Many legendary labels and bands have left their mark on our lives with their music and history, but when we talk about the DC Dischord Records label, we’re talking about something significant! Fortunately, we had the opportunity to chat a bit with Peter and Franz from the legendary American hardcore punk band from Washington, DC formed in 1979 SCREAM; about their upcoming material and their European tour with Pennywise and The Gimme Gimmes in August.
Here’s the interview for you:
1. How does the DC music scene from the 90s compare to the current one, and what do you think has changed the most in the music environment?
Peter: Well, first off, we started in the 80s. The early 80s! You know, DC has always had a small music community, but very vibrant with lots of new bands coming up, so there always seems to be a new generation of kids coming up and making music. That’s good. That’s the way it should be. Besides the obvious changes in the music business with social media and promotion and how music gets sold, the challenges still remain — it’s hard to get booked in clubs. Corporations like Live Nation rule the music venues all around the world. DC is kind of an exception because we have some independent promoters that have been able to keep the corporations at bay.
Franz: I’m not the best voice on this question as I moved to LA in 91. What I can say, is Scream did a show in D.C. in June at Lamont Park in celebration of the release of the Inner Ear studios book. A free show, and just tons of people showed up for the music, for the benefit of this book, and in large part to show support to what is still a very vibrant scene. The scene still has a wide range people from all over DMV area, new bands like, Machetres and with Dischord still releasing records it continues to forge the movement forward as they continually release records for bands like, Hammered Hulls, Bed Maker etc..etc..Maybe much has changed, but the cycle still revolves!
2. What advice would you give to young bands starting out in the hardcore scene today?
Peter: Do it yourself. Same thing we always did; just get out there and do it yourself. Which means gets the fuck out from behind your laptop and get out there and play in front of people.
Franz: Get in a Van and start touring, and use Social Media to spread the word!!Do It Yourself! Don’t quit your day job!
3. How do you feel about going on tour to Europe with Pennywise and The Gimme Gimmes?
Peter: Stoked. We haven’t had an opportunity to play with either band. We are really looking forward to this chance. We always like to play with bands that push us to rise to the occasion. It’s more fun that way and it makes for a better show. It is a show, and it’s important to perform at the highest level. When you play with great bands, it makes a great show for everyone — the artists and the audience.
Franz: Oh Man!! We’re super excited to be on these bills with these guys!! Can’t wait!
4. What are you expecting on this tour?
Peter: I’m looking forward to all the great little culinary treats that are unique to the regions and countries we are in. In Belgium, I’m looking forward to some chocolate sprinkles on my toast with coffee and the local beers.
Franz: Hot, Hot, Hot, and loads of fun!! The usual festival setting can cheat a lot of people out of some good bands due to logistics and times, but for US, I just hope we aren’t too far from the crowd as we really like it when it can be as close and personal as possible. Makes for a good time for all!!
5. Do you have any special message you’d like to send to your European fans before starting the tour?
Franz: Scream is super excited to be back, and make a proper run of it, along with smaller dates in and around Germany. We are most excited to announce that our old friend Gizz Butt, “Prodigy”, “English Dogs”, and “Janus Stark” will be joining as 2nd guitar!! with the band on this Tour!!!
Peter: We miss you! Come to our shows! We want your blood.
6. Could you tell us about your upcoming project and what fans can expect from your music in the near future?
Peter: Absolutely. DC Special is the name of our new record. It’s a project with a concept where we wanted to write a record that tells the story of our band through our history and our city. Our story is within the city’s music history. We wanted to do this by collaborating and inviting friends and peers and people that influenced us. It was a self/crowd funded DIY record. We are still putting some final tweaks on it. It will be out in the fall and we hope to come back to Europe to play it.
Franz: Scream’s new record “D.C. Special” will be released on Dischord records sometime in November…You can expect the same old Scream stylie from days past in all forms here and there along with our new ventures in a similar vein.
7. The hardcore scene has seen some exciting developments lately. How do you feel your band’s sound fits into this evolving landscape, and what unique elements do you bring to the table?
Franz: Scenes change and evolve constantly, more than I can keep track of. From What I see here in LA, are the new fwy underpass hardcore shows which are total mental and unsupervised. Total chaos. It’s own little scene. Plenty of new bands, like the cool as fuck Latino Metal band “ Evening Moods” and plenty more. We have never thought about making music to fit in. We’ve always made music for us. We still are a part of this landscape, and a much older, and you could say wiser but that doesn’t mean we let the hammer down softly in our growing age!
Peter: I mean, the unique element we bring is ourselves — our music, our ideas, and message. I’m not sure that we fit in but that’s okay because punk rock is supposed to be different and contain a lot of diverse ideas and sounds.
8. Dischord Records has been a pivotal label in the hardcore and punk rock genres. How did your collaboration with Dischord come about, and what impact has it had on your music and career?
Peter: I got a box of cracker jacks and I opened it up. There was a little piece of paper in it and it was a note from Ian MacKaye that asked if we wanted to do a record. The collaboration and the community in the DC music scene and being part of the Dischord roster has meant everything to us and made us what we are today. We are so excited about DC Special because it epitomizes the community that we are from.
Franz: Well, it’s easy to see what the impact Dischord Records has made on D.C. and around the globe. Initially as it was done in those days, and if you were lucky, you recorded your band in your basement, or lucky enough to actually do a real demo in a friends studio and passed them around. An old friend of ours was able to provide us with a bare bones studio and we made these demo tapes, and band tapes. We were also playing around town quite a bit and finally got a tape to Ian. He said he want to record us over at Inner Ear, and for his label, Dischord. Well, That changed our lives from then on forward, and to this current time where were able to record the last LP at Inner Ear studios and turn it in to this wonderful musical celebration, celebrating D.C. VA. and Maryland along with a host of local players and all through the infamous hands of Don, and Ian down to the final month when the studio, sadly, would finally shut it’s doors. 40 years later!!
9. As artists exploring the hardcore genre, what are some of the key messages or themes you aim to convey through your music? How do you think hardcore music can continue to evolve and resonate with audiences in the future?
Franz: Well, Thematically..My brother usually provides a point of view lyrically, though on a few songs Enoch, and I have provided that, especially n the new record. They’ve always come from a personal reflection through the things we see in daily life, and or, individual experiences. We started off Screaming at the world while living in a Government town and seeing, witnessing the lies and bullshit that are constantly shoved down our throats, so from early on it all was very politically based. As we grew and became more wise, and better at writing it took on a new tone. The Injustices still continue, and even more so it seems now. It’s grown a little more like not screaming at a wall but to more screaming from ones soul and more subjective. At the same time you have to enjoy life as it is very short so music and moods also have to encapsulate that. We are a band of many flavors and styles, and I think our music covers that such Humanity!
Peter: The key messages would be think, try, believe in yourself. Even if you feel out of place. I feel that everyone’s message is important. In order for hardcore to keep evolving, you have to blow it up all the time and start all over again.
10. What do you know or have you heard about the hardcore scene in Costa Rica?
Peter: To be honest, I don’t know much about it. I thought it was a place for old hardcore people to retire to.
Franz: I know little of the scene there???? Would love to play there, and South America!!
Thank you very much for your time, and please stay tuned for their tour dates and their “D.C. Special” material.
SCREAM members:
Vocalist – Pete Stahl
Guitarist – Franz Stahl
Bassist – Enoch “Skeeter” Thompson
Drummer – Kent Stacks
SCREAM Social Media:
Punk Rock Mag 
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