“You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind.” - Timothy Leary
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Death Wish Series
Ever since I listened to the Powerviolence band, Charles Bronson I became real interested in the actor himself. The series which he is most famous for is called Death Wish. There are five parts. I bought the first one a year ago. And a couple weeks ago they had a marathon on the AMC channel. My girlfriend recorded all of them. I have to say this is one series you can't miss. It isn't as great as the Star Wars series but it sure beats the Land Before Time one. I'll review each one now. Don't worry I wont spoil it for you. But Bronson will kick your ass if you don't watch these magnificent films.
Yep and The Simpson's did Death Wish 9!
So please enjoy this series. Part 1 can be found in some used section in the mall. Parts 2-4 are available at Target in one box with another film for 10 bucks!
Part 5....well....watch it on TV.
Interview With John Fallon of The Steppes
It's said that we only use 10% of our brains. I would argue that when it comes to art and music, we use even less than that. Take The Steppes for instance. This band has the necessary tools to be universally known as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. Yet, here in the states at least, they are a mere footnote within the most influential genre that there is outside of the blues, which is psychedelic rock.
It's shameful that we as a nation would rather use that 10% of our mental capacity to follow the likes of Lady Gaga and whatever else the radio waves are slinging at us when there is so much untapped forest out there in terms of music. There is a tremendous and endless stream of incredible music coming from all four corners of this big blue Earth, and not only is it unfair to ourselves for not plunging into the unknown, it's also not fair to the musicians who create these masterpieces that go unheard.
In sports, records are kept, and it's easy to gauge what teams and athletes are the greatest based off of recorded statistics. In music, no such scale exists. How do you determine who the best musicians are aside from popular opinion? While a distance runner from the remote hills of Kenya might get world wide recognition for running the fastest 10K in the history of time, the best band in the world might be playing somewhere and putting out albums, and nobody is even aware of it.
The Steppes could be one of these bands; they have elements of many the greats. The Beatles, The Sonics, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd, The Stones, The Byrds and even contemporaries such as Oasis and Supergrass can be heard while under the influence of The Steppes. In addition to all of that, these guys also sound uniquely like themselves. Their sound is a blend of European psychedelia and American rock and roll. There is little doubt to the musical ability of these guys, as they are immensely popular in Europe. Because the general mindset of most Americans is to go with the flow so to speak, many do not step outside of their musical comfort zones to reach out to new and exciting sounds. It's a shame too, because the music played and popularized from corporate radio play generally sucks to what else is actually out there.
The Steppes are John Fallon on vox and lead guitar, his brother David Fallon on bass and keyboards, Tim Gilman also on guitar and Jim Bailey on the drums. John and David mostly grew up in the United States, but came from an immediate Irish heritage, as their parents came to The United States directly from Ireland. John was born in Chicago, but he and David lived in England for a few years as children before finally settling into a more permanent residence back in the Windy City. They grew up listening to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and T-Rex, to name a few. Music was always a part of their lives, and unlike most people who listen to these same bands, the Fallon brothers found a way to incorporate the sounds they loved into a rich melodic sound of their own.
While living in LA in 1982, The Fallon brothers teamed up with Eddie Gryzb and formed a band called the Blue Macs. They formed their own record company (Blue Mac Records) and pressed 200 vinyls of five of their original songs. This five song 7" EP has been described as bold and edgy, and was mostly sent to record companies and the music press, and generally not made available to the public. In early 1983 Melody Maker magazine reviewed the EP and compared the sound to Paul Weller, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and the Undertones. This favorable review was inspiring to John and David, who were at the time hanging out in Dublin. They flew back to the states and started to look for like minded musicians with whom to make further collaborations. In May of 1983 John and David made an acoustic recording in a Hollywood studio that they labeled "The Steppes of Russia".
(A Steppe, according to Wikipedia, is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands, and temperate grasslands, savannah and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes. The prairie (especially the shortgrass and mixed prairie) is an example of a steppe, though it is not usually called such.)
In June of 1983 John and David met guitarist Tim Gilman, who's face peeling guitar solos provided a west coast edge to the Harmony based music that the Fallon brothers were making. They brought in a drummer named Dante' who rounded out the original Steppes lineup, and that was the lineup when the band released their first album simply titled "The Steppes" with Hollywood based Mystic Records. "The Mystic EP" as it was to become known as, was a moderate success, and received airplay across the nation on the college radio circuit. The band replaced Dante' with drummer Jim Bailey in 1985, and has been reinventing itself ever since, though currently the band has been in remission since the late '90s.
As a reader of this blog and a lover of music, please take my advice and seek out this band. The Steppes are not your run of the mill indie band trying to make it big... They are the real deal who has captivated an audience in Europe and why they are not huge in the USA is beyond me.
Through the capabilities of the internet, I was able to ask John Fallon a few questions:
Tell me about your childhood... What music did you listen to, and what transpired in your life that influenced you to become a musician?
Born in Chicago...moved to England in June '64. Went to school my first 3 yrs. there before returning to Chicago in late '67. Parents are both from County Mayo, Ireland. I've been into The Beatles since I was 4 yrs. old!!! This must be where I learned "quality control" when it came to my own career. A very hard act to follow, eh? I think I always fancied myself as a musician in a great band...always! Of course it takes hard work and a lot of good fortune for this to really take place...we're lucky...it happened. In my teens I broadened my outlook...The Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Dylan, Hendrix, Zeppelin, T-Rex, Slade, Donovan, The Dubliners, Clanned, all the Chess Records stuff, Lightin' Hopkins...music was an adventure, a real way to view the world...music can get to you in a way that no other form of communication can.
Tell me about the Blue Macs... How did the name come about, and what was the driving force behind this band?
The Blue Macs was the real starting point. Not a bunch of teens in a garage goofing off...but the first attempt to make it happen. We were a mod band on the edge of the neo mod scene in L.A. in 1982. David and I started writing songs and started to sing together. I think The Bee Gees of the '60s influenced our vocal approach at the time...also the hard edge of The Jam. The name is a play on words...like THE BLUE MAX medal given to German fliers in WWI...but Macs also meant a Celtic tie-in and it is slang for raincoat...hell, it sounded mod and cool, ha,ha.
Are there any Blue Macs recordings available?
The Blue Macs did record 5 tracks in a studio in Calif. in July 1982. These were released that same year on a 5 song 7" EP (only 200 copies). Two of these tracks were included on our "Rarities" CD released in 1997 by Delerium in England..."Almost 21" and "In Touch". An original EP sold for $375 recently! Cool, eh?
How did you meet Tim Gilman? What events led up from there to you forming The Steppes?
We met Tim on a recommendation of a friend. We were looking for a bass player...David was going to be the lead singer, I would play guitar and sing, a drummer, and this Tim guy for bass. A WHO approach. The moment we saw Tim we knew he in...he looked like a cross between George Harrison and Peter Fonda! When he picked up his guitar and blasted into "She Said, She Said" by The Beatles we immediately dumped our WHO approach and went BEATLE...this was the natural way forward...we could all contribute more this way. At this point we called ourselves "Steppes of Russia"...by the end of 1983 we shortened it to THE STEPPES and I copyrighted the name and registered it for the ages. It had a Herman Hesse quality..both David and I had read many of Hesse's books so it felt right. We had a series of drummers until we scored James Bailey. We held a 3 day open audition and jammed with 33 drummers...Bailey was #32! He was the obvious choice and he knew it!
Of all the albums The Steppes produced, which one is your personal favorite, and why?
I have 2 faves..."Drop of the Creature" because it was the LP that turned everyone on to us...it is a wonderfully cohesive work done by a young artistic band of acid dandies...bookish but sometimes harsh in message. Many years later THE TIMES of London said this LP was the best debut since "The Doors". High praise, indeed! Actually both of these LPs share many similar sonic qualities...basically, a very live feel with romantic imagery galore. My other fave is "Harps and Hammers"...this is a record that shows a band at the top of their game...we were HOT...just finished our 2nd European tour...35 shows in 5 countries...it was wild! The guitar work on "Harps..." is killer...Tim kills it and so do I...we were a dangerous band ready to take on ANYONE.
The Steppes are seeped deep into the psychedelic culture... Is that sound based off of personal use of psychedelics, or were you trying to emulate a sound you heard?... Was there a mission behind your psychedelic sound?
No comment.
Tell me about The Psychedelic Psuana compliation album... How did the Steppes become a part of that?
Richard Allen was starting his own label...he was our manager and a great friend (still is!) he asked for a track and I supplied one while I was visiting James in S.F. "Summer's End..." is a cool little home recording that features only James and myself...Tim wanted to re-record it and include it on "Harps..." but we had plenty of songs...
I read somewhere that you and the legendary Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond) have collaborated together... Is this true, or am I just dreaming?
Mr. Bevis is the fine gent that recommended "Goldust" studio in Bromley, Kent, England....a great engineer/owner there named Mark Dawson. We did "Enquire Within" and "Harps and Hammers" there and I did "Atomic Cossack" there, also. I've been in touch with ol' Nick recently and he's in Goldust now recording his first "Bevis" album in 7 years! I have video of him at our crash pad in London in '88. Bevis also was on the bill with us at the famous "Freakbeat Freakout" Dec. 29, 1989 at the Greyhound in Fulham, London...a VERY wild psychedelic night, indeed....that video of ours titled "Live in London" is from that show...but, no we never recorded with him...cool guy and quite friendly!
How would you describe your fan base? What are the differences between Europeon fans and the American fans?
In truth, most of our fan base is in Europe. Europeans generally are more fanatical about music being part of their daily lives. Why? I have a few ideas but I suppose one way of looking at THE STEPPES fan is that he/she really digs The Steppes...really digs...we've been described at a BIG band over there...in ideas, talent, overall vision...obviously, not in sales, ha,ha. The general view of us is that we would have been a BIG act if we were around in the late '60s and early '70s. I agree...we were tourists from timenotyet...jumping out of our time machine at the most idiotic of times...the '80s.
I read that you moved into East Germany right after the wall came down... That had to have been amazing. What can you tell me about that experience?
In '88 we drove from W. Germany through E. Germany to get to the island that was Berlin. It was creepy...check points...cannot leave the road...only bread and bockverst to eat...no mustard...we tried to give the guards records but they said the 33 1/3 LPs would not play on their turntables. In '89 it was different! The wall was coming down and as we hit the centre of Berlin, Helmut Kohl's motorcade drove right next to us! We saw him! It was party time!
Oddly enough, the scariest check point for us was going from Switzerland into Italy in '89! We were told to get out of the van and stand in a line...I started to sit down in a small wall and the Italian guard pointed a machine gun at me?! They proceeded to pull everything out of the van. I guess they thought "5 guys in a van from Amsterdam" (4 Steppes and a driver) might be worth rolling... But when they found copies of "Enquire Within" they completely changed..."Ah, The Steppes... Irlanda". They wanted free T-shirts, records, autographs... Apparently, we happened to be in a major Italian mag that week and these bozos had heard of us... Ah, minor celebrity status saved our asses, ha,ha!
Are you currently involved with any new projects?
I have been offered a deal to do two 45rpm 7" singles! I'm looking to see how I can swing this. My son, Cromm, has a band here in Vegas called "ACTON TOWN"...I might borrow them.
You probably already know that The Steppes entire back catalogue in coming out on Cherry Red Records in England. Two tracks are on the Delerium "Last Daze of the Underground" 3 CD compilation release...out now!(Cherry Red).
Who or what are you listening to these days?
I'm listening to a group out of Japan called The Routes fronted by and Englishman named Christopher Jack. They are on tour in Europe right now! I'm listening to Lightnin' Hopkins again and Frank Sinatra when he was on Capitol in the '50s. I do listen to stuff that my son digs...Wavves, Best Coast, Two Door Cinema Club...pretty interesting stuff in it's own way...not great talents but cool all the same.
What can we expect in the future from John Fallon and/or The Steppes?
