Petty Grievances is made up of: Mark Eberhardt, bass; Scott Randall, vocals; Jerry Green, drums; and Brian Martin and Shauna Sublette, guitars. Sublette joined after recording sessions were held for the band’s four-song, seven-inch, self-titled EP, released by Jason Stuhlman’s Do What? Records. The songs were recorded and mixed by Don Bailey and Bryan Patanzo at Lonnie's Farm Studio and mastered by John Baldwin at Infrasonic.
Available in physical form at the usual selection of high-quality St. Louis record shops, you can also purchase the work at Bandcamp. The tracks are short, only 10-minutes ‘tween the four of ‘em. But they pack a huge punch, evidence of which was provided at the band’s release parties at Sinkhole and Vintage Vinyl in early October.
We sent a set of questions to the band, who chimed independently of one another… yet they did so in perfect harmony. What a great team! (TW: cussin’.)
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Why release a seven-inch in 2023? I know that albums have had some surges in sales in recent years, but you're still adding some work to plate, as opposed to releasing only on digital. What makes that step fun for y'all?
Eberhardt: For me, I’ve never been in a band that’s put out vinyl before, and I love vinyl. So I wanted to do it one time. Money-wise, though, it seems like a loser for an act our size, but… fuck it.
Martin: The majority of people stream music today, sure, but there're plenty of people who prefer the sound of an actual record. There's also something very cool about having a physical thing that you can hold and look at. I've wanted to have my own music on a record for as long as I've been a musician and this was perfect opportunity to finally do that.
Green: We had a strong desire to put something on vinyl because the whole package adds to the experience. Don offered to record four songs for us which was a perfect length for the format. Also, who listens to an entire full-length anymore?
Sublette: Because it is punk as fuck, obviously. Also, sometimes the internet goes down...
Randall: It had been 30 years since I recorded anything on vinyl. Actually Don recorded that one as well (FPM’s: “Skanch/Toss/More Cop Shows” single). So I was intrigued.
I feel as if vinyl producers have had big backups in recent years, thanks to a renewed interest in the form. What was it like for you? How long is the wait for a seven-inch these days?
Eberhardt: That’s what we thought but things seem to have smoothed out. I want to say it took like six-eight weeks maybe. One of the other guys might remember the exact time better.
Martin: We worked with my friend Jason Stuhlman who runs Do What? Records. He uses a company called Pirate Press for all of their releases and turnaround was only about two months.
Green: Our management team effectively boxed out Taylor Swift and the heavy-hitters of the pop-world so the turnaround was quick and efficient, like our songs.
Let's actually back-track this. Pretty Grievances. Who spoke to who about maybe playing some music, leading to these other people also joining on. What's the 101 version of how the band came into being?
Eberhardt: A few years back, Jerry and I went and checked out Gonerfest down in Memphis. First time we’d been, kind of embarrassingly. But we had such an amazing time and there were so many great bands and it was such an amazing scene, and we just saw all these people just having a fucking blast listening to music and playing music. And there were young acts and older bands, and the vibe was just the coolest thing ever, and on the drive back we were like, “we should play some punk rock, why not?” And so Jerry asked Scott if he wanted to sing – we had all played in a punk band back in our misspent youth called Disco Zombies – and he said “yes.” And then Nick Smith (the guy who did the cover art and who is a work friend of mine), knew Brian, and connected us with him. I think Jerry was the one who suggested Shauna. We started out just learning a bunch of old punk covers which was unbelievably fun, and then started writing our own stuff from there.
Anyway, it’s totally a cliché but we’re really just trying to focus on having a good time. We have absolutely zero expectations. Just play music we love and not take ourselves too seriously. Or actually not take ourselves seriously at all.
Martin: I had never met Jerry, Mark, or Scott before we started playing together. They were looking to start a punk band and I was looking to start playing again, too. A good friend of mine, Nick Smith, just happened to work for Mark and told him that I would probably be a good fit. We met at Heavy Anchor one night just to talk about what kind of music we wanted to play, were influenced by, etc. A couple weeks later we were practicing in Jerry's basement. I just got lucky, I guess, couldn't be happier that this all came together. After we had played a handful of shows we asked Shauna to be in the band and that really completed us as a group.
Green: Mark and I would get together to air our “petty grievances” often and decided that musically expressing them would be a lot more fulfilling. I knew that Scott had plenty of “petty grievances” and would be more than happy to add his take on it. Brian is a friend of Mark’s friend Nick, who designed the artwork for the jacket, and wouldn’t shut up about his grievances during our first meeting. We instantly knew he was perfect for the role. Shauna was added later when we heard her airing her “petty grievances” at a show we performed in Belleville.
