Russ Rankin-Sounds Good

Russ Rankin is lead vocalist and songwriter for Fat Wreck Chords bands Good Riddance and more recently Only Crime. Russ's new solo effort "Farewell Catalonia” (out on Paper + Plastick Records) was released in 2012 and he has since been performing solo shows in support of his latest work.

Whenever I get to speak to musicians for this blog, I always ask them where they fit. 

Is Russ Rankin an “analytical theory based” musician, or more of an “I play what sounds good/self-taught” musician?
"I would put myself mostly in the 2nd category you listed although I have recently begun to study music theory a bit more, mostly inspired by my introduction to jazz."

Here's a link to Good Riddance's "Salt" You won't find much jazz in this selection, but the chord progression and vocal melodies and harmonies suggest that when Russ plays "what sounds good" it comes out enjoyable, provided you like hardcore/punk music. 

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue music?

"I thought about trying to sing punk rock when I first bought and listened to Bad Religion’s “Back To The Known” ep. I thought it was amazing the way they used vocal melodies to deliver a potent message."

Bad Religion is pretty influential. Devin Peralta of Cobra Skulls also sited them as an early inspiration.

What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of your musical persona?

"The obvious advantage has been the modest platform it’s given me to speak on issues important to me (animal rights, politics etc). The disadvantage would have to be the inability to hide and be anonymous in the music scene. Having to be extra conscious of everything I did or said, who I hung out with. It comes with the territory and I have learned to deal with it. It isn't nearly so extreme lately as my band(s) aren't really hugely popular but it’s still a thing."

What is Russ Rankin most proud of?

"I would suppose it would be when Fat Wreck Chords agreed to release our music because it turned us almost overnight from a struggling local band into an international act. The most humbling thing has been the thousands of people who have been inspired by our music to make positive changes in their lives."

What is your typical process when writing a song?

"I usually just play around with riffs on my guitar and when I find something that catches my ear I decide whether it will be a better verse or chorus and then I go about trying to fit a good vocal melody over it. 
Other times, a vocal melody just appears in my head (this happens a lot while I’m out in the water) and then I have to try to remember it until I can get home, grab my guitar and put a chord structure underneath it."

I love hearing about musical "Ah-ha!" moments. Guess who is responsible for Russ Rankin's? 

"My Ah-ha moment was listening to Bad Religion’s “Suffer” album. I was blown away. I thought it was a tremendously thought-provoking and powerful experience and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of punk rock music as a mechanism to inspire conscious thought behind a wall of ear-pleasing melodic information."

If you could get everyone you care about to listen to one song,what would it be and why should everyone you know check this out?

“Love and Ire Song” by Frank Turner is pretty powerful. It’s about hope, disillusionment and growing older. It gives me chills. It inspires me and at the same time it makes me want to quit writing music because I know nothing I write will ever be that profound."

My 2 cents, I can't help it...

After viewing and listening to Russ's big moment, I can't help but point out the musical simplicity of the song. Frank Turner is strumming the ever popular I-IV-V chord progression. (V7 if you're knit picky) 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I-IV-V is so commonly used because it simply sounds good. We identify with these chord changes, and when pointed lyrics are passionate delivery are layered above.....Well, "Ah-ha!"

Ixnay on the "ub-step day"
We've seen what inspires Russ, but what is he NOT a fan of?

"I don’t care much for dub step, and I have never been a fan of the punk/ska fusion. I loved Operation Ivy but at the same time I think we have to blame them for all the bands that came after."

Thank you for taking the time to share your musical story. Anything else you’d like to add?

"Thanks to anyone who’s ever supported me or any of the bands I've been involved in."

Melody and Meaning with Devin Peralta

Devin Peralta is the lead singer, songwriter, and bassist of Reno, Nevada’s punk rock trio Cobra Skulls. They are currently on infamous punk label Fat Wreck Chords, and have released 3 full length albums, and various singles and ep's.

I pursued Devin for this blog because I haven’t identified with songs of this genre in such a profound way for years. I had this hunch that Devin is not your average musician. 

Today’s punk rock scene is littered with redundancy, and Devin’s music has inspired me in my writing a lot as of late, with regards to the 3 to 4 chord , 90 second song approach. 

Devin writes as if he understands the foundational qualities of simple, I-IV-V-I chord progressions, and his vocal melodies celebrate the same simplicity while remaining engaging and refreshing.  He doesn’t sing like a gear-head, however, his vocals are raw and gritty and filled with emotion.

Devin in Action

Listen to the second verse and chorus of “Iron Lung,” from their album “Agitations.” The verse has 3 chords, (A aka I, D aka IV, and E aka V in the key of A major) The chorus adds a fourth chord, the all-powerful relative minor. (f#m aka vi) Don’t panic, we’ll hit minors and other non I-IV-V-I chords another time.

