Unwritten Law reveling in ongoing success

By JIM TRAGESER - Staff Writer | Wednesday, September 3, 2008 12:16 PM PDT ∞

Just off a flight from Australia and finally back in his Rancho Penasquitos home after 12 hours stuck on an airplane, Scott Russo was understandably a bit groggy. The lead singer for Unwritten Law, the Poway-born band that helped define skate punk in the '90s, Russo was kind enough to stay awake long enough to chat by phone about the band's upcoming live DVD/CD and the challenges of keeping a band together for 16 years.

"Live and Lawless" (set for Sept. 30 release) is the band's first DVD of concert footage, but it's also packaged with a CD.

"We were going to put out a live DVD," Russo said of the band's new release. "We hadn't had one before, for people who couldn't get to shows. ... We wanted to put out the DVD so people could see what the band does live."

After making the decision to issue a live DVD, the band was persuaded by folks at the record company, Suburban Noize, to package it with a CD as well.

"You can give kids two products for the size of one. And it won't have to sit in the DVD section, we can put it in the CD section."

As for the music on the new record, Russo said, "We've been together for 16 years; we've grown accordingly," he said.

"I think we're just a rock band. We started out in the early '90s as a punk band, in a skate/surf category. Being fans of music, we've been changing our influences and bringing those influences into our music."

Russo said that his interest in music has only broadened in the years since he joined the band.

"I'd say I listen to a lot wider variety of music than I did in high school."

At least one such influence, though, has gained a stronghold on Russo's listening habits of late.

"I've been listening to a lot of Cure, actually ---- going back to my high school roots. The Cure is my new favorite band again."

When Russo joined Unwritten Law, he said he never dreamed the band would find the success it has ---- major label deals, radio airplay and the kind of longevity that can make music into a career.

Way back when, he said he knew the members of the band, and they were at his house when he ended up joining as lead singer.

"They came to my house and were doing a whole bunch of cover songs. I sang a song, and the drummer came up and asked if I wanted to join," he said.

Russo is the only member left from that incarnation of Unwritten Law. Today, he is joined by longtime (if not all-time) guitarist Steve Morris, bassist Pat Kim and drummer Dylan Howard.

"I didn't think I'd be where I am today ---- I thought there would be lots of parties," Russo said of his motivation in accepting the invitation. As for longevity, he said no one in the band dreamed of their eventual success.

"I don't think anyone really thought anything at the time. We were playing punk rock, and punk rock hadn't hit yet ---- there was no Green Day, no blink, no Offspring."

In fact, Russo said that at the time he was going to college studying to become a teacher.

"I definitely didn't think music was going to be a career."

While grateful for the stability being in the same band brings, Russo said that the typical life changes everyone experiences remind him of how long the band has been around.

"You don't see many of the bands that started when we started ---- they're not together anymore."

And when young bands seek out Unwritten Law and ask the members' advice on various issues regarding the music business, Russo said the e-mails often begin with "we grew up on you guys."

"It doesn't make me feel as young as I used to (feel)," he said.

Unwritten Law

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 6

Where: Wave House, 3125 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach

Admission: $22-$25 (21 and over only)

Info: (877) 550-9283 or sd.wavehouse.com

Web: unwrittenlaw.com

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