Punk Interviews

Here at the Cavalcade o' Chemistry, we love punk rock.  As a result, we figured we'd ask some prominent punk musicians of the past 25 years what they thought of chemistry when they took it in high school.


Jello Biafra, probably best known for singing in the Bay Area punk band Dead Kennedys in the 1980's, is also an outspoken activist for free speech and personal freedoms.  In the 2000 presidential election, a movement was started to make him the Green Party candidate, but Ralph Nader was chosen instead.


Mr. Guch:  When you took chemistry in high school, what was the best lab you remember performing?



Jello Biafra:  Click HERE to listen to his response.



Mr. Guch:  That somehow doesn't seem appropriate to a high school class.



Jello Biafra:  Click HERE to listen to his response.

L7, though certainly not the first punk band consisting entirely of women, is probably the best.  I recently met with the band and asked them a few questions about their high school chemistry experiences.


Mr. Guch:  What was your main impression of your chemistry teacher in high school?



L7:  Click HERE for their response.


Mr. Guch:  What do you believe the greatest problem that needs to be solved in chemistry is?



L7:  Click HERE for their response.

The Germs were one of the most influential punk bands to come out of the late '70's LA punk scene.  The singer, Darby Crash, was well-known for his outrageous behavior, crippling drug habit, and incoherent speech.  Despite having overdosed on heroin in 1980, Darby Crash made time to speak with us about his high school chemistry course.


Mr. Guch:  What was your main impression of your chemistry teacher in high school?



Darby Crash:  Click HERE for his response.


Mr. Guch:  Uh.  OK.

One of the most obnoxious bands to hit the scene in recent years is Boris The Sprinkler.  From Green Bay, Wisconsin, this band is led by a loudmouth called only "Reverend Nørb", who seems fond of starting BTS albums with long, pointless monologues.  I recently got a chance to meet with Rev. Nørb and speak with this self-professed "voice of geek America" and former columnist for Maximum Rock 'n' Roll about his high school chemistry experiences.

Mr. Guch:  I understand that you originally became interested in chemistry because you felt that medication could fix some emotional problems you were having at the time.  What sorts of problems were you having?


Rev. Nørb:  Click HERE for his response.


Mr. Guch:  That's terrible!  How are you feeling lately?


Rev. Nørb:  Click HERE for his response.

Music credits:  All music used without the permission of the artist.  However, all of the albums mentioned here are highly recommended!

Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys):  
Clip 1 taken from "Chemical Warfare" from Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables.
Clip 2 taken from "Take This Job And Shove It" from Bedtime For Democracy.
Both albums are available from Alternative Tentacles records.

L7:
Clip 1 taken from "Fast And Frightening" from Smell The Magic.
Clip 2 taken from "Diet Pill" from Bricks Are Heavy.
To order these albums directly from the band, visit the offical L7 site.

Darby Crash:
Clip taken from "Richie Dagger's Crime" from M.I.A., available at Rhino Records.

Reverend Nørb (Boris the Sprinkler):
Clip 1 taken from "My Radio Is Telling Me To Kill (The Guys On My Radio)" from Boris the Sprinkler Suck.
Clip 2 taken from "Screamin' Demon Martians Ridin' Go-Karts In My Head" from Saucer to Saturn.
For information on ordering these albums, mail Bulge Records at POB 1173, Green Bay, WI 54305.  For info about more recent albums, visit Go Kart Records.


Questions?  Comments?  Whiny Complaints?  Email them to me at misterguch@chemfiesta.com.