Orlando, Florida's
Golden Pelicans play a mean, sweaty, hard hitting style of punk rock that I
haven't heard done well in decades. Picture a singer with a vocal style
somewhere between Tom Waits and Motorhead's Lemmy and a band backing his every
move that's so powerful, I'm pretty sure they could have single handedly
victoriously stormed the beach and Normandy, won the Vietnam War, and chased
those nasty aliens back to their home planet in Independence Day. Golden Pelicans music comes at you pretty hard
and fast yet it rides on a wave of good ol' fashioned rock n' roll riffs in the
same way The Dead Boys or X (Australia) music did. The band is getting ready to
release their second LP on Total Punk Records later this summer and from what
I've heard so far, is heavy enough to throw the earth off it's axis.
Interview by J Castro
Let’s start out by telling us who’s all
in the band and what everyone does in the mighty Golden Pelicans:
ERIK: Rich is on
drums, Sammy plays bass, Scott strums the guitar, and I sing and dance.
You guys are in Orlando, FL; tell me a
bit about your town. Is there a good supportive crowd out there that goes
to shows and gets what you guys are doing musically?
ERIK: Orlando used to
be a nice sunny town with drinkable water. These days it's roving street gangs,
rabid pit bulls, and the constant yellow swirling chemical smog that blots out
the sky.
Tell me a bit about what bands
influence Golden Pelican’s sound. How would you describe your music
to someone that’s never heard your band? ERIK: I think we
sound like a broken margarita glass being farted out of a prolapsed butthole.
You guys released your debut LP last
year on Total Punk records. One thing that impresses me most about
your band is the ability to capture such a raw primal energy on your
recordings. Did that come easy for you guys and why do you think
it’s so difficult for so many other punk bands to do this?
ERIK: I imagine other
bands are up there in there skyscrapers having some jerk with a ponytail
telling them about the real rock sound, and what's gonna get them the best
trim. Well, not us.
And speaking of the LP it made
Pitchfork’s Shake Appeal top releases of 2014 (As well as in my 2014 top 10 if
I may add, ahem!) Have you been surprised at how well received it
has been by so many people?
ERIK: Thanks, it has been great.
Photo by Christopher Garcia
One more quick question about the LP,
this one I must admit is for my own personal curiosity. Tell me
about the KILLER cover art: ERIK: The art is by Mac Blackout. He is amazing. We wanted to get like a
cosmic pelican with a space orc tearing ass across the galaxy. Came out great.
Judging by your music, I can imagine
your live shows can get pretty intense and out of hand at times. Tell me
about the most memorable Golden Pelicans show, good or bad:
ERIK: We like shows
in the south a lot. We had a real fun one with Blind Shake in Minneapolis.
What sort of feelings or sentiments do
you want people to walk away with after experiencing one of your live shows?
ERIK: I would like
them to leave with a real cool beer buzz.
Where are the best places for people to
go to or log on to listen and buy your records?
ERIK: floridasdying.com
we have a band camp also. The best place is whatever rathole that will let us
play, we will sell you stuff in person.
What lies ahead in 2015 for Golden
Pelicans?
ERIK: New record out
soon on Total Punk, European tour in August. We will probably do another single
later on this year.
Narco States are a five-piece band from Minneapolis, MN that
just recently released their debut LP in late 2014 called Wicked Sun on Piñata Records.
The record emits a unique brand of psychedelic infused aggressive rock n’
roll that sounds like it could have been played in a scene from the film Apocalypse Now. Narco States intensely
weave melody, darkness, and agitation into a thick blanket that’s gently laid
over your head as you sit back and start to spin around the room to their
music. While so many bands these days are going around giving the term “psychedelic”
a bad name, Narco States are here to repo it, rub some dirt on it, and throw it
back to the masses the way it’s supposed to sound.
Interview
by J Castro
Let’s start off with
some introductions, who’s currently in Narco States and what does everyone do
in the band:
Michael
MacBlane-Meyer - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Ritual Sacrifices
Aaron Robertson -
Lead Organ, Farfisa/Wurlitzer, Beard, Incense
Nate McGuire: Lead
Guitar, Hendrix Riffs
Erik Johnson: Lead
Druummz, Pomade and Black Rimmed Glasses
Nick Sampson: Lead
BASS, Drugz
How did you all meet
and decide to play music together?
