Five For Five with Ishay Berger of Useless ID
Israeli punk band Useless ID are, in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands. Ever. I first saw them in the very early 200's in Sydney at a venue, that i think is now defunct, called Bar Broadway. I think Jay from Frenzal Rhomb opened the show but my memory sucks and google couldn't help me confirm that little nugget. I do remember their drummer beating the shit out of his kit so hard that one of his Vic Firth (or Pro-Mark)? sticks snapped in half and flew into my sternum. Anyway, they'd just released a split with The Ataris, the little known Haifa punks had the better half of the split, and i've been a fan ever since. Ishay, one of their plank-twangers answered my questions. I believe i also have to curate his "locked in a room forever" five albums, so i'll apologise in advance Ishay.
1. Not to put a number on it, but what are your all time favourite artists?
The older I get = more different phases to really count. I started listening to music heavily around fourth grade and I think that the first records I got were Eurythmics, Vanessa Paradis and probably Talk Talk.
First CD I got was Prince (Diamonds And Pearls)...
Not too long after that I got into a Loco Depeche Mode obsession.
It may be possible that I spent around two years of my life listening to them and them only.
Before I got into punk rock I was VERY into The Pixies, The Cure and The Smiths, but then when heavy music showed up between ages 13-15 I believe I was turned on to some of the best stuff early on... Sepultura, Dead Kennedys, Napalm Death... Once I heard Bad Religion's Against The Grain I really changed my catalog and never looked back... Not long after that Punk In Drublic came out and I swear that this was so strong for me, it REALLY messed me up good. I went on a crazy punk-hunting trip and I still do that now, thing is that I keep getting old records of old bands and new albums of new bands and I never think someone is my favourite...
Today I heard about 6 records where some of those I haven't played in years so even when I think about it -it is really impossible for me to point out my favourites.
2. You are locked in a room for the rest of your life with endless food, water and a turntable. You are only allowed FIVE records in there. What are they?
I will take 5 records that I don't have but really want - yer gonna wanna make that work - you gonna buy those damn albums for me!
3. Are there any current bands or artists you wish more people knew about?
SURE!
Crim from Spain just released an AMAZING album last year called "Pare Nostre.." I know they do very well in Europe with it but I really think this is a huge album that all fans of punk rock just have to check out.
4. Is there an album that changed your life? What is it?
Well I heard Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables on a dubbed cassette tape in my older brothers car and I remember thinking that there was never a combination of this crazy fast drum beat with angelic surfy guitar over these smart cynical and quite wild lyrics/vocals... I know for sure that before that day I was pretty disgusted with "punk" and "punks"...On that day I changed my thoughts about the whole thing haha.
5. What has the rest of 2019 got in store for you?
Useless ID will do a short tour in Europe in the August! I am busy recording the second "Tabarnak" album, that's me and Corey from useless id with some old friends, all hebrew punk rock!