As I said all our stuff is to be re-released soon. All four of The Steppes are in close touch...we would be up for something if it was interesting and feasible. I would like to quickly record 4 songs for those 2 singles and get them out there for people to hear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Steppes Discography:
The Blue Macs (Blue Mac Records USA 1982)
The Steppes of Russia (Acoustic demo recorded in Hollywood 1983)
The Steppes (Mystic Records Mini LP released in 1984)
Drop of the Creature (Voxx records USA 1987, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1987)*
The Steppes/ Bevis Frond (Help Records, a flexi given away with issue 4 of Freakbeat Magazine)
Stewdio (Voxx Records USA 1988, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1988)
Tourists from Timenotyet (Compliation, Bam Caruso Records UK 1988)
Enquire Within (Voxx Records USA 1989, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1989, Music Maniac Records Germany 1989)
Harps and Hammers (Voxx Records USA 1990)
Alive, Alive, Oh! (Live) (Voxx Records USA 1991 Limited edition on green vinyl)
Psychedelic Psuana -Various Artist (Delerium Records UK 1991)
Atomic Cossack (Voxx Records USA 1992, Delerium Records UK 1992)
Pick and Mix - Various Artists (Delerium Records UK 1995)
Gods, Men and Ghosts (Delerium Records UK 1997)
Rarities - Previously unreleased (Delerium Records 1997)
 |
| The Steppes |
In sports, records are kept, and it's easy to gauge what teams and athletes are the greatest based off of recorded statistics. In music, no such scale exists. How do you determine who the best musicians are aside from popular opinion? While a distance runner from the remote hills of Kenya might get world wide recognition for running the fastest 10K in the history of time, the best band in the world might be playing somewhere and putting out albums, and nobody is even aware of it.
The Steppes could be one of these bands; they have elements of many the greats. The Beatles, The Sonics, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd, The Stones, The Byrds and even contemporaries such as Oasis and Supergrass can be heard while under the influence of The Steppes. In addition to all of that, these guys also sound uniquely like themselves. Their sound is a blend of European psychedelia and American rock and roll. There is little doubt to the musical ability of these guys, as they are immensely popular in Europe. Because the general mindset of most Americans is to go with the flow so to speak, many do not step outside of their musical comfort zones to reach out to new and exciting sounds. It's a shame too, because the music played and popularized from corporate radio play generally sucks to what else is actually out there.
The Steppes are John Fallon on vox and lead guitar, his brother David Fallon on bass and keyboards, Tim Gilman also on guitar and Jim Bailey on the drums. John and David mostly grew up in the United States, but came from an immediate Irish heritage, as their parents came to The United States directly from Ireland. John was born in Chicago, but he and David lived in England for a few years as children before finally settling into a more permanent residence back in the Windy City. They grew up listening to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and T-Rex, to name a few. Music was always a part of their lives, and unlike most people who listen to these same bands, the Fallon brothers found a way to incorporate the sounds they loved into a rich melodic sound of their own.
While living in LA in 1982, The Fallon brothers teamed up with Eddie Gryzb and formed a band called the Blue Macs. They formed their own record company (Blue Mac Records) and pressed 200 vinyls of five of their original songs. This five song 7" EP has been described as bold and edgy, and was mostly sent to record companies and the music press, and generally not made available to the public. In early 1983 Melody Maker magazine reviewed the EP and compared the sound to Paul Weller, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and the Undertones. This favorable review was inspiring to John and David, who were at the time hanging out in Dublin. They flew back to the states and started to look for like minded musicians with whom to make further collaborations. In May of 1983 John and David made an acoustic recording in a Hollywood studio that they labeled "The Steppes of Russia".
(A Steppe, according to Wikipedia, is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands, and temperate grasslands, savannah and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes. The prairie (especially the shortgrass and mixed prairie) is an example of a steppe, though it is not usually called such.)
In June of 1983 John and David met guitarist Tim Gilman, who's face peeling guitar solos provided a west coast edge to the Harmony based music that the Fallon brothers were making. They brought in a drummer named Dante' who rounded out the original Steppes lineup, and that was the lineup when the band released their first album simply titled "The Steppes" with Hollywood based Mystic Records. "The Mystic EP" as it was to become known as, was a moderate success, and received airplay across the nation on the college radio circuit. The band replaced Dante' with drummer Jim Bailey in 1985, and has been reinventing itself ever since, though currently the band has been in remission since the late '90s.
As a reader of this blog and a lover of music, please take my advice and seek out this band. The Steppes are not your run of the mill indie band trying to make it big... They are the real deal who has captivated an audience in Europe and why they are not huge in the USA is beyond me.
Through the capabilities of the internet, I was able to ask John Fallon a few questions:
Tell me about your childhood... What music did you listen to, and what transpired in your life that influenced you to become a musician?
Born in Chicago...moved to England in June '64. Went to school my first 3 yrs. there before returning to Chicago in late '67. Parents are both from County Mayo, Ireland. I've been into The Beatles since I was 4 yrs. old!!! This must be where I learned "quality control" when it came to my own career. A very hard act to follow, eh? I think I always fancied myself as a musician in a great band...always! Of course it takes hard work and a lot of good fortune for this to really take place...we're lucky...it happened. In my teens I broadened my outlook...The Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Dylan, Hendrix, Zeppelin, T-Rex, Slade, Donovan, The Dubliners, Clanned, all the Chess Records stuff, Lightin' Hopkins...music was an adventure, a real way to view the world...music can get to you in a way that no other form of communication can.
Tell me about the Blue Macs... How did the name come about, and what was the driving force behind this band?
The Blue Macs was the real starting point. Not a bunch of teens in a garage goofing off...but the first attempt to make it happen. We were a mod band on the edge of the neo mod scene in L.A. in 1982. David and I started writing songs and started to sing together. I think The Bee Gees of the '60s influenced our vocal approach at the time...also the hard edge of The Jam. The name is a play on words...like THE BLUE MAX medal given to German fliers in WWI...but Macs also meant a Celtic tie-in and it is slang for raincoat...hell, it sounded mod and cool, ha,ha.
 |
| The Blue Macs promotional poster |
Are there any Blue Macs recordings available?
The Blue Macs did record 5 tracks in a studio in Calif. in July 1982. These were released that same year on a 5 song 7" EP (only 200 copies). Two of these tracks were included on our "Rarities" CD released in 1997 by Delerium in England..."Almost 21" and "In Touch". An original EP sold for $375 recently! Cool, eh?
How did you meet Tim Gilman? What events led up from there to you forming The Steppes?
We met Tim on a recommendation of a friend. We were looking for a bass player...David was going to be the lead singer, I would play guitar and sing, a drummer, and this Tim guy for bass. A WHO approach. The moment we saw Tim we knew he in...he looked like a cross between George Harrison and Peter Fonda! When he picked up his guitar and blasted into "She Said, She Said" by The Beatles we immediately dumped our WHO approach and went BEATLE...this was the natural way forward...we could all contribute more this way. At this point we called ourselves "Steppes of Russia"...by the end of 1983 we shortened it to THE STEPPES and I copyrighted the name and registered it for the ages. It had a Herman Hesse quality..both David and I had read many of Hesse's books so it felt right. We had a series of drummers until we scored James Bailey. We held a 3 day open audition and jammed with 33 drummers...Bailey was #32! He was the obvious choice and he knew it!
 |
| Tim Gilman recording overdubs |
Of all the albums The Steppes produced, which one is your personal favorite, and why?
I have 2 faves..."Drop of the Creature" because it was the LP that turned everyone on to us...it is a wonderfully cohesive work done by a young artistic band of acid dandies...bookish but sometimes harsh in message. Many years later THE TIMES of London said this LP was the best debut since "The Doors". High praise, indeed! Actually both of these LPs share many similar sonic qualities...basically, a very live feel with romantic imagery galore. My other fave is "Harps and Hammers"...this is a record that shows a band at the top of their game...we were HOT...just finished our 2nd European tour...35 shows in 5 countries...it was wild! The guitar work on "Harps..." is killer...Tim kills it and so do I...we were a dangerous band ready to take on ANYONE.
The Steppes are seeped deep into the psychedelic culture... Is that sound based off of personal use of psychedelics, or were you trying to emulate a sound you heard?... Was there a mission behind your psychedelic sound?
No comment.
 |
| The Steppes at the Freakbeat Freakout, London 1989 |
Tell me about The Psychedelic Psuana compliation album... How did the Steppes become a part of that?
Richard Allen was starting his own label...he was our manager and a great friend (still is!) he asked for a track and I supplied one while I was visiting James in S.F. "Summer's End..." is a cool little home recording that features only James and myself...Tim wanted to re-record it and include it on "Harps..." but we had plenty of songs...
I read somewhere that you and the legendary Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond) have collaborated together... Is this true, or am I just dreaming?
Mr. Bevis is the fine gent that recommended "Goldust" studio in Bromley, Kent, England....a great engineer/owner there named Mark Dawson. We did "Enquire Within" and "Harps and Hammers" there and I did "Atomic Cossack" there, also. I've been in touch with ol' Nick recently and he's in Goldust now recording his first "Bevis" album in 7 years! I have video of him at our crash pad in London in '88. Bevis also was on the bill with us at the famous "Freakbeat Freakout" Dec. 29, 1989 at the Greyhound in Fulham, London...a VERY wild psychedelic night, indeed....that video of ours titled "Live in London" is from that show...but, no we never recorded with him...cool guy and quite friendly!
How would you describe your fan base? What are the differences between Europeon fans and the American fans?
In truth, most of our fan base is in Europe. Europeans generally are more fanatical about music being part of their daily lives. Why? I have a few ideas but I suppose one way of looking at THE STEPPES fan is that he/she really digs The Steppes...really digs...we've been described at a BIG band over there...in ideas, talent, overall vision...obviously, not in sales, ha,ha. The general view of us is that we would have been a BIG act if we were around in the late '60s and early '70s. I agree...we were tourists from timenotyet...jumping out of our time machine at the most idiotic of times...the '80s.
I read that you moved into East Germany right after the wall came down... That had to have been amazing. What can you tell me about that experience?
In '88 we drove from W. Germany through E. Germany to get to the island that was Berlin. It was creepy...check points...cannot leave the road...only bread and bockverst to eat...no mustard...we tried to give the guards records but they said the 33 1/3 LPs would not play on their turntables. In '89 it was different! The wall was coming down and as we hit the centre of Berlin, Helmut Kohl's motorcade drove right next to us! We saw him! It was party time!
Oddly enough, the scariest check point for us was going from Switzerland into Italy in '89! We were told to get out of the van and stand in a line...I started to sit down in a small wall and the Italian guard pointed a machine gun at me?! They proceeded to pull everything out of the van. I guess they thought "5 guys in a van from Amsterdam" (4 Steppes and a driver) might be worth rolling... But when they found copies of "Enquire Within" they completely changed..."Ah, The Steppes... Irlanda". They wanted free T-shirts, records, autographs... Apparently, we happened to be in a major Italian mag that week and these bozos had heard of us... Ah, minor celebrity status saved our asses, ha,ha!
 |
| John Fallon |
Are you currently involved with any new projects?
I have been offered a deal to do two 45rpm 7" singles! I'm looking to see how I can swing this. My son, Cromm, has a band here in Vegas called "ACTON TOWN"...I might borrow them.
You probably already know that The Steppes entire back catalogue in coming out on Cherry Red Records in England. Two tracks are on the Delerium "Last Daze of the Underground" 3 CD compilation release...out now!(Cherry Red).
Who or what are you listening to these days?
I'm listening to a group out of Japan called The Routes fronted by and Englishman named Christopher Jack. They are on tour in Europe right now! I'm listening to Lightnin' Hopkins again and Frank Sinatra when he was on Capitol in the '50s. I do listen to stuff that my son digs...Wavves, Best Coast, Two Door Cinema Club...pretty interesting stuff in it's own way...not great talents but cool all the same.
What can we expect in the future from John Fallon and/or The Steppes?
As I said all our stuff is to be re-released soon. All four of The Steppes are in close touch...we would be up for something if it was interesting and feasible. I would like to quickly record 4 songs for those 2 singles and get them out there for people to hear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Steppes Discography:
The Blue Macs (Blue Mac Records USA 1982)
The Steppes of Russia (Acoustic demo recorded in Hollywood 1983)
The Steppes (Mystic Records Mini LP released in 1984)
Drop of the Creature (Voxx records USA 1987, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1987)*
The Steppes/ Bevis Frond (Help Records, a flexi given away with issue 4 of Freakbeat Magazine)
Stewdio (Voxx Records USA 1988, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1988)
Tourists from Timenotyet (Compliation, Bam Caruso Records UK 1988)
Enquire Within (Voxx Records USA 1989, Hitch Hyke Records Greece 1989, Music Maniac Records Germany 1989)
Harps and Hammers (Voxx Records USA 1990)
Alive, Alive, Oh! (Live) (Voxx Records USA 1991 Limited edition on green vinyl)
Psychedelic Psuana -Various Artist (Delerium Records UK 1991)
Atomic Cossack (Voxx Records USA 1992, Delerium Records UK 1992)
Pick and Mix - Various Artists (Delerium Records UK 1995)
Gods, Men and Ghosts (Delerium Records UK 1997)
Rarities - Previously unreleased (Delerium Records 1997)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Rammstein-Jimmy Kimmel Live,Hollywood CA-5/20/11
Rammstein for those who do not know, are of of the biggest bands in the world. They're probably the biggest metal band in Germany, easily as big as Metallica is here. So these gentlemen haven't been to the USA in 8 years, and quite frankly I was really saddened the last time they were here for not having enough mula to see 'em. Thank Satan for Jimmy Kimmel. Because of his Late Night TV show I've seen Slayer, Ozzy.and Primus perform 5 songs, all for free. I dont know about you guys but 5 free songs sure beat $100 for 25 songs. Anyhoo, I got a text last week that said that Rammstein was gonna play, so of course I made my brother in law pass me his laptop right then 'n there.
