Dry Ink: First things first, thanks for doing this. I’m a big fan and we at Dry Ink appreciate this.

Ian Mackaye: You got it.

DI: I’m digging The Evens. I saw you guys play at The Eyedrum here in Atlanta a few years back and really enjoyed it. What’s next for you guys?

IM: We’re working on new songs. We were in L.A. for a few weeks and a friend has an empty house where we worked on some new songs – just getting into a routine. We’re not currently touring, but we may actually do some recording here today.

DI: I noticed that you did the last record yourselves. How did that come about?

IM: It’s just easier… It’s cheaper and you work around your own schedule.

DI: Do you find the imperfections give the record charm?

IM: I don’t know about that. Most music that I find interesting or that I relate to has human imperfections, and I like that. I like to know that a human made it and it isn’t a machine.

DI: You guys don’t play normal clubs or bars, no?

IM: Well, I have never that I know of played a 21 or older venue. I want it to be that anyone, people of all ages can come out to see us. That’s beginning to get rough because we’re getting more popular. I know that is a good thing, but it can have drawbacks. The last time we played Atlanta, I think 200 people came out to The Eyedrum. How many people can you fit into a bookstore or a place that isn’t your normal club? Someone is going to have to watch from the street. You can’t please everyone.

DI: I was just taking a look at the Glen E. Friedman book of Fugazi photo’s “Keep Your Eyes Open.” How did you two meet?

IM: I knew Glen, or should I say I knew of him because he was a skateboard photographer. I was really into skateboarding and was very interested in his work. In 1981 he contacted me and said he was a fan of Minor Threat. He was living in L.A. and New York at the time. On December 26, 1981 Bad Brains were playing at CBGB and my brother’s band FAITH opened up for them. I met Glen there and we became fast friends. He took the Salad Days cover, and when Fugazi came out, he was really into us. Took our photos, first show and last. We talk all the time.

DI: I loved the interview you did with Ian Svenonius on “Soft Focus.” How did that come about?

IM: Ian is another old friend. I’ve known Ian since he was 14. It was his first taping so he invited me and Henry [Rollins] to be on the show… Henry went first to break the ice because he is such a pro at interviews. It went well, and then I went on.

DI: I think Ian could be a stand up comic.

IM: Yeah he’s very funny. When we get together we just crack each other up. We had a good time. My favorite thing to do is laugh… That is one thing people don’t know about me.

DI: And what’s going on with Dischord Records these days?

IM: Not a lot of new music coming out, but we’re staying busy. Actually, we’re doing very well. Our catalogue is strong and we still sell a bunch of Minor Threat records. All of the old records are selling. At some point, I imagine we’ll start doing records again. The whole point of this label since the beginning was to document what was coming out of a certain area and nothing is coming out in D.C. at the moment. There’s a band called Edie Sedgwick I like a lot right now. They are fantastic.

DI: When Brent Hinds from Mastodon met Brendan Canty on the set of Burn to Shine he asked him when Fugazi is getting back together and Brendan replied saying, ‘We never broke up, we’re just busy having kids, running labels and working on other projects.’ I really liked his answer.

IM: Exactly, we took a hiatus, an indefinite hiatus. We were very fortunate to have the four of us play music and center our lives around that band for 15 years, but circumstances change. All kinds of things go on… families and life. We could no longer tour the way the band needed to. We didn’t make an announcement; we didn’t feel the need to. We just let things be. We’re still all very close friends and we all got together the other night for Brendan’s birthday. We just said let’s live and let things be. I think we handled it in a wonderful way.

DI: That’s a great answer. Thank you for your time.

IM: My pleasure.