Sublette: These guys were well on their way to greatness. Jerry and I talked at a PG show around the holidays, about maybe helping out with live guitar, ‘cause Brian only has the two arms; though you wouldn't know that if you heard him. Turns out, we all got Covid, probably at the show, so I think they thought they owed me. Maybe Santa had something to do with it? Either I'd been good or PG had been bad that year and got stuck with me. Or maybe it was Satan. Same thing, though.
Randall: Mark, Jerry and I played together 30-something years ago in Disco Zombies. We were talking about getting something together in early 2021. Mark and Jerry met with Brian one night and he seemed to pass the smell test. We knew Shauna from playing with Sisser. She joined early this year.
Where's the group played to this point? And have their been some high water mark shows? Where and why on those gems?
Eberhardt: Red Flag, Platypus, Conservatory in Alton. We set up our own thing at the Elvis Room at Bluberry Hill. That was fucking great and we were just talking about trying to do that again. We’ve done a couple shows at a place in Belleville called Spaces, also DIY things. Those DIY gigs have been a ton of fun. First time playing Sinkhole for the release show; that place is fantastic and Matt’s doing a great job. It’s crazy how many great places to play there are in town right now (Platypus, CBGB) and just a ton of really, really great bands.
Man, release weekend was fantastic. Sinkhole show: awesome. In-store at Vintage: totally rad! Papa Ray got in the band pic with us out in front of the marquee! So fun. And most importantly, all the kick ass people who continue to come out and support us are just amazing. I don’t even have words to thank them enough. I mean, post-Covid it is so tough to get people excited about going out and doing shit, and the fact that they continue to come out and support us? We could not be more grateful or appreciative.
Martin: The release shows for the 7" have been the highlight for me so far. Sinkhole is such a great venue, the crowd was great, as were all the bands. Then playing at Vintage Vinyl the next day was amazing. I've been buying records there since the ‘90s and to see our name up on the marquee is something I'll never forget.
Green: Opening for the Soap Girls from South Africa in a dingy back room of a dilapidated Belleville building was a dream come true. Draining the sound board with our quintuple vocal attack at Red Flag was an eye-opener. And wherever we can spread Covid, we play.
Sublette: We opened for Agent Orange on Oct 20th. I can just see it: little teen me sitting on my bed with my first little guitar. Who shows up? Present day me. I proceed to explain this incredible news. Little me replies: "Cool. How come you're so old?"
We played an in store at Vintage Vinyl, which made me feel like a celeb, hehe. The Mercs release show was so rad, we nearly drained the board (inside joke). The Soap Girls show was a treat; pretty cool to get to hang with them and hear about their travels. We also got to christen Harter's and revive the Elvis Room.
Randall: The 7” release show was a definite high water mark. We just opened for Agent Orange which was kinda huge.
Any loose (or tight) plans for the balance of 2023? Any longer-range notions for 2024 and even beyond?
Eberhardt: We’re about to start publicizing our next project: we’re calling it PUNKBRUNCH! It’s Sunday, Nov. 12 at South Broadway Athletic Club. The lineup is Bruiser Queen, Shitstorm, Mid Tempo Death March and us. And our friend Chef Dan Johanning (of the very rockin’ Dissappeared) will be doing up his killer breakfast burritos. Bands, breakfast burritos, Bloody Marys, coffee, juice, full bar. It should be a blast. If it takes off we’ll try to do it again and maybe make it a thing.
We want to hit the studio in January again.
Martin: Nothing set in stone for 2024 yet but we do plan to record some more music early next year.
Green: We’re also excited to be playing Off Broadway for the first time Friday, December 15, with Bastard Squad and others. 2024 will bring even more grievances as we look to record a full-length and continue to dominate the 50 & up punk segment.
Sublette: Recording? Maybe launch a signature cologne? Some community service hours, for sure.
Randall: We have grandiose plans with our foray into the emerging cafeteria rock scene with our PunkBrunch extravaganza on Sunday Nov. 12th at the South Broadway Athletic Club. Then, Off Broadway for the Record Space Birthday party. As for longer plans, hopefully we can record again in early 2024 and see what happens.
Guessing that everyone's got the usual slate of kids, jobs, responsibilities of various sorts? How does Petty Grievances negotiate everyone's needs as functioning adults alongisde the need to rock?
Eberhardt: Are we responsible, functioning adults? I’m not sure.
Martin: We've had good luck with everyone's schedules so far. We're able to get practice and gigs in without any real issue; our significant others may disagree but no problems there, yet.
Green: Unlike what Jethro Tull stated, you’re never too old to rock’n’roll. And it’s cool when our kids come out to the shows! Prioritize the need for art and self-expression in your life despite your schedule!
Randall: I think we negotiate it fairly well. My kids are adults now so that makes it easier for me scheduling-wise. The occasional rescheduling of practice here and there. I’ve been having a blast playing in this band. I hope it shows when we play.
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