TF: When and how did you originally get involved with your work in the local music scene?

CB: I started interning at Lazer when I was in college at Simpson about four years ago. I interned for about two months, then I got a part-time weekend gig. They had the “Local Licks” show on Sunday nights that Julienne Jordan used to do, and when she took a job in Detroit they threw me into it. But I had been familiar with the local scene for a long time; I used to dig JunkPoet and Stoned Sour back in the day, you know?

TF: After that, what was it that made you really dive in and donate so much time to the local scene?

CB: I just love music and I think that there are so many good bands in this area and in the Midwest. A lot of people just assume that if you don’t hear it on the radio or see it on MTV that you aren’t going to like it.

I just want to get people interested in their neighbors that are in a band, the people they see at the mall or that they buy gas from.

TF: What are some of the different things that you have done over the years for local music?

CB: Back when the old Super Toad was still around we used to do local shows on Wednesday night, but they tore that down. And now they got this place here on the south side, [Toadholler] so we’re doing them on Thursdays now.

I have also put on beach concerts out at Clear Water Beach where there would be up to 1,000 people. A few years ago we did the Lazer Luau, and basically the second stage was all local bands and there was always a great crowd in front of the local stage. I even drove Feathers are Beautiful up to Minneapolis because they didn’t have a way to get their equipment up there. I do what I can, you know, it’s all fun.

TF: Out of all the stuff that you have done to support local music, all the shows you have promoted and radio work you have done, what has brought the most satisfaction so far?

CB: The coolest thing that I have ever been involved with in the local scene was the battle of the bands last November when 1,300 plus people showed up to promote local music. That was awesome.

TF: What do you do in your free time?

CB: I taught myself how to build web pages. And I still make music with some of the guys that used to be in my old band, Mudder, even though they just moved to California – and I’m too broke to do that. So I make music, play on the Internet, build Web pages and sleep.

TF: Is it hard after being on the stage for so many years to sit back and watch every week now?

CB: I’m like an old fart in the music scene, I’ve been in it for so long. A few weeks ago I got up on stage and did a few songs, so I still get up there once in a while. I do miss it but it won’t be long before I’m up there again. I’ll get something going.

TF: How have the Loud `N’ Local shows been going so far this year?

CB: We just started doing them a month ago, and each week the crowds have been getting bigger. The first night we had 40 people out there, and then the last time we did it was up to 120. It will get bigger; it just takes time for the word of mouth to get around.

TF: And next is the battle of the bands?

CB: Yeah, there are going to be 16 bands selected. Basically it will start Oct. 4. There will be four weeks of first-round bands where there will be four bands a night playing. And from those four bands a night, one band advances from fan voting and the finals will be Nov. 1. We are going to have a bunch of prizes to give away, like studio time, cash and equipment.

TF: What is the status of today’s local scene?

CB: The thing about the scene is that a few years ago there was a few bands that did really well, now it seems like most of those bands are gone. But with the success of Slipknot and American Head Charge and other bands from the Midwest, it seems like there are a lot more bands in this town than there used to be. It goes through cycles.

When I first got into the music scene it was pretty dead. There were basically four bands: JunkPoet, Stoned Sour, Smilin’ Jack and Slipknot. Then it built back up with bands like Deadfront, Mudder, gkg and Heroic Dose. Now you got Painface, who are now called On A Pale Horse, you got Index Case and Heroic Dose all doing real well, and then a lot of bands that people don’t even know about.

TF: Is there anything else you want to add?

CB: Come out and support live local music; it’s better than going out and dancing to N’Sync. Learn how to play an instrument, start a band; it’s a rush.