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Dillinger 4
Interview with Erik Funk on Nov 19, 2008 by
By: William Jones
Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, Dillinger Four released its first full-length, Midwestern Songs of the Americas, roughly one decade ago, but for more than half of that time span fans have been waiting for the band's latest, Civil War. But (cliché alert) the wait has been well worth it. D4 delivered that new album in October, and with it the same sound fans have come to know and love with a few new tricks. D4 guitarist and vocalist Erik Funk took some time to respond to a bunch of emailed questions about the wait, the now infamous leak and fallout, the album and who in the band would taste best ...you know...if it came to that.
What the hell took so long to finish Civil War? It seems like it was in "Coming Soon" status for years...
Erik Funk: We all just got really busy with our regular lives. We kept finding it harder and harder every year to block out enough months for us to really crack down and finish a record. Then, all of the sudden, around March of this year everything finally came together and we realized we could make it happen.
How many interviews have opened with that question?
EF: Every single one!
Was it actually a slow, 6-year process of writing and recording, or was a lot of it done together near the end?
EF: All of the songs are pretty recent. The oldest is really maybe just two years old or so. We've had different parts and things kicking around for years but we kind of wanted the record to actually be new, not just recently recorded older songs.
What was the writing/recording process like for this album?
EF: Paddy and I have always written songs separately. Then we bring them in to practice for everyone to work on. This time, though, we had to work even more separately than usual. I would get together and make tapes with our drummer, Lane, so that he could work things out for himself before we were all at practice. We were only still able to practice all together once a week, which is actually a lot for us compared to the last several years.
Where and with whom did you record?
EF: We recorded at Terrarium in Minneapolis, which is where we have done every full length we have done. We did it with Dave Gardner and Eric Olsen, who are also the same folks we've always worked with.
Why was the album named Civil War? What are the themes and tone of the album?
EF: We chose that title a few years back. I think it relates to the general state of friction between different elements of society, which in the worst case ends up going to the extreme. We don't mean it in the literal sense exactly. We just thought it represented a lot of the ideas in the songs well, whether they be more personal or political/social commentary.
What is your favorite song on Civil War, and why?
EF: My favorite is called "The Classical Arrangement." For one thing, it's a little different tone than the rest of the record and from things we've done in the past. Also, I've always wanted to write a song that dealt with my lack of religious faith, and I was happy with how it came out.
How is the economic downturn affecting a band like yours?
EF: Since we don't consider our band a job or anything, it doesn't affect us much, I don't think.
Generally, how do you guys approach the band, the business of it, the necessity to release albums, tour, etc?
EF: We've always done things the same way. We consider how much we will enjoy anything we consider doing, and if it doesn't seem like a good time, then we don't do it, regardless of whether it's good or bad business.
How do you feel about the leaked stream situation and everything that resulted, including the Mitch Clem comics?
EF: It didn't seem to have much to do with us. Those discussions could have happened about any record; ours just happened to be the one. If people want to pay for our music, that's awesome. If they don't, it doesn't bother me.
What is the punk scene like in Minneapolis?
EF: Smaller lately, but still good. Lots of good bands. Good DIY shows. Institutions like Extreme Noise Records that prove that dedicated punks can keep their shit together and make things happen for themselves in a long-term way.
How are things going at Triple Rock?
EF: It's our tenth year, and things are still going well. We are lucky to have a good reputation locally that has been spread around the world by bands who have played there.
What is the craziest/drunkest thing (assuming they go together) you've seen at one of your shows?
EF: I am never able to narrow down an answer for this one, which we get asked fairly often. A lot of the things that seem crazy to people just sort of blend together after all these years.
Have your views on punk and the world at-large changed since the band released its first album roughly a decade ago?
EF: Probably. It's hard not to get a little cynical as we get older. I fall victim to that fairly often. In general I think we have roughly the same worldview, just maybe a little more informed by real-life experience.
Favorite new album this year? What type of music are you listening to nowadays?
EF: I like Off With Their Heads' record a lot. I also just heard this Frank Turner guy and I want to hear more from him.
If the band were stranded in the middle of nowhere, who would be eaten first?
EF: We actually talk about this a lot. Seriously, it has come up twice this week. We agree that Billy's meat would be finely marbled since he is beer-fed like Kobe beef. He would also provide the most food.
Who would win the D4 drinking contest?
EF: Probably Billy, depending on what we were drinking. But I think Billy is the safe bet.
What is the worst part about being in a band? Best?
EF: Worst part is the 23 hours a day when we are on tour that we aren't playing. The best is the other hour when we are.
Thanks to Vanessa at Fat Wreck for getting everything organized. Thanks to Erik for taking the time to do the interview.
