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Interview with The A.K.A.s
By: Caz* Bevan
 The A.K.A.s, loaded with
self-dubbed "dancehall fight music," generally have a more
sarcastic, playful attitude. However, I was more interested in
what they had to say about where they stand politically and
what organizations they stand behind. Lead singer, Mike Ski
gets serious with NowOnTour in a heart-to-heart. Usually on
tour, make sure to check them out.
NowOnTour: So you did the Anti Bush tour and
seem pretty politically motivated - where does that stem
from?
Mike Ski: I guess my experience with punk and hardcore
has always had a social or political root. When we started
the band, we were really trying to fill the void in music as it
was really bumming us out. As more shitty bands came
about, we were essentially starved for meaning. Rather than
waiting fro Zach De La Rocha to start a new band, we
did.
Even after the record was done, we were having inner band
debates as to what exactly we could put our backs up
against as a band. We all decided that it was urgent for us to
get involved with the upcoming election and urge young kids
to vote. We spent the next 6 months registering voters at
our shows before we teamed up with Punk Voter.
So how long have you been around then, in any
band not just The A.K.A.s?
Chris and I were in a band called Brother's Keeper for
several years. We toured the US several times and the UK
and Europe twice. We had records out on Trustkill before
anyone knew what it was. I've been playing in bands since I
was 15.
Are you personally from the New Jersey/New York
area?
We started the band in NYC, now we all live in New Jersey.
I'm from Pennsylvania originally, so is Chris. Josie is a
Jersey girl; Justin is from Austin, TX; Chachi is from
Minneapolis, MN.
Wow. Diverse backgrounds I'm
sure.
Yeah, but sorta similar in a lot of ways.
Which brought you together?
(laughing) I guess. It's been a long process of weeding
out.
Yea, you've had a lot of bass
players.
We've had a lot of everything. Only one singer though
[laughs].
Of course you've only had one singer or the bands
name would change eh?!
(laughing) I hope so.
Where do your personal political passions
lie?
A lot of my motivations personally and politically are rooted
in the fundamental ideas of individuality and the concept of
happiness. A lot of people don't care about these things for
themselves, so they aren't concerned when it is
dehumanized in others. It's the reason people wake up when
they are 40 and are miserable and don't know
why.
You sound like a Taoist?
Naw, it's the science of Joe Six Pack. Regular people are not
empowered to make change for themselves because they
are trapped by these things.
What do you want to change?
I feel like it is too late for a lot of things to be different for
people in our generation, so I'm looking at the big picture, I
suppose. And it's not really about me, it's about other
people. I think people can change the world by changing
things on a personal and local level. You don't need to be an
activist. It could be anything. Something as easy as deciding
not to feel like a loser because your version of happiness
doesn't involve working at a bank.
What would you suggest people do?
Happiness is an individual thing so I suppose I would hope
people had the strength and courage to figure out exactly
what it means to themselves.
is there anything particular you're involved
with?
The band is involved with PETA2, Music For America,
1-800-Suicide and Punk Voter.
All very good things! That's
awesome.
Yeah, stoked.
So are you more nationally focused or do you have
worldwide concerns as well?
Well, first off, I guess I would like to point out that we don't
really see ourselves as so much of a "political" band. I think
it's easy to get that impression because we aren't singing
about girls or being heartbroken or about death and bloody,
dying dismemberment. I'd like to think we were more fun
and smart than political, but it does have a punch. I just feel
weird talking very seriously, it's not really my personality.
I'm just curious because you seem very passionate
about things?
Yes, I suppose that is true. I just have a hard time focusing
on my own problems when there is so much other fucked up
shit going on. Like who cares if a girl broke up with you
when your town is about to be hit by a tidal wave? You know
what I mean?
So are you the sarcastic type of guy? How's this for
a random question then - what do you think of hippies?
[laughs]
Umm, I'm a smart ass I guess. I dish it out, but can't take
it.
I think Hippies were cool at the time, I'm personally
fascinated with the evolution of the Hippies - the Yippies, the
SDS (Students For A Democratic Society) , the Weather
Underground, the Black Panthers, etc. - who took it to
another level. It's sad that the weed-smoking weirdo is what
people envision when they think of Hippies today. I think of
Abbie Hoffman and get stoked and inspired.
That's awesome. I'm glad you didn't give a generic
"they need to smoke less and shower more" type of answer.
But back to serious stuff - where do you get your
information? Are you someone who reads a lot, browses the
net, or engages in a lot of conversation?
I definitely don't read a lot. I have some awesome books,
but I have a short attention span that keeps me from
finishing any of them. I seek out random things of interest
on the Web and in movies and magazines. For young people,
we associate ourselves with those types of mediums. That's
why you can write a hit song about a John Cusack movie.
It's because of this that I realized The A.K.A.s were a cross
between Pump Up The Volume and 8
Mile.
A lot of inspiration comes from the Situationist movement;
"The Situationist Nationale." Dennis from Refused actually
suggested a book to me about it and I've been hooked ever
since - Lipstick Traces by Greil Marcus. Of
course I only read about a third of it! It kinda draws the
initial connection from Situationism to the roots of the Punk
Movement.
How would you describe Situationists for those that
don't know?
In my own words - it was a group of artists, thinkers, etc., in
the 1950s who were critical of society, capitalism,
bureaucracy and reveled in the opposition of these
ideas.
I identify with the everyday aspects of it. There is a book
called The Revolution Of Everyday Life, which I
haven't read all the way, of course. It is a good one as
well.
Now, total change of subject but aren't you a tattoo
artist?
I'm an artist, any music that comes about is basically an art
project combined with activism. Tattooing and graphic design
are how I afford to be in a band.
So you're also an activist?
Not in the protest notion.
So, "No Blood For Radio" is on a T-shirt I once
bought from The A.K.A.s. Let's see? What's on the radio? Fall
Out Boy. What do you think of them?
I actually fully back Fall Out Boy. Those dudes are awesome
bros.
They are really nice.
Petey is an old friend of mine.
I interviewed them too, but it was kinda lame
because I had 10 minutes I had to share at Warped Tour. I
like his writing too. Pete, that is.
I think they are an awesome band. They are really special.
Petey use to roadie for my old band.
Oh really? Brothers Keeper? Small world, sorta. I
always have to remind myself they are from the Chicago
area because it's so easy to assume a band with that sound
is from California, so I guess it's not that far-fetched that he
would have roadied for you.
So as an artist - both tattoo and graphic arts - what is your
style? Are you into graffiti? Skulls? What's your
specialty?
My tattooing is mainly inspired by traditional American stuff,
my design is sorta roots-y old school "artists hand" stuff,
although I can do pretty much any style. I like design that
you can tell a human made it.
Is there a certain shop you tattoo at in New Jersey?
Nope, I am a gun for hire. I am on the road too much to
expect any normal person to put up with my shit.
So you tattoo on the road?
Yup. I bring my stuff.
Is that legal? [laughs]
Probably not. [laughs]
Well there you have it! Illegal tattoos, Fall Out Boy
supporters, PETA, Anti-Bush and an overall good show. What
more could you ask for? This is a band definitely worth
supporting.
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