MICHAEL: I posted one
simple Craigslist ad that said "Looking for someone to play my Vox
Organ" and at the same time decided to browse the ads and I came across a
post from Nate that mentioned The Growlers and 13th Floor Elevators. Then the
emails began to fly and samples were traded and it turned out we all kind of
knew each other from other places and times so we got together and the rest, as
they say...is mystery.
Your music has been
compared to the likes of The Rolling Stones, the Stooges, Black Sabbath, and
the Cramps. All of these bands had iconic and influential front men. Tell me a
bit about your personal favorite front man/woman; when did you first see them
perform and what you felt the first time you saw him/her?
MICHAEL: Phil May
from The Pretty Things, Andy Ellison from John's Children, and Stiv Bators from
Dead Boys have all had big effect on me but the most influential lead man was
Stewart Lupton formerly of the band Jonathan Fire Eater. I had been going to
shows for a long time and had numerous influences but he was the single
greatest frontman I ever saw live. I had never seen anyone writhe around,
straddling the microphone stand while looking so dapper and dodgy at the same
time. It was like Patty Smith and Lord Byron had a child together and he was up
there on stage.
With the way most of
today’s contemporary culture is rooted in convenience and instant
gratification, do you see rock n’ roll bands ever being as much of an influence
to popular youth culture as they once were?
MICHAEL: I think
you'd have to ask the youth that question. As I get older I can feel myself
getting jaded and thinking no music or bands are as good or influential as the
ones I have adopted as my favorites or experienced when I was younger. My gut
reaction is to say that it doesn't seem likely, but that's the same expanding
gut that wants those damn kids to "stay off my lawn," so I sure hope
the answer is yes. The youth look like a bunch of virtual obsessed zombies to
me. I hope there is a real and true underground scene boiling somewhere under
all of this technology that will shake the foundations of passive rock fans and
technophile hermits.
AARON: I agree with
Mike. But it is hard to argue that rock has anything even close to the
influence that it had in the ‘60’s/’70’s. It just seems to be more of a
commodity now for most people, just another product. And these days most people
don't even OWN music, they just "rent" it on Spotify. Maybe someday
there will be a point where it's more important to contemporary culture, but
I'm not counting on it. There's just too many other distractions today with
technology.
Photo by Katie McGuire
With much of your
obvious musical influences being bands that were in their prime decades ago,
are there any current bands that inspire you?
MICHAEL:Although some may have broken up
already, I am currently really digging on Summer People (especially Burn the Germs), Bits of Shit, Los
Tones, and Japanese Motors.
AARON: Mount Carmel,
Radio Moscow, Pentagram, The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Kadaver, Orchid,
Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Daikaiju (who I just discovered when we opened
for them, amazing performance).
I was reading an
interview with Keith Richards where he said that anyone buying digital music is
getting short changed. Do you agree with this?
AARON: Absolutely. My
belief is that digital music is good for the car or whatever, but for serious
listening I think it's hard to beat vinyl. The sound, the look, the artwork,
the ritual of playing records, the mechanical process, even the crackles and
pops, it's all part of the experience. That's just me though, and I tend to be
pretty obsessive about vinyl.
With that being said,
what do you think of the whole vinyl revival: fleeting trend or a legitimate
resurgence? There has also been some comments about record processing plants
turning away small labels that have kept them in business for years with small
runs, in favor of pressing major label’s releases with much larger runs, any
thoughts on that?
AARON: Revival? I've
been buying and listening to vinyl since I was a kid in the ‘80’s. To me it's
something that's always been there; it hasn't ever left. I go to the same
record stores that have been open since the ‘70’s in some cases, and most of my
friends have done the same over the years. The only difference now is that it's
easier to get new releases on vinyl and there are a lot of labels re-releasing
older stuff (which is really cool for getting records that were previously
really rare). It's cool that people are discovering how awesome the format is,
but from my perspective, not much has changed. So as to whether or not it's
fleeting or not, I don't know... I lean towards it being a legitimate
resurgence because of how cool records are, and people tend to get very
passionate about it (like myself). The downside to the hype is like you
mention, plants turning away some customers. Even worse, the wait times to get
vinyl pressed compared to the "old days". It's not uncommon to wait 6
months to get a record pressed, when it used to be a month or so. I guess the
plants go where the money is, but there are definitely some smaller plants
(Palomino records comes to mind) that are geared toward smaller pressings and
labels, and in my opinion offer way better quality and service than some of the
bigger, more popular plants that don't give a damn how many flaws are in your
final product and take months to deliver.