We got there early. Like the past Jimmy shows I've been to, they check your ticket, let you in and let you watch the show. This time they lagged it sick. I climbed the fence to see what the fuss was about. They were busy setting up the pyro... Yes. It was insane!
After almost 3 hours of making fun of tourists in buses takin' pictures of us we finally got in. Right away Rammstein started with "Du Hast" and the singer got a bow 'n arrow thing that shot fire works and twirled it around. There was a lot of fire and people were pushing and screaming the lyrics along with them since we've all been waiting years to do this. Then they played "Feuer Frei!" which had a lot of fireworks. Behind the scenes, they played an extra 3 songs which was badass. I so hope I get to see these guy in a full show next year. They most likely throw the best show performance in rock n roll.
Set:
Du Hast
Feuer Frei
Sonne
Keine Lust
Ich Will
Sunday, May 22, 2011
O.REX - MY HEADS IN '73 (GULCHER RECORDS)
Anybody who knows me at all would be able to tell ya, if I come across a record with a title like this and has Ken Highland in the band (not to mention Eddie Flowers manning the drums on one session) then I'm gonna get this. And man am I glad I did, and am actually kicking myself for waiting so long to obtain it.
This 2 disk thing is pure primitive proto punk fun from the first track to the last. The band, consisting of Solomon Gruberger, Jay Gruberger, and Ken Highland respectively changing off from guitar, bass, drums, and vocals on various songs, also including Eddie Flowers and Ken Kaiser who did the drumming on occasion. The band eventually mutated into the Afrika Korps and Ken was involved in the mighty Gizmos so you know that the pedigree here is good.
From the first second I put this thing on the stereo I was hooked. That is not always the case with a lot of the stuff I hear. Sometimes it's not until the third or even fourth play before I figure out I like it, but this was instantaneous. The comp goes along chronologically so you can hear the guys go from complete sonic mess (which sounds good to my ears) to getting a little more chops as they go along. But not to worry, they keep the stuff primitive all the way, never losing the heart and attitude that makes all good rock and roll what it is.
The stuff on here was recorded in the Gruberger livivng room on a reel to reel tape machine, from the years '73,'74,'76 and at times the sound quality leaves a little to be desired but like all really great rock 'n' roll, it transcends such things and can even be enhanced by it. I've heard worse in regards to sound quality even so your not going to hear much complaining from me. This thing is more garage than a lot of '60's garage records and is as raw as a bunch of savages eating the meat from a bison while it's still grazing in the field. From the stupidly brilliant/brilliantly stupid teenbo takes of Velvet Underground inspiration to the paleolithic cops of The Ramones the good stuff just keeps coming. Rock 'n' roll in it's most basic and undiluted form. The question is, are you cool enough to handle it?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Trigger: The Story of Willie Nelson's Guitar
Normally I wouldn't do this, but I copied the following story from Willie Nelson's Wikipedia page and pasted it on here. It's a fun read about what arguably is the most famous guitar in the world.
In 1969, the Baldwin company gave Nelson an amplifier and a three-cord pickup electric guitar, but Nelson played with such intensity that he broke it. He sent it to be repaired in Nashville by Shot Jackson, who told Nelson that the damage was too great. Jackson offered him a Martin N-20 nylon-string acoustic, and at Nelson's request, moved the pickup to the Martin. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for US$750 and named it "Trigger", after Roy Rogers' horse. Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades wore a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. Its soundboard has been signed over the years by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. The first engraving on the guitar was an exchange with Leon Russell, who proposed to Nelson they sign each others guitar by engraving the scripture, since an ink signature would fade away with the passage of time. In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson's major worry was the possibility that Trigger, could be auctioned, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent got there, and bring it to him on Maui. Nelson then hid the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid in 1993. In 1998 the C. F. Martin & Company announced a limited edition of one hundred N-20WN Signature Model guitars made in Brazilian rosewood with Nelson's collaboration.
There is some great footage of Willie picking on Trigger in this video of The Great Divide.
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| "Trigger" |
There is some great footage of Willie picking on Trigger in this video of The Great Divide.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Regular Show-Grave Sights
Now as a 19 year old. I still channel surf through the kids channels just in case theres anything on. Many people will agree with me that children television shows have gone to poop. Some adult fans have praised shows like Adventure Time and The Misadventures of Flap Jack as great kid shows. But I disagree big time. Those shows are lame and I have no idea how kids watch 'em. One day while waiting for Adult Swim to come on, I stumbled upon a 15 min cartoon named "Regular Show". Right away I fell in love with the show. It had random objects as main characters. A grumpy candy ball machine, A Lollipop old man, a serious Yeti, a prankster Frankenstein Monster and his Ghost sidekick,and the main two: A Blue jay and a raccoon named Mordecai and Rigby. Both very lazy teenage boys who just wanna have fun but always get into trouble.
This is the Ren & Stimpy and Beavis & Butt-Head of today's youth. And I'm so glad it is. I haven't seen a cartoon this entertaining since Sponge Bob Square Pants first aired, but since has lost its touch. The episode I want to show you is a brand new one and now my favorite. Me and Bigfoot founder and chief(my boss),Troy are big fans of Bruce Campbell and The Evil Dead series if you haven't noticed. This episode is a great homage to Army Of Darkness which has an Ash character. Please enjoy and watch this 10 min episode. If you got kids show 'em too.
I hope you enjoyed that. And I do plan on getting a muscleman tattoo on my arm. Yes his shirt will have the AxCx logo on it. New episodes air every Monday on Cartoon Network at 8:15. Next week's episode will be about wrestling. I'm excited!
This is the Ren & Stimpy and Beavis & Butt-Head of today's youth. And I'm so glad it is. I haven't seen a cartoon this entertaining since Sponge Bob Square Pants first aired, but since has lost its touch. The episode I want to show you is a brand new one and now my favorite. Me and Bigfoot founder and chief(my boss),Troy are big fans of Bruce Campbell and The Evil Dead series if you haven't noticed. This episode is a great homage to Army Of Darkness which has an Ash character. Please enjoy and watch this 10 min episode. If you got kids show 'em too.
I hope you enjoyed that. And I do plan on getting a muscleman tattoo on my arm. Yes his shirt will have the AxCx logo on it. New episodes air every Monday on Cartoon Network at 8:15. Next week's episode will be about wrestling. I'm excited!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Witchaven-Infulsion-Simi Valley,CA 5/6/11
My weekend has been horrible. But before my girl left me, and before they placed a FOR SALE sign outside my house, and before my Ipod and computer both started fucking up.... I waited to the last minute to go to another Wicthaven show. This was now my 4th attempt at going to one of their shows to see 'em and enjoy them.
First time: Stoned and late (I think)
2nd: I was outside
3rd :Show ended too late and because I was tired, I left early.
Now these 3 bands have been playing together a lot. It's usually these 3 bands headlining (they rotate time to time) with a crap load of local bands opening. This time Witchaven was the headliner. And like any Vektor show, my friend had to go so I went with him.
This place was connected to local Punk/Metal shirt shop inside some plaza next to a 7-11 and a Carl's Jr. Ahhh that's badass... We were running late and like most Thrash shows....so were they. So by the time Exmortus was supposed to play, the 3rd band was barley getting started. Also this was the first time I've gone to a thrash show and not one person was drunk. Well... Okay one kid was passed out; he had hit his head and had to be picked up by an ambulance (HAHA!). And another thing... There was no pure Thrash posers. Just kids having a good time while supporting their friends.
We walked in, and a band called Chains Of Atlas were playing. These kids were all right. All their friends and family were there supporting them. They had a melodic sound to thier music. I was sitting down and I noticed my head bobbing. For kids, they ain't bad.
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| Chains of Atlas |
Up next was some fat guy wearing a Viking helmet with his band. They were called Quiverbone and after being bored, I went to 7-11.
Then came this horrible band named Suicide Addictive. Can't find shit on them... Thank Satan! I actually kinda fell a sleep during their set. Everybody wants to be Pantera nowadays. Singing about banging chicks when your a full out pervert band is cool. Singing about banging chicks when your in a tough guy metal band is gay.
Once again I will review a local band who I'm glad hit it pretty big. Exmortus was setting up. The lead singer and my friend, Konan was going back n forth getting stuff. I kept telling him to say, "R.I.P. OSAMA!" while he was on stage. He had to! He "liked" my post on Facebook! Me and my friends went to sit down near them. The local scene there seemed to love them and were cheering for them like crazy. Konan mentioned Osama and dedicated the song "In Hatreds Flame" to him. I was having a WTF! moment so I kept yelling "Rest in peace!" and "Konan's gay!". After the set which the kids loved by the way, I asked him about it and he said it wasn't meant to be taken that way. That liar!
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| Exmortus |
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| Vektor |
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| Witchaven |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tonight: The Meat Puppets On The River
Tonight marks the inaugural concert of the season at The Simon Estes Amplitheater located on the banks of the Des Moines River. The Meat Puppets will be joining Slightly Stoopid for a night of groovy psychedelic cow punk, ska, fusion, and whatever else they decide to throw our way.
In a telephone interview I did last week with Curt Kirkwood, the head cheese of the Puppets, he suggested that we might expect to hear some reggae... And it's hard to say if he is serious or not. While reggae is more of what you might expect to hear from the headliners, Slightly Stoopid, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise for The Meat Puppets to throw some spliff smokin' guitar riffs our way. After all, these guys have been defining and redefining themselves from the very beginning of their storied careers.
It's been a long strange trip for The Meat Puppets. Created in 1980, they formed out of necessity more than anything. A series of complex and unfortunate events led Curt Kirkwood back to Phoenix from the wilds of Alaska where he had moved to out of high school, and tentatively planned on living and building his future as a guide on a fishing boat. The only thing that got in his way was a subsequent airplane crash that put him into the hospital just long enough to lose that job to somebody else. So just like a character in a Bob Dylan song, he drifted back down to Phoenix to start at square one. The only thing he knew how to do was to play music. With his brother Cris Kirkwood and a neighborhood friend, Derrick Bostrom, they formed a band and started playing in and around the Phoenix and Tempe areas. Their eclectic brand of cowpunk tantalized the scene in Arizona at a time when music was making that awkward cosmic shift from the Disco era to what would become New Wave and the '80s brand of Heavy Metal.
The Meat Puppets toured extensively, and as they did their popularity grew. At a show in California, they were noticed by Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn, who was also the founder of SST Records, a business he had built himself from the age of 12. He signed them to his record label, and The Meat Puppets became an American institution, touring relentlessly across the United States. Bostrom remained the drummer for the Puppets until 1996, when the band went on hiatus due to Cris's struggles with drugs and the law. In 1999 the band reformed with Kyle Elison on guitar and Shandon Sahm on the drums. In 2002 the band took another hiatus for four years, again due to Cris's legal troubles, and when they reformed, Elison was out, leaving Curt as the band's only guitarist.. (Ted Marcus played drums from 2006 until 2009, when Sahm rejoined.) The band is now with Megaforce Records and is still touring today. They make a stop in Des Moines tonight.
The Meat Puppets are known influences of such bands as Dinosaur Jr, Pavement, Soundgarden, and Nirvana, who incidentally covered three Meat Puppets songs ("Plateau", "Oh Me", and "Lake of Fire") for their MTV Unplugged album.
The following is a telephone interview I conducted with Curt last week:
What were you doing prior to 1980 and before the Meat Puppets?
