Can you give us a brief overview of Asian Man and the history of the label?

Sure thing… Ok, where do I start.  Asian Man Records is run out of my parents’ garage in Northern California. I have one full time employee (Bob) and my mom helps out by picking up the mail at the post office. I began putting out records in 1991 and officially started Asian Man in May of 1996.  I think some of the general public have the wrong idea and believe we’re this huge record company with tons of employees, but we’ve only got one phone line (with no call waiting), a fax machine, and just recently purchased a second computer. Depending on how you look at things, this is either a good thing or a bad thing. For me, it’s the only thing (or in other words: “I LIKE BEING A LITTLE LABEL.” This is how the label will remain. I do this for the love of music, not for capitalist gain or status recognition.

What is your favorite thing about running a record label?

It’s fun to be able to be your own boss.  But more so in this case because I’m surrounded by my favorite hobby.  When people say they don’t feel like it’s work because they’re doing something they love, well I know what they’re talking about.  I love being involved in music.  Going to hundreds of concerts a year (that’s a job?), listening to mixes of new releases, designing artwork, and meeting tons of talented people.

Are there any new releases we can look forward to?

So many good records coming out.  We have a band called Classics Of Love from Berkeley, CA that features Operation Ivy vocalist Jesse Michaels.  Really aggressive 80′s hard core sound.  Reminds me of Black Flag meets Operation Ivy.  This will be out in February. We also have a new band called Joyce Manor from Torrance, CA. They play an abrasive pop punk.  Kind of like Dillinger 4 meets Jawbreaker.  And a ton more that you can check out on our website.

What is your favorite way to discover new music (online, offline, live)?

Most definitely from seeing bands live.  There’s a lot of terrible bands that somehow get a producer to make them sound alright, but then when you see them live it’s like damn… these guys are horrible.  Plus, I love going to shows.

Is there any art or music you’ve discovered recently that you’d like to tell us about?

Yeah, for sure.  I love comic books and there’s a comic called Lil’ Depressed Boy by Steven Struble on Image Comics that combines underground music in his issues.  It’s a really fun read in the same vein as perhaps Optic Nerve or Cometbus (if that were illustrated).

Where do you see the industry headed?

It’s hard to say. I’m hoping there will again be a resurgence in physical product being bought instead of strictly downloaded.  I understand it’s great for our environment, but at the same time I get bummed out that people don’t enjoy holding that record and reading the liner notes whilst listening along to the album. 

From dirty dive bars to suburban garages, Punk rock has evolved into a mainstay of the contemporary musical spread. Here at IODA we’ve featured some of punk’s greatest originators such as Flipper and the Monks, but today we’re bringing you some of the finest and freshest punk around. Here for your adrenaline bursting pleasure are the Cobra Skulls and the Riverdales (Ex-Screeching Weasel):

Artist: Cobra Skulls
Title: American Rubicon
Label: Red Scare Records
Genre: Punk : Alternative
Release Date: 7/7/09
UPC: 187223012765
Territory: Worldwide

From the world’s biggest little city comes some of the best punk I’ve heard in years. The three-piece Cobra Skulls’ new record American Rubicon is a genuine sample of everything fun and fast in punk. Reminiscent of Against Me!’s finest material but with the Irish aftertaste replaced with vocalist/bassist Devin Peralta’s occasional use of Spanish and South American revolutionary subject matter. The Cobra’s first record Sitting Army (2007 on Red Scare Records) harbored praise from fans and critics alike as a fast paced, reckless, and general fun debut album. With every song name on that album including the word “Cobra” in some facility, you could tell the group didn’t take themselves too seriously but had serious talent for such a young band (formed only in 2005). Now after sharpening their fangs by playing hundreds of show with (surprise) Against Me!, The Mad Caddies, and The Loved Ones to name a few, the Cobras have returned with a more potent and deadly attack than before.

First things first: they dropped the “Cobra” name songs and wrote up a batch of harder hitting, better structured, and tighter songs (even including a 32 second instrumental called “I Used To Like Them When They Put “Cobra” In The Titles”). This ranges across a few different types of punk rock, all great in their own right. They do great rapid-fire abrasive angry stuff like “Dead Inside” and “Muniphobia,” a number about being chronically afraid of public transportation. “Thicker than Water” hits like a great late 90’s (I use the phrase descriptively, not in reference to the now extinct genre) pop-punk with touches of the Ramones’ harmonies and vocal inflections. If you miss Eternal Cowboy/Axl Rose-era Against Me!, the Cobras serve up numbers like “Overpopulated” (where Peralta’s voice could easily be mistaken for Tom Gabel’s) and the acoustic “Timing” (the Acoustic EP anyone?). Their guitar parts have improved, their harmonies are awesome, and their new songs rock; these guys are just plain old-school punk fun. Not to be missed.

Artist: The Riveradales
Title: Invasion USA
Label: Asian Man Records
Genre: Punk : Punk Rock
Release Date: 7/14/09
UPC: 612851018426
Territory: Worldwide

Former Screeching Weasel members Ben “Weasel” Foster and Dan “Vapid” Schafer have resurrected their side project the Riverdales to record a fantastic new album and play live once again. Named after the small town of Riverdale from Archie Comics, The Riverdales formed in 1994 by members of Weasel who had broken up earlier that year. Their first album was widely praised and the guys toured with the Mr. T Experience and supported Green Day on their Insomniac tour, the stresses of which eventually caused the Riverdales’ first break up. Weasel would reform in 1996 and cause breaks in their side project but not keeping the three pieces from recording 1997’s Storm The Street and 2003’s Phase 3.

Now, 15 years after their original formation, The Riverdales are back in full force, playing select one-off shows across the nation in support of their new album Invasion USA. Their sound remains as it was; very heavily influenced by the Ramones as Foster wanted this new band to pay tribute to the legendary pop punk heroes. Featuring song-titles almost exclusively inspired by Mystery Science 3000 and a new, fuller 4-piece lineup an absolute gem in the sub-genre some have called “retardo” due to the silly nature of the song matter. The songs could be divided into Ben’s and Dan’s as they switch back and forth between lead vocal duties with their respected other forming super catchy harmonies. It all adds up to an all-around fantastic record that delivers super fun songs that basically could serve as new, quality Ramones songs. An instant classic.