Devin spoke to me about his attraction to punk rock, his musical background, and what inspires him. It turns out that my hunch was accurate, Devin’s been classically trained in piano, and played the saxophone for years in addition to his bass and vocal undertakings. Listening to his music, there’s an element of sophistication, even though it’s fast punk rock.  However, although he knows a thing or two about the nuts and bolts, the passion and fire in his delivery does not suffer as a result. 

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue music?

“When I found punk rock.  It was very full of energy and the people making it weren't virtuosos.  The music was fun, simple, catchy, like the early days of rock and roll, country and rockabilly.  It made me think, "Hey, I can do that!"  so I did.”

He’s not kidding about the early days of rock and roll, country and rockabilly being an influence on punk. Listen to his walking bass line and almost Gospel style delivery on “H.D.U.I.” It’s almost like Elvis’s “Mystery Train” on speed.

PROS and CONS

The irony in punk rock is that what was originally a movement that encouraged self-expression,  rebellion, and community has since morphed into one of the more fickle and judgmental scenes out there. Devin has faced these pros and cons on tour all over the U.S. and Europe.

“The advantages of being in a "punk" band is that you, unless, are fostered and farmed by a major label, is that you learn everything from the ground up, and you know how to handle things because you start small and if you last for more than a year it means that people in a community appreciate you and help you.  No one in the underground/diy/music scene had ever achieved anything on their own.  No one is self-made.  We all help each other. “

My 2 cents

Having toured and traveled in punk bands, I couldn't agree more that there is a sense of community, which is honestly what attracted me to punk as well. There is a camaraderie and an energy that is very inspiring when you are traveling, and building up a buzz around your band. Over the last 5 years, the Cobra Skulls following has increased with each show I catch in Chicago.

Devin elaborates on the disadvantages of playing punk.

“When people become passionate fans of your band and feel like they know you and how you are  and feel like they've been a part of the band as the band has been a part of them, they may turn on you when you try to change.  It's strange, punks in theory are very open minded, but they are easily offended or feel betrayed if a band changes their sound.  I know that when I was in high school and a band came out with a new album that sounded different, I would say something like, "oh they sold out"  or "they suck now", but I think that's just how it is when you're young.  You are passionate and the world is a scary place and for kids like me, music was my anchor and when a band changes, it's shocking and if you can't handle it you reject it." 

It’s not all rejection and backlash, however. Devin discusses the highlight of the last year of being in the band and the rewarding feelings that came with it.

“This year, we played Groezrock, a festival in Europe.  Our stage was probably third or fourth tier out of a dozen stages.  You never know if everyone is going to go see the other bands playing and leave you there playing to a few stragglers, but we played to what seemed to be 1,000+ people and there were people from all over Europe going nuts while we played, jumping on stage, singing our songs both in English and Spanish (I'm bilingual).  It was really cool to see that something I am a part of is something that people have connected with all over the world and I think feelings of struggle, accomplishment, hardship and fortune coalesced that day and from then on I don't really care what happens with this band.  It's been a success for me and anything else positive that happens is icing on the cake.”  

A-HA!

So the Groezrock festival proved to be a well-deserved reward for years of hard work with Cobra Skulls; a true “A-ha” moment for Devin Peralta. So while we’re on “A-ha” moments, why not touch on a couple others?

“One memorable “A-ha” moment was when a family friend played Minuet in G by Mozart on the piano.  He played it very well.  It's a simple song, but just hearing that made me cry when I was in second grade."

  

"The second time was when I heard punk rock in 7th grade.  All the music I had been listening to was just mainstream garbage.  The stuff that has good melody, hooks, etc. but it was all vapid and when I heard punk I thought, "Now that's how I feel!"”

Dookie inspired Devin at a young age, as did Rancid’s “And Out Come the Wolves.” Devin explains, “Those were commercially successful punk albums, partly for the reason that they were accessible to those who don't like punk. I would say everyone should listen to Bad Religion's suffer, but maybe that's not as accessible and it would be a waste to recommend such a gem to the masses."

Punk, not punk, mainstream, underground, salsa, Hebrew, Gamelan, death metal, jazz; all musics have a process, some deeply rooted tradition that though modified over time, continues to preserve itself.

So what is Devin Peralta’s process?

“The best songs usually come to me as a melody while I'm doing something physical, mechanical or mundane.  For instance, some of the best songs I've written come to me while I'm driving, bussing tables, working on my uncle's farm, or just cleaning the house and when I do not have a guitar in hand.   I like to record my melodies on my phone and then go back to them a week later and see if it was something worth pursuing or if it was just something that was momentarily entertaining."

Assuming an idea is worth pursuing, what must the finished product have?

“For me it's a combination of melody and meaning.  The music does come first for me.  That's what catches you and drives the song.  If there is meaning behind the lyrics, then the song really has a lasting effect, where as if the lyrics are vapid, there won't be a deeper connection and it will just be a good song that will come and go.”

