DC and punk rock lost a legend yesterday. John Stabb, singer of Government Issue and the Factory Incident, passed away after a long battle with cancer.
John was nice enough to come on this show twice, in 2006 and 2008. I was joined by DJ Stereo Faith, and we had two long (nearly 5 hours total) discussions about (first episode) the origins of Government Issue, the Unheard Music Fest, the St. Anselm's Valentine's Day show, and the GI reunion that "will never happen," and (second episode) marriage, cats, growing up in Wheaton, bumming out Jello Biafra with his outfits, his deep love of movies, and the GI reunion that eventually happened.
John also was guest DJ for both shows and picked two great, wide ranging playlists, including a bunch of rare punk covers of and by the Beastie Boys, Naked Raygun, Lillian Furneaux, and of course GI. He was a true original, relentlessly upbeat, kind soul who embodied the spirit of punk rock. We will miss him dearly.
Listen to the interviews here:
8-29-06: John Stabb / Government Issue
6-3-08: The Return of John Stabb