Rick Barton: Hello Whitey! Just so you know we are simply Continental! 😊
The new album is being mixed this first week of Mar and will be released on June 1.
CM: You've said via Facebook that this particular album has some of the best material you've ever recorded on it. Can you elaborate on that a little bit?
RB: Well basically I believe there are 3 or 4 songs on the album that are worthy of upper echelon mention! By that I mean I've (we've) finally entered into the arena of the bands I grew up listening to. It's one thing to make up a song and record it and think it's good and all of that. But for me I've always considered everything I've done (up until now) to be a couple notches below those cats! And here's the best part; we recorded and mixed the album for under 2 grand! Tom Petty couldn't record and mix one song for that amount! 😊
RB: We only tour and only do 1 local show at the end of the tour. We're doing a U.S. Tour from June 1 til July 4. Then we'll be doing an extensive European tour from Sept 7 thru Nov 15.e only tour and only do 1 local show at the end of the tour. We're doing a U.S. Tour from June 1 til July 4. Then we'll be doing an extensive European tour from Sept 7 thru Nov 15. only tour and only do 1 local show at the end of the tour. We're doing a U.S. Tour from 1 til July 4. Then we'll be doing an extensive European tour from Sept 7 thru Nov 15.
CM: People may remember you as being a part of the original Dropkick Murphys lineup. When you guys formed the band, did you have any idea how important you guys would be to the punk movement of the mid/late 90's?
RB: Nope!
CM: 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of DKM's formation. Do you and the guys still stay in touch? And are there any plans to work together again in the future?
RB: I mostly stay in touch with Al and I still work with Mike! Kenny and I have a few laughs every 6 months or so. I see the rest of the band once in awhile and another of my old bands Everybody Out did 3 tours with DKM back in '08 & '09. I'll only say that you never know what the future holds! 😊
CM: Growing up who were some of your personal musical infuences?
The first record I ever bought was Killer by Alice Cooper in 1973 when I was 12 yrs old. I'm an old rocker at heart but at the same time I really gravitate towards all the amazing songwriters of my time like Paul Westerberg, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zant, Shane McGowan, Pete Shelley, Jake Burns, Frank Black etc. The list goes on and on!
CM: You recently played with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at their Boston show. How far back do you and those guys go? And what was it like playing with them for a couple songs?
RB: Joe Gittleman use to roadie for my old band the Outlets back in the early 80's! And of course Dickie was no stranger to the front row at an Outlets show and would make occasional road trips with us! We were all part of the same crew!!!
CM: Are there any new bands out there that really get you excited? Anyone we should be looking out for?
RB: I'm into an amazing country guy named Sturgill Simpson. He's not "new country". I love John Grant. The last sort of punk band that I really got into was Against Me. I'm sure you'd know a lot more new punk bands than I do! 😊
CM: Is there any websites or links you wanna plug where people can stay up to date on your new music, shows and merch?
RB: Just Continentalband on FB I suppose!
CM: Rick, I wanna thank you again for talking with Critical Mass. I'm excited for the new record. And I hope we can get you guys out to Chicago for a show. Thanks again man.
RB: We love Chicago! We've played there the last 3 yrs with The Tossers. Def one of our favorite bands!
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