Interview with Walter Schreifels

Walter Schreifels is a definitive member of the hardcore scene. These days he’s wrapping up a new solo album An Open Letter To The Scene and already supporting it in major cities worldwide. Rival Schools has a new album coming out this year. It’s never a dull moment as Schreifels explains.

Delusions of Adequacy: It seems like the only time you don’t fly out to shows is when they’re at home in Brooklyn. Where have you been travelling to as of late?

Walter: I just got back from Australia, the jet lag is a special mix, hence I’m doing this interview at 5am. As an acoustic performer it’s easy for me to get around on my own. I’m also putting bands together, I’ve got a band in Tokyo and New York so far, the UK is next.

DOA: You have an upcoming solo release, what do you people to know about it? When do you expect to go public with new songs, artwork, labels, preorders and the like?

Walter: I’m completing the artwork this weekend, looking for a release world wide first week of April. For starters I want people to know it’s on the way and that it exists. Ultimately, I want people to hear it, hopefully some new fans along with those already familiar.

DOA: You like to throw in songs from your old bands to the setlist, what are some of the more obscure cuts you’ve brought back to life?

Walter: I’ve been playing “Don’t Gotta Prove It” which is a song I wrote for Civ. I wrote the entire first album, not a lot of people know that.

DOA: Are you still playing with the same backing band that you assembled in 2006?

Walter: I’ve got a band in New York that I started playing with over the summer. In 06 I had a band in Germany but we only played a handful of shows. The band in New York has really grown and I’m very happy with the sound and our show in general.

DOA: When you initially added a backing band, did your personal writing process adapt to outside ideas?

Walter: I know my musicians well and they are all very talented and great to be around. The difference with this band to any other is that they are there to support my songs and play shows, there’s no drama in this band because of that understanding. That said, I’m always up for someone else’s good idea so I leave the channels open.

DOA: You’ve acted as a frontman for several bands, what’s your philosophy on managing bands? Does each experience you have build off the last?

Walter: It’s a struggle to be in a band but it’s also very rewarding when it works. I try to apply my experience to each new situation, there are constants but I’m usually trying to achieve something different each time I go at it so it stays fresh.

DOA: Rival Schools’ United By Fate was released in 2001. 2003-2008 marked its hiatus. What events led to the reunion?

Walter: I guess I knew that we should have at least followed up United By Fate. We were all pretty burnt out at the end of the touring cycle. I know I needed to do different things. We had decided to leave it open to regroup. In 2008 we figured we oughta get cracking if it was ever going to happen.

DOA: What has changed since the first run of Rival Schools? Members?

Walter: We’re all parents and dare I say a little more grown up about things. The band was very intense for a while and it didn’t have to be. In this new incarnation I think we’re enjoying it more.

DOA: Are there any plans for the unreleased RS album? You’ve said before that it’s held up very well.

Walter: We recorded a new album due in June. We used a couple of songs from the unreleased demos. The versions are slightly different, more developed.

DOA: What ended the relationship with Island Records after United By Fate, did your contract from Quicksand just expire?

Walter: We were in a demo process, hence the unreleased demos, that was going on too long because of major label politics. We asked to be let go.

DOA: What are you currently looking for in record labels that makes it worth the wait, both for you and your fans?

Walter: I have to say I preferred the old system where artisit could make money on records and have more control over there material leaking out, albums over single songs. That said I think that people in the record business these days are probably in it for better reasons. It’s hard to imagine it would be to get rich.

DOA: Can you shed light on any of the symbolism or references behind your music video for “Society Suckers?”

Walter: My friend Ray Peratta directed it and they were all his ideas, I just showed up. Ray was into HC before me and really has a sense of the imagery. It was very fun and easy.

DOA: Performing and being on the road has been an integral part of your life – how often do you find yourself daydreaming of times with Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand?

Walter: Once in a while as it applies to the situation at hand. With Quicksand we had to tour all the time if we liked it or not, I think that probably contributed to our demise. On the other hand it was nice to have a big support system, tour bus, promotion. With GB we only had a handful or tours and they were some of my early experiences. It wasn’t cushy but I remember it fondly.

DOA: The creativity Quicksand brought to hardcore, right down to the angular illustrations, has resonated with a whole new generation of 20-somethings. Two of your influential bands have already been resurrected. Is anything you do ever truly a closed book?

Walter: With my solo album I am trying to make sense of the fact that all of the bands I’ve been in are part of the same thing. I assembled the bands and wrote most or all of the songs. Even though none of the bands lasted for more than a record or two, I’m the constant. The book is still being written. I’m very happy that I managed to connect in the first place but that the music lives on is the best I could hope for.

DOA: About how much recorded material from all your works is unreleased? Will it remain that way, ideally?

Walter: I have quite a bit. I think that there’s merit to all of it but I try to keep the bar high as far as stuff that is offered for sale. Sometimes I think that the unreleased music out there can be looked at in a better light if it has to be searched out, there’s more intimacy.

DOA: What passions and projects outside music keep you occupied between tours, releases, and shows?

Walter: I have a 2 year old daughter. I like to run and practice yoga. I like to walk.

DOA: What’s on your playlist these days?

Walter: I just discovered Pandora and I’ve been making up a bunch of stations. The last record I bought was an Of Montreal record that I like. Nick Cave’s latest record is really good.

DOA: What are some of your concrete plans for this year?

Walter: It’s promises to be busy. I have the solo record An Open Letter To The Scene coming out and a new Rival Schools album. That equals a lot of touring. I’ll be at SXSW, touring the UK solo after that, Japan with Rival Schools after that and so on.

DOA: If there’s anything further you’d like to mention, note or plug, please do.

Walter: Thanks for giving me something to do in my jet lagged insomnia.