What are the elements
that you’ve felt all have fused together when your band has had a really good
show? Can you tell me about the last show Narco States did that you felt went
really well?
AARON: I feel like
our last couple of shows has gone really well, because we have a stable line-up
once again that has jelled over time. For me, it's simple, a good show happens
when you transcend reality and let the music play itself.In my case, I almost go into a trance
and just let it happen. When all of us are comfortable and don't have to
concentrate on what we're playing, those are the BEST shows. Kawabata Makoto
from Acid Mothers Temple said in an interview that I read years ago something
along the lines of the musician not really doing anything more than tuning into
the notes/music from the universe and letting that through via your instrument.
I think there's some truth in that.
MICHAEL:
We just need the right mix of medication and illegal drugs. It's all about
balance.
What sorts of things
influence your lyrics? Are there any subjects you purposely stay away from?
MICHAEL: Mental
illness, Esoterica, Cultism and Existentialism compose the bulk of it. However
there is some sex, relationship and self-deprecation salted in as well. I stay
away from Politics, Cars, Stature, and Materialism.
Where are the best
places to go or the best sites for people to find out more about the band,
listen to your music and buy your records?
AARON:narcostates.com goes to our Bandcamp page with all of our music (most of it
available to stream for free), and there are links to shows and our Facebook
page there.
Check it out!
What does Narco States
have in store for the rest of 2015?
MICHAEL: Well…Since
Satan refused to let us sign a contract…we are shooting a music video, playing
some killer shows and recording a new album this winter and doing some touring
as well.
London’s Los Pepes
have been singing their anthems of heartbreak and despair at high decibels for
a few years now, releasing a few EP’s and a marvelous, critically acclaimed LP
last year titled Los Pepes for Everyone! on
Wanda Records. Now they’re getting ready to release their fourth EP called And I Know/Say Goodbye also on Wanda
Records.What this band has been
doing from their inception is taking Small Faces and Beatle-esque harmonies and
adding some angst and crunch to them, much like The Boys and The Jam did back
in the late 1970’s. They started out with that blue ribbon recipe since their
first demo tape and keep perfecting their own unique take on rock n’ roll with
each release. Los Pepes; they’ll make you wanna dance, they’ll make you wanna
break things, and when the dust settles you’ll wanna call the one that got
away.
Interview
by J Castro
Let’s start out by telling me
who’s all in Los Pepes and what everyone does in the band:
BEN: Los Pepes’ home is in London
but it’s an international organization. We have members all over world from Kyoto
to Los Angeles. Due to geographical constraints and various visa headaches you
never know who’s going to be there. Currently you’re going to see/hear some
configuration of these guys: Myself - Ben Perrier (vocals/guitar) Gui Rujao
(guitar/vocals/drums) Seisuke Nakagawa (bass/vocals) Kris Hood (drums) Adam
Smith (bass) Shaun Clark (drums).
How did you guys all meet and
decide to play in a band together?
BEN: Just over three years ago
now I started this up. I had a bunch of Testors style punk rock lying around
that I wanted to play. I got together with Jay (the original drummer) and
recorded it in an afternoon. That was all it was really gonna be. This was
under the name Los Pepes. It wasn’t until Seisuke got involved that the ‘Pepes
of today started shaping up and things got going. Back when Seisuke lived in
London lot of time was spent smoking cigarettes and listening to 45’s. That’s
when we got driven to do things properly. 100% drive to make something that we
really like. We should have played music together a long time ago so we’re
making up for lost time. That’s why we have to write a lot of songs. As long as
we write songs there will be Los Pepes. All the other guys have been met along
the way through a mutual love for the same music and the need to play it.
Did you have an idea of what
you wanted Los Pepes to sound like or did the music kind of take on a life of
its own once you guys all started playing together?
BEN: Well, like I said originally
it was very straight down the line high-energy punk rock. It’s completely
changed since then. I’m not even sure how it changed so much into a power pop
thing but it did. I guess smoking all those cigarettes and listening to those
45’s. I’ve always loved writing melodies but hadn’t done anything with that too
much in previous bands. The delivery is still real high-energy and punk and
that will always be cuz that’s who I am, same for the other guys. Only now the
focus is songs. We want to write the best songs we can that’ll do something for
someone somewhere. With guys like Seisuke and Gui around there’s a good team
working on that.
