Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginnis an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer...
ProfessionGuitarist
Date of Birth8 June 1954
CityTucson, AZ
dream real years
It took us two years to get our first real gig. That was a big dream. We ended up booking a lot of our own gigs and putting on a lot of our own shows. We were trying to get our actual music across, trying to make a connection there.
mean trying band
The REM and Nirvana successes don't mean much to me except as a potential distraction for bands who want to cash in on the trend. Don't try to sound like someone else. REM and Nirvana don't sound like anyone else.
names want holding-on
We're not good at propping up old carcasses. We want to be on top of what's vital at any particular time, and not just hold onto something because it has a name.
motivational people important
If people are really excited about their music, and that's their primary motivation, then that comes through in demo tapes. That's the most important ingredient.
art confused people
The Minutemen were seen as more of an art thing than Black Flag, although I didn't see them that way. It confused people when we put out Saccharine Trust, too.
real sound-quality play
I listen to everything that comes in. I'm not real worried about demo sound quality. I can hear through that sort of thing. If a band can play, then they can play.
running way labels
Putting out the things that I like best hasn't been the easiest way to run a label, and it still isn't because it requires finding an audience for each record.
thinking purple black
I still think the best metal bands have a blues feel. The first Black Sabbath album is kind of a bludgeoning of blues. Deep Purple also started out as a blues band.
book punk havens
There are several books out on punk history, but I haven't read any of them. I was there.
numbers people records
We were excited when we sold our first 10 records. I always felt that if we could get the music out there, and if people became accustomed to it, then a substantial number of them would enjoy it.