Brian Czarnik Of Oblivion, Space Age Zeros, and The Bollweevils.
Interview By: John Wisniewski
In this interview, Brian speaks about writing his book, the Chicago punk scene, and his influences.
Punk Globe: Could you tell us about writing your book “Just Words”? What was it like recalling all that happened to you, as a drummer in punk bands?
Brian: Sure I always liked writing. I did reviews and columns for various publications including Punk Planet. After the last Oblivion Reunion in 2009, I really wanted to put all the experiences down and thought about doing a small book. Lots of books about the music industry or even the punk scenes often come from bands or people that were/are very popular. I felt that the bands that didn’t “make it” needed a voice to. And I thought maybe people who liked Oblivion (and also The Bollweevils) and the 90s punk music might be interested in going behind the scenes so to speak. I wrote it in 2014. Now looking back I should have more time editing out various grammar mistakes and maybe getting a better editor for it. I wanted the book to flow like someone was having a long conversation with me. Oddly enough soon after I printed it (I think I sold about 200-300 copies via Amazon Creative Space) I found these detailed tour sheets that had how much we made on various tours etc…it would have helped to put those in there. Also, I was thinking if Oblivion ever did another reunion show (which I think is highly unlikely at this point) I would add another chapter But maybe since I started playing again after a 10-year absence, I can write about what it’s like…so maybe there will be a new edition with Space Age Zeros stuff in it. I would like to put out another edition of it sometime.
Punk Globe: any favorite punk bands, Brian?
Brian: Hard to say as I like poppy punk stuff. But Sex Pistols, Sludgeworth, Screeching Weasel, Face to Face, All/Descendants, Naked Raygun, Pegboy, Didjits, Green Day (all but that horrible last album), Bad Religion, NOFX list Could go on and on… but for picking 1 favorite- that would be hard. Maybe I’ll say Hanson Brothers because they sing about pizza and hockey. As for newer punk bands, I hope by playing again I will be able to see more punk bands, as really punk should be for kids)
Punk Globe: How and when did join Oblivion?
Brian: I mentioned to a friend in my junior year of high school (1988) that I would like to play in a band besides stuff like concert and jazz bands in high school. He told me about a strange kid who lived across the street from him ( who happened to be Scott Oblivion). I jammed with Scott and then soon and then he told me he was starting a rock band with this guy Pete….then in the summer of 1988 we played a girl’s sweet sixteen party and just from there to playing at various metal clubs until we found out about the punk scene in late 1990.
Punk Globe: What was it like being in Oblivion?
Brian: it was amazing. It went from a scene where no one liked us and we were happy if 2 people clapped at us….then during my college years, it got way more serious and we played all the time and in the summer of 1995, we went for it. Full-time with touring a lot in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Then real life hit us and paying bills and it slowed down in 1999 and it ended in 2000. Some of the best times of my life were hanging out with Pete and Scott and playing in that band. We made some great fun and fast music I really like, and I’m very proud of what we did. It means a lot to me even in 2023 when people contact me and say how much they liked a show, a song etc…At times it was a lot of hard work but towards the mid of the 90s we were spoiled usually at local shows with a good crowd. I always appreciated the people who came to see us, to go from getting Zero response in our first few years to people liking us was strange and awesome all at once. Let alone we were in the music world at a great time we got to see alternative and pop punk take over the airwaves and pop culture for a short while… for better or for worse.
Punk Globe: You also drummed for the Bollweevils. How did you meet those guys?
Brian: The Bollweevils thing came about in the summer of 1991. Pete (Oblivion) had a friend who knew The Bollweevils. So when this friend heard Ken say they were looking for a drummer to get more serious and play more shows, they mentioned me. Ken came over and gave me a demo of a few songs and I learned them and came to a practice and we sounded great. That was when I met Daryl as he wasn’t on the demo as their singer. And I think our first show together was in November 1991 and I was in the band until October 1995.
Punk Globe: What was the Chicago punk scene like, back when you first started playing in punk bands?
Brian: The scene was interesting. At first 1990-91-ish it felt like you had a few camps. You had the Screeching Weasel scene, and then all the others split into two. In a very general way to describe it…The hardcore scene in the city, and the more poppy stuff coming from the suburbs.
Only a few places would hold shows and punk was still a scary word for promoters, club owners etc… Naked Raygun shows were still a little rough but you could see a change coming. Then local record labels etc…grew like Underdog Records, Johanna. Face Records were getting bigger and helping promote more local bands and the kids were finding a few more halls to put punk shows on and you could just feel the scene getting bigger and bigger and more organized. And with a lot of hard work by a lot of great people you might say it exploded and was huge in 1995 and for a few years after. Bands could play in front of a few hundred people, bands could open up for the bigger MTV second big wave of punk bands coming through town (Offspring, Green Day etc.) It was all a very exciting time.
Punk Globe: Are you still playing in bands, What are you up to these days?
Brian: Nowadays fast forward to 2023. I just started playing drums again after a long 10-year break. I am in a band of all people, from the scene back then, we are called Space Age Zeros and have an e.p. called Blast Off! and we are working on our first full record. Playing in a band is very different now. Back then it was the focus of my life. My reason for waking up.
Playing drums was my identity if I wanted it to be or not. Now I have a full-time job (Zookeeper), a part-time job, two youtube I do, a wide, a dog, a cat, rabbits…many things to occupy my time, so playing drums is just one small slice of who I am.
Punk Globe: Welcome back to the stage and thank you for the interview
