Interview: Milwaukee Punk Rock Band Alternative Radio Talk About Their New EP "Cough Up Your Money"

Major thanks to Alternative Radio who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss their newly released debut EP “Cough Up Your Money”. We also learned about how the band mates (Payton Stark, Xavier Morla and Aaron Corbin) met and decided to form the band, the music scene for punk rock in Milwaukee, why it is important for the band to remain independent, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Alternative Radio, be sure to connect with them on Facebook, stream the “Cough Up Your Money” EP and share it with anyone who truly appreciates great punk rock music.

Initially, how did you guys connect at the art school you attended and decide to form the band Alternative Radio?

I actually had a solo acoustic career, and was writing songs similar to Patrick Fitzgerald, an acoustic punk solo artist. I was very uncomfortable with singing and playing guitar at the time, nor did I want to be a solo act. I wanted to play music more than anything so forced myself to do these things.

Bass player Xavier Morla who was an architect at the same University stopped me one day and asked me if I was interested in adding any members after seeing a poster I had put up in the school for a release. That was how we started our first band which quickly led to Alternative Radio, and the recruitment of high school friend Aaron Corbin.

Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "Cough Up Your Money"; describe for us your creative process and studio sessions for the development of the EP's three songs.

“Julie’s Got a Gun” was recorded last year in Milwaukee at National Recording studios after the band scraped up $500. This was our first track done in a real studio and came out last year as a single. We were very nervous at the studio, and quickly learned how different it was once you’re on the clock in a professional studio. The studio manager was very intense, he had played in some famous 70’s punk band and had worked with artist like the Misfits in the past. He must have felt like a gate keeper, and because of this he was very honest and brutal with us. We did end up with a great product and a highly produced single though.

“She Does Art” was our second single and written at our art school. If I’m not mistaken I most likely had written the lyrics to the song in a lecture at school. I was taking a lot of fine art studio classes at the time so all these lines comparing this girl to concepts of art and painting. The song was written about a fellow art student who later became my girlfriend. This was our first attempt at recording a track our self in our school’s music studio space.

“Room Fills With Water” was sort of just something that happened. We had some extra studio time when recording a few covers and tracks, some of which are being released later this month. We started with the instrumental and once we got something we felt comfortable with we quickly went in to the control room to write lyrics. After around 2 takes, and 20 mins we had all the lyrics and our vocal take.

What does the EP's title, "Cough Up Your Money", represent?

The title is tongue and cheek, and supposed to catch the viewer off guard. A lot of musicians who just want money try to hide this truth, but we are playing with the audience and letting them know up front that is all we care about.

Were there songs that you recorded for the EP that you decided not to include? If so, why?

We had just tried to get as many recorded as we could on all our visits. We try to mostly release as singles to keep momentum going, but wanted to put together this E.P. with two previously released singles and a new track. We didn’t want to include any covers on this E.P., and this song just felt better on the E.P. than other recorded songs. We try not to over think it too much

Why is it important for the band to remain independent and authentic and not get the "major record label makeover" that a lot of artists and bands get once they get signed?

There are just a lot of things I’m very particular about and don’t want some record company in control of. One thing is the cover art, as a graphic designer who does all of our covers and design. I just like not having any commitment to any label, and full control to change our look or sound as we so choose. Ask me that question in a few years hahaha, self-promotion is a pain.

What's the scene like in Milwaukee for punk rock music in 2020? Are there a lot of venues to perform and are locals supportive of the homegrown talent?

I actually am working on a music campaign in Milwaukee that just did some interviews with musicians from big 80’s acts such as Yipes!, who have played with Cheap trick and other major acts. My dad was played in a new wave group, and knew a lot of the members of big Milwaukee acts. The scene still exists but has since declined since the 80’s, a lot of clubs have shut down and we don’t have as much excitement over local music, but I hope to bring that back. There are very good acts that play clubs like the Cactus Club though, which is where the talent scouts, and big wigs supposedly hang out.

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