Now I know that I have led a very blessed life and I have to mention that I don’t get star struck very often anymore. Yes,I did a short stint alongside a tour with Rob Zombie/Monster Magnet, done my share of blow and strippers alongside some pretty serious “rock” groups, gone to hockey games with Al Jourgensen, hung out with Jim thrilwell and a million other people (or so it seemed) at Danny Flesher’s house, passed on an opportunity to have dinner with my all time favorite band, The Jesus and Mary Chain, etc etc etc but it wasn’t until Eric Powell called me personally that I finally lost my shit. I mean here was a musician that I followed and was an influence to me and here I was talking to him on the phone, like really in person, and HE called me! To top that off he and Jared both came over to my apartment during that Chicago date and that really flipped my noodle. They were both such down to earth and sincere guys that I couldn’t believe it. Imagine how weird it was to have them come over to your apartment only to see 2 framed posters of “supercoolnothing” hanging up on your walls. Yeah I know this makes me sound weird and probably a little creepy but it was so nice seeing such talented musicians whom I greatly respected also turn out to be “real” and “honest” people behind the scenes.

Funny that this note comes right before Father’s Day is celebrated because this is where Eric Powell and 16volt have really influenced me. It’s difficult being in the music business (even in the small capacity that I am), hold down a full time job/career and also be a good parent and role model. This is where people such as Eric Powell, Jason Novak (Acumen Nation), Wade Alin(Christ Analogue), Jim Marcus (Go Fight/Die Warzau), Jared Louche (Chemlab), John J. Verbos (Am.psych) and Chris DeMarcus (Stiff Valentine) really shine to me and where their talents truly lie, and that is in being good father’s who put their families first. Whenever I have bad days or am overwhelmed I find myself thinking that if these guys can set a good example and be a great parent the so can I, a lot of the good relationship that I have with my son can in many ways be attributed to them. Maybe it’s the age group that we are all at, some of the chips that we all have on our shoulders, or maybe there is just something to this “cold wave” genre that helps us all of us become better parents and like a true “family”…but I digress

I have since become friends with all of the aforementioned artists and bands and have had the opportunity to get to know everyone on a more personal level and even now talk to Eric on a regular basis. There was a time when people thought that 16volt might just fade away but all I see them do is put out stronger and stronger and more mature albums. While I have mentioned some of their earlier works that truly got me into 16volt, you can’t go wrong with listening to any of their albums from “SuperCoolNothing” to 2011’s “Beating Dead Horses” and in a live setting there is none better. Having the chance to work with Mike Peoples, Steve White (16volt, kmfdm, pig) and Eric again on last years Jamie Duffy Memorial show (where they turned in one of the most powerful sets of the night) and seeing the influence that Jamie had on them really let me see what type of quality people that 16volt (and the rest of our Cold Wave brother’s) really are, and in working closely with Eric (and Jason Novak) on this year’s Cold Wave’s II festival it only reinforces my respect that I have for those guys.

I have been fortunate over the past few years to have 16volt thank me or WTII Records at points on their album credits that I wanted to take the time to say thank you back to them. I’m not sure if this note really gives them the credit they deserve or contained any good stories or memories to have had you keep reading this note so far but if you haven’t checked out 16volt before or if it’s been awhile , do yourselves a favor and pick up an album or dig out some of your old ones and you will see why they are such an influence on people like Jim Semonik (Rein[forced]), Sean Payne (Cyanotic), Eric Gottesman(Everything Goes Cold) and myself. 16volt are truly the flag bearers for the “American Cold Wave” scene. They are only getting better with age and I look forward to where they take us next.

If you have any stories, memories, pictures, or just your respect that you would like to share with 16volt please take a hd video of yourselves and send it to Eric and Mike. Send stuff to info@16volt.com You can use http://wetransfer.com/

- David Schock

16volt’s lineup consists of Eric Powell on vocals and guitar, Mike Peoples (Skrew/Daniel Ash Band) on Bass and vocals, Steve White (KMFDM/Pig) on guitar, Jason Bazinet (SMP/Chemlab) on drums and Scott Robison (Drøne/The New Slaves) on keyboards and vocals.

The tour’s name is the “Precursor” tour. This tour is a warm up tour for our planned FULL North American dates in September. We will be playing some new tracks of our upcoming album which we will announce details about in June. We hope to see you out at the shows! Going to be some fun exclusive engagements.

July 6th – Seattle – Studio 7
July 7th – Portland – The Fez Ballroom
July 9th – San Francisco – DNA Lounge
July 10th – San Diego – Underworld @ O’Connells
July 11th – Hollywood – Bar Sinister (with special guests Skumlove!)