Well I graduated high school and moved to Canada when I was 17 and I worked on a flood plane base, and I wanted to be a fishing guide. Then I wound up in the northwest territories cooking and I had an airplane accident and I missed my job up in the Arctic by a couple of days because I was way laid in the Churchhill Manitoba by this plane wreck, and somebody else got my cool fishing guide job up in the Chantrey River in the Arctic, and um, I don't know, things might have gone differently. I wound up cooking at Baker Lake Northwest Territories for geophysical surveys and when that job ended, it starts getting cold up there at the end of summer, so I came back to Phoenix, and started playing in bands. Somebody asked me if I wanted to be in their band... It was a light rock band... Played "Crocodile Rock" and lots of disco and stuff. We wore suits and that... And then I was in a band after that... I got fired from that band and then was in a band called Granite Reef. We played Kansas and Thin Lizzy, and Skynard and Steely Dan and stuff like that. It was kind of a hard rock band. Then I got fired from that band so then I started trying to you know, get my own band so Cris and I had a couple of little things with a couple of other people we were doing. Then we went to Alaska, Cris and I with some friends and we spent like two weeks canoeing down the Yukon, you know just basically backpacked for two months. Yeah it was pretty crazy good stuff.. We were basically just checking it out one last time if we wanted to be frontiering and bad adventurers, and getting our fill up with stuff like that that we like. Then we got back and we started playing with Derrick (Bostrom).
What was your childhood household like while growing up... How would you describe a typical day in your family?
Well... My mom pretty much ran the family. My mom was married alot... She was married 6 times by the time I spilt... So... It depends on which husband. But my mom pretty much ran the house most of the time. I mean we had horses growing up in Phoenix. The guy I grew up with during grade school and moved to Phoenix with... My mom's second husband was a trainer and owner of thoroughbreds and that was our life for a good many years. That's why we moved to Phoenix to be by Paradise Turf, the race track there and I grew up at the horse race track. And then you know, getting up early to do chores, we always had at least a dozen horses... We had a few acres and we boarded horses. I had a lot of chickens, and so I'd get up and do my chores, and go off to school. I went to Royal Palm Elementary and I grew up in the same place pretty much from the time I was in 2nd grade until you know... I graduated high school. So, same neighborhood and get off school come back and watch Wallace and Ladmo which is this insanely amazing kid show that every kid in Phoenix grew up on. It's just one of the greatest things ever... You should probably check that out on line.
I definitely will...
You will be blown away. They were the longest running show in history when they went off the air. 35 years, when they went off the air. And they had a Saturday morning show at the Fox Christown Theater where you could go see them live and it was just completely nuts. It was just as much for adults as it was for kids. It's really cynical and sarcastic and influenced by hippies and '60s Pop Culture and then just all kinds of stuff. It was a very very cool show. So every kid watched that. You'd go home and watch Wallace and Ladmo then Gilligan's Island comes on, and then it starts to kinda cool down a little bit. You know, we'd go swimming or something like that because everybody in Phoenix has a pool, so, you know. We'd spend most of the time in the pool. Or you know... Out doing some kind of mischief. But that's pretty typical how I grew up. You know... Uh. You know. North Phoenix. Boring.
What albums did you grow up listening to?
Um... Well... Abbey Road. That was an early one. I really liked that one. The first record I ever bought was a Bobby Sherman record.
Hmmm...
And then I bought Snow Bird by Ann Murray. And um... Snoopy and the Royal Guardsmen. Uh, you know. The Red Baron record. Those were early records for me. I listened to the radio alot. I liked the Grass Roots... Stuff like "Temptation Eyes", and whatever you know. Just typical AM radio fare like that. And (The) Monkees, The Banana Splits, you know kid's rock. Then The Beatles broke up you know, I was probably like, 10, and I got into Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Some kid down the street played "Living Loving Maid". Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
Right on. So you formed your own band... Why did you choose the name The Meat Puppets?
Uh, I thought it was cool. It seemed like a... You know it was kind of challenging enough and I thought it would be funny to hear people say it. You know, to have to make 'em say Meat Puppets. You know, "What's your band called?"... It was the kind of thing that made the adults wrinkle their noses, you know?
Right!
I mean we were pretty young when we started this stuff... Cris and Derrick still lived at home.
Did you ever dream in your wildest dreams that you would be as big as you are today?
No. I never really wanted to be a musician and it wasn't... I mean it was a hobby. Then it started to be like the only thing I could do. I didn't graduate from college or nothing. I had a lot of odd jobs. I mowed lawns and bussed tables and stuff like that you know. And I had jobs that I had trouble keeping.. I don't know why. I'm not that rebellious... I'm just... I don't know, people didn't like me. You can really tell, you know. I think it's my eyes or something I don't know, but I was like screw this, I'm just gonna couch hop. I did a lot of couch hopping. I mean I lived at my mom's house sometimes when we started the band, but I also lived wherever I could. You know, at Derrick's house, on the trampoline in the back yard, or his mom's house I should say. Or whatever... And just started like uh, just trying to play in a band at that point and realized Wow you know... I guess I could be a musician. This is really fun and I'm not headed anywhere else... I'm not going to college, I don't want a fucking job, I don't want to do anything I don't want to do ever. Period. I've kind of always been like that. I'm not like that egotistical or anything, I just don't like doing stuff I don't wanna do. I'm different that way and I won't fucking do it.
Excellent... Ironically, Too High to Die, which might have been the greatest Meat Puppets album in terms of commercial success, came out in 1994. That was the same year that Curt Cobain died. Is there any relation to that event with the album name?
No. Actually that was one of those things that was getting thrown around, like I think our sound man might have said it. It was, you know like something he just said one time. One time he yelled at some people that were hanging outside an embassy in London, he yelled, "Party 'til the world obeys!" to some protesters, and that became a song... I think it's on Monsters or one of those records... "Too high to die" was another one. I think he might have said that, probably talking about Cris or some crap, because Cris's nickname was also "Uncle Party".
Uncle Party? That's great!
Well, back then. Now he's become "Uncle Used to Party."
Nice!
(Chuckles) But it was ironic that that stuff happened with Nirvana at the same time. That album was way in the works by the time we did the Unplugged! thing. It was already recorded and pretty much titled, and came out in... I think January before Curt committed suicide, so it was just another one of those things like, you know... Holy cow!
Right. How was your relationship with Cobain and Nirvana in general... was it a good relationship?
Oh yeah. I love those guys. I got along real well with them and Curt was a nice guy and he was a lot of fun to work with and it was very rewarding to do the collaboration there and just to be a fly on the wall during the Unplugged thing. That was a lot of fun because the guy definitely had some juice. And Krist (Novoselic) is a great guy. I got along like a bro with him and we started a band a few years after that, after (my brother) Cris was kind of messed up... Novoselic and I had a band for awhile.
Excellent. What are some of the more horrendous experience you have had while on tour over the years?
Horrendous?
Yeah. Like horrible situations?
Well mostly the worst stuff was like... Well once we were getting ready to play and we had to like, get on stage and the club was sold out in Santa Cruz and we already had a big crowd and we had five minutes before we had to get on stage, and my bro tried to come in the front door of the club. He just was like, "hey I need to go back, we are going to be playing pretty quick," and they kind of were ignoring him at the door. He didn't have any... his whatever... His badge, or whatever you were supposed to have. You always were supposed to have some kind of like, badge to wander around and he didn't have one, and he was like, "I just need to get through here." and he tried to slip past and somebody grabbed him, and as was his way at the time, being grabbed from behind like that, he turned around and punched the guy. It turned out to be one of the club managers. So then, as soon as he did that, these giant monkey fucking bouncers grabbed him and trounced him and broke his wrist. So I had to say, "No show." with the whole crowd there, so the crowd immediately caught wind of what happened and they rioted out front and started passing out fliers that somebody made immediately saying "Boycott The Catalyst before they break your arm!"
(Laughing) Awesome!
It was pretty wild. The crowd was like rallied, and a lot of cops came. We didn't play, these two old guys upstairs who owned the club doing accounting upstairs were like "What you can't play with just two?"
(More laughing)
I'm like, "You kidding? You just broke his fucking arm! Fuck YOU. Were outta here!" And then when I went out and tried to get into the ... There was an RV that we had at the time, and we tried to get in there and get our crap out and stuff and they are standing there acting like they want to beat ME up next, it was just like, Holy cow! Things can change like that all of a sudden. It wasn't like they were that mad at us, it's just that you know, crowds will do that.
Is there a single moment in your career that sticks out as your most favorite, or your most memorable?
Well there's a lot of them. There really are. I tend to be one of those musicians that's like, you're only as good as your last show type of thing, and so a good show will stick out for awhile until there's one that's kind of better in my mind. So I tend to go that to that, you know, We toured in '94 for three months opening for Stone Temple Pilots when they were pretty much the biggest draw of the summer next to The Eagles Hell Freezes Over Tour. So we did three months of playing at big outdoor places... 20, 30 thousand people, which every night was a lot of fun... It really wasn't our crowd. We could get up there and wear diapers, and write Eat Me on our chest and stuff, we could fucking jack off in front of these giant crowds.
What can we expect at the Des Moines show?
Well.. Probably Reggae.
From The Meat Puppets?
I don't know. I don't know what we'll do. We might play Reggae, who knows? I might turn all my songs into Reggae songs.
That'd be pretty cool.
I don't know. People... Alot of times, when I do Lake of Fire, people think we are covering Nirvana anyways, so I might as well cover it like, you know in a sort of a easy beat sort of a style and just cater to everybody's you know, sort of vibe.. Cause that's because we do that kind of stuff. I don't know if it's necessarily catering, and I don't know if I will do it, but I'm kinda fun... And I do love that stuff. It might be an opportunity to, who knows? All I have to do is play the guitar a different way and the rest of the band doesn't have to do anything. If I play the guitar different, it will all turn into Reggae.
What about the newest production you have done, Sewn Together... What can you tell me about this record... How did it all come together?
Um, it's our second record from Megaforce... We toured a lot year before last, and decided to kind of chill out a little bit. We felt like we had gotten as much out of it as we could, you know, for the time being. Kind of like we are trying to forge our way back into the biz again, as The Meat Puppets again, so it seems. (People) kind of looked at us... Break ups... Or at least hiatuses. They kind of come to the reckoning of Oh yeah.. I guess people look at it as the band wasn't around, though in my mind that's always a concern. We never really broke up and my bro was fucked up for a long time and this and that but it's always been like, "Well when I decide to, I'll do it." It's like I have the deal with Megaforce and during the time off I just said, Lets just kick in immediately and do another thing before we have time to think about it, so that's kind of what we did with this one. We didn't really have it done, we didn't practice it, and we pretty much wrote half of it while we were sitting there waiting to push record.
Wow. That's great. The record sounds amazing.
We did it in about a week, it's a backwards production. It's like it's a total dubbed album. There's zilch on it that's live except that we cut the drums and the acoustic guitar so it was like super easy, and then made sure that nothing got in the way of the acoustics or the vocals and we just put it together like legos. Because we didn't practice, we didn't know what the songs were and stuff so we kind of lucked out there. It came out good. But I saw how we did it. I stuck to this blueprint of how we should record it given the circumstances and I really hate spending a lot of money on stuff anymore. I always did. I always said, you know give me a hundred thousand bucks, and I can make ten records 'cause that's how... Too High to Die cost like 100 thousand, and No Joke! cost like 225 grand to make.
Wow!
It's retarded.
So what is in your future? Are you making another album?
Well I've been writing, but we haven't really got to that yet. We've been kind of waiting for this one to come out and while I've been waiting I've been writing a little bit but I've got a fair amount of touring coming up, it's set up through September and that's gonna occupy my brain for that time so that's what I will be doing which is pretty much the focus anyway. The albums have always been kind of calling cards even though they are supposed to be important and stuff like that, I love live music, so I know you have to try to make albums, and I've tried to make genuine good albums before but to me a lot of times it's just a tiny little snatch of something that's supposed to mean so damn much, and I've never really given a rat's ass. But you know, if I cared more, I would probably have been able to make better sounding records, but whatever. I figured out how to make pretty good sounding records on my cheap schedules that I like to keep with my attention deficit disorder!
Well Curt, that is all the questions I have today. I sincerely appreciate your time. I will be seeing you guys in Des Moines on May 4th. Thanks alot for your time.
You got it Troy. Thanks alot.
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| Curt Kirkwood of The Meat Puppets (Photo courtesy of Jaime Butler) |
In a telephone interview I did last week with Curt Kirkwood, the head cheese of the Puppets, he suggested that we might expect to hear some reggae... And it's hard to say if he is serious or not. While reggae is more of what you might expect to hear from the headliners, Slightly Stoopid, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise for The Meat Puppets to throw some spliff smokin' guitar riffs our way. After all, these guys have been defining and redefining themselves from the very beginning of their storied careers.