I don’t normally ask bands
about their names, just because it’s a bit of a cliché, but I find the name Los
Pepes particularly interesting just because it’s a bit political and you’re
music really isn’t. What was it about the group Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar that
you found intriguing, enough to name the band after them?
BEN: Ha. Yeah that’s exactly
where the name comes from. We have nothing to do with Columbia or Pablo Escobar
and you’re right we’re by no means a political band. I did read “Killing Pablo”
many years ago. It’s not even a very good book, more the kind of shit you would
buy at an airport or something. It is a great story though. I actually have a
friend whose family fled Columbia for the UK because of Escobar. He’s fucking
crazy unsurprisingly. More to the point Los Pepes sounds like a Spanish garage
band with a horn section or something, which is very misleading. Misleading
people is always good. Give them one more reason to write you off before they
listen to it.
Photo by Al Overdrive
What sorts of things
typically influence your song lyrics?Are there any subjects you try to purposely try to stay away from?
BEN: It’s mostly stuff that
causes you trouble that you write about I find. You write a song and you feel
better. I guess love and all that stuff is one of the biggest sources of
trouble for human beings so that features pretty significantly. There’s other
stuff in there too. A drop of nihilism here, a fuck you there…sarcastic humor
about things but mostly its love songs. That seems to be where it’s at at the
moment. As far as staying away from stuff, we basically play rock and roll but
I hate all this self-aggrandizing bullshit. You know, that “hey bitch, I’m so motherfuckin’
rock and roll” business. I see that around and I know those guys are full of
shit. Unless you’re the real McCoy like GG Allin or something I ain’t
interested. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about me, I can’t understand
why you would want to tell everyone how “badass” you are. On the other end of
the spectrum overly sugary “I love you baby” stuff also gets annoying real
fast.
I was watching an interview
with John Lydon and he was talking about how much he hates Green Day because
“there’s nothing about them that’s original, they don’t do anything that’s
their own.”What do you think
about that statement?Do you feel
a band has to be “original” to be significant?
BEN: That’s good question. The way
I look at it more or less all the music I like is not from today. There are
exceptions but then even the new bands I like don’t really sound new. I got the
Sleaford Mods new album the other day and that is pretty original but it’s
basically still punk in many ways. The music we make is heavily influenced by
old music, most obviously ‘70’s/’80’s punk. But there’s a difference between
that and being contrived. We write a song, that’s a new song. It belongs to us
and it’s not some rehash carbon copy of something else just to be retro or cool.
It maybe inspired by other music but it has new energy. That’s because it was
written in an honest attempt to make something good that didn’t previously
exist. If that isn’t original I’d say it’s still significant somehow. Fucking
hell, it looks like the Romans ripped off the Greeks when they put up all those
pillars but who gives a shit. If I were lucky enough to be a figurehead of a
major musical and social movement in late ‘70’s Britain maybe I’d also wave my
finger at soft targets such as Green Day. My issue with Green Day is I think
they suck.
This is the “lightening
round” portion of the interview.Feel free to elaborate as much or as little as you’d like to the
following questions:
1.What was the first concert you attended without your parents?
BEN: I’m pretty sure it was the
Melvins at the Garage in London sometime in the mid ‘90’s. I was born in 1981
by the way.
2.What was the first band T-Shirt you owned?
BEN: I think it could well have
been a Melvins t-shirt from that very show.
3.What was the first record you bought with your own money?
BEN: I can’t remember exactly but
I’m pretty sure it was an AC/DC record, probably either “Highway To Hell” or “Back
In Black.” It was definitely something that said “kid getting into rock and
roll for the first time.” More significantly, at a similar point in my life I
remember hearing “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop. I really liked it a lot. I went
to the record shop and asked for Iggy and the guy sold me Stooges Raw Power no less. My life was changed.
I was very young and I couldn’t believe what the hell was going on with that
record. I’m so glad that guy sold me the wrong record.
4.What was the first band or musician’s picture/poster that you put
up on your bedroom wall?
BEN: Something either grunge or ‘80’s
US hardcore punk, that how I rolled as a kid. I still believe Black Flag are
the greatest band of all time.
Photo by Al Overdrive
Where can people go to listen to or buy
your music?
