Backstage Pass - Scanner - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

SCANNER

Joe Brady, Bass and Lead Vocals for Scanner

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

SCANNER

Scanner - We went through a few band names, but in 1980, when I read in Fangoria about about a new movie coming out called "Scanners", I liked the imagery of heads exploding, and imagined it being the effect of hearing Scanner music!

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

SCANNER

Joseph Brady (Bass & Lead Vocals), Junnie Fortney (Guitar & Vocals), Troy Alwine (Drums & Vocals)

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

SCANNER

Old school punk rock. We never gave a damn about making money or being rock stars. There was never any consideration for what would be commercially acceptable. We just let the songs come out with very little planning or time put into them. It was about as natural a flow of creative energy as a band could have.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

SCANNER

David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Dead Boys, Plasmatics, Stiff Little Fingers, Cock Sparrer

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

SCANNER

Whore. Collectively, we've been playing onstage for over 35 years

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

SCANNER

Straight forward and no frills.

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

SCANNER

1981 at a club in Harrisburg, PA call Rumpelstiltskin's. We went in, discussed as a new wave band (even changed our name for the evening), because club owners said our music was not "danceable". At one point, everyone on the dance floor dropped and did the worm! It was a time when normal people could easily be shocked at night clubs!

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

SCANNER

Tell us about your worst show and why? We played several shows in the late 70s and early 80s where people threw stuff at us, or the clubs simple shut us down.Come to think of it, those were great shows too!

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

SCANNER

These days, I'd love to play with Cock Sparrer, maybe in D.C or New York.

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

SCANNER

No.

ATP

Do you have a record label and if not are you looking for one?

SCANNER

No record label, but we are willing to talk to anybody!

ATP

What are your plans for the future, in a year, 5 years?

SCANNER

We are going to record another album sometime this year.

ATP

Finally, do have any words on what Arm The Pit means to you?

SCANNER

I've been hearing a lot about Arm The Pit, especially from many of our Internet radio show friends. Obviously it means some good and fun networking and exposure.