Since the 90’s Good Riddance has been one of the preeminent names in Cali-punk/melodic hardcore. The quartet is about to embark on a brief headlining tour, beginning tonight, 13 May in Brooklyn. I had the honor of posing a few questions to frontman Russ Rankin about the tour, what changes have occurred in the last four decades of punk, touring post-pandemic and more. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Before we get started, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this. The last time TGEFM had the chance to speak to you, Chuck Platt had just been involved in a serious accident. We are so glad to hear he is back up and ready to join GR on this tour. Between your time as a hockey scout, your recent solo album, keeping yourself informed on the wide array, and ever growing litany of disgusting shit in the world and now, heading out on tour with Good Riddance, where do you find time? Just typing all of this has me in need of a nap.
I try to keep a current calendar, with all of my various activities, and planning things out ahead of time helps a lot.
I know we are coming up on the first night of the tour, but can you give us any hints about what we can expect?
We are excited to be back out on a proper tour – it has been a while. We have 9 albums, so it’s a challenge to include everything we’d like to in our set, but we do our best.
Good Riddance is nearing the 30th anniversary of debut EP Gidget. What has most changed in the scene from your perspective?
Obviously the world in general is much more connected than it was then. Also, the ways in which people consume music has changed drastically. Other than that, it’s still just people trying to make the best art they can, and get it in front of as many people as they can.
Speaking of change, there has been so much in just the last three years, what takeaways did you find in the pandemic and what changes have you made to the touring process in response?
I’d like to think we’re all a little more conscious of the ways people can spread germs, and of ways to stay healthier while traveling. In our camp, we are doing everything we can to promote health and well-being while on tour, backstage, at venues, etc.
Aside from the pretty amazing set of openers on this tour; War On Women, Teenage Halloween, School Drugs and Brutal Youth, what are some of the other bands our readers (and contributors) might not be listening to but should be?
There is more music out there than I can hope to listen to or comment on. I have recently discovered a few bands, none of which are new, but were new to me:
New Cassettes
Restorations
Ebri Knight
What’s next for the members of Good Riddance?
We have a fairly busy summer and fall. Who knows? Maybe start writing new music?
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