It's been a long strange trip for The Meat Puppets. Created in 1980, they formed out of necessity more than anything. A series of complex and unfortunate events led Curt Kirkwood back to Phoenix from the wilds of Alaska where he had moved to out of high school, and tentatively planned on living and building his future as a guide on a fishing boat. The only thing that got in his way was a subsequent airplane crash that put him into the hospital just long enough to lose that job to somebody else. So just like a character in a Bob Dylan song, he drifted back down to Phoenix to start at square one. The only thing he knew how to do was to play music. With his brother Cris Kirkwood and a neighborhood friend, Derrick Bostrom, they formed a band and started playing in and around the Phoenix and Tempe areas. Their eclectic brand of cowpunk tantalized the scene in Arizona at a time when music was making that awkward cosmic shift from the Disco era to what would become New Wave and the '80s brand of Heavy Metal.
The Meat Puppets toured extensively, and as they did their popularity grew. At a show in California, they were noticed by Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn, who was also the founder of SST Records, a business he had built himself from the age of 12. He signed them to his record label, and The Meat Puppets became an American institution, touring relentlessly across the United States. Bostrom remained the drummer for the Puppets until 1996, when the band went on hiatus due to Cris's struggles with drugs and the law. In 1999 the band reformed with Kyle Elison on guitar and Shandon Sahm on the drums. In 2002 the band took another hiatus for four years, again due to Cris's legal troubles, and when they reformed, Elison was out, leaving Curt as the band's only guitarist.. (Ted Marcus played drums from 2006 until 2009, when Sahm rejoined.) The band is now with Megaforce Records and is still touring today. They make a stop in Des Moines tonight.
The Meat Puppets are known influences of such bands as Dinosaur Jr, Pavement, Soundgarden, and Nirvana, who incidentally covered three Meat Puppets songs ("Plateau", "Oh Me", and "Lake of Fire") for their MTV Unplugged album.
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| The Meat Puppets in the "Lake of Fire" days |
The following is a telephone interview I conducted with Curt last week:
What were you doing prior to 1980 and before the Meat Puppets?
Well I graduated high school and moved to Canada when I was 17 and I worked on a flood plane base, and I wanted to be a fishing guide. Then I wound up in the northwest territories cooking and I had an airplane accident and I missed my job up in the Arctic by a couple of days because I was way laid in the Churchhill Manitoba by this plane wreck, and somebody else got my cool fishing guide job up in the Chantrey River in the Arctic, and um, I don't know, things might have gone differently. I wound up cooking at Baker Lake Northwest Territories for geophysical surveys and when that job ended, it starts getting cold up there at the end of summer, so I came back to Phoenix, and started playing in bands. Somebody asked me if I wanted to be in their band... It was a light rock band... Played "Crocodile Rock" and lots of disco and stuff. We wore suits and that... And then I was in a band after that... I got fired from that band and then was in a band called Granite Reef. We played Kansas and Thin Lizzy, and Skynard and Steely Dan and stuff like that. It was kind of a hard rock band. Then I got fired from that band so then I started trying to you know, get my own band so Cris and I had a couple of little things with a couple of other people we were doing. Then we went to Alaska, Cris and I with some friends and we spent like two weeks canoeing down the Yukon, you know just basically backpacked for two months. Yeah it was pretty crazy good stuff.. We were basically just checking it out one last time if we wanted to be frontiering and bad adventurers, and getting our fill up with stuff like that that we like. Then we got back and we started playing with Derrick (Bostrom).
What was your childhood household like while growing up... How would you describe a typical day in your family?
Well... My mom pretty much ran the family. My mom was married alot... She was married 6 times by the time I spilt... So... It depends on which husband. But my mom pretty much ran the house most of the time. I mean we had horses growing up in Phoenix. The guy I grew up with during grade school and moved to Phoenix with... My mom's second husband was a trainer and owner of thoroughbreds and that was our life for a good many years. That's why we moved to Phoenix to be by Paradise Turf, the race track there and I grew up at the horse race track. And then you know, getting up early to do chores, we always had at least a dozen horses... We had a few acres and we boarded horses. I had a lot of chickens, and so I'd get up and do my chores, and go off to school. I went to Royal Palm Elementary and I grew up in the same place pretty much from the time I was in 2nd grade until you know... I graduated high school. So, same neighborhood and get off school come back and watch Wallace and Ladmo which is this insanely amazing kid show that every kid in Phoenix grew up on. It's just one of the greatest things ever... You should probably check that out on line.
I definitely will...
You will be blown away. They were the longest running show in history when they went off the air. 35 years, when they went off the air. And they had a Saturday morning show at the Fox Christown Theater where you could go see them live and it was just completely nuts. It was just as much for adults as it was for kids. It's really cynical and sarcastic and influenced by hippies and '60s Pop Culture and then just all kinds of stuff. It was a very very cool show. So every kid watched that. You'd go home and watch Wallace and Ladmo then Gilligan's Island comes on, and then it starts to kinda cool down a little bit. You know, we'd go swimming or something like that because everybody in Phoenix has a pool, so, you know. We'd spend most of the time in the pool. Or you know... Out doing some kind of mischief. But that's pretty typical how I grew up. You know... Uh. You know. North Phoenix. Boring.
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| Hardest working act touring today? (Photo by Joe Cultice) |
What albums did you grow up listening to?
Um... Well... Abbey Road. That was an early one. I really liked that one. The first record I ever bought was a Bobby Sherman record.
Hmmm...
And then I bought Snow Bird by Ann Murray. And um... Snoopy and the Royal Guardsmen. Uh, you know. The Red Baron record. Those were early records for me. I listened to the radio alot. I liked the Grass Roots... Stuff like "Temptation Eyes", and whatever you know. Just typical AM radio fare like that. And (The) Monkees, The Banana Splits, you know kid's rock. Then The Beatles broke up you know, I was probably like, 10, and I got into Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Some kid down the street played "Living Loving Maid". Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
Right on. So you formed your own band... Why did you choose the name The Meat Puppets?
Uh, I thought it was cool. It seemed like a... You know it was kind of challenging enough and I thought it would be funny to hear people say it. You know, to have to make 'em say Meat Puppets. You know, "What's your band called?"... It was the kind of thing that made the adults wrinkle their noses, you know?
Right!
I mean we were pretty young when we started this stuff... Cris and Derrick still lived at home.
Did you ever dream in your wildest dreams that you would be as big as you are today?
No. I never really wanted to be a musician and it wasn't... I mean it was a hobby. Then it started to be like the only thing I could do. I didn't graduate from college or nothing. I had a lot of odd jobs. I mowed lawns and bussed tables and stuff like that you know. And I had jobs that I had trouble keeping.. I don't know why. I'm not that rebellious... I'm just... I don't know, people didn't like me. You can really tell, you know. I think it's my eyes or something I don't know, but I was like screw this, I'm just gonna couch hop. I did a lot of couch hopping. I mean I lived at my mom's house sometimes when we started the band, but I also lived wherever I could. You know, at Derrick's house, on the trampoline in the back yard, or his mom's house I should say. Or whatever... And just started like uh, just trying to play in a band at that point and realized Wow you know... I guess I could be a musician. This is really fun and I'm not headed anywhere else... I'm not going to college, I don't want a fucking job, I don't want to do anything I don't want to do ever. Period. I've kind of always been like that. I'm not like that egotistical or anything, I just don't like doing stuff I don't wanna do. I'm different that way and I won't fucking do it.
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| Curt doing it his way (Photo courtesy of Jaime Butler) |
Excellent... Ironically, Too High to Die, which might have been the greatest Meat Puppets album in terms of commercial success, came out in 1994. That was the same year that Curt Cobain died. Is there any relation to that event with the album name?
No. Actually that was one of those things that was getting thrown around, like I think our sound man might have said it. It was, you know like something he just said one time. One time he yelled at some people that were hanging outside an embassy in London, he yelled, "Party 'til the world obeys!" to some protesters, and that became a song... I think it's on Monsters or one of those records... "Too high to die" was another one. I think he might have said that, probably talking about Cris or some crap, because Cris's nickname was also "Uncle Party".
Uncle Party? That's great!
Well, back then. Now he's become "Uncle Used to Party."
Nice!
(Chuckles) But it was ironic that that stuff happened with Nirvana at the same time. That album was way in the works by the time we did the Unplugged! thing. It was already recorded and pretty much titled, and came out in... I think January before Curt committed suicide, so it was just another one of those things like, you know... Holy cow!
Right. How was your relationship with Cobain and Nirvana in general... was it a good relationship?
Oh yeah. I love those guys. I got along real well with them and Curt was a nice guy and he was a lot of fun to work with and it was very rewarding to do the collaboration there and just to be a fly on the wall during the Unplugged thing. That was a lot of fun because the guy definitely had some juice. And Krist (Novoselic) is a great guy. I got along like a bro with him and we started a band a few years after that, after (my brother) Cris was kind of messed up... Novoselic and I had a band for awhile.
Excellent. What are some of the more horrendous experience you have had while on tour over the years?
Horrendous?
Yeah. Like horrible situations?
Well mostly the worst stuff was like... Well once we were getting ready to play and we had to like, get on stage and the club was sold out in Santa Cruz and we already had a big crowd and we had five minutes before we had to get on stage, and my bro tried to come in the front door of the club. He just was like, "hey I need to go back, we are going to be playing pretty quick," and they kind of were ignoring him at the door. He didn't have any... his whatever... His badge, or whatever you were supposed to have. You always were supposed to have some kind of like, badge to wander around and he didn't have one, and he was like, "I just need to get through here." and he tried to slip past and somebody grabbed him, and as was his way at the time, being grabbed from behind like that, he turned around and punched the guy. It turned out to be one of the club managers. So then, as soon as he did that, these giant monkey fucking bouncers grabbed him and trounced him and broke his wrist. So I had to say, "No show." with the whole crowd there, so the crowd immediately caught wind of what happened and they rioted out front and started passing out fliers that somebody made immediately saying "Boycott The Catalyst before they break your arm!"
(Laughing) Awesome!
It was pretty wild. The crowd was like rallied, and a lot of cops came. We didn't play, these two old guys upstairs who owned the club doing accounting upstairs were like "What you can't play with just two?"
(More laughing)
I'm like, "You kidding? You just broke his fucking arm! Fuck YOU. Were outta here!" And then when I went out and tried to get into the ... There was an RV that we had at the time, and we tried to get in there and get our crap out and stuff and they are standing there acting like they want to beat ME up next, it was just like, Holy cow! Things can change like that all of a sudden. It wasn't like they were that mad at us, it's just that you know, crowds will do that.
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| Photo by Joe Cultice |
Is there a single moment in your career that sticks out as your most favorite, or your most memorable?
Well there's a lot of them. There really are. I tend to be one of those musicians that's like, you're only as good as your last show type of thing, and so a good show will stick out for awhile until there's one that's kind of better in my mind. So I tend to go that to that, you know, We toured in '94 for three months opening for Stone Temple Pilots when they were pretty much the biggest draw of the summer next to The Eagles Hell Freezes Over Tour. So we did three months of playing at big outdoor places... 20, 30 thousand people, which every night was a lot of fun... It really wasn't our crowd. We could get up there and wear diapers, and write Eat Me on our chest and stuff, we could fucking jack off in front of these giant crowds.
What can we expect at the Des Moines show?
Well.. Probably Reggae.
From The Meat Puppets?
I don't know. I don't know what we'll do. We might play Reggae, who knows? I might turn all my songs into Reggae songs.
That'd be pretty cool.
I don't know. People... Alot of times, when I do Lake of Fire, people think we are covering Nirvana anyways, so I might as well cover it like, you know in a sort of a easy beat sort of a style and just cater to everybody's you know, sort of vibe.. Cause that's because we do that kind of stuff. I don't know if it's necessarily catering, and I don't know if I will do it, but I'm kinda fun... And I do love that stuff. It might be an opportunity to, who knows? All I have to do is play the guitar a different way and the rest of the band doesn't have to do anything. If I play the guitar different, it will all turn into Reggae.
What about the newest production you have done, Sewn Together... What can you tell me about this record... How did it all come together?
