Interviews

Mike Felumlee

Interview with Mike on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

I'd like to thank Mike Felumlee formerly of The Smoking Popes, Alkaline Trio, and now Double Zero Records for talking to punkbands.com. 

PB: Can you please give the readers a brief history of Double Zero (your label), and also tell about the bands on the label and what its all about?
MF: I started Double Zero in 1999 to release a couple of Smoking Popes records that we had promised our fans we would put out. I then realized that I enjoyed running a label so I decided to sign some bands. We've had 8 releases so far and have several more in the works.

PB: I read on smokingpopes.net that you have plans for a United States tour in 2002. Have any more plans come about, and do you have any idea who you'd like to hit the road with?
MF: Well first I'm going to be doing a Duvall tour on drums. We're going out with Ultimate Fakebook for 2 months starting in April. Then I want to do a Double Zero package tour that would include Duvall, my solo band, Retro Morning and another band to be named later. Hopefully that will happen in July sometime.

PB: I know you're no longer in Alkaline Trio, but one thing that has puzzled me since you left was the reason for your departure. I've heard rumors like you left because they were getting more heavily into drugs than you were interested in. Is there any truth to those rumors, and can you shed any light on the situation?
MF: I actually left the band because Matt and I had a difference of opinion on a few issues. I still like the band but I am happier now doing my solo stuff and Duvall. 

PB: You've spent time with both the Smoking Popes and Alkaline Trio, and now have a solo gig. What has been the most rewarding experience and why?
MF: They have all been rewarding experiences. I find my solo stuff to be the most challenging though. Playing guitar and singing don't come as naturally to me as drumming. I really enjoy working on those things and trying to make myself better at them. It's also great to be playing my own songs. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time but I never had the courage to do it before.

PB: Does Double Zero recieve a lot of demos and do you listen to them? Where can a band send a demo, and what advice do you have for bands looking to get signed?
MF: We do recieve a lot of demos and I try to listen to all of them. I have a hard time actually responding to everyone but I listen to at least a little bit of everything we get. I think the best thing a band can do for themselves is to play as many shows as possible. If you're really good someone will find you eventually. Playing live is also the best way to get better as a band. Bands can send demos to Double Zero Records PO box 7122 Algonquin, IL 60102.

PB: What are your thoughts on someone such as Mike Park who has built the most successful DIY label in the country and maybe in the world? Have you stayed in touch since Alkaline Trio left Asian Man?
MF: I have a lot of respect for Mike. I think its amazing what he has benn able to accomplish with his label. I would love to be half as successful as he has.

PB: What is it about Chicago? It's a city that has produce more outstanding punk rocks than I have ever seen. Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, Slapstick, and The Broadways are just a few. Do bands drink a different type of tap water, or is the beer you guys consume out there?
MF: I really don't know. It is crazy though. It seems like there's always been a ton of great bands here, the Honor System are great, Retro Morning, Starstruck and many more. I think its just that the scene here is really open and supportive of local bands. Chicago's music fans are some of the best in the world in my opinion. 

PB: Tell us a little about your new album "64 Hours". Who is on it with you, and what's the basis behind the record?
MF: "64 Hours" is pretty much a collection of songs I have written over the past few years. Dan Andriano played bass on a lot of it and Josh and Eli Caterer played a couple of guitar solos. I played everything else and did all the singing.

PB: What are some upcoming bands you think we should watch out for?
MF: The Honor System, Retro Morning, Starstruck, Seville and I really like Travis even though they're not really an up and coming band. They're already up!

PB: Lastly, thanks for taking some time to talk to punkbands.com. What has been the best and worst experience of your career to date?
MF: The best experience for me has been meeting a lot of new friends and hearing new bands. I don't really know what the worst is, maybe being kind of poor all the time. Its a lot harder to make a living at this than people think it is. It is a lot more fun than anything else though!