Meaning

It’s subjective, isn't it? My close friend loves Hanson with all of her heart, and a guitar student of mine is obsessed with Kiss. Do you know how much crap I get for liking Pink Floyd? We decide what music means to us for ourselves, and we also decide what music that has little or no meaning to us...

Meaningless

I wanted to know what sect of music Devin simply cannot find meaning in. Now, I’m not writing this blog to bash anyone’s opinion, but if anyone out there CAN find the merit in the following music, please make your point, and we can discuss. I personally agree wholeheartedly with the following points, but if you happen to be a fan, you are obviously entitled to your opinion.

“Limp Bizkit, Creed, Godsmack, Nickleback, and Puddle of Mud.  I call it construction rock, because construction workers (and I generalize here) usually just put on mainstream rock radio that plays that terrible, terrible garbage and it's basically good for just something to distract you from the heat and hard labor, but it sucks.  I much prefer the durangense and norteño music from Mexico that the immigrant farm workers and cooks listen to while they work .That music has soul.”

Thanks to Devin and The Cobra Skulls for participating, and for making music that I identify with. I mean, it’s no Creed, but they are working at it. 
In all seriousness, thanks to Devin very much for your thoughts, and, sorry Creed.

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My early memories of music

Reading Devin from Cobra Skulls response to my questions, I started to reflect on my first memories of music.That first exposure to any type of music is something that stays with you. I remember my dad blasting Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here” album, and just losing myself in Richard Wright’s ethereal keyboard intro. I shouldn't forget to add that when David Gilmour enters with his guitar solo, that pretty much sent me on my way to wanting to be a guitarist. 

Eurythmics too. I bought a best of on iTunes about a year ago, and I still knew every lyric. 

Thanks dad!

From Mozart to the Ramones.

This first post may come off a little bit stuffy and academic. In order to demonstrate my thoughts on music, I need to introduce a few terms from the get go. Chord progressions, to me, are right up there with pizza, dogs, and sleep. I absolutely love them. I will be using roman numerals a lot to explain chord progressions, and hopefully shed some light on why songs are so attractive on a universal level.

Upper case roman numerals are major chords, and lower case are minor chords. Most of what I post will be assuming that we are in a major key. If you’re not familiar with these terms, major chords sound happy and minor chords sound sad or dark. As you can see below, the I, the IV, and the V chords are ALL major, which is why so many songs use those chords. Minor chords add a certain depth, and for some, can complicate progressions, which is why today, we discuss only the simplest, which is coincidentally also the most reoccurring chord progression.

I-ii-iii-IV-V-vi-vii*

I happen to believe that we, human beings, are attracted to music because it takes us on a journey. The I-IV-V-I progression is the friendliest and the most recycled progression in music, from Mozart to the Ramones. 

The reason for this is that these chords are safe, all major, all within the scope of the MAJOR KEY! We’ll talk borrowed chords and minors some other time, but the point of this post is that I-IV-V-I is safe, accessible, and beautiful.

 Any of my advanced guitar students will vouch for my theory that the “ONE CHORD, aka roman numeral I” is home base in a major key; it’s the chord that centers the entire piece . The “FOUR CHORD, aka roman numeral IV,” is the diversion from home, that creates a sort of safe departure from the I chord. The “FIVE CHORD, aka roman numeral V,” is the climactic point in the progression, and the V is most commonly the vehicle back to the I chord, or back to home base. The V tends to make the listener yearn for the I chord.

The next post will include a video example of I-IV-V-I in action, courtesy of punk rock trio, Cobra Skulls, but for now, here's a video example in it's SIMPLEST form. If A is I (home), then D is IV(diversion), and E is V(climactic vehicle back to I)

Look at all those A's, D's and E's! Hey! Ho! Let's GO!

Now, as for Mozart, you'll hear a lot more embellishments, suspensions, and non chord tones than say, the Ramones, but the foundation of this piece is very much rooted in the I-IV-V-I progression. 

Listen for which chord sounds like home. The first chords of this piece is the I. Listen for which chord sounds like it yearns to push back home. At 9 seconds, the IV chord is introduced, after we start mostly in the realm of I. At 14 seconds, the I chord returns. At 16 seconds, we have a nice exchange between V and I, which gives the listener some relief. Performance credit to the great Bugs Bunny.

Slow but sure

Just got a very interesting and revealing response from one of my punk rock idols. This gives me a lot of fuel and I'm excited to compare responses very soon. Stay tuned...

Questions are out...

I sent out the same questions to a bunch of different musicians, it's time to see who (if anyone) gets back to me and what they have to say. I'm hoping to have the first comparative post as soon as I have two submissions from two different musical backgrounds. Then you'll have a better idea of what I'm going for here.

If you know anyone who'd be interested in contributing in any way, please comment or email me!