Um, it's our second record from Megaforce... We toured a lot year before last, and decided to kind of chill out a little bit. We felt like we had gotten as much out of it as we could, you know, for the time being. Kind of like we are trying to forge our way back into the biz again, as The Meat Puppets again, so it seems. (People) kind of looked at us... Break ups... Or at least hiatuses. They kind of come to the reckoning of Oh yeah.. I guess people look at it as the band wasn't around, though in my mind that's always a concern. We never really broke up and my bro was fucked up for a long time and this and that but it's always been like, "Well when I decide to, I'll do it." It's like I have the deal with Megaforce and during the time off I just said, Lets just kick in immediately and do another thing before we have time to think about it, so that's kind of what we did with this one. We didn't really have it done, we didn't practice it, and we pretty much wrote half of it while we were sitting there waiting to push record.
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| Sewn Together (Megaforce 2009) |
We did it in about a week, it's a backwards production. It's like it's a total dubbed album. There's zilch on it that's live except that we cut the drums and the acoustic guitar so it was like super easy, and then made sure that nothing got in the way of the acoustics or the vocals and we just put it together like legos. Because we didn't practice, we didn't know what the songs were and stuff so we kind of lucked out there. It came out good. But I saw how we did it. I stuck to this blueprint of how we should record it given the circumstances and I really hate spending a lot of money on stuff anymore. I always did. I always said, you know give me a hundred thousand bucks, and I can make ten records 'cause that's how... Too High to Die cost like 100 thousand, and No Joke! cost like 225 grand to make.
Wow!
It's retarded.
So what is in your future? Are you making another album?
Well I've been writing, but we haven't really got to that yet. We've been kind of waiting for this one to come out and while I've been waiting I've been writing a little bit but I've got a fair amount of touring coming up, it's set up through September and that's gonna occupy my brain for that time so that's what I will be doing which is pretty much the focus anyway. The albums have always been kind of calling cards even though they are supposed to be important and stuff like that, I love live music, so I know you have to try to make albums, and I've tried to make genuine good albums before but to me a lot of times it's just a tiny little snatch of something that's supposed to mean so damn much, and I've never really given a rat's ass. But you know, if I cared more, I would probably have been able to make better sounding records, but whatever. I figured out how to make pretty good sounding records on my cheap schedules that I like to keep with my attention deficit disorder!
Well Curt, that is all the questions I have today. I sincerely appreciate your time. I will be seeing you guys in Des Moines on May 4th. Thanks alot for your time.
You got it Troy. Thanks alot.
T.S.O.L.-The Grand Romance Riverboat-Long Beach,CA
Sorry for the lag. My comp has a virus as big as the sad news. Yes I'm depressed about it. Anywho I walked to my buddys house one morning all early and we drove to our local Community College. The punk rock legend,Jack Grisham (TSOL, Joykiller, West Coast Dukes) and he had just written his memoir, "An American Dream". After finding the damn auditorium we walked in 10 min late (not missing much), got front row seats, and he had started speaking about his book. The book is not just another "Rock Star Biography". What makes this book more unique than Snookies? He lives his life with Satan and God guiding him from his shoulders.I looked around to notice that just me and my friends were the only punk rockers there. So many local kids were shocked when he said stuff like,"Yeah I was on crack when my daughter was born" and stuff like that. Some girl asked him about his band and as soon as he said T.S.O.L. me and my buds started clapping and cheering to our idol. He responded to the girl "Its called TSOL, it stands for True Sounds Of Liberty. You wont like us unless your a CRIMINAL!" OF course he looked right at us when he said that. After the speech we went to go talk to him and to get our books signed. Well they did, not me... I got my flyer signed. After we took pics and hugged him he told us about a free show that weekend on a boat. Of course we told him we'd be there. I have not read this book yet but I will. You know you wanna as well.
Fast forward to the weekend and we go to a boat. A band is already playing. People are just staring at 'em. These guys were middle aged calm dudes playing some good punk rock. They are Love Canal and are a good piece of history of Orange County Punk Rock. They did shows in '82 with OC greats Channel 3 and Adolescents but broke up. They reunited in '07 and have since been playing shows with the great ones. The singer seemed very calm but had a great voice. Though people weren't really into them I thought they did a very great job and I will be looking for their music.
Up next was a band I was very looking forward to seeing. They are called Yeastie Boys. They dress as clowns and do punk rock parodies. When I was walking to the boat I saw them walking to the boat as well. It was nice standing in line with a dude with a red wig and huge sun glasses. They went up on the mini stage. All 20 of them. They seem to act the same way in cars, same goes for stages. They started playing their version of Institutionalized and right away went to Wild In The Streets (Clowns In The Streets). I found this really amusing. Clowns were actually doing their jobs and people were pitting. I was really into it but I couldn't help from laughing from what they were singing about. Circus Producer (Pun on Dead Boys "Sonic Reducer"), Acrobat (Adolescents "Amoeba") and Holiday in Clownbodia (Dead Kennedys). They were a fun band. Since the boat was 3 stories people were throwing confetti and balloons and stuffed toys onto the audience. As soon as Yeastie Boys finished I fell in love with them. I will be seeing these clowns again. After they were done they were down in the pit and blowing their horns for every band that played after them.
After The Yeastie Boys set, a band called The Hated played. They were also OC pioneers and this was thier first show in 20 years. I cant find anything all about this band. Except one complaint from an old skool guy saying it's just the singer. They did a decent job and the clowns were going to crazy to these guys. They were good but nothing special in my book.
Up next was a band you may have heard of called The Crowd. These guys still play shows with big names like Bad Religion and Social Distortion. Their local fans adored em so they had people singing along.Its good to know old skool bands like these can still play huge arena shows and then little boats in their towns. The guy for being 50ish still danced his ass off and his voice reminded me a lot of The Dickies. I need to check out their music. They were great and still to this day are so underrated.
Finally. My 4th time seeing the legendary T.S.O.L. Right away the place got crowded. It took forever but finally Jack put his pen down and went to the stage. I went upfront and like my past 3 shows, I sang and shouted every song lyric. Jack had to stop during in the middle of a song cause he blanked out. He said, "Sorry for that, I just imagined this boat sinking,and was thinking how I would get out since theres one door." he continued to sing. He asked for request but then said "Fuck that! This show's free, you get whatever we want to play!" After all the stage diving and nasty 50 year olds in bikinis complaining, the show was sadly over. TSOL is one band you must see live. If your a TSOL virgin,then your obviously not Punk Rock and haven't heard their debut album Dance With Me. Go see 'em if there ever in your hood. Its rare but worth it.
Set Included:
World War III
In My Head
Terrible People
Superficial Love
Dance With Me
Tired Of Life
The Sounds Of Laughter
Abolish Government/Silent Majority
The Triangle
Fuck You Tough Guy
Die For Me
Man and Machine
Code Blue
Peaceful Valley Boulevard
One day shots rang across the peaceful valley
God was crying tears that fell like rain
Before the railroad came from Kansas City
And the bullets hit the bison from the train
Shots rang across the peaceful valley
White man laid his foot upon the plain.
The wagon train rolled through the dusty canyon
The settlers full of wonder as they crossed
A gentle creek where two old oaks were standing
Before the west was won there was a cost
A rain of fire came down upon the wagons
A mother screamed and every soul was lost.
Before the railroad came from Kansas City
And the bullets hit the bison from the train
Shots rang across the peaceful valley
White man laid his foot upon the plain.
The wagon train rolled through the dusty canyon
The settlers full of wonder as they crossed
A gentle creek where two old oaks were standing
Before the west was won there was a cost
A rain of fire came down upon the wagons
A mother screamed and every soul was lost.
Change hit the country like a thunderstorm
Ancient rivers soon began to boil
People rushed like water to California
At first they came for gold and then for oil
Fortunes were made and lost in lifetimes
Mother earth took poison in her soil.
An electro cruiser coasted towards the exit
And turned on Peaceful Valley Boulevard
"People make the difference" read a billboard
Above a long line of idling cars.
Who'll be the one to lead this world
Who'll be the beacon in the night
Who'll be the one to lead this world
Who'll be the beacon in the night
Who'll be the one to lead the nations
And protect God's creations
A polar bear stood drifting on an ice floe
Sun beating down from the sky
Politicians gathered for a summit
And came away with nothing to decide
Storms thundered on, his tears of falling rain
A child was born and wondered why.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Interview with Angel Radness - Public Perverts
Bigfoot readers, meet Angel Radness, bass player extraordinaire from the Public Perverts of Seattle! This lovely lady was kind enough to let me in on some of her life adventures and a little life history. Her name gives you a glimpse into the life and personality. This is, indeed...One. Rad. Chick.
Now that you've seen the exterior, here's what makes this girl tick:
Turn-ons: Tequila. Definitely tequila. And good lord, I LOVE fur!! Hairy men with bellies. Mohawks and tattoos. A life of passion! Live life like you're gonna die!!!
Turn-offs: Drama. Hate it. It's pointless. I also don't like jealousy and possessiveness- a relationship shouldn't be based on your ability to keep a tight leash! Women these days are most often fucking psychopaths, but they're still fun to fuck. Usually only good for one night (though I've had a few that were rad enough to keep).
Tidbits:
I'm totally a sci-fi geek. Outer space is both soothing and inspiring. I love the darkness lit with stars and planets. I like knowing that this world's assholes are just small specks in the our existence.
I'm scared of the ocean, but I really don't want to be. There's so much beauty and wonder down there, but there's also giant squid. Those fuckers are scary. Someday I hope to learn to dive, and bring a fucking harpoon with me.
Zombies are also fucking scary. We must keep our enemies close, and study them. Especially that Dick Cheney fucker.
I graduated high school 6 months ahead of my class, lettered in Academics, Dance, and Band. Funny, since I skipped school daily to smoke pot and drink on the Rum River. I had an opportunity to attend the University of Minnesota for free, but I threw it away to move to Utah with my dad. I got a scholarship in Utah for college too, but I threw that away. I never had any desire to go to college, I felt that life had bigger plans in store.
I absolutely LOVE being an entertainer, and I constantly am. Ever since my first Sam Kinison impression when I was 9, I've been a crowd pleaser. I love hosting parties, making new friends at bars and shows, and making people laugh. If I only achieve one thing in this life, I hope that I inspire people to enjoy their lives as much as possible. Even if it's only for a few hours over a few drinks. I absolutely love meeting new people, making them smile and laugh, and inspiring them to be better people.
And now for the meat and potatoes...
Basics: How long have you been playing bass and why the bass?
I picked up the bass about 5 years ago or so. I’m a very passionate person, and I like feeling my music instead of just hearing it. When I was married to Steve, he started teaching me. The first time I felt the most incredible vibrations from a vintage Ampeg Classic, I knew I found my calling.
I've spent my entire life around music. I started as a dancer when I was 2, and my family recognized talent immediately. They've supported me in everything I've pursued. I danced in the Orange Bowl halftime show in 1996, when I was only 14 years old. I started playing saxophone when I was 10, and kept up with it all through school and beyond. I was in marching band, and always first chair in band class. I never practiced at home.
Give me a lifeline of the Public Perverts....
Well, the lifeline of Public Perverts is extensive, and very confusing. Here are the fun facts, summed up: Steve Madness (lead guitar) and I used to be married. We’ve been divorced for 3 years now. My boyfriend (Remy Love) is our rhythm guitar player. Pablo Diablo used to play drums with Remy in Love On The Rocks. It’s really incredible to know that a group of people with extensive personal history can still be so rad to evolve above the drama and awkwardness to create great music and have fun. Our past really makes for a lot of good jokes and playful humor!
What does 2am/3am/4am after a show look like?
I honestly never remember, but oddly enough we’ve never done any after hours parties after our shows. I tend to be extremely wasted by the end of the night! Hahaha! I’m very happy to have Remy and Kevin (bf and roommate) at every show to corral me home before I do anything too stupid. I usually find out the details randomly over the next couple weeks, or a drunken voice mail pops up. Those are fun. We’re going to put one of those voice mails on an upcoming album. Finding texts from people I don’t know is also entertaining! Ha!
When did you/when will you call yourself successful?
We have a great time in Public Perverts. Our initial goal when we formed was to have fun and see where it goes. We’ve already gone a lot farther than I expected- we’re streaming regularly and supported on three internet radio stations (Real Punk Radio, Po Dunk Radio, and The Playlist),which has gained us international exposure and fans. We still have a great time playing, and we’ve played with some iconic legends in punk. We also were one of the first punk bands to team up with Rock Out ALS. Rock Out ALS is a Campaign to unite the Rock Music Industry to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. So I’d say we’re already successful. We’re having a great time, we’ve met a lot of great people, and we’re very happy to be where we are and excited to see what’s next.
