No Age: Rather Ripped

The buzz surrounding L.A. noise-pop band is deafening

Comments (0) By Jonah Flicker Wednesday, Aug 29 2007

...continued from page 1

Randall (left) and Spunt want to write pop songs � but in the way we know how. (Photo by Kevin Scanlon)

More About

We hop back into Randall’s Ford Explorer and head off to Thai Xpress, a comfortably grungy favorite of his in the nether regions between downtown and MacArthur Park, for some lunch. A longtime vegan, he expands on his love of both punk rock and pop music between mouthfuls of pineapple curry with mock chicken. “Greg Ginn tried to play the blues. We’re trying to play pop — as best we can.” As we finish and the waitress wipes up our curry drippings, Randall sits back and contemplates No Age’s future. They’re heading out on tour again on September 17, and then plan on entering the studio to record new songs. “We’re progressing as any band would, trying not to repeat the idea.”

Repetition doesn’t seem to be much of a worry. The band seem to thrive upon incorporating new concepts of music, design, art and community into their DIY regimen. “If it makes sense to anyone else, that’s [affirmation] that being honest and not being an asshole is a good thing,” Randall says. “In a world where we have the government and pop culture we have, Paris Hilton getting arrested . . . How does that relate to us? I get why they’re funny and why they exist, but maybe being straight with yourself can work too. The more work you put into something, the more value you get out of it.”