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Back in 1982, Ben Stiller played drums and occasionally sang backing vocals for a punk band called Capital Punishment, and their album Roadkill is being reissued this fall. You can listen to ‘Confusion’, a track from the record, below.
Speaking with Howard Stern, Stiller said of his “ridiculously weird” high school band: "What happened was some outsider music label, which I didn't know those existed, but people who are just into weird music; I guess it's been found and they asked us if they could release it. They're called Captured Tracks. They're a real company."
Listen: Ben Stiller discusses Capital Punishment with Howard Stern:
Also in the band was Kriss Roebling, whose family built the Brooklyn Bridge in the 19th century, as well as Peter Zusi, who is now a professor of Slavic studies at University College London and Peter Swann, who became a Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court.
Stiller described their material as “really weird music” and “very experimental”, also noting that it was inspired by David Bowie and Brian Eno.
Listen to Capital Punishment’s ‘Confusion’:
Roebling, who wrote all of the band’s songs, shared some thoughts about the reissue in a letter posted on the Captured Tracks website, writing: “The late 70’s was a f••kin’ exciting time to be a young kid in New York City who loved music. So much new and ultra cool stuff going on, and so much amazing vinyl to listen to!! As an expression of our excitement for what was going on around us, my closest friends and I insisted on starting up a band…I’m utterly stoked and baffled by the fact that Roadkill is now being shared 33 years on with a larger audience, and I advise those of you who enjoy it to seek professional help FAST.”
The tracklisting for Roadkill is:
01. Necronomicon
02. Roadkill
03. Confusion
04. Muzak Anonymous
05. All just in Passing
06. Delta Time
07. Creatures of the Dark (Night)
08. Cosmos
09. John’s Forgotten land (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
10. Necronomicon (Reprise)
