05/20/07
Dan-Zig
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Mike Park is one of the most well-known and well respected people in the underground punk/ska scene. He was the lead singer and saxophone player for the influential ska band Skankin’ Pickle (that I miss very much, they were great live!) and is the head of Asian Man Records, a label that is a continuation of Skankin’ Pickle’s Dill Records. Besides being a musician and running his own label, Mike Park also runs the Plea for Peace tour and is a community activist. It was my honor to speak with Mike about a few things.
You were releasing your own records with Skankin’ Pickle, right? What made you then decide to start Asian Man Records?
Yes, we started a collective called DILL RECORDS, which we ran as a band. I started Asian Man shortly after the demise of the PICKLE basically to do something that was representative of my ideas and to make sure people knew it was I who was behind the label.
Once Skankin’ Pickle broke up did you know you were going to continue releasing music as either Mike Park, the Bruce Lee band, or the Chinkees?
Not really, I was just focused on the label. At the time, I was burnt out from playing music and wanted to concentrate on the releases that I had coming out.
How do deals work with the bands that you put out? Do you do contracts or are they handshake type deals?
Definitely a handshake. I've never done a contract in my life. Really, what is a contract? It's just something for people to fight over. If a bands not happy, then why would I want to work with them?
To date how many records has Asian Man put out?
April 26th will see AM-148. Yes, that's 148 releases.
Asian Man has grown significantly since it started; you are now doing Plea for Peace tours and other benefits. Has it reached the level that you originally intended for it or have your goals for the label changed any since you started it?
Hmmmm... To be honest, not much has changed. If anything, I'm doing less work than I did in the first few years. Perhaps I was more goal oriented in the beginning. Now I really hate the music business so much that I try to purposely go against the grain and do things the way I want. The basic goal was always to just have fun putting out music. If I was able to make a living at it, then great. Fortunately it's worked out and I've somehow managed to do this as a job. How? I have no idea. Plea For Peace is an extension to some degree. It's basically volunteer work on my end to contribute to the community I live in. And hopefully one day, implement the ideas across the nation.
When Asian Man started it seemed to be a bit of a ska label, meaning that a lot of the releases leaned in the ska direction, kind of like the late, great Moon Records was, but it has become a varied label. You have releases from bands like Alkaline Trio, the Peacocks, the Queers, and even are putting out the new Kevin Seconds record. Was this just a natural progression or did you want to put out music other than ska?
I think we're definitely still seen as a ska label. Which is fine. We still release a ton of ska, but we have put out other records like you've mentioned. There's no game plan on how we want to be seen or viewed in terms of style. I really just try to put out records that I like, by people that I like.
Here’s one I am sure you have heard before, but what do you think of the current state of ska?
I think it's healthy. At least in comparison to five years ago. Ska hit rock bottom and now it's just growing and new bands are popping up. It's fun to see as it's a sound that I've been a fan of for so long.
Most of the prices of full length CD’s right from Asian Man are around or under $10. What is your philosophy on the pricing of records?
We're all capitalists to some degree. I guess I just wanted to price my records as cheaply as possible without digging a hole too deep as to effect the business, but yeah it's pretty crazy to see that I've been charging $8 for CD's since day one.
Asian Man has a distro on their website. What made you decide to start a distro as well as running the label? How do you separate it and how do you find out what bands or other labels you are willing to distro?
I pretty much allow any small band or label to send 5 copies for distro. It's just a way to do a small mailorder and help the DIY community. It's hard for bands and labels to get their stuff out there, so this is just another attempt at getting the word out about bands.
Asian Man is releasing an album by a band that I have had a lot of fun watching over the years, Buck O’Nine. I remember seeing them at one of the first shows I ever went to at the Showcase in Corona with the Voodoo Glow Skulls back in like 1994. Did you approach them or did they approach you?
Jon, the singer called me and said "The band is recording after 10 years!!". He asked if I wanted to put out the record. Of course I said yes and Jon asked if we needed to do a contract and I said Nope...And that's it. Deal done.
Contact Mike Park at:
pleaforpeace.com
mikeparkmusic.com
asianmanrecords.com
Mike Park-North Hangook Falling-out now!!
PO BOX 35585
Monte Sereno, Ca. 95030-5585
Ph(408)395-0662
Fax(425)963-5753