BEN: Well, we never stop. Like tuna fish. We
got a new EP, “And I Know/Say Goodbye” coming out again on Wanda Records late
May and will be on tour in Europe at the same time (tour dates below). We’re
also recording a new album. In a weeks time from writing this interview we’ll
be hitting the studio with new songs and new ideas. Soon as that’s all done
will be putting it out and getting out playing to people as much as we can. We
really need to go to Japan too. That’s an important next thing for us to do.
Sayonara folks.
You can’t really tack on any
trendy sub genre tags on Pink Smoke’s music. They’re not your new favorite
Post, Dark, Psyche anything.Pink
Smoke are however a meat and potatoes punk rock n’ roll band. They’re influenced
by bands like The Damned and The Ramones and all the early rock n’ roll; which
influenced all the punk bands in the mid to late ‘70’s. They play aggressive
and loud and aren’t afraid to add hooks and melody to their catchy shout along
songs. So if you’re looking for the answers to life and the universe to be
unfolded unto you in cheap metaphors and pop psychology clichés, you may want
to look somewhere else. What Pink Smoke can offer you though is a good time at
the end of a long hard day, after all isn’t that what anyone has ever really
needed from rock n’ roll?
Interview
by J Castro
Who is currently in Pink
Smoke and what does everyone do in the band?
Clint
– Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Brandon
– Backing Vocals and Bass
Ryan – Drums
Matt
– Lead Guitar
How did you guys all meet and
decide to play in a band together?
CLINT: Matt and I have been
friends and bandmates since around 2004. We’ve played in many different
unremarkable bands in our time. I met Brandon through Craigslist in 2010 and I
immediately wanted him in my old band at the time because he looked like Dee
Dee Ramone and Glenn Danzig had a child. And he was talking about only knowing
like 4 notes. I was in! Matt has known Ryan for quite some time. I haven’t
known him that long, but he is a great guy and has a good sense of what he’s
doing back there. He is our 3rd drummer. Spinal Tap syndrome…
How would you describe your
bands sound to someone who’s never heard you guys before?
CLINT: There are 2 responses. If
it’s someone who’s into whatever our “genre” is, I’ll say, “If you like Slade
and Rocket from the Crypt, you might like us.”If it is someone who I know is very unfamiliar with punk or
rock n’ roll, I’ll just say “We sound like the Ramones.”
What sorts of things
influence your song lyrics? Are there any subjects you try and stay away from
for whatever reason?
CLINT: I just kind of do
“stream-of-consciousness” type stuff. When I try to have a subject directly,
it’s usually just stuff related to what millions of people have to deal with:
Shitty jobs, shitty people, and feeling like your life is going nowhere,
relationships . . . blah, blah, blah, angst, as far as subjects to stay away
from?I just don’t wanna get too
political. Nobody cares. Let’s just have fun and play loudly.
I’ve heard a lot of people
say that writing and/or playing music is therapeutic to them. What do you think, has music ever
helped you through a tough time?
CLINT: Yes. The lyrical part isn’t
as important as the playing part. Just playing music has a healing power for
me. I can kind of jump out of my skin and act like a maniac and no one really
thinks twice about it.
I noticed your band has a
Facebook page, and you’re on Tumblr and Instagram as well. Do you think social
media has become an essential part of promoting bands and records? Do you think
anyone can survive these days without having some sort of presence on social
media somewhere?
CLINT: There is an ever-increasing
amount of bands that are rejecting social media and just living by
word-of-mouth and touring like the “good old days.” It seems to work for bands
that have a very strong backing from labels and zines that will do all the
promoting for them. It also seems to work for bands that aren’t bound to a
full-time job “pay rent or you’re screwed” type situation like us.
Unfortunately, we were never the popular kids and don’t have enough underground
pull to be that cool and know a lot of people. There is so much competition out
there. Especially with the type of music we play. Social media is the only
reason anyone even slightly cares about us. We try not to over-saturate though.
It’s annoying when bands do that. Plus, bands on social media are aware that
Facebook will not let people see most of your posts unless you pay money to
Facebook. Who wants to do that? I hear it’s mostly fake “likes” anyway. I’d
rather have 2 people “like” the page that care than pay for 200 fake “likes.”
We’re not trying to be a huge sensation. We’re smarter than that.
There have been some pretty
good bands to come out of Denton, TX, but how is it like to live there now and
play shows?Is there a supportive
crowd that gets what you guys are doing musically?
