IE: You guys are planning on putting out a new 7” with re-recorded versions of the ’89 EP on Combined Effort Records followed by an LP with more re-recordings. How did this come about?

Gavin: We had done some shows a couple of years back and it came up in discussion of how we were not truly happy with the sounds on the first EP and that we also had a lot of songs that never had never been recorded and we thought it would be cool to catalog it so that it would be available.

IE: A slight on a lot of releases from that time period in hardcore’s history were some of the less than stellar recordings. Can you think back to the times when you were recording with Absolution and give us an idea of what was going on? When you were done recording each time with Absolution were you satisfied or dissatisfied with the final recordings?

Gavin: That always seems to be a point of 20/20 hind sight. I think that we were so exuberant about getting to record an actual record that anything sounded good. We were young and excited about doing something that seemed really magical. The problem was that few of us had the technical know how to make good solid sounds in the studio.

IE: A new/old song called “In Thought” was performed at your last gig at Webster Hall in July and it showcased a more mid-tempo groove. Is that a direction you can see going to if you decide to write new material?

Gavin: I have no idea what direction anything is going in as far as what we sound like. I write off the hip and am very temperamental about writing music. “In Thought” was written towards the end of Absolution and I think it was more of an idea of where Burn was going to go. 

IE: And what is the future of Absolution moving forward with Djinji living in Florida and the rest of you here in NY?

Gavin: Thank god for technology! We've been bouncing Djinji tracks back and forth and Andy (drums) is going down to Miami next month to record the vocals and then we plan to finish up the over dubs in New York.

IE: There are shows planned for Miami in October and possibly a European tour as well?

Gavin: There is a show booked in October in Miami but the rumors of Europe are just that. We'd love to do Europe if there is interest but as of now it's a rumor.

IE: Going back to the CBGB’s Fest at Webster Hall this past July you guys got in a full set before the Harley Flannigan/Cro-Mags incident took place. Where were you in relation to the club when you first noticed that something was out of the ordinary?

Gavin: I was elsewhere and have no idea what took place with the exception of what was reported in the Post, The Times, and by Rat Bones.

IE: What did you see once everything started to go bad?

Gavin: A potentially awesome show get shut down. Total bum out.

IE: Although for bad reasons it is obviously a night that hardcore fans will be talking about for years to come. What things from this night will stick in your memory a few years from now?

Gavin: Djinjis' daughter coming out on stage. Seeing so many people from my peer group there with their kids and realizing that hardcore has become a multi-generational genre and it makes me really proud to have been involved with it.

IE: You guys came out playing dressed ALL in white. Why?

Gavin: Just to make people ask that question and try to do something to offset the norm, because I think people don't do enough things to turn heads in the right way. I love the reaction it got. Plus honesty… IT LOOKED FUCKING COOL!

IE: Rate Absolution for this night… 1-10 with 10 being the best. You be the fanzine guy.

Gavin: I thought "our" performance was 9.5, I always think we can do better, I personally don't think I was as good as I could be so I definitely have more to give.

IE: CBGB Fest? CBGB possible comeback in name but obviously not in location or much else…. Thoughts?

Gavin: It really has nothing to do with me and I'm not really concerned too much about it.

IE: Obviously things and people change over time but when you look at what hardcore/punk is now and what it was when you were a teen do you feel it is still being represented well?

Gavin: I think it's currently at a point where it could age "appropriately" or  it could become an idiot fest. There will always be disenfranchised kids looking to be part of something that is not of the norm.

IE: Are there new bands, young kids in the hardcore/punk world that catch your attention these days?

Gavin: I pretty much just listen to music of all types. I'm sure there are some young awesome bands out there but when I'm writing and recording music I tend to stay away from music that sounds too close to what I'm doing. Currently I’m listening to a lot of Tom Waits and Pedro Farrar.

IE: Who is the one person responsible for getting you into this music in the first place? Do you recall how you found it?

Gavin: College radio was my first introduction to hardcore and metal as a kid. With that there was also information about record stores and shows. From there I met other like minded people and it grew from there. I’ll just put it out there right now that Porcell from Youth Of Today was the coolest punk kid in the world when we were growing up.

IE: What about playing guitar? What or who got you thinking “I want to do that”?

Gavin: I have always loved music and wanted it to be part of my life. It saves lives!

IE: Sergio Vega who played bass on your last line-up in ’89 is now in the Deftones. Any chance of a Deftones/Absolution double bill?

Gavin: Any chance you might not ask another silly question? That's not our scope.

IE: What is a typical day like in the Van Vlack home? What other interests do you have outside of music?

Gavin: A typical day in my home consists of me leaving the house around 8am and  my dog making sure that my couch doesn't fly off into the atmosphere while I'm gone. I work in the fitness industry and it's kind of like working on a play ground. I teach muay thai kick boxing and also study jiu jitsu and judo. I present strength and conditioning seminars nationally and worldwide. I also am involved in a couple of musical projects on the side. Trust me it's really tough for a 4lb chiuaua to stop a huge couch from flying into space but that little hero does it on a daily basis!

IE: In the liner notes in the discography it says you basically had to force Djinji to do this meaning singing for Absolution… Care to tell us more?

Gavin: HE didn't want to be a front man because his heart is really into playing drums. He's a really good drummer on top of being an awesome frontman.

IE: If Gavin Van Vlack is somehow voted into the White House in the next presidential election your first act as President will be….. 

Gavin: Hire you as the press secretary so you could see what it's like to field ridiculous questions!!! Lol…Dude, thanks so much!

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