One of the best bands I have heard in a long time, LAG WAGON have really mastered the melodic punk sound. Keep an eye on 'em, punker! this interview was done through the mail around mid 1994.

HOW ABOUT A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BAND?
LAG WAGON- Well, me, the writer, my name is Shawn, I'm the 2nd tallest in the band. Oh, and I play guitar. Then there's Chris, he's the tallest in the band (6'9")! Then there's the small guy, our singer, he's only 5'5" or so. the other two guys's names are Derrik (drummer) and Jesse (bassist). Chris plays guitar by the way and fixes the van when it breaks. We've been around almost three years now. We toured the US w/ NOFX in March of 93. We have two albums out on Fat Wreck Chords. The first called "Duh", the second called "Trashed!" Oh, and we're very fond of wombats.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FRUIT PIE?
LAG WAGON-Boysenberry! My grandma makes a great berrie pie. (are boysenberries fruit?)

TEN YEARS AGO, WHERE DID YOU THINK YOU'D BE IN 15 YEARS?
LAG WAGON-Well, back then, I was 15 I think, and I was really into "heavy metal" and I just started to play guitar. So I always pictured myself in a band like Judas Priest or somethin'. I think Lag Wagon is gonna start wearing leather & riding Harley's this next album!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT STATE OF PUNK ROCK?
LAG WAGON-If you have to think about it, it's not really punk is it?

ANY COOL CHILDHOOD STORIES TO RELATE?
LAG WAGON-We were all kinda neglected & beaten as children. So we've kinda blocked out our childhood memories.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE RELATIVE AND WHY?
LAG WAGON-I'd have to say my Grandma Jeanie. She deadly cool.

HOW HAS FAT WRECK CHORDS BEEN TREATING YOU?
LAG WAGON-Mike (Fat Mike that is) supports us 99.9% of the way. The other .1% is his laziness! (joke) We really wouldn't be doin what we're doin without the support from Fat.

WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THE TYPE OF MUSIC YOU PLAY?
LAG WAGON-Fast-melodic-punk-core .... I guess? I hate that question!

ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE CHILDREN? IF SO, WHAT WILL YOU NAME THEM?
LAG WAGON-Yes, I'll have a few. I told some girl in Texas last tour we would marry and have kids and name them hippie names like Forest and Sunshine & stuff.

ANY NEW OR OLD BANDS YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT?
LAG WAGON-Yea, you remember the UK SUBS. A real old punk band. The singer I think is 50 or so. We played in Berlin with them recently. They f*ckin rocked! New bands... I really like "THE MUFFS," heard of them?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME?
LAG WAGON-666 - The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden)
Martha Splatterheads Maddest Stories Ever Told (Accused)
Pink Floyd: The Wall & Animals
Everyone but Jesse would agree on the first one. Jesse's the youngin' so his would probably be Operation Ivy or somethin.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PET AND WHY?
LAG WAGON-My mountain lion. But everyone thinks it would be a good idea if I left it at home.

WILL YOU EVER MAKE A VIDEO LIKE THOSE COOL PUNKERS BAD RELIGION AND RANCID?
LAG WAGON-Funny you should ask, we just did one, I don't know why. This guy did us for free. It's the song "Island of Shame" off Trashed. We'll never be as cool as those guys though.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR LAG WAGON?
LAG WAGON-We're going to go to Japan in June. I'm so f*cking excited! We'll be touring the U.S. starting April 27th thru June sometime.

ASK ME THREE QUESTIONS AND I SHALL ANSWER THEM:

LAG WAGON-Do you know what a jackelope is and where it exists?
WELL, YES OF COURSE! THAT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE! IT IS WHEN YOU TRY TO CAR-JACK A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN A ROW (OR COLUMN). IT'S FROM THAT "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST PEOPLE" SHOW WITH THAT WACKY GUY FROM "FULL HOUSE!"

LAG WAGON-Why did you think a band like us would refuse to do a silly, pointless & wacky punk rock interview?
WELL, BECAUSE 7 SECONDS DIDN'T DO IT. AND IF THEY WON'T, WHO WILL?! SAME WITH THE OTHER 20 I SENT OUT.

LAG WAGON-Do people who snore bother you?
IT DEPENDS REALLY. IF IT IS WHEN I AM FIRST TRYING TO GET TO SLEEP, YES THEY DO! BUT IF I AM ASLEEP AND JUST WAKE UP TO IT, I CAN USUALLY GET BACK TO SLEEP.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARD GAME OF THE MOMENT?
LAG WAGON-Blackjack. I always lose this guy, Jay Walker's money in Reno & State Line in Tahoe.

WHO SHOULD BE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT IN YOUR OPINION?
LAG WAGON-I heard Joe Walsh once ran for Prez. That would be funny! Clinton for vice- prez. I don't think he was ready for the job yet.

ANY CLOSING COMMENTS?
LAG WAGON-Sorry no one else could help do this interview. Cause I'm in Oakland (close to Fat Wreck Chords in S.F.) Joey is in San Raphel, I can never locate Derrik for at least a week after tour, Jesse is in Santa Barbara (where we are all from) and Chris is in jail in Santa Barbara for warrants and driving on a suspended license. Cops suck! Sorry for lagging on returning this but we just got back a week ago from tour in Europe.

A whole lot of thanks go to Shawn and all of Lag Wagon! Rock on peoples!