An interview with Patsy's Rats!

Christian Blunda and Patsy Gelb aka Portland's Patsy's Rats play the kind of rock n' roll music that gets wedged in the folds of your damaged brain the very first time you hear it. Their songs pop and burst all around you with well paced tempos, strong yet melodic guitar hooks reminiscent of Peter Case and delightful vocals that are a cross between Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry.  It's music that's too good to pigeonhole as "punk" and too interesting to dismiss simply as "pop".  It's not noisy or avant garde, Patsy's Rats simply make magnetic music that instantly charms the human soul.

Interview by J Castro

CB = Christian Blunda  PG = Patsy Gelb

How did you two meet and decide to play music together?

CB: Patsy and I were fans of each other's bands 4 years ago, mine being Mean Jeans and hers being Scavenger Cunt. We started writing songs together, though the first time we performed together was playing guitars in Patsy's dad's band Giant Sand at a Portland festival called Pickathon 3 summers ago.

PG: I’ve always believed the best way to start a band is to set up a show, before you have members or songs or even a concept, then let the deadline do its work.  We did that. Oh and we did have a name, it was The Rat.

CB: As members started rotating in and out, the project became Patsy’s Rats. I am the constant rat, the others come and go as they please. Bass and drums have been played by Aaron Levy formerly of The Memories, Kyle Raquipiso of Meth Teeth, Nat Brower from Nancy, Jeff Taylor from Sleeptalker, and Stevie Pohlman from Mope Grooves.

If you can single out who the most influential person in your musical career and have the opportunity to speak to them face to face, who would that be and what would you say to them?

CB: Tough question, but it would really be an impossible dream come true if I could get Phil Lynott, Joey Ramone, and Harry Nilsson around a table with an open bar tab for a night. I'm fascinated by all three of them, plus it would be a heck of a party.

PG: Oh yes, maybe we could throw Alice Cooper in there too just for fun, I would love to sit at that table no question. But honestly I think the most influential person in my musical career is my old man. He has had this kind of career my entire life and I think has gone about it in a completely unique way, for better or worse. I respect that and definitely look up to him. I get valuable insight on every aspect of a musicians life, from recording vocals to getting your guitar onto an airplane as a carry on (not easy). He is also responsible for putting some pretty special instruments in my hands, like the loud red Gretsch that is my senior by about 20 years.

CB: Yeah, Alice circa 1970 can come to the fantasy party too.

What sorts of things influence you’re song lyrics?  Are there any subjects you try to stay away from, if so why?

CB: By now, practically every thought and every turn of phrase have found their way into a song, and most of them are awful, so it can be hard to find your own voice. We're a new band still uncovering ours, but lyrically we aim to be rascally, romantic, and genuine.

PG: I agree with that, I also think our songs are playfully dark. We have song titles like “Its Gonna Hurt” “Hard Time Karen” “Empty Bottle” and “Nowhere Close”, though not intended to be strictly cynical or depressing I think that this dark side of life or whatever is just something both of us have always been respectful of.

I’ve read that playing and/or writing music can be therapeutic.  Do you find that to be true at all?

CB: I obsess over every song I write, often to their detriment I'm sure, but molding the song and evolving it into its final form is always really satisfying, no matter how long it takes or how simple the song is in the end.

PG: I think I am the opposite, I end up writing when I don’t mean to. I’m usually driving or walking or working on something else. Melodies must come from a part of my brain that works well while this other part is distracted and can’t bother it. I think I am learning a lot from working with an experienced songwriter like CB, we have completely different approaches (if you can call mine an approach) and I think they end up expanding on each other nicely. I like happy accidents and he is much more methodical. Oh maybe that didn’t answer the question… I find playing shows to be therapeutic for sure, its a special kind of “high”.

Patsy’s Rats are currently based out of Portland.  What’s it like playing shows for your band in a town like that, a town with so much going on musically?  Do you ever feel any sort of competition?

CB: I've been playing in the Portland 'punk' scene for 8 years with Mean Jeans and it's always been changing, some eras better than others. With Patsy's Rats, which is more of a pop rock project, I'm interested in branching out and playing new venues with new bands. I suppose we're lucky to live in a town with such a wide variety of both.

PG: Yeah I suppose too.  And I don’t get a competitive vibe from the Portland scene really.

