Guns Bad, Bosstones Good

By Chad Armbruster

The Bosstones, in case you're not too sure just who they are, have been around for over ten years and have been the innovator of the ska-core style of music since the beginning. Their songs have a style that is, and always has been, noticeable with in the first few notes. Their musical stylings are known throughout the country and internationally as anthems for the - How should I put it? - "non-traditional" youth of today. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have been the musicians against which all other ska is judged.

Luckily, Off! was able to catch Bosstones bass player Joe Gittleman at a recent show and have a few words with him about guns, Napster and the changes within the ranks of the group.

OFF!- With member changes, are you getting more comfortable/confident about touring?

Joe- Yes, I think things are starting to gel now. It didn't take us very long to get things going once we started.

OFF!- Did you have anyone in mind when you were looking for replacements?

Joe- Well, we had some people that we knew were interested in the job. But, we had a lot of people audition for the job.

OFF!- Have you found that each CD inspires the next?

Joe- No, I think each one kind of stands on its own. We all change a lot between each one.

OFF!- I know that Dicky comes up with a lot of the lyrics for the songs. Do you find it difficult to come up with music to go along with the feelings that Dicky puts into them?

Joe- We try to make sure that the music goes along with them, but we all put a lot of emotion into what we do. I mean we're all there when whatever's happening to Dicky, so we all kind of know how to find things to go along with it. We're all really close.

OFF!- How far have the Bosstones morphed from their original style?

Joe- Well, we've all change since when we first started. We were a lot angrier back then. But, I don't think it's changed too much from its basic style.

OFF!- What would you be doing if things hadn't worked out the way they had?

Joe- I don't know. I'm sure we'd all be doing something in music. I use to be a roady so I might be doing that. but, for sure something in music.

OFF!- On the newest CD you have a song called High School Dance that was inspired by the Columbine shootings. What are your opin - ions on gun control?

Joe- I'd like to see us get rid of them all. I don't really think there's any need to have so many guns in this country. It's just ridiculous.

OFF!- Is Ska dead or dormant?

Joe- (Laughing) No, I don't think it's either. Ska is still out there, and it's being supported by the same people who supported it in the first place. I mean Ska had its time on the air, and that went away, but that hasn't stop peo- ple from going to concerts and supporting it.

OFF!- Are you afraid that people won't get your message in your songs?

Joe- I don't know. I mean, we put it out there for people to listen to, and if they get it, then that's great, but really we just want to play it.

OFF!- Has Dicky always been a really introspective person?

Joe- Yes, as long as I've known him, he's always been very sensitive and aware of what's going on around him and in his life.

OFF!- What do you think about Napster and MP3's?

Joe- I think, as long as people are listening to the music, that's all that matters. I mean, when we played our first show for the new CD, I noticed about two thirds of the crowd already knew the tunes, and at that point the CD wasn't even out yet. I thought that was pretty cool to see every one really getting into it.

OFF!- What about Metallica suing Napster?

Joe- Man, I think that's a bunch of bull. If they really want to go after some one, then they should go after their label for all the money they get from them. But, that's ok because everything after Master of Puppets has been complete sh$%.