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Peter Green of Class Peter Green is the main singer/songwriter behind the group Class as well as the president and owner of Double Agent Records. Although they never play live, Class has released a critically acclaimed LP “First Class” and a remix EP called “A Quiet Life”. Both releases have mellow songs, acoustic guitars fused with sci-fi film-noir electronic melodies. Leigh Tsai accompanies Peter on vocals with her beautiful and ethereal voice.
On other releases, they have added their signature sound to many cover versions. They contributed a mellow, acoustic version of "I'm Not Always So Stupid" to The Wedding Present tribute LP. They also did a cover of "We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off" for a tribute to the music of the 80s.
At the same time, Peter Green founded Double Agent Records. This small label is the new home of The Telescopes and Unisex. Other bands like My Favorite and Rose Melberg have released incredible albums through Double Agent.
While the band Class has been quiet and their future unknown, Peter Green has had his hands filled as both a graphic designer and an owner of a record label. On a cold Friday evening in December, I had an in depth conversation with Peter about music, running a record label, the future and past of Class, The Telescopes, My Favorite and much more.
PIXELSURGEON: Your new album is called "A Quiet Life" EP. Tell us about it.
PETER GREEN: Not too new, I think, but I'm still happy with it. When I try to write new songs, I realize I already made the songs I want. They're on that EP, so no need to make more.
What is the meaning behind the title?
It’s from the last song "Number One", about exactly that and how I'd like to live a quiet life.”
Do you have a favorite song on "A Quiet Life"?
"Japanese Technology."
How did you meet Leigh Tsai?
She lived down the hall, freshman year in college. She liked Smashing Pumpkins and Belly. I got her into Blur and The Field Mice.
Are you romantically involved with her?
Nope.
What made you form the group Class?
I enjoyed a lot of acoustic, simple music and wanted to try making some too. Leigh is a violin virtuoso, been playing since she was two, so I begged her to play with me. Class has never been about playing live or getting famous, just making good music. So when I promised Leigh would never have to perform on stage, she agreed to record with me. Previous to that, I recorded some songs with Shivika from Papas Fritas adding vocals under the name Zaius.
Who does what in Class?
I write, sing, produce, play guitar, and keyboards. Leigh sings and plays violin and piano.
As an musician, who were some of your major influences?
The Field Mice, Simon and Garfunkel, Ride, Everything But The Girl and other early 90s bands.
How did you get the name Class? Is there a deeper meaning than the typical meaning?
We just wanted to be classy, not grungy and punk, so we chose Class.
Your father, Dan Green, is also an artist. Tell me about him.
In the late 60s, he was paid as a songwriter. He'd go to work and write songs for a company that would try to sell them to popular acts and some got pretty well known. The Duprees, Reparata and the Delrons, The Peppermint Rainbow, etc. Soul fans know who they are.
Do you go into the studio with pre-written themes and lyrics or do you hear the music first and write then and there?
We recorded everything at home. I usually experiment, write and record demos all at the same time. See how it develops. Definitely no pre-written structures.
How and why did you start Double Agent Records? How did you get the money?
I started it back in 1995. I knew a lot of great college bands making great demo tapes. I work as a graphic designer to pay for the label.
What is the best thing about having your own indie label? The worst?
The best is working with bands I love, creating the artwork, etc. The worst is not making a profit.
What is the best selling album on Double Agent?
Rose Melberg and My Favorite's debut album.
How did you meet Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes and Unisex?
I was a big fan when I was 17, I still have my Telescopes t-shirt. After the label got going, I wrote the Scopes a letter to see what they were up to, Stephen told me he formed Unisex, and I offered to sign them. After getting back into the music scene, Stephen decided to resurrect The Telescopes.
What is going on with The Telescopes now?
Stephen is mixing their 4th album, playing shows, and hoping to come to the US next year.
How did you meet My Favorite and eventually sign them?
I used to do a fanzine called "Splashdown", which is named after a Telescopes song, and someone sent me My Favorite's demo tape. I really liked it and wrote a nice review, which Michael read. Then, he wrote me a letter. I interviewed him for the final issue of the zine before I started the label. I asked if I could release a song on our first split 7" and he agreed. It did very well, so we teamed up for their debut CD too. It been growing since. After the debut, it was great to get the EPs as they came out, each was amazing, but they next was even better.
What’s going on with My Favorite now?
They are going to tour the USA in 2004 and start recording their 3rd album. The new songs are ace!
Tell us about the REMIXES for the second CD on the new My Favorite album. How did this come about?
Even though the EPs were limited to only 1000 copies, which means most of the world has never heard them, we wanted to do something for the great My Favorite fans. So if they collected the EPs, they'd still be happy with all the new stuff on the compilation. I personally did some remixes, which the band liked, so we started to ask others to remix too. We were blown away by Phofo's remix. Then, we asked fans to remix too, we got about 30 submissions, chose the best 14.
What other projects are Double Agent working on?
I recently did artwork for Fonda, now I'm working on art for a band called Timewellspent. Rose Melberg is working on a new album. My main focus now is getting My Favorite on tour and saving up for the next Scopes album.
How did you approach the remixes for My Favorite and Unisex?