Top 3 most offensive/dirtiest things you've seen in the shows you've played?
1- My friend Stevie pulls out my left tit while I was playing in the crowd. I couldn’t fix it right away, so little Lefty is quite popular now.
2- We all dropped our pants for a “pissing on the wall” photo. In the pic, my head is right next to Paul’s ass (whoops). The former lead singer’s wife was pissed about that shoot. “Don’t you DARE pull your pants down!!!” Hahaha!
3- And different kind of dirty- Me vomiting profusely every 5 minutes before going on stage (many circumstances surrounding that one). Everyone is ready to play, I’m on stage and about to start, then I had to run out back to puke by the dumpster. But then I was able to keep it together and pro for the show, and it was probably the best we’ve ever done!
4- I know you said 3, but then I just remembered this one, too- When we played with the Mentors, their dancer chick asked me to join her on stage. So I spent the entire time “mostly mooning” Marc (the drummer / singer), testing his ability to stay focused. He rocked it, and complimented me later.
Most stellar show you've seen?
SCREECHING WEASEL! I LOVE that band!!! They haven’t played Seattle in 19 years before their last show. It was epic. I went with my ex husband. I’ve seen MANY great shows, gone to MANY incredible after parties, but the Screeching Weasel show was historic. I have a Screeching Weasel tattoo:
What the hell is it like being a female in the punk scene??
In any music scene, it’s expected that the attentive females just want to fuck the band. It’s especially entertaining to meet bands that think you’ll fuck them, then they find out you’re a fellow musician. It’s a fun process. It’s amazing how many naïve girls will do anything a “rock star” wants just so that he’ll like her. Most of the time they don’t ever hear from the band again. Always hang onto your self respect.
As a musician, I wonder if most people just assume it’s for the sexy factor, and rule out the talented part. Which has proven to be true in most cases, but entertaining nonetheless. I very much do appreciate those who go to shows to see a girl play, and then really enjoy the music and talent behind it. I come from a long line of strong women, who fought for equal rights way back when, and worked while the men were at war. I’m sure they would be proud of me. I know my mom is.
Who's the nastiest band you've encountered?
American Headcharge. Well, not the entire band, but one particular member from the original lineup, Aaron Zilch. He was the original “noise maker” / midi guy, and we’re still in contact, ten years later. The second time I hung out with him when they were in town, he wanted me to whip him. I found the idea entertaining at the time, so I did. That was all that happened. Pretty tame story, I know. Oddly enough, most of the bands I’ve met have been pretty down to earth and intelligent; including (but not limited to) Slayer, Mudvayne, BLS, the Casualties, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion… Fat Mike from NOFX is exactly as you’d expect, so I wouldn’t say that encounter was unusual. I wish I had a better story, but I honestly don’t put myself in situations that would be detrimental to my reputation (in the sexual sense, anyway). I’ve run into Eddie Vedder and Jerry Cantrell, separately, on two separate occasions in strip clubs while celebrating friends’ birthdays… Again, tame…
Coke off a bible with Fat Mike?!? Elaborate!! (and did his fetish tendencies pop out?
I had backstage passes for Warped Tour a couple years ago when NOFX was headlining. After their show, I met Fat Mike backstage holding a Bible that someone had thrown onstage. He was signing the pages and handing them out. So I signed a page and handed it to him. LMFAO! I grabbed his water bottle of gin and chugged, then asked if I could party with him. To my surprise, he said yes. We rounded up Eric Melvin and a couple guys from Bad Religion and got onto the bus. From there, Fat Mike busted out a gigantic makeup box filled with drugs. We were listening to the Germs and talking about 70s LA punk as he proceeded to cut lines on that Bible. From there he busted out some pills and a joint… Exactly everything you’d expect from Fat Mike! I’m not a fat lesbian, so I was not indulged in any of his freak fetishes. Hahahaa! Like I said, I always relate to other musicians on a personal and professional level, never sexual. I’ve always wanted to party with Fat Mike, and it’s still shocks me to this day that I have.
What's the deal with you and Wimpy Rutherford?
I love my Wimpy! He and I met a few years ago at a Queers show that he was doing guest vocals for. He’s the original drummer for the Queers, and wrote Kicked Out of the Weebelos (“Daddy beat me with a hose…”). He’s a total sweetheart, and has been there whenever I needed him. He’s a mentor and great friend. We’re planning on meeting up this summer in Vegas for a visit. He’s now singing in The Jabbers, and is trying to get out to tour here, just as I’m trying to get Public Perverts to tour in his town in New Hampshire. Have you ever met someone that you just knew is supposed to be in your life, and will always be in your life?! I refer to them as “soul mates”, and Wimpy is definitely one of mine. It’s as if one of my puzzle pieces was finally found. It’s a wonderful relationship! Sadly, we haven’t visited each other since. Vegas is LONG overdue.
The Casualties...I hear there's stories....
Ah, yes… I’ve known them for years. Rick is definitely the dick and the instigator of the group, and of course the one I’m most closely in contact with. We tend to constantly put each other in our place, which appears to be a working friendship. LOL! Meggars doesn’t party with the rest of the group, he runs off pretty quick and just stops by once in a while. Jake is a total doll, I love him to death. He’s always respectful and sweet, and even once after a show found my phone and turned it in. Jake has a special place in my heart. ;) Jorge usually keeps to himself, but he’s also a total sweetheart. Last year at Warped Tour, he comes back to the RV with two plates of food. He says, “Well, when I was going in, one of the workers said that she was really hungry. So I promised her I’d bring her back a plate of food. But when I got back she was gone. So now I have two plates of food. It’s too bad, she seemed really nice.” He’s really quiet for the most part, and a devoted family man. My favorite story, though, was the first time I met Rick. He was wearing a black and white horizontal striped shirt, and approached me in the bar. He asked,”Is this shirt retarded? The guys keep telling me it sucks.” Hahaha! I really liked the shirt, but he really looks good in anything! We went to a bar for pizza after the show, and I really grossed him out when I asked for mustard on the side. I didn’t think I’d ever hear back from him after that, but I guess he forgot about the mustard after a day or two! Hahaa…
Why William Shatner and what can we expect?
I love William Shatner! He’s fucking amazing, and I would love to hear him sing our song “Master Bates”! However, there’s nothing to expect. I couldn’t afford his autograph to give him the packet proposition I had for him at Comicon, so no go. I’ve been emailing his agents and other possible contacts, but so far no word yet. I did meet Data (Brent Spiner) and Number 1 (Jonathon Frakes) at a bar the previous evening. They were very gracious about my little geek freak out, what rad dudes!
For the first Public Perverts show, I had called Pee Wee’s agent in hopes of a special celebrity appearance. However, it was just too short of notice so it didn’t happen. I think I’ll continue barking up that tree in the future, it’s much more optimistic.
Who can you drink under the table and who drinks like a pussy?
Man, just about everyone I drink with is a champ! However, our previous Kenny was a bit of a lightweight. But he was a lot of fun, it was great to see him as himself when he lets loose! Hee hee… One time after a Dropkick Murphys show, we all went down to Fado for a little after party action. I’m amazed I’m still standing after that night, those guys can really drink!!! I don’t remember much, but I kinda remember pissing off one of them.
What's your take on the punk scene anymore? In Seattle?
The “punk” scene is huge. There’s so many sub categories out there! I’ve noticed that Seattle tends to be a lot more hardcore punk, but perhaps it’s just a matter of who I’m associating with. But I’m noticing a change. There’s a lot more bands getting more attention that are more 70s punk style, and I’m noticing the hardcore punks at their shows too, and vice versa. It’s great! We’ve played with a huge variety of punk bands, and I always enjoy having a diverse bill when it comes to show. I believe that we should all unite and expand our horizons! When I first entered the Seattle punk scene from Utah, it was very clique-y. Which I think is an insane contradiction in terms. But nowadays it’s getting more and more mixed, and more accepting towards “outsiders”. We’ve got a really great genuine group of people here, and I adore everyone I meet! What I love most about punks is that our lives are quite similar, and very real. We’ve all been where a fellow punk has been. We tend to unite and take care of each other when it feels like no one else will. And we’re all able to call out another one’s bullshit when needed, and it doesn’t lead to resentment. Punk is honest. And it should always remain that way.
How cynical does being in a band make you? Or does it?
It doesn’t. Not at all. I’m in it for the fun and pleasure of performing, and I adore those that listen and support my dreams. It doesn’t get better than that. Artists do it for themselves first, then the passion leads to the need and appreciation to share. Some bands tend to get very “sterile” and over professional, which to me translates to being apathetic toward humility and crowd appreciation. The most memorable shows that I’ve attended have been when the band expresses a sense of humanity on stage. No matter how talented anyone is, there’s always going to be someone out there that’s better. It’s how we express ourselves as individuals expressing ideas and passion that makes a mark. In my humble opinion…. One of the most inspirational shows I went to was Green Day, playing at the Auburn Drive In, during the stale time between “Dookie” and “American Idiot”. They joked onstage with the crowd, they forgot some songs that were requested, and they even brought up some members from the audience to play their songs and others. It was fantastic! I really have a great appreciation for people willing to accept and act as if they’re just a human being like the rest of us.
Best show and worst show played?
Best show, as referenced above, was the time I was puking constantly before playing the show we opened for the Vibrators. Worst show ever actually turned into a killer show. I was getting my Weasel tattoo when I got a call from the 2Bit, asking us to play a last minute skate show gig. I took the gig. But then I couldn’t get a hold of our drummer, and our singer wasn’t able to do it. Steve was with me during the tattoo, and agreed to the show. So he and I went on our own, recruited the drummer from the band before, and then called people up on stage to do vocals to some covers we played. It was the perfect train wreck, and a lot of fun! The crowd had fun too. Especially when some dude wearing a bright orange bob wig sang multiple songs in a row. What a great time! Hahahaha! I definitely wouldn’t call that a Public Perverts show, but rather a random jam session with members of Public Perverts.
Top 3 people that you would want to collaborate with...
1- Henry Rollins. That’d just be a blast! I’d love to molester his brain and write some songs!
2- The Queers. Joe does studio work now too, I’d LOVE to record with him!
3- The Darkness. That’d just be one hot, sexy, juicy mess. Beautiful.
Huge thanks to Miss Radness for corresponding with me, I felt like I've added and explosive and valuable addition to my life by meeting her.
The End...
Seriously, take a minute and check this band out.
Now that you've seen the exterior, here's what makes this girl tick:
Turn-ons: Tequila. Definitely tequila. And good lord, I LOVE fur!! Hairy men with bellies. Mohawks and tattoos. A life of passion! Live life like you're gonna die!!!
Turn-offs: Drama. Hate it. It's pointless. I also don't like jealousy and possessiveness- a relationship shouldn't be based on your ability to keep a tight leash! Women these days are most often fucking psychopaths, but they're still fun to fuck. Usually only good for one night (though I've had a few that were rad enough to keep).
Tidbits:
I'm totally a sci-fi geek. Outer space is both soothing and inspiring. I love the darkness lit with stars and planets. I like knowing that this world's assholes are just small specks in the our existence.
I'm scared of the ocean, but I really don't want to be. There's so much beauty and wonder down there, but there's also giant squid. Those fuckers are scary. Someday I hope to learn to dive, and bring a fucking harpoon with me.
Zombies are also fucking scary. We must keep our enemies close, and study them. Especially that Dick Cheney fucker.
I graduated high school 6 months ahead of my class, lettered in Academics, Dance, and Band. Funny, since I skipped school daily to smoke pot and drink on the Rum River. I had an opportunity to attend the University of Minnesota for free, but I threw it away to move to Utah with my dad. I got a scholarship in Utah for college too, but I threw that away. I never had any desire to go to college, I felt that life had bigger plans in store.
I absolutely LOVE being an entertainer, and I constantly am. Ever since my first Sam Kinison impression when I was 9, I've been a crowd pleaser. I love hosting parties, making new friends at bars and shows, and making people laugh. If I only achieve one thing in this life, I hope that I inspire people to enjoy their lives as much as possible. Even if it's only for a few hours over a few drinks. I absolutely love meeting new people, making them smile and laugh, and inspiring them to be better people.
And now for the meat and potatoes...
Basics: How long have you been playing bass and why the bass?