And speaking of playing shows, what feeling or sentiment do you hope your audience walks away with after seeing a Patsy’s Rats show?

 CB: I just want people to walk out with the songs in their head. 

PG: Yeah!

You’re debut single is coming out soon on La-Ti-Da Records (one of our favorite labels!).  How did you hook up with the fine folks over there?

CB: Right when we finished our first recording session, we played a show at The Know that Tim Horner from La-ti-da attended. He wound up crashing on our couch, and right after he left I thought, 'shit, why didn't I ask him to put out our first record?'. So I wrote him and he obliged. The single is Rock & Roll Friend b/w Hard Time Karen and we're really excited to release it. 

If you got exiled to a deserted island but were allowed to take one meal, one person and one record to live out the rest of your days there, what would these all be?

CB: Patsy and I would bring a bucket of mushrooms and the Donny Denim Hey You! single, as long as there's a 45 adapter.

PG: But wouldn’t we wish we brought a full length album instead?  Siiiike. It IS that good.  Drugie mushrooms or normal?  I like both.

I’ve read about how many “life lessons” a person can learn by playing golf.  What sorts of these “life lessons” do you think people can learn by being in a band?

CB: The only thing I ever learned from playing golf was that I’d rather be playing guitar. Talk to me in ten years about the rest.

Where are the best places to go or log on to hear Patsy’s Rats music?

 patsysrats.bandcamp.com

What lies ahead for the band?  Any more recording or touring news?

RATS: Lots of exciting news. We have a 7-song cassette coming out in November on Burger Records. The La-Ti-Da single should be out soon, and we just filmed a music video for "Burnin' Honey" - a song that will be on our second single on Dig Records. We will be on a Europe tour opening for Giant Sand from Nov 28 - Dec 13. In early 2016 we’d like to record our first LP which we're writing now and do some US tour dates. 

Follow Patsy's Rats!  

https://www.facebook.com/patsysrats

patsysrats.bandcamp.com

https://instagram.com/patsysrats/

Follow @AAmmunition

The Suicide Notes

The Suicide Notes started as a recording project for Tim (of Epoxies) and some friends.  The fun soon couldn’t be contained to just one small recording space and a full band was formed to play live. Three female lead singers were brought in to belt out those dark lyrics while harmonizing like the Ronettes. A backup band was meticulously chosen from the local talent pool including members of the Mean Jeans and Pure Country Gold. Suicide Notes play music in a fun, frantic ‘60’s girl group style only with some slightly demented lyrics. If you want another sense of what this group is like: imagine you’re on a hell bound train with Joey Ramone wearing the conductors cap while listening to The Shangri-La’s as you’re plummeting into the abyss. With lyrics like: “Life is about choice so i choose death so I don't have to see your face and smell your breath.” It’s this bitter and sweet dichotomy in their music that makes them so unique. However humorless squares: find your kicks elsewhere!  

Interview by J Castro

Let’s start with introductions: who are the Suicide Notes?

TIM: Name's Tim and I play drums and write songs. I also provide the rehearsal space and keep the fridge stocked with beer and the cupboards full of red wine to enhance an otherwise drab practice environment. Then we have Jessi Lixx, Double A and Miss Jo upfront on vox, Petey J Cool on guitar and our newest addition, John Cox on bass.

As a kid, do you remember what or whom made you want to write and or perform music?

TIM: I think the Damned had the greatest impact on me as a kid. Musically and visually they covered so many bases that it was impossible to avoid being heavily influenced by them. Van Halen also blew my mind; the first two records are fully insane.

The Suicide Notes sound: Maximum Rock N Roll said you sounded confused but melodic enough to forgive (whatever that means) you’ve been compared to B-52’s, The Go-Go’s and The Shangri-La’s. How would YOU describe your sound?

TIM: Those comparisons seem fair enough, I know ideas have been directly lifted from at least one of those bands. As broad as the term is these days, female fronted power-pop is an accurate description. We are six members who like a variety of genres so there's still room to wiggle in that description. We write music that we like to listen to.

The scene you guys have going on in Portland has become almost difficult to keep up with, great stuff seems to be coming out of there all the time, at least that’s what it seems like to an outsider like myself. Can you describe what it’s like being a part of that and is it becoming increasing difficult to keep your heads above the water so to speak?

