Name;Adam Pfahler
Age;40!
Bands; Jawbreaker, Whysall Lane, The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black
Role in Band: Drums
How did it all begin? I was always a music fan. There was always music in the
house when I was growing up. My dad was a big classic rock and jazz guy. My
older sister got me into punk and new wave. I listened to the radio a lot. I loved
the Beatles and got a bass guitar when I was eleven. But we got robbed, so no
more bass. A few years later I made my mind up to play drums. I played with
anyone who had an instrument who would tolerate my infernal racket. I learned by
playing along to Bowie's "Pinups," the Ramones first album, the Clash's "Give 'Em
Enough Rope." Eventually I met Blake in high school and we started a band
called Red Harvest. This was in 1983. We met Chris in New York City in 1986. We
played for the next ten years, put out four records as Jawbreaker and toured all
over the fucking world.
Who were your original influences? Joe Strummer was singularly
responsible for me starting a band, and by extention, becoming a musician, artist,
creative person, whatever you want to call it. He spoke to me through the radio.
He was doing an interview on KROQ in Los Angeles. When Dusty Street asked
him what bands he thought were cool, he said (I'm paraphrasing here), "They're
out there. But no one knows about them. They're in the garage. That's who's
going to be important. They're unknown. They have no label. That's who's going
to make a difference." I was naive enough to take Joe's words as a call to arms
and you know what? He was right.
Who are your current influences? Joe Strummer forever.
What is your proudest moment as a musician? Playing that first show.
Putting out our first record. This was cool; getting voted best non-hip hop album
in Vibe in 1995.
What is your most embarrassing moment as a musician? It's all kind of
embarrassing if you think about it. But that's what's cool -- you put yourself out
there to be ridiculed.
What do you think would have been your path through life if you had
never gotten involved with music? Honestly I'm still trying to figure this out.
Tell us something about you that few people are aware of. Cranberries
grow in acid bogs.
When you look back on your musical path to this point, what are your
deepest regrets? Not truly enjoying the spotlight.
If you had the opportunity to start over, what would you change? I
would have taken better care of my knees and shoulders.
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why? I have
to say my kids because everything I do is pretty much for them.
Please summarize the highlights & lowlights of your musical career.
The Highlight - 1993 was a good year for Jawbreaker. We were on top of our
game that year. We toured a lot, wrote a bunch of great songs and were really
dialed-in at our shows.
The lowlight would have been that last tour before we split. And even that was
pretty rad in its own insane way.
What are your thoughts on the current "Punk" scene? I don't keep up
with the new groups as much as I should. I still listen to Social Distortion.
How much has it changed or stayed the same since you got into it? I
think there's always going to be kids going off in their garages and basements. I
know my kids are.
What are your plans musically in the future? I don't have any big plans but
to play with my friends and keep making it up as I go.
