(Interview Answers by Chase Stain - Co-Frontperson of Numbers On Napkins & President of Bad Stain Records)

If you did anything involving music in Arizona during the mid nineties until 2010, chance are the local musician and business owner, Chase Stain, had something to do with it. Stain started his love affair with the local music scene in 1993, when he started his first band, Dirty Laundry. The band had little success, but became an inspiration to many local bands and musicians, and influenced several of their peers during the near ten year lifespan of the band. Dirty Laundry went through several lineup changes, and in 2002 when the band finally called it quits, Chase Stain found himself as the only remaining original member.

After the demise of Dirty Laundry in 2002, Stain started Yars Revenge, which eventually went through some lineup changes and became Numbers On Napkins in 2003. Numbers On Napkins was well received by the local scene, and performed with various well known acts in their genre, including Flogging Molly, Yellowcard, and Plain White T’s.

In 1994, Stain started a small independent record label called Dirty Records, and used it to help promote his band. Stain sold Dirty Records in 1995, and started a new label with two friends, Bad Stain Records, in January of 1996. Stain eventually bought out his business partners, and signed several local bands like D-I-X, Subject Mad, and Corrupt Citizen. Bad Stain continued to grow over the years, and today the label is over 20 years old, and has released over forty albums.

Stain also started a local booking agency in 1995, as a way to help get his band onto shows for notable touring punk rock recording artists, called Laundromat Productions. In 2003, Laundromat Productions help the first annual Arizona Ska Punk Awards Ceremony, another brainchild from Chase Stain that helped to honor Arizona musicians, recording studios, venues, labels, magazines, promoters, and other staples in the local music scene.

Stain has written columns, reviewed albums, and interviewed bands for several punk rock fanzines, and was the founder and editor of Unspeakable Thoughts Fanzine and founder and co-editor of Bad Stain Fanzine. Stain worked as assistant engineer at AAA Audio, and as head engineer at The Weasel Hut, and has produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered several albums from locals artists. Stain also started Stained Designs, and made several web banner ads and flyers for local promoters, venues, and bands, and created album artwork and layouts for local bands and labels.

After several years in the local scene, Stain’s band Numbers On Napkins announced a hiatus in 2013. Shortly after, Stain quit having shows and Laundromat Productions faded away. Bad Stain Records discontinued signing new artists, and it seemed as though Stain was taking more than a break from his band, but a break from music all together.

Stain remained inactive in the local independent music scene for the next four years, and even became somewhat of a recluse, seldom attending any local concerts or events. Then, in 2017, Stain signed the local punk band, Johnny Laundromat and The Drycleaners to Bad Stain Records and released a seven inch record of the band. By 2018, Bad Stain had signed several other new acts, and Stain’s band, Numbers On Napkins, announced their return from hiatus to record a new album.

In late 2018, Stain announced that he was starting a new business, Bad Stain Custom Creations, that would design and manufacture high end customized guitars and basses. Unfortunately, Stain’s business partner had a change of heart just a few months later, and the business quickly dissolved.

I had a chance to meet with Chase Stain in December of 2019 at his home in Phoenix, Arizona. Stain greeted me at his front door and we sat down in his living room to perform the interview. As I looked around the home, I noticed hundreds of stuffed animals located along the top of the plant shelves that surrounded the living room, wrapping around to the top of the kitchen cabinets. Stain commented that the stuffed animals belonged to his daughter, and added she had additional on her bed, and that he had made her donate eleven 30 gallon trash bags full of stuffed animals to Goodwill, and yet she still had what was displayed in his home. I smiled and said that it sounded like she was spoiled. He laughed and replied that it was partially that she was spoiled, and partially that he and his daughter like to play the crane games to win them, and that they both were very good at winning.

As I pulled out my recorder and notepad, Stain offered me something to drink and grabbed himself a Dr. Pepper. I declined his offer, but said thanks, as he made his way to the back door and asked me if I minded doing the interview outside. I told him that it was fine by me and we made our way to the backyard. Once outside, Stain lit a cigarette and sat down on an empty milk crate. I looked around for a seat, and he nudged over an industrial suitcase of some type and invited me to sit on it. I took my seat and we started talking.

- A.I.M.S. Magazine -

- Chase Stain -

Thanks for doing this.

Yeah, no problem. I mean, thank you. This is awesome. Now I just need to make sure I don’t say something stupid.

Naaa.

No, I really have said some stupid shit in interviews. (Laughs) That or the interviewer will take something I said and twist it around, like.....only take the first half of something I say to make me look like an asshole...(Laughs)...or something.

Well don’t worry man, I won’t do that. (laughs)

Okay, cool. Thank you. And if I do say something stupid, just don’t print it.

Well. I like....I can’t just like, promise that I won’t use something you may say. Like, just so we’re clear. I.....

(Laughs) I know man, I was fucking around. Of course print whatever I say, even if it’s stupid. I totally grant you permission to use anything I say in the interview for Arizona Independent Music Scene Magazine. There, now you have a recording of me saying it and everything. (Laughs)

Okay. Cool. So then I’m just gonna start. Sounds good.