CLINT: Denton is a ghost town
right now for our kind of music, even when really great rock n’ roll and punk
bands come through you’ll maybe see a half-full venue. Drone, noise and
electronic music are actually what are really popular in Denton right now. Punk
house shows are on the rise though. There seems to be more people putting them
on now. And as a result, way more people come out because you’ve eliminated the
need for people to pay and be a certain age. We plan on getting in on that in
2015. On a side note, we’ll always pay respects to the Denton bands that got
outta Denton and made themselves known: Riverboat Gamblers, Marked Men and Bad
Sports to name a few.
And speaking of shows, tell
me about one of the most memorable Pink Smoke shows, good or bad and what made
it stick out in your mind?
CLINT:They totally turned on “La Bamba” when Matt was playing his
solo!Oh, seriously? Do we have memorable shows?I think what I find memorable are the shows where stupid
things happens. Like one time we played this now demolished “club” (more like
big garage) in Dallas. We weren’t told there was a frat-bro paintball party
going on at the venue that night. The door guy said we had to pay for our own
girlfriends to come in and we wouldn’t get paid. This was our second show, so
we just wanted to play. We got a bunch of paint thrown at us and got cut off
during our last song when the drunk sound guy decided he REALLY needed to hear
“Cowboys From Hell” by Pantera RIGHT NOW. Looking back on it, I should have
told them to go fuck themselves. I would now. We kind of have a thing now where
we try to clear the venue on purpose, which isn’t hard because not a lot of
people come out usually. We just play really loud. If there are any people left
after a show, Brandon and I will look at each other, shake our heads and say
“Well, we ALMOST cleared it, maybe next time!”
I was reading an interview
with Keith Richards and he said that anyone buying digital music is getting
short changed. Do you agree with this statement?
CLINT:On one hand, I’m all for digital music. Things like Spotify have
made almost any band on the planet accessible. I only use Spotify on my phone
now for music. It cleared a whole bunch of room and I can listen to most of the
same stuff I have at home. Except Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love” album which is
mysteriously missing from Spotify. That kinda brings me to my OTHER hand. I
really enjoy having the physical document of a lot of music. I own a lot of
LP’s, 45’s, CD’s and cassettes. I am known to spend hours in our local record
stores when I have the time and the money. There’s something about having that
piece of history in your hands and being able to touch and smell it. It’s
wonderful. Keith Richards knows nothing about change. He only uses $100’s.
Tell me about the one band or
musician that you feel has inspired you the most in your life.Tell me about the first time you heard
them and how it affected you:
CLINT:I come from an ‘80’s Goth background. When I was a 120 lb. 15 year
old with teased hair and shaved-off eyebrows, I’d fill my stereo speakers with
Siouxsie & the Banshees, The Cure, Joy Division, Sisters of Mercy and Alien
Sex Fiend. In fact, I remember the first time I saw a picture of Nik Fiend. I
was about 14 years old. I immediately had to find out everything about this
weird, gangly creature. I went out to Hot Topic and they had this little
Cleopatra Records compilation called Songs
To Wake the Dead. The first song was a re-mix of the Alien Sex Fiend song
“Magic.” I was forever changed. SO the short version is – ever since I saw Nik
Fiend of Alien Sex Fiend when I was a kid, I knew I wanted to do something that
would piss off cops, parents and teachers. Then I got into punk when I was
about 18 and saw Dave Vanian, who was naturally the Gothiest punk out there. He
was a huge inspiration. In fact, sometimes in October I do a Damned tribute
band called Stab Yr Front. It makes more money than Pink Smoke.
Where can people go to hear
or buy your music?
CLINT:At shows and online.
pinksmokeband.bigcartel.com–Merch and music
pinksmoke.bandcamp.com
What lies ahead in 2015 for Pink
Smoke?
CLINT:We have a new album coming out! It’s called Weirdorama and it was recorded at Cool Devices Studio by Mark and
Jeff from the Marked Men, just like No
Party. We are doing everything ourselves, so it’s slow going. We hope to
have CD’s and cassettes in hand by June and plan for a release show in July or
August. On top of the new record coming out, there will be a heck of a lot more
shows, a ton more merchandise and loads more alcohol and burritos that need to
be consumed.
