Video Premiere
Speed BAbes
“Don’t Wanna Be Scene”
Chicago punk rockers Speed Babes are the epitome of their name, releasing music at an insane clip. We’re premiering their new video “Don’t Wanna Be Scene” from their record 1981, released at the beginning of March. Shot in a session with two other videos over three hours, it’s a hilarious depiction of how the trio would act on the red carpet. If you don’t know Speed Babes, this burner of track is the perfect introduction to their raw punk sound and give no shits attitude. Watch the video and then catch up with Jesse, Dave, and Mike in the interview!
JE: Jesse Ewan
MM: Mike Mazzola
DR: Dave Rentauskas
Your new video for "Don't Wanna Be Scene" is a definite commentary on our current celebrity culture. What inspired the concept?
DR: Back in January, Mike and I were at a bar having beers and there was a red carpet event on the TV. I think it was for the Grammy’s. I joked with Mike about how funny it would be if Speed Babes ever made it to a red carpet event. Then I started day dreaming and visualizing the three of us “stumbling” onto the red carpet.
JE: When you are an independent band putting out punk tunes via iPhone GarageBand, you can't really see yourselves in a "red carpet" situation, ha ha. We are definitely going for a bit of self-deprecating humor in our videos in general, and the ridiculousness of putting ourselves out there in an award show format struck all of us as pretty funny, so we all immediately signed off on the idea.
Who directed the video and where did you shoot it? And how many takes of you all chugging beer were there? Please tell us you chugged one every time?!
DR: I shot, directed, and edited the video at my studio back in January. We actually shot THREE videos that day in three hours time. The first video was us drinking beer and whiskey on a couch and then leaving to drink at our favorite bar Reed’s. I guess that’s when we stumble upon the red carpet! Ha ha ha.
We did one wide and one close take per person, per setup and yes, we were always chugging! Probably doing shots of whiskey on the side too.
JE: Dave Rentauskas directed and shot the video (and edited, and swept the floors, etc., ha ha). We shot it on green screen at his photo studio in late January - and in fact we shot THREE videos in the same session. It was a really fun day with a lot of props and costume changes, and the pizza showed up right before this one (you can see Mike Mazzola was trying to be efficient by eating while working.)
We didn't keep a beer tally (we did on our abbreviated tour, and it was terrifying to see) but we definitely gave it our all as per usual. Personally, I don't have any "red carpet" moves, so my go-to was definitely to just drink beer. I'm the same way at parties.
Did you get sponsored by Miller Lite and/or Buffalo Trace? Or are you hoping for a post paid possibility or a cease and desist? (Yeah that's a joke, but I kinda wanna know!?)
JE: Ha ha ha! We've discussed the possibility for sure. Great question. We are somewhat friendly with the Trace folks and certainly expect this to fly under the radar, but we'd proudly rep those brands! And obviously we'll keep being top notch consumers regardless.
1981 is your seventh record in five years. What's the secret to your breakneck production?
JE: The initial idea for Speed Babes was, in fact, to do just that. Create and release music as quickly as possible - and TRY to capture that vibe that happens when you first write a song - that energy that tends to quickly fade when you start to try to make a song technically perfect.
Personally, I found a work flow in iOS GarageBand that really connects with me and enables me to work very fast - and I try not to overthink things. My goal is that the tunes will make up for what they lack in production value with a little extra energy and excitement that comes with being new or being completed on the fly.
Most of your tracks clock in at under two minutes. You waste no time getting to your anthemic choruses and clearly have a love for hooky old school punk. If you could have been in one eighties punk band, which one would you choose?
JE: Ah another awesome question... I've always listed the Kinks and the Hives as my favorites, but that doesn't fit the criteria. Ramones would be it for me if we can include the 70s output as well.
DR: I had a lot of favorites from then (Clash / Hives / NOFX), but if I had to choose one it would definitely be Ramones.
MM: Parliament-Funkadelic.
When we can all get to do shows again, what would be your dream lineup for your first show back?
JE: There are so many great bands in Chicago right now, we are never on a bill that isn't exciting to be a part of. But I'd say Djunah for one, since the tour that Donna and I worked so hard to book ended up largely a covid casualty, and I love Salvation. I could list way too many bands, but also getting to do Milf Crate (RIP) one more time with our friends Tanner (Hangnail, Gina the Machina) and Underwire would be a total blast. That spot was amazing.
DR: Yeah, there are so many good Chicago bands. I’m going with Salvation, Montrose Man, and Tanner.
MM: All of our friends bands.
