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An Interview with Jason Bazinet of SMP
Posted: Sunday, December 07, 2008
By: Trubie Turner

On March 6, 2008, SMP played their last show and ended over a decade of hip hop/industrial styling that provided a completely unmatched and under-appreciated attitude and originality to a genre whose fans too often favor recreation over innovation. Though SMP is done, that does not mean Jason Bazinet is retiring and moving to Florida. From providing drum support for both 16volt and Chemlab's recent tours to providing vocals for 64K and working on other projects such as The Loyal Opposition and The Crills, we are obviously nowhere close to hearing the last from Bazinet. Driving that point home, SMP has just released a last hurrah in the form of a new remix collection entitled Pissing on the Legacy. Bazinet was kind enough to take some time out of his still very busy schedule to answer some of ReGen's questions about the past, present, and future of his musical endeavors.

You just released the digital-only release, Pissing on the Legacy, your second remix collection. The title would suggest a negative view of your time with SMP.  Is that the case?

Bazinet: Well, the title is sort of a stab at nostalgia, which in music I find somewhat disgusting. Also, since I've put SMP to bed, this is the final album. It's kind of the final insult, you know what I mean?  The thing is, I didn't really want the last SMP record to be a remix album. It's not a good way to go out, but fuck it, a lot of people worked hard on these mixes. I hope it's enjoyed.

With SMP officially on hiatus, what was the inspiration behind the release of the album?

Bazinet: The work was done, and I found the time to put it together.  That's it. It's a digital-only release, and I've been interested to see how that would go. I mastered the record and did the artwork myself, so there's that as well. It's a pretty grassroots effort in comparison to the other SMP albums.

How is the work going with 64K and The Loyal Opposition?  Any projected release dates on your work with them?

Bazinet: The 64K record is an EP called Choke, and it is out now via CD Baby. It's also a digital release. I'm really proud of those songs. Mike from 64K is a real talented dude, and we worked well together.  It is unfortunate that the industry isn't really trying to hear music like 64K.

The Loyal Opposition is a full-length I'm working on with Garrick from Doll Factory. It's being mixed down right now in New York City. Given my faith in CD sales lately, it will probably be a digital release as well.

Do you feel that slumping CD sales are due to excessive piracy or simply a sign of the times caused by the gradual transition to new technology and distribution formats? Do you have a personal preference in your own music purchases?

Bazinet: I think CDs are in a slump for various reasons. One is the downloading. Two is the mom-and-pop stores closing down. There's only so much shelf space left, and it's going to go to the mega-sellers. SMP sold most of our CDs through touring. We had real connection with people and pressed discs into peoples hands. Since we don't tour anymore, we sell a lot less. Personally, I still buy CDs, since I'm kind of old-school that way. I just picked up the new Paris disc, Acid Reflex, on the release day. I did buy it over the Internet, though.

How refreshing is it to be back to a format where you're not a solo act and have the input of others?

Bazinet: I wouldn't call it refreshing; it's just different. You have to learn to compromise more, of course. With SMP, I could pretty much do anything I wanted, but when you are collaborating, you kind of have to establish some ground rules about what kind of music you are trying to create.

Stylistically, 64K's sound on Choke is largely a departure from your usual work, while what we've heard from The Loyal Opposition so far seems very hip-hop-infused, like much of SMP's work.  Do you need to go with different mindsets and attitudes for these two new projects?

Bazinet: While a few tracks of The Loyal Opposition are industrial/rap oriented, I wouldn't say that's the full scope of the project.  I don't think the album will be easily classifiable.  Regarding mindsets, yes I do change my approach on writing depending on the project.  For example, Mike from 64K isn't really into the industrial/rap thing, so we stuck to hard innovative industrial without any crossovers.

You also perform live with a punk rock cover band called The Crills, and you have a brilliant cover of The Adolescents' 'Who Is Who' on The Treatment. Are there any more covers, punk or otherwise, we can look forward to in the near future, or are there any songs you'd love to cover at some point?

Bazinet: I love old-school punk. That's the kind of music I grew up on. I always felt that the industrial music of the '80s and early '90s was the continuation of true punk.  As far as covers go, The Loyal Opposition do a cover of U2's 'Seconds.'  I just got a mix of it from Garrick.  It's pretty cool. I'd like to cover another Boingo song someday, and maybe 'People Ain't No Good' by Nick Cave.

Has there been any talk of The Crills doing an album of original punk? Have you wanted to write and perform your own punk anthems?

Bazinet: Yeah, I've always wanted to write some punk tunes. I love the formula, the no-nonsense blast of a one-minute song. I don't know if the Crills will go into writing originals or not. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to the idea.

You recently toured with Chemlab and 16volt, providing drums for their live performances.  How did that go, and did you find yourself missing being center stage?

Bazinet: I certainly don't miss the stress of fronting a band. With SMP, I pretty much ran the show a lot of the time, handling the tour management and such. There's a lot of bullshit to deal with on the road. Yeah, I don't miss that. Playing the drums is sort of an anonymous position. Most fans focus on the singer or the guitarist or whatever. It's cool, but yeah, I do miss the audience reaction and interaction I got from fronting SMP.

Though it has been a short time since you officially put SMP on hiatus, do you find yourself missing it at all yet, or has your incredibly busy schedule as of late prevented that?

Bazinet: From time to time, I do miss it. Endings are always sad.

Are things slowing down a little bit now that the summer touring is over and 64K's Choke will be out soon, or are fall and winter going to be just as busy? What are you going to be doing with yourself? Is it time to relax yet?

Bazinet: Well, I'm always getting into new projects and such or working on my drumming skills.  I try to stay current with my programming as well. I don't relax much.

Do you see your release of Pissing on the Legacy as a bookend to your time with SMP?

Bazinet: Pretty much. Peace out.