Ohio’s Spastic Hearts
seem to be hopeless romantics and if you’re going to sing about romance, relationships,
and broken hearts you have to lay it all out there on the table and let the
world see your cards for the music to sound genuine. That’s what makes rock n’
roll so great, that’s what turns bands and songwriters into legends and that’s
what puts Spastic Hearts right up there on the top shelf as well. Exposing your
soul out there on stage or on a record in song form for the world to judge and
pick apart to me seems infinitely more difficult than going on stage and hiding
behind a mask of anger, cynicism or goof ball humor. You can scream and sweat
into a microphone all you want about all the injustices in the world to stoic
faces in a crowd, but a real soul to soul connection with music is what really
incites changes in people.
Interview
by J Castro
Give me a quick rundown on
who’s currently in the band and what everyone does in The Spastic Hearts:
Jay
Dee – Vocals/Guitar
Angi
Phalangee – Bass/Vocals
Mikey
Reynolds – Guitar/Vocals
Casey
- Drums
Your band bio states you guys
came together in the spring of 2012 and released your debut album in December
of 2012, that’s pretty quick!Did
one of you have songs already written or did you guys just really gel together
that quickly?
JAY: Ya things came together
quick! I was in another band with our drummer and we broke up. I wanted a group
that was more of that ‘50’s type sound but of course punk rock influenced as
well. It helped that we have all been friends and have played music in some way
with each other before. It’s the first time all four of us have been in a band
together though. A lot of the songs were written that year before recording. I
had the shells of the tunes and we hashed them out at practice. The debut
record was a lot of fun.
Tell me a bit about how you
all met and decided to form Spastic Hearts:
MIKEY: I used to play in a band
called the Reynolds with Casey before moving to Florida. Angi and I moved there
for college and to rock in a band called The Hi-Life. We moved back home in
2010. Jay and I have always played music together and collaborated well writing
songs and that seemed to pick back up quickly. Not sure when or how, but the
four of us decided to start the Spastic Hearts. The four of us seem to
complement one another perfectly musically, so it just made sense. Making great
music is the mission.
You guys are from Youngtown,
OH. What is it like playing live in your town? Is there a supportive “scene”
out there that are into what you guys are doing musically?
MIKEY: Although a smallish scene,
we definitely have a good time playing here at home. There are really only two
venues that matter, Cedars and the Royal Oaks…we pack them both ha, ha.
JAY: It’s not what you would call
a punk scene at all. We have good bands and good people though. You can make a
scene if you really want one.
Razorcake Magazine said this
about your record: “This is the kind of record I put on the
turntable when I’m in a bad mood because you can’t possibly continue feeling
upset when something this catchy and infectious is playing.” Is there any
particular band or record you can put on that can pretty much lift you out of a
bad mood?
MIKEY: Chixdiggit will always snap
me out of a bad day. The Influents seem to make a good day even better.
JAY: The Ramones. Never fails.
What records do you own that
you listen regularly and possibly draw inspiration from that you think a lot
Spastic Hearts fans may be surprised you like?
MIKEY: Van Halen . . . shouldn’t be
surprising ha, ha, but they rock.
JAY: KISS, Also not surprising. I
did listen to Mathew Sweet the other day: 100%
Fun, Really good. I’m not into anything popular or even semi popular right
now though. I’m not even talking about radio either. I used to remember being
excited because every month something new was coming out. I can’t tell you the
last record I bought or was waiting for.
A lot of your songs are about
love, girls and relationships. Have you ever written song lyrics that you
regret, that were maybe a bit too personal? Has there ever been anyone that’s
been offended about the songs you’ve written about them?
MIKEY: Nope. Jay???
JAY: Never. I mean looking back
it’s funny to see what you were singing about 15 years ago, in the end though
it’s just songs about girls, just better songs and recordings now.
Can you remember the first
time you heard punk music?Where
were you, who introduced it to you and how did it make you feel?
MIKEY: Green Day changed my world…I
never felt anything real until I heard them.
JAY: I remember it like yesterday
finding the Queers “Move Back Home” then seeing the Riverdales open for Green
Day on the Insomniac tour. The Dookie record kinda changed everything though. I
was told about it in High School way back when and I’m sure it was the same
feeling 20 years earlier those kids had when they first heard the Ramones. No
one was going to play like Eddie Van Halen in the ‘70’s and I wasn’t going to
play like Kirk Hammett in the ‘90’s. I didn’t need to.
Where is the best place to go
or log on to hear your music or buy your records?
