Rob: How did Tee Pee Records start?
Tony: It started around 1996-1997 as a way to let off steam from a shitty record industry job. My first ever release was a 7 " by Bay Of Pigs. They were a hard rock band from NYC that broke up a while back. The singer went on to play percussion in El Nino. I only know of them from their pictures which have a lot of guys with dreads, headbands and soccer jerseys. I`m sure you get the picture.
Rob: You guys have a lot of great bands on your roster, Raging Slab, Boulder, Lost Goat, Bad Wizard...I like all of these bands but they are worlds apart from sounding the same. What are some of the qualities that you look for in a band before you sign a deal?
Tony: The main qualities I look for are originality, good songs and a good live show. The live show is were you really see what the band is about. Many times you know as soon as you here something that it`s for you. Other times it take a longer time to sink in. I don`t know, it`s usually just a feeling I get.
Rob: What are some of the qualities that the bands on your roster hold in common?
Tony: One thing I`ve noticed about Tee Pee bands is that their live shows have a lot of attitude. I know that might sound weird but it`s just something you notice when you see them play. It`s like they`re saying "that`s right were here and we`re going to rock your face off!" This isn`t arrogance only a fact of life. Another thing I noticed in Tee Pee bands is that all of them have soul. This is another criteria I use in signing bands. Gotta have some soul otherwise I`m wasting my time.
Rob: What are some of the bands on, or off your label out there now that you like?
Tony: It`s funny I don`t listen to too much heavy stuff other than Tee Pee bands and older hard/blues rock stuff from the early 70`s. You know stuff like Cactus, Groundhogs, etc. I usually just wind up listening to old R&B/ Soul stuff like the Isley Brothers, Curtis Mayfield, Meters, etc. You know stuff like that. I also like newer stuff like Beachwood Sparks, Spiritualized, etc. I guess since I`m getting older I tend to listen to quieter stuff on my own time. Don`t get me wrong though, if I`m in a bar and a Bad Brains song comes on the jukebox I get all jacked up.
Rob: Who are some artists that we might not know about yet that you plan on releasing records by? I saw that you have `All Night` on your recent compilation/sampler...
Tony: Yeah, All Night. they`re from Greensboro, NC. A bunch of people have been telling me for months that they were great. They played a show with Bad Wizard in Brooklyn and decided right there that I`d put out a record with them. There recorded their debut album as we speak. Should be out in late October.
I`m also putting out new records with Drunkhorse and Dixie Witch next year. I also have plans to put out records with a few European bands but the deals are not done yet. Check out the website for an official announcement.
Rob: How does Stoner Rock fit in with Tee Pee?
Tony: I think it fits in with Tee Pee but doesn`t define it. I think a lot of bands that are considered part of the Stoner scene are very formulaic. I don`t like bands that bands that play music to be part of scene. You should play music because you enjoy it and it comes from the heart. That`s it. That`s why i respect lables like SST, Touch And Go, Sub Pop. They put out records because they liked the bands. Bands like to be on labels cause they like and respect the other bands on the roster. It`s a very natural thing. You just can`t call all these subtle forms of rock "Stoner Rock". The name is a little limiting.
Rob: How do you feel hard rock/metal has evolved over the last 10 years, and what do you think the future holds?
Tony: Just like anything else, the hard rock/ metal scene has produced some really cool bands and some bullshit bands.
Rob: Has the internet changed how you look/sign bands? And how helpful has it been for Tee Pee?
Tony: Not really. It`s about one thing, music. The internet can`t be credited with music. All the internet does is make it easier to get the word out. The internet is a tool just like the phone, fax or refrigerator. Many times bands start to think they`re all big because Joe Blow wrote a review on some website. The internet is great but can be misinterpreted as being more influential than it really is.
Rob: What other labels out there do you really like?
Tony: Sub Pop, Stax, Westbound, Harvest, Estrus, Cold Chillin`, Sleeping Bag, older American Recordings. Some of these labels are in business and some aren`t.
Rob: What are the future plans for Tee Pee?
Tony: My plans are to continue putiing out records with bands I like.
Rob: Where do you see the label say, 10 years from now?
Tony: Hopefully still in business.
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