I picked up the bass about 5 years ago or so. I’m a very passionate person, and I like feeling my music instead of just hearing it. When I was married to Steve, he started teaching me. The first time I felt the most incredible vibrations from a vintage Ampeg Classic, I knew I found my calling.
I've spent my entire life around music. I started as a dancer when I was 2, and my family recognized talent immediately. They've supported me in everything I've pursued. I danced in the Orange Bowl halftime show in 1996, when I was only 14 years old. I started playing saxophone when I was 10, and kept up with it all through school and beyond. I was in marching band, and always first chair in band class. I never practiced at home.
Give me a lifeline of the Public Perverts....
Well, the lifeline of Public Perverts is extensive, and very confusing. Here are the fun facts, summed up: Steve Madness (lead guitar) and I used to be married. We’ve been divorced for 3 years now. My boyfriend (Remy Love) is our rhythm guitar player. Pablo Diablo used to play drums with Remy in Love On The Rocks. It’s really incredible to know that a group of people with extensive personal history can still be so rad to evolve above the drama and awkwardness to create great music and have fun. Our past really makes for a lot of good jokes and playful humor!
What does 2am/3am/4am after a show look like?
I honestly never remember, but oddly enough we’ve never done any after hours parties after our shows. I tend to be extremely wasted by the end of the night! Hahaha! I’m very happy to have Remy and Kevin (bf and roommate) at every show to corral me home before I do anything too stupid. I usually find out the details randomly over the next couple weeks, or a drunken voice mail pops up. Those are fun. We’re going to put one of those voice mails on an upcoming album. Finding texts from people I don’t know is also entertaining! Ha!
When did you/when will you call yourself successful?
We have a great time in Public Perverts. Our initial goal when we formed was to have fun and see where it goes. We’ve already gone a lot farther than I expected- we’re streaming regularly and supported on three internet radio stations (Real Punk Radio, Po Dunk Radio, and The Playlist),which has gained us international exposure and fans. We still have a great time playing, and we’ve played with some iconic legends in punk. We also were one of the first punk bands to team up with Rock Out ALS. Rock Out ALS is a Campaign to unite the Rock Music Industry to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. So I’d say we’re already successful. We’re having a great time, we’ve met a lot of great people, and we’re very happy to be where we are and excited to see what’s next.
Top 3 most offensive/dirtiest things you've seen in the shows you've played?
1- My friend Stevie pulls out my left tit while I was playing in the crowd. I couldn’t fix it right away, so little Lefty is quite popular now.
2- We all dropped our pants for a “pissing on the wall” photo. In the pic, my head is right next to Paul’s ass (whoops). The former lead singer’s wife was pissed about that shoot. “Don’t you DARE pull your pants down!!!” Hahaha!
3- And different kind of dirty- Me vomiting profusely every 5 minutes before going on stage (many circumstances surrounding that one). Everyone is ready to play, I’m on stage and about to start, then I had to run out back to puke by the dumpster. But then I was able to keep it together and pro for the show, and it was probably the best we’ve ever done!
4- I know you said 3, but then I just remembered this one, too- When we played with the Mentors, their dancer chick asked me to join her on stage. So I spent the entire time “mostly mooning” Marc (the drummer / singer), testing his ability to stay focused. He rocked it, and complimented me later.
Most stellar show you've seen?
SCREECHING WEASEL! I LOVE that band!!! They haven’t played Seattle in 19 years before their last show. It was epic. I went with my ex husband. I’ve seen MANY great shows, gone to MANY incredible after parties, but the Screeching Weasel show was historic. I have a Screeching Weasel tattoo:
What the hell is it like being a female in the punk scene??
In any music scene, it’s expected that the attentive females just want to fuck the band. It’s especially entertaining to meet bands that think you’ll fuck them, then they find out you’re a fellow musician. It’s a fun process. It’s amazing how many naïve girls will do anything a “rock star” wants just so that he’ll like her. Most of the time they don’t ever hear from the band again. Always hang onto your self respect.
As a musician, I wonder if most people just assume it’s for the sexy factor, and rule out the talented part. Which has proven to be true in most cases, but entertaining nonetheless. I very much do appreciate those who go to shows to see a girl play, and then really enjoy the music and talent behind it. I come from a long line of strong women, who fought for equal rights way back when, and worked while the men were at war. I’m sure they would be proud of me. I know my mom is.
Who's the nastiest band you've encountered?
American Headcharge. Well, not the entire band, but one particular member from the original lineup, Aaron Zilch. He was the original “noise maker” / midi guy, and we’re still in contact, ten years later. The second time I hung out with him when they were in town, he wanted me to whip him. I found the idea entertaining at the time, so I did. That was all that happened. Pretty tame story, I know. Oddly enough, most of the bands I’ve met have been pretty down to earth and intelligent; including (but not limited to) Slayer, Mudvayne, BLS, the Casualties, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion… Fat Mike from NOFX is exactly as you’d expect, so I wouldn’t say that encounter was unusual. I wish I had a better story, but I honestly don’t put myself in situations that would be detrimental to my reputation (in the sexual sense, anyway). I’ve run into Eddie Vedder and Jerry Cantrell, separately, on two separate occasions in strip clubs while celebrating friends’ birthdays… Again, tame…
Coke off a bible with Fat Mike?!? Elaborate!! (and did his fetish tendencies pop out?
I had backstage passes for Warped Tour a couple years ago when NOFX was headlining. After their show, I met Fat Mike backstage holding a Bible that someone had thrown onstage. He was signing the pages and handing them out. So I signed a page and handed it to him. LMFAO! I grabbed his water bottle of gin and chugged, then asked if I could party with him. To my surprise, he said yes. We rounded up Eric Melvin and a couple guys from Bad Religion and got onto the bus. From there, Fat Mike busted out a gigantic makeup box filled with drugs. We were listening to the Germs and talking about 70s LA punk as he proceeded to cut lines on that Bible. From there he busted out some pills and a joint… Exactly everything you’d expect from Fat Mike! I’m not a fat lesbian, so I was not indulged in any of his freak fetishes. Hahahaa! Like I said, I always relate to other musicians on a personal and professional level, never sexual. I’ve always wanted to party with Fat Mike, and it’s still shocks me to this day that I have.
What's the deal with you and Wimpy Rutherford?
I love my Wimpy! He and I met a few years ago at a Queers show that he was doing guest vocals for. He’s the original drummer for the Queers, and wrote Kicked Out of the Weebelos (“Daddy beat me with a hose…”). He’s a total sweetheart, and has been there whenever I needed him. He’s a mentor and great friend. We’re planning on meeting up this summer in Vegas for a visit. He’s now singing in The Jabbers, and is trying to get out to tour here, just as I’m trying to get Public Perverts to tour in his town in New Hampshire. Have you ever met someone that you just knew is supposed to be in your life, and will always be in your life?! I refer to them as “soul mates”, and Wimpy is definitely one of mine. It’s as if one of my puzzle pieces was finally found. It’s a wonderful relationship! Sadly, we haven’t visited each other since. Vegas is LONG overdue.
The Casualties...I hear there's stories....
Ah, yes… I’ve known them for years. Rick is definitely the dick and the instigator of the group, and of course the one I’m most closely in contact with. We tend to constantly put each other in our place, which appears to be a working friendship. LOL! Meggars doesn’t party with the rest of the group, he runs off pretty quick and just stops by once in a while. Jake is a total doll, I love him to death. He’s always respectful and sweet, and even once after a show found my phone and turned it in. Jake has a special place in my heart. ;) Jorge usually keeps to himself, but he’s also a total sweetheart. Last year at Warped Tour, he comes back to the RV with two plates of food. He says, “Well, when I was going in, one of the workers said that she was really hungry. So I promised her I’d bring her back a plate of food. But when I got back she was gone. So now I have two plates of food. It’s too bad, she seemed really nice.” He’s really quiet for the most part, and a devoted family man. My favorite story, though, was the first time I met Rick. He was wearing a black and white horizontal striped shirt, and approached me in the bar. He asked,”Is this shirt retarded? The guys keep telling me it sucks.” Hahaha! I really liked the shirt, but he really looks good in anything! We went to a bar for pizza after the show, and I really grossed him out when I asked for mustard on the side. I didn’t think I’d ever hear back from him after that, but I guess he forgot about the mustard after a day or two! Hahaa…
Why William Shatner and what can we expect?
I love William Shatner! He’s fucking amazing, and I would love to hear him sing our song “Master Bates”! However, there’s nothing to expect. I couldn’t afford his autograph to give him the packet proposition I had for him at Comicon, so no go. I’ve been emailing his agents and other possible contacts, but so far no word yet. I did meet Data (Brent Spiner) and Number 1 (Jonathon Frakes) at a bar the previous evening. They were very gracious about my little geek freak out, what rad dudes!
For the first Public Perverts show, I had called Pee Wee’s agent in hopes of a special celebrity appearance. However, it was just too short of notice so it didn’t happen. I think I’ll continue barking up that tree in the future, it’s much more optimistic.
Who can you drink under the table and who drinks like a pussy?
Man, just about everyone I drink with is a champ! However, our previous Kenny was a bit of a lightweight. But he was a lot of fun, it was great to see him as himself when he lets loose! Hee hee… One time after a Dropkick Murphys show, we all went down to Fado for a little after party action. I’m amazed I’m still standing after that night, those guys can really drink!!! I don’t remember much, but I kinda remember pissing off one of them.
What's your take on the punk scene anymore? In Seattle?
The “punk” scene is huge. There’s so many sub categories out there! I’ve noticed that Seattle tends to be a lot more hardcore punk, but perhaps it’s just a matter of who I’m associating with. But I’m noticing a change. There’s a lot more bands getting more attention that are more 70s punk style, and I’m noticing the hardcore punks at their shows too, and vice versa. It’s great! We’ve played with a huge variety of punk bands, and I always enjoy having a diverse bill when it comes to show. I believe that we should all unite and expand our horizons! When I first entered the Seattle punk scene from Utah, it was very clique-y. Which I think is an insane contradiction in terms. But nowadays it’s getting more and more mixed, and more accepting towards “outsiders”. We’ve got a really great genuine group of people here, and I adore everyone I meet! What I love most about punks is that our lives are quite similar, and very real. We’ve all been where a fellow punk has been. We tend to unite and take care of each other when it feels like no one else will. And we’re all able to call out another one’s bullshit when needed, and it doesn’t lead to resentment. Punk is honest. And it should always remain that way.
How cynical does being in a band make you? Or does it?
It doesn’t. Not at all. I’m in it for the fun and pleasure of performing, and I adore those that listen and support my dreams. It doesn’t get better than that. Artists do it for themselves first, then the passion leads to the need and appreciation to share. Some bands tend to get very “sterile” and over professional, which to me translates to being apathetic toward humility and crowd appreciation. The most memorable shows that I’ve attended have been when the band expresses a sense of humanity on stage. No matter how talented anyone is, there’s always going to be someone out there that’s better. It’s how we express ourselves as individuals expressing ideas and passion that makes a mark. In my humble opinion…. One of the most inspirational shows I went to was Green Day, playing at the Auburn Drive In, during the stale time between “Dookie” and “American Idiot”. They joked onstage with the crowd, they forgot some songs that were requested, and they even brought up some members from the audience to play their songs and others. It was fantastic! I really have a great appreciation for people willing to accept and act as if they’re just a human being like the rest of us.
Best show and worst show played?
Best show, as referenced above, was the time I was puking constantly before playing the show we opened for the Vibrators. Worst show ever actually turned into a killer show. I was getting my Weasel tattoo when I got a call from the 2Bit, asking us to play a last minute skate show gig. I took the gig. But then I couldn’t get a hold of our drummer, and our singer wasn’t able to do it. Steve was with me during the tattoo, and agreed to the show. So he and I went on our own, recruited the drummer from the band before, and then called people up on stage to do vocals to some covers we played. It was the perfect train wreck, and a lot of fun! The crowd had fun too. Especially when some dude wearing a bright orange bob wig sang multiple songs in a row. What a great time! Hahahaha! I definitely wouldn’t call that a Public Perverts show, but rather a random jam session with members of Public Perverts.
Top 3 people that you would want to collaborate with...
1- Henry Rollins. That’d just be a blast! I’d love to molester his brain and write some songs!
2- The Queers. Joe does studio work now too, I’d LOVE to record with him!
3- The Darkness. That’d just be one hot, sexy, juicy mess. Beautiful.
Huge thanks to Miss Radness for corresponding with me, I felt like I've added and explosive and valuable addition to my life by meeting her.
The End...
Seriously, take a minute and check this band out.