TIM: It's always a challenge to remain relevant in this town. With the current migration, closing of venues and rent increases it's becoming a different monster. Lotsa cute bands are emerging- the civil war look is running rampant and it's almost impossible to avoid being offered smoked ice in a glass of whiskey. Keep it simple, a step above well liquor is fine but don't always go for top shelf. As long there's some dirt left around town we'll still have a pot to piss in.

The two EP’s you have out (S/T and Hey Baby) are both on Hovercraft Records, how did you guys hook up with those fine folks?

TIM: Tim Janchar proprietor of Hovercraft records and current bass player of Hey Lover took notice and kindly offered to release a couple singles. He WAS a friend of a friend who became a friend. The personal touch is nice.

He makes great sacrifices to push music he believes in. He's a rare breed and a necessity to keep a solid grass roots scene up and running. I could S his D all day but let's move on.

Tim, legend has it you started The Suicide Notes simply as a recording project. What led you to decide you wanted it to become something more: curiosity more than anything?

I never really imagined the Suicide Notes as anything more than a recording project but Lixx scrounged up Petey J Cool (Pure Country Gold) and Howie Doodat (Mean Jeans) and we made it happen. Recently Howie left and was replaced by John Cox (Satan’s Pilgrims, The Pynnacles) who is also a mega-shredder, we're fortunate to have such talented friends. I was also itching to play out again.  Recording is so fun and so creative but accomplishing a balls out live performance is what helps me sleep at night.

So Tim, there have been many a relationship laid to ruin due to being in a band with your spouse. What is it like for you being in a band with your other half and was there ever a concern when starting The Suicide Notes?

TIM: The relationship hasn't really been an issue, having said that when there are creative disagreements I'm more likely to push things into argumentative territory. She's good at diffusing that and starting irreconcilable and unending song writing warfare but in the end it's nothing that a stimulating game of mixed doubles at the racquet club won't cure.

This is the part of the interview that I like to call “The Fantastic 4” or “4 questions I stole from other interviewers” Here it goes:

1. What was the first album you bought with your own money?

                 TIM: Pink Floyd The Wall

      2.   What was the first band t-shirt you ever owned?

               TIM:  Fruit of the Loom

      3.    What was the first concert you went to without your parents?

               TIM: Siouxsie and the Banshees (there's other less cool and more truthful answers).

4.     What band or musician's picture was the first to get hung up on your bedroom wall?

TIM: Farrah Fawcett predates all band posters-I feel she deserves a plug.

I was reading this interview with Nick Cave and in it he said he felt that music, out of all other art forms, can change a person’s mood the fastest. Do you agree with this and do any of you have a favorite record you pull out when you want to be lifted out of a bummer mood?

TIM: Yep I agree that music is the most visceral art form. Recently I listened to Machine Gun Etiquette and it made me feel pretty good. Sometimes the best records put me in a "bummer mood;" sometimes being down is really uplifting.

Outside of music, do any of you have any hobbies or interests?

TIM: Well honestly music does absorb a great deal of my time. It is my main hobby and interest but occasionally traveling, surfing and vintage furniture hunting get in the way.

What lies ahead for The Suicide Notes for the remainder of 2014 and 2015?  Can we expect any new records?

TIM: Since 2014 is about done I'd say nothing, although we’ve had a super fun year. This last Spring we all jumped in a van and went on a “Mission to Sun Tour” to California with my (Tim) other band Sex Crime and we played a bunch of rad shows w/Maniac, Kepi Ghoulie, White Murder, The Stitches (+more!). We also had the honor to open for the legendary band The Sonics here in Portland this last October. We’ll be ending 2014 playing Seattle and Portland with LA’s The Muffs, which we’re super stoked about. For 2015 we're planning a completely non-music related trip to Hawaii and an ever elusive full-length record release coming to a store near you.

Follow @AAmmunition

 

New Swears

     To bill New Swears as just simply as a party band would be to miss a lot of what this band is about. Sure, they present themselves as such in videos and used to run a house party concert hall that they were politely asked to vacate from (i.e., evicted). Underneath this all, New Swears are punk-garage-power-pop band that plays effortlessly catchy tunes that deal more with lost nights than lost love.

Interview by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions?

New Swears

Where is the New Swears from?

Bells Corners, Canada

Who is in the band and what do they do?

