Interstate 007 was a south bay skate punk/punk band from Torrance, California. John A. and Mike C. met in a class they shared at Torrance High School in 1994/1995. Having similar interest in punk music, Mike convinced John A. to get a bass guitar. After about 6 months of practicing, they ran into drummer John M., who lived down the street from John A. Mike and John A. were blown away by how good John M. was on drums, it was the perfect fit. At first, they let 4 other friends join the band. This original lineup was called, "Playdoe". After playing one party, consisting of one original song and covers, Playdoe was no more. (The song Playdoe is about this time. The beginning of Playdoe is the original riff from Playdoe's one and only original song). Mike, John A., and John M. continued to play and decided a 3 piece band was the perfect fit. Mike would write guitar riffs and lyrics. John A. would write the bass lines.. But, the unique Interstate 007 sound was created by John M. and his double kick. One of their friends, stoned out of his mind, was listening to them practice. Out of no where, he referred to them as Interstate 007. The name stuck and Interstate 007 was formed in late 1995. Interstate 007 would go on to play many backyard parties and recorder their first 6 song demo in 1996. That would be followed by a 12 song demo in 1997. Quickly growing a following in the South Bay, the band started getting gigs with bands like; the Deviates, Kanker Sores, Assorted Jelly Beans, Good Riddance, Ten Foot Pole, 98 Mute, and many more Southern California Punk bands. The band met Jani and was included on several AMI production shows. In 1998, the band signed a deal with Raw Power Records to release their first album, titled "on my own". They would ask the Deviates to join them for their record release party in Hermosa Beach, Ca. The show sold out and seemed to be going great. When Interstate 007 took the stage and started their first song, the place went nuts. By their 3rd song, the owner of the venue unplugged the band and said the show was over. The crowd was just having a good time and nothing warranted canceling the show. Cops were called, kids were pepper sprayed and this would end up being the 2nd time a Deviates/Interstate 007 show was cancelled with cops called (first being "the riot" at Club Caprice). Interstate 007 noticed the venue didn't refund the kids or anyone who purchased tickets. They were able to demand a percentage of the door and while standing on a car, handed it all back to the kids in the parking lot. At this time, it was getting harder to find all age venues in the South Bay. The band would start playing the Inland Empire, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, O.C., and various other California cities. In 1999, the band was featured on The Bay After: South Bay Bands Cover South Bay Bands compilation, with their tribute to the Descendents (Suburban Home). In early 2000, the band just stopped playing. *A partial set of a show at Club Caprice in Redondo Beach, Ca can be found on youtube. Interstate 007 was: John McEwan - drums and backing vocals Mike Chen - guitar and lead vocals John Antolos - bass and backing vocals
One of my favorites. Besides Downshift, I don't think there's any other bands that can play that fast, a true gem!
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Interstate 007 was a south bay skate punk/punk band from Torrance, California. John A. and Mike C. met in a class they shared at Torrance High School in 1994/1995. Having similar interest in punk music, Mike convinced John A. to get a bass guitar. After about 6 months of practicing, they ran into drummer John M., who lived down the street from John A.
ReplyDeleteMike and John A. were blown away by how good John M. was on drums, it was the perfect fit. At first, they let 4 other friends join the band. This original lineup was called, "Playdoe". After playing one party, consisting of one original song and covers, Playdoe was no more. (The song Playdoe is about this time. The beginning of Playdoe is the original riff from Playdoe's one and only original song).
Mike, John A., and John M. continued to play and decided a 3 piece band was the perfect fit. Mike would write guitar riffs and lyrics. John A. would write the bass lines.. But, the unique Interstate 007 sound was created by John M. and his double kick. One of their friends, stoned out of his mind, was listening to them practice. Out of no where, he referred to them as Interstate 007. The name stuck and Interstate 007 was formed in late 1995.
Interstate 007 would go on to play many backyard parties and recorder their first 6 song demo in 1996. That would be followed by a 12 song demo in 1997. Quickly growing a following in the South Bay, the band started getting gigs with bands like; the Deviates, Kanker Sores, Assorted Jelly Beans, Good Riddance, Ten Foot Pole, 98 Mute, and many more Southern California Punk bands. The band met Jani and was included on several AMI production shows.
In 1998, the band signed a deal with Raw Power Records to release their first album, titled "on my own". They would ask the Deviates to join them for their record release party in Hermosa Beach, Ca. The show sold out and seemed to be going great. When Interstate 007 took the stage and started their first song, the place went nuts. By their 3rd song, the owner of the venue unplugged the band and said the show was over. The crowd was just having a good time and nothing warranted canceling the show. Cops were called, kids were pepper sprayed and this would end up being the 2nd time a Deviates/Interstate 007 show was cancelled with cops called (first being "the riot" at Club Caprice). Interstate 007 noticed the venue didn't refund the kids or anyone who purchased tickets. They were able to demand a percentage of the door and while standing on a car, handed it all back to the kids in the parking lot.
At this time, it was getting harder to find all age venues in the South Bay. The band would start playing the Inland Empire, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, O.C., and various other California cities.
In 1999, the band was featured on The Bay After: South Bay Bands Cover South Bay Bands compilation, with their tribute to the Descendents (Suburban Home).
In early 2000, the band just stopped playing.
*A partial set of a show at Club Caprice in Redondo Beach, Ca can be found on youtube.
Interstate 007 was:
John McEwan - drums and backing vocals
Mike Chen - guitar and lead vocals
John Antolos - bass and backing vocals