope people listen to it and come out to the shows.

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this. Hopefully our ways will cross on your tour through Germany.
Word up! Thank YOU. Hope to see you in Germany soon!!!

(Stefan Kersten)