Features

Ingrid Newkirk Interview
Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and president of PETA, is one of the most recognizable faces in the animal rights movement. Through her publications and PETA’s work, countless animals have been saved and aided to a growing public uneasiness surrounding animal exploitation. While preparing for PETA’s 25th Anniversary, Ingrid took some time out to answer questions regarding the Holocaust Metaphor, anti-PETA websites, as well as her plans for the next twenty-five years of animal rights activism.

Jerry Vlasek Interview

The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) is the name used by people who engage in direct action on the behalf of animals. Action which is non-violent and direct and furthers the cause of animal liberation may be claimed by the ALF as long as it is consistent with the organization’s guidelines. In January 2005, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security named the ALF a “terrorist” threat. Dr. Jerry Vlasak, a North American ALF Press Officer and Treasurer of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, took some time to answer a few questions regarding recent ALF activity.

Justin Pearson

Justin Pearson, bassist for such acts as The Locust, Some Girls, and Head Wound City, took some time out of his incredibly busy schedule to answer some questions for the Backyard League. Our discussion covered topics including GLBT rights in American, veganism, as well as independent music.

Soso Interview

Soso, one of the most recognizable rappers and producers in the Canadian hip hop scene, took some time out from running his own Clothes Horse label to answer some questions for the Backyard League. Our neighbor to the north was fully of witty remarks as well as insight into the underground scene. Our discussion included North American relations, the weaponization of space, and, of course, hockey.

Aaron Turner Interview

Aaron Turner, guitarist and singer for underground metal heavyweights Isis and Old Man Gloom, and owner of Hydra Head Records, sat down between tours to answer a few questions for the Backyard League. Our discussion included topics such as politics, the creative thought process, and the downloading of music.

Todd Kowalski of Propagandhi

Widely reguarded as the most important band in punk, Propagandhi play cohesive and potent thrash without compromising their political ideology or sound. While the band prepares to record their fourth full length, bassist Todd Kowalski answered a few questions dealing with everything from political persuasions to hockey equipment all the way to listening to metal as a youth.

Russ Rankin Interview

Russ Rankin, lead singer for Good Riddance and Only Crime, as well as founder of Lorelei Records, took some time out of his tour preparations to do an interview with The Backyard League. We hope that this interview with Russ gives insight into how hands on politics can be, as well as look at his new musical experience with Only Crime, featuring members of Bane, Descendents, and Hagfish.

A Tale of Two Europes

At midnight tonight ten nations from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean will join the World’s biggest trading bloc. Ranging from the north of the Baltic states all the way to the very south of the Mediterranean will wake up tomorrow realising that they have the ability to freely travel from the border of Russia all the way to the west coast of Ireland and the Atlantic. That they can now easily work in a variety of nations without work permits and an unprecedented amount of investment will be pledged towards their infrastructure and other parts of their society.

Mike Park Interview

Mike Park, founder of the Plea for Peace Foundation and one of the driving members behind Punk Voter, took some time out of his busy schedule to do an interview with The Backyard League. We hope that this interview with Mike illustrates how intertwined politics has become with musical culture, at both the mainstream and independent levels.

Striking Grocer’s Interview

This interview was conducted prior to Thanksgiving with a member of the striking grocer’s union. Based on the sensitivity of the issue, the interviewee’s name is being withheld. The purpose of this interview is to give a human angle on the strike currently ongoing in California, beyond the statistics that are being thrown about in news articles.