I get the song broken down in all parts and listen to them individually, searching for inspiration. For example, in my "Suburbs Are Killing Us" remix, I loved the piano part, so brought that to the front, and made it sadder overall. "Homeless Club Kids", I wanted to tell a story, so it's a big drama, in three parts. I never just want to simply add a funky beat, my remixes are more like "re-productions".
What artist would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Tricky, I'd say. I always liked him a lot. I'm not interested in signing hot new bands. I still have work to do with the bands we have and love personally. I trust that any song My Favorite write will be amazing. Rose and Stephen, too. I don't have that trust in anyone else. I got a great demo from a Czech band, Kitch. We included a song on our comp, and they remixed My Favorite for us. We were gonna release their album, but they decided they were not happy with it. Shame.
What do you think music needs these days?
Sincerity. My Favorite. Less thugs, more hugs. I don’t know. I don't even feel part of it. I still love vinyl. I don’t have an iPod. I'm behind.
If you could remake any song from any artist. What song would it be,off the top of your head? How would you approach the remake?
We've done a lot of covers as Class. I usually pick a song whose nice lyrics don't fit the poppy production, and strip the song down like we did on the 80's tribute and our covers of The Wedding Present. We did the Field Mice cover for a tribute album that never came out, so we included it on our first album. Recently, I started a cover of The Cure's "Untitled", always one of my favorites.
What LP or CD has been in your turntable or your player recently?
The new Mojave 3 album is on there now. Most of my faves are the same or related to my faves when I was younger. I love Ian Brown’s new stuff, and I used to love The Stone Roses. I like Beth Gibbons’ album, and I used to love Portishead. When I was 16, I was into REM and They Might Be Giants, but then I went to England and learned about the Stone Roses and b-sides. That started me as a collector.
What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of Class?
That we still exist. It has been a long time since the last record.
Will there be another Class record?
You never know. I just got some new music software. I'll probably make music, but don’t know if it will be under the name Class, or if it will involve Leigh.
Do you like hip-hop? What are some hip-hop artists you like? Dislike?
You'd be very surprised how much Missy Elliott vinyl I have. I got into her when "Sock It to Me" came out. I knew she would a superstar one day. I also really like Warren G, which is lame, but he's chill. Digable Planets are ace too. I prefer the chilled stuff to thug shit. I like trip hop like Tricky too. The Class song "Japanese Technology" was definitely influenced by hip-hop, Missy.
Where did you grow up? In one phrase or sentence can you describe what was it like grow up?
I grew up on Long Island. It was all phony, I never knew true friends until college.
What advice would you give to someone starting their own label?
Do it if you love music and wanna be part of making music. Not if you wanna make money. I was jealous of labels like Kindercore getting financial support but then it became a business and when it didn't make enough, they pulled the plug. I should tell you something, I got very lucky. I owned "doubleagent.com" and in the height of the Internet bubble, I sold it for a shitload of cash. Now, we're at doubleagentrecords.com, no big deal. The cash went to the Scopes and My Favorite and let Double Agent survive a few more years. The company that bought it from me folded in less than a year. Now, a third owner has the domain, some sleazy magazine. They'll fail too.
How has the Internet affected the label? The band Class?
The internet is amazing. It got big when I started the label, and thanks to the web, everyone around the world can hear our bands, and now My Favorite have a big following in Sweden. Class used to get fan letters from Japan with just a 7" out. The Internet is great, but these days, I'm sure everyone downloads our music illegally, for free, so it could be hurting us too. Yet, with band names like My Favorite and Class, it's very hard to find on Kazaa. When I did a zine, there were printing costs and overstock. The web has eliminated that. It’s wonderful for fans.
What is the biggest mistake you made in your career?
Probably not getting My Favorite on tour a few years ago. A few shows here and there has not been enough. I did pay to fly them all to California though. After the domain sale, we had cash for fun stuff like that. We all learn more all the time, the label and the bands.
Isn't there another band called Class? Has there been problems? What did you think of them?
There is one other Class, yea, but I never contacted him. He was an R&B crooner, I saw his website. There was another Zaius too, we traded tapes.
What is the story with the Double Agent Records logo? The rocket ship?
Launched in 1995, Double Agent's rocket speeds through the universe in search of intelligent compositions. I've got it tattooed on my arm too.
What remix (of a Class song) do you like the best?
I like the Telescopes remix best. Some band covered "Strobe Light". Oh, and Metronome covered "Greys". That's good too.”
Tell us about your involvement with The Wedding Present tribute project?
I just always loved that b-side, "I’m Not Always So Stupid", so we did a cover and sent our 7" to David Gedge. He said it was lovely and told The Orange Slices people about it. They did a Weddoes fanzine and planned a tribute, and included our cover version. That was 1998, I think. Volume 2 is available, too.
Favorite drug?
Weed.
Favorite alcoholic beverage?
Jack and Coke.
Do wish to be cremated or buried?
Cremated for sure, with my vinyl collection, please.
Where do you want your ashes spread?
In space.
What is in the future for Class, Double Agent Records, and Peter Green?
Well, I'll be 30 in February, so I've been asking that question a lot too. I love and need the label in my life, but I'm sick of working my ass off as a graphic designer to pay the bills. I'd like some personal savings instead of giving all my earnings to the label. So, hopefully the new My Favorite record will sell a lot and the label can support itself.
MP3 Audio
• Strobe Light
• I'm Not Always So Stupid
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