Exclusive Interview With Ben Blackwell

Ben Blackwell, was born in Detroit Michigan, is the director of Cass Records (label that released records from bands like The Muldoons and The Go), is one of the two drummers for the rock band The Dirtbombs, and has written articles to famous magazines like: Creem and Metro Times. He has another commitment to be put on his agenda, because he works with the White Stripes since the band started. Besides being considered (how NME described) “the official historian of the White Stripes”, collecting items from the band, and writing the liner notes to the Under Blackpool Lights DVD, he is Jack White's nephew. He gave us an interview in wich he talks about his jobs.

First of all, where did your desire to work with music come from? Was it something that was always there, in your family’s rather musical blood, or did it slowly come to you?

Ben - I guess the "desire" just stems from a deep appreciation for music. Whether that's in the blood... who knows?

How did you join The Dirtbombs?

Ben - Eight years ago, Mick called Jack White looking for a drummer while I happened to be in the room. Jack handed the phone over and charmed my way into a rehearsal.

How would you describe The Dirtbombs’ music for those who don't know the band?

Ben - I really don't like describing how we sound, but when pressed, I'd say that we're loud but fun.

What’s the current status of the band? We heard you had a new EP coming out, but decided to make a full LP?

Ben - The Dirtbombs new album "We Have You Surrounded" will be out in February and we should be touring most of 2008 to support it.

For those of us who are unaware, how does the unusual double-drums and double-bass dynamic work in The Dirtbombs?

Ben - It works pretty easily. Pat and I have been drumming together for about 8 years now, so we've got it down. I think we both rely mainly on Mick's vocals for guidance, so it the bassists don't effect us
too much.

You came from Detroit, but do you really consider yourself a part of the “Detroit garage rock scene”? How much did that influence you back in the 90’s in comparison to how much it influences you now?

Ben - The Detroit garage rock scene influenced me because that was my introduction to a lot of music and people that I would come to work with later. As for now, I don't feel as "influenced" by it as much as I feel I'm trying to influence it, whether with the Dirtbombs or Cass Records or whatever.

Would you say that the Detroit garage rock bands are “united” in any way? Would that include The Dirtbombs and The White Stripes?

Ben - No.

The Dirtbombs have toured with The White Stripes before. How do both bands relate to each other now?

Ben - We opened for the White Stripes twice in 2002. Didn't really tour with them.

Being a member of the Dirtbombs, the director of Cass Records, and (how NME described) “the official historian of the White Stripes”, how do you manage to find time to do all of this?

Ben - Each "job" is loose enough that it gives me the ability to do all three. So sometimes things may be really busy and hectic with the Dirtbombs and I can put Cass sorta on the backburner. Or whatever combination. It works that way with all those titles and I'm lucky for that.

What’s THE biggest difference you’ve noticed in (all of) your job(s), throughout all these years, from the Dirtbombs’ first recordings to announcing secret White Stripes concerts on the Internet? What’s the biggest change in your life?

Ben - Honestly, it doesn't feel like that much has changed. While the scope of concerts, crowds and checks has progressed, I'm still playing with the Dirtbombs and still working for the White Stripes. I guess I don't work well with change.

As far as we know, those secret concerts were extremely low-profile, and only a handful of Canadians heard about them, even though the gigs were openly announced on The Little Room (the biggest White Stripes community on the Internet). In your opinion, how big of a role does the Internet play when it comes to pleasing the fans of a band?

Ben - I think the Internet is equally important and detrimental to the development of a band like the White Stripes. Being on the Little Room is really taxing for me because so many people on there are so clueless as to how things really work and I really don't have the time or the effort to explain it to them. But at the same time, it gives the opportunity to do cool things like announcing secret daytime shows a half-hour before they happen. Just have to balance the good with the bad.

And what about the bands: do you think they’re mostly helped or harmed by the Internet?

Ben - I think bands are helped if they're actually good bands. If you suck, it'll harm you eventually.

Still on this subject, what’s your opinion on bootleg sharing? Should bands sell soundboard recordings of each concert (like Pearl Jam does) if they want to avoid the illegal commerce of bootlegs?

Ben - I think it varies from band to band. Personally, I'd like the option to buy live soundboard recordings from the band as opposed to a bootlegger.

Speaking of bootlegs, Little Cream Soda is being mentioned by reviewers as “a song from a concert in 2003, shown to Jack White by his nephew”. I’m sure White Stripes fans all over the world are happy to have this song on Icky Thump. But have you had any influence on the track list of previous albums? Are there more songs like these that might show up on future
recordings?

Ben - I don't really have control of the track list. All I did was play the song for Jack. There's a handful of similar songs, but I don't think any more will end up on albums. Maybe a live box set someday in the distant future.

You’ve written the liner notes for Under Blackpool Lights, been a spokesperson for The White Stripes, provided information for countless fans…do you think you’re the person who best knows the band?

Ben - I'll put it this way...I've been around the White Stripes since day one and by default know a lot about them. I don't know if I know them best, but I can probably tell you better than anyone else where they played on what day and what merch we had for sale.

Finally, we’d like to ask you something about the Under Blackpool Lights DVD: can you tell us anything (anything at all) about the Easter egg that is so secret that will only be found “most likely by chance or accident”?

Ben - If anyone ever finds it I will give them a big kiss.

Intro and translation by: Juli and Ká

Interview by: Juli, Ká and Fernando Dante

Thank you Ben foy your kindness.

Click to view Cass Records, The Dirtbombs e Ben's Blog.

To see the translation of Ben's interview to NME click Here.