In my efforts to weasel my way into the March Records family, I nagged Skippy into answering a few questions of mine. No, no, noit ain't really like that. He's always been exceptionally helpful and friendly and damn does he have a knack for putting out a nice-lookin', brilliant-soundin' pop record. Recently, (or perhaps not so, anymore) the March Records conglomerate expanded to include the Autumn Teen Art company. The work appeals so much to my own sense of design that I thought I'd ask Skippy a bit about it as well. First questions freak me out, so it was eliminated but garnered a response anyway. Work it out for yourself.

#1:

a: Well, sometimes it doesn't bleed, why do you ask?

#2- Autumn Teen Sound/Art. The name just occurred to you?

It didn't occur rather it allured. It was taken from a collection of psych pop records in the 60's. Apparently, there was a 'scene' and a 'sound' called the autumn teen sound. If I ever figure out what it is, I'll let you know. I like autumn. I like sounds. I guess I don't care much for teens. (ed. HEY!) At least that's what I'm told to say here. I'm a big fan of really long band names as opposed to monosyllabic ones.

3. Now, the song that's hidden on the Pop American Style comp is so good! Will that be included on future releases or expanded upon?

Avalanche? I think that was the first one ATS song I'd ever recorded, on four track even. Maybe I'll give it a remix or something. I'm working on my first CD EP so who knows. I like the one-minute pop song. Say what you want and end it. The autumn teen sound are like the Minutemen, except with synthesizers.

4. If the Bubble and Squeak readership could only own 3 March releases which ones would you bestow on them?

That's not really fair. My bands seem to be the jealous type and even RELEASING other records makes them green. It depends on who's reading this. Let's just say that the 3 out there albums that I think indie-pop types might get hip to because they are so different from your standard banal indiepop genre are: Valerie Lemercier, The Poppy Family, and Outrageous Cherry. But wait till you hear this WAVES record I'm co-releasing with Grimsey. Jesus, is it a difficult but glorious pop record.

5. If you were a woman, who would you surrender your virginity to?

The all-powerful, all-knowing and mighty, lord Graham Smith of the Wonders du Kleenex Filles.

6. When did the art company start and how is it going?

Well, it was invented out of that was the exact amount that I was losing per release on average. I started laying out some of the March singles for Takako Minekawa, conceived Pop American Style and then just loved doing it, so. I haven't done too much outside work, but I recently designed a logo for UK based Amberley records (st. etienne/fugu), odds & ends on the web, and did the CD art for a compilation on Contact records out of Japan due out called FANFARE OF 2000.

7. I think this is probably on the March site, but for the kids at home, what's your favorite cocktail?

Well, kids at home shouldn't be drinking yet, maybe huffing glue or doing whippets. For us old people, I suggest an old fashioned. Orange and bitters and rye whiskey with a big fake formaldehyde cherry in it. Steve who owns the indiepoplist knows how to make a stellar one. I also drink Pastis which 94% of the population describes as 'disgusting'. I drink lots of red wine, too, preferably something from the Rhone region of France (read: cotes du
Rhone).

8. Did people call you Skippy in grade school? or did you have other nicknames?

I was Big Mac and my little brother was Little Mac. Perhaps I should shed this ugly Skippy thing at my age and opt for the Bigger Mac or at least the quarter pounder. If I could rename myself now, it might be something like Zsa Zsa Gabor or Rod Carew. with cheese.

9. What's wrong with Canada band-wise? Why are they all so terrible? (tho I know you like the Super Friendz)

Hmmmm, well it's strange really. I think when groups get together in a small locale, the ideas become similar and sometimes very attractive. Right now in Denmark and Sweden, there's a wonderful explosion of pop bands implementing some of the same arrangements and instruments and it's fresh sounding. Halifax was like that for a while but it dissolved. Perhaps it's because Canada is so big, it takes a while for the good ideas to get around. Word of mouth is hard when there's frozen tundra between metropolitan areas, eh?

10. Where do you see March Records, Autumn Teen Sound, in 5 years?

March Records will transform into a vineyard only producing wines of wonderful blends using Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. The Autumn Teen Sound will be franchised out and there will be a 4 piece (2 boys & 2 girls or maybe a boy, a girl, and 2 robots) synthesizer only group in every major U.S. town playing Silicon Teens inspired pop songs, for your enjoyment. The 'sound' will sweep the nation and there will be a dance called the Autumn Teen Dance. Of course, all the fans will be drinking March brand red
wine.