Written and reported by Lyndsey Wallis

 

 

The person that we're putting in the spotlight this month is London Spicoluk (real name Mark). This name may not seem familiar to a lot of you, but we're pretty sure you all know him. London was Avril Lavigne's former bass player (the one with the dreads). He quit in September of 2002, to continue with his band called Closet Monster. Jesse Colburn, Avril Lavigne's guitarist, was also in Closet Monster. Just recently, Closet Monster put out a video for Mr Holland Vs. Acceptable Behaviour, and they have it on regular rotation on MuchMusic, and high rotation on MuchLoud. London also has his own record label called Underground Operations. They have signed bands like Rimtrik (whom we are working on an interview with). In this interview I did with London, you will find out some pretty interesting things about him that you probably never knew. I'll just let you know that he was one of the original members of Sum 41. Keep reading to find out more!

 

 

 

 

Soundbox Magazine- When did you start playing bass, and what got you interested in it?

 

London Spicoluk- As far as bass goes, I learned to play in 1996 to join Sum 41 before they were as big as who they were today. We were good friends and in high school bands. I had just quit my band from before and they asked me to learn and join. But as far as guitar goes, I learned because I was completely facinated by live music and rock scenes, and wanted nothing more than to contribute to it myself. That was in 1993, when grunge was cool, and I wore plaid and got beat up 'cause it was my first year of high school.

 

SM- What were some of your favourite bands growing up, and did they influence you?

 

LS- Growing up was Nirvana, Guns and Roses, SoundGarden, and other such bands you would listen to before you defined your preference to taste, because it was the only thing available. As I started to chose music myself a year or two later, it was Propagandhi, NoFX and Green Day. All their early which still wasn't cool yet, but was preparing to explode. They all influenced me a great deal in showing me that you could play any kind of music you want, have fun, and surround your life by it.

 

SM- When and how did you manage to get the job of playing bass for Avril Lavigne?

 

LS- I got a phone call from my friend who told me he was asked to ask me if I would be interested in meeting her, and maybe playing live for her.

 

SM- Any particular reason that you decided to leave Avril's band?

 

LS- When I took the job, I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but it was an opportunity to learn things about the music industry that most people never get to know, sharpen my craftsmanship as a bass player, see some of the world from a different perspective that is usually defined as "the top", and have some fun. Once I realized that I had learned all I could, and experienced what it had to offer, I knew I had to continue following my heart in life.

 

SM- How long ago did you form Closet Monster?

 

LS- In 1997, when I quit Sum 41.

 

SM- What would be your favourite song be that you've played in any band that you've been in?

 

LS- I played one show in a band with some of my best friends at the time called "The Oisters". It was all for fun and we didn't care how we sounded or looked or what people thought of us when we all experimented with new instruments. We had two singers and I was one of them...just about any song we played was one of my favourites.

 

SM- When was Underground Ops created?

 

LS- It has been around since I started being a productive member of the local punk scene, acting as a promotions company to put on shows and release Closet Monster material and a couple of comps. That was in 1998 or something, but only recently have I and a bunch of really cool people decided to try something serious with it. Probably since last March, but I started working serious on it myself about a year ago.

 

SM- Is there one band that has been signed to Underground Ops, that really sticks out to you?

 

LS- All of them, 'cause they are all unique and bring aspects of punk rock to the table that others don't.

 

SM- Brett Roberts from Rimtrik works for you, how long have you known him for?

 

LS- He has been volunteering for a short period now, although it is hard because he doesn't live near us, but we will in time, figure out more efficient ways of working him into the collective, 'cause he has a good heart and a lot of passion for music like the rest of us.

 

SM- What band(s) do you really admire and why?

 

LS- Any band that gives it their all and doesn't conform to what people's ideas are of what bands should be or play.

 

SM- If you could collaborate with a member of any band, who would it be?

 

LS- Zach of Rage Against the Machine...I would be totally out-matched and skilled, but I would not have any qualms with him putting me to shame.

 

SM- Are there any plans for a Canada/American tour with Closet Monster?

 

LS- Yes...we are going out east for almost four weeks starting November first, and then maybe continuing out west for two weeks in December. Brrr.

 

SM- Would you ever play on the Warped Tour?

 

That's a tough one. On one hand I would like to say no because of the big business aspect of the whole event. That shoe company sponsers it, who have slave labour manufacturing their products in third world countries, and it seems to be more about hyping products...more like a convention than a festival. Punk rock shouldn't be inside the Skydome in Toronto where there are McDonalds on every level, water is over-priced, the ticket prices are way too high etc. But on the other hand, it would be a massive opportunity to reach a large audience and expose them to ideas and art that could show them thet there are other options to chose from in the punk scene and life in general that might help them contribute to the world in a more positive manner. A larger megaphone to scream out of. It's a tough one.

 

SM- Are there any moments when you were onstage and you messed up on a song so bad, that you wished you could go back in time to the beginning of the show so you could fix the mistake?

 

LS- I try not to regret.

 

SM- What are your aspirations for Closet Monster?

 

LS- To keep doing what we are doing: playing music we love, and pushing ourselves to our limits at all times. To do our part as productive positive members of society. Show a couple people alternatives to the bulls**t we are consumed by on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

Soudbox's

 Random/Dumb Questions:

 

SM- What's in your cd player right now?

 

LS- -A Joint Team Player compilation. It's  German/European hardcore at its best. www.jointheteamplayer.com

       - Minor Threat-Out of Step

       - A Countdown to Oblivion-Seven Inch

 

SM- How long did it take for you to get dreads?

 

LS- A year to grow the hair. Six hours to knot it.

 

SM- Why do you call yourself London?

 

LS- I usually refer to myself as "I" or "me" or sometimes in third person as "Mr.Spicoluk" :)

 

SM- What was the best concert(s) you've ever been to?

 

LS- 1. NoFX, Ten Foot Pole, Face to Face at the RPM, Toronto 1994

       2. Rage Against the Machine athe the Pheonix in Toronto, 1999.

       3. The Greatest Punk Show Ever at the Legion Hall, Cobourge, 2000.

       4. Propagandhi at the Moon Room, Oshawa, 1996.

       5. Grasshopper and Hayden at Lee's Palace, Toronto, 1994.

 

SM- What's your favourite food?

 

LS- Anything veggie. Mac and cheese?

 

SM- If you could be sponsored by any company, what would it be?

 

LS- Oscar Meyer Weiners.

 

 

Even though London has left Avril Lavigne's band, he has big plans as aspirations and he has a long career in music ahead of him.

 

 

Check out Closet Monster and Undergound Operations online