Nick farms the land.
BJ tends the chickens.
Scru Bar stokes the fire.
Sammy churns the butter.

How did the New Swears start?

All went to sam skool, lol.

What bands did you have in mind when starting this band?

Sly and the Family Stone.

You guys live in a house called Fun Boy Clubhouse which doubles as some of the member’s house and also as basement party show central headquarters not to mention has a downstairs bar and indoor skate ramp. Who came up with the idea of having shows at the house?
We all individually claim that we were the one to originally come up with the idea for shows. Thanks for re-opening Pandora’s box.

To piggyback off this question, I read the interview New Swears did with Standard Issue Punk Rock Zine and the tales of reckless partying that has happened there. Do you guys still live in the house? If so, does the landlord not care about this house?
We got evicted. The landlord was very upset. He is coming after us for large sums of money. Police are involved. For legal reasons – no comment.

What is Ottawa like?  How is the music scene in Ottawa? Is Ottawa harboring a bunch of rad bands that it seems like many other cities in Canada are?

Ottawa is a peaceful village. Good scene, even greater bands but even better friends.

Check out Tropical Dripps, Slippies, and Glorious Moon Rockets.

In one review, I read the band being described as “Mean Jeans meets Black Lips,” but in many ways New Swears is like this garage-power-pop band that instead of signing about broken hearts sings about what they have broke literally.  What are some of the band’s favorite bands and main songwriting influences?
BJ, “Who the fuck are the Mean Jeans?”
Nick, “They played at your house dingbat!”
BJ, “Fuck you coward, I know.”

Right at this moment we are listening to R. Kelly “I Believe I can Fly.” Honorable mentions to Urethra Franklin.

Originally, Bachelor released the European version of Funny Isn’t Real and now they are releasing the band’s new LP, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever. Did Bachelor immediately offer to release the new LP?

Bachelor has been Mr. fantastic! They offered immediately and we said “Hey what the hell not boys! Get some Combos Snacks and call it a release!”

Do you think music can still be a vital force in such a disposable age?

Yes, I believe music can be such an extreme force. I like it but I also know that illuminati are behind all music. Therefore one cannot be forced to answer such a “see-saw” of a question.

50 years ago people used to buy music and get their water for free, now people pay for water and get their music for free. How do you think this affects music in any way?

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. You can put headphones on that same horse and he just might end up going to your band camp and tossing you a Facebook like. And that same horse might have to be put down because of gang green on his hind legs. Lucky was the best racehorse the world had ever seen. RIP.

Other than host shows and play in New Swears, what else do you guys do to fill your free time?

We skinny-dip with celebs, a lot.

Where can people hear New Swears and what’s next?

https://www.facebook.com/NewSwears

We tour Europe in Fall 2014 check here for dates:
https://www.facebook.com/events/900020053355430/

Follow @AAmmunition

Mean Jeans

Interview by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions? 

Billy Jeans

Jeans Wilder

Jr. Jeans

Who is in the band and what instrument do they play

BJ: Billy Jeans, guitar and vocals

JW: Jeans Wilder, drums and vocals 

JJ: Jr. Jeans, bass

Where is the band from?

BJ:  We started as a 2-piece in the Washington, DC area, played 1 show in Baltimore with Nobunny, and then moved to Portland, OR. 

How did the band start?

BJ: Late nights in Jeans Wilder's parents' basement, drinking his dad's beer, listening to Ramones and Riverdales, writing really stupid songs.  We made some demos without any intention of "being a band", but the songs were good so we gave it a shot. 

In your bio, which by the way was listed on CMT, it reads “Three punk rock goofballs who deliver fast, loud, and hooky tunes and revel in the pleasures of pizza, sex, and getting wasted.” Would you say this describes both the lyrics and band philosophy?

BJ: I can't say we write any songs about sex or pizza, but if that's what people get out of it, that's cool by me.  The lyrics and "philosophy" of the band center around partying as means of survival in a disappointing world and maximizing fun with a few teardrops in the mix.  Twisted Living, Bonehead Romance, Maturity Refusal, Retard Struggle. 

JW: Yeah I can't see how any of our songs are about sex at all, but it is very cool that our band bio is on CMT.com. I'm cruising the site as we speak. Get country.

What is your favorite Ramones LP?

BJ: Currently, Pleasant Dreams.

JW: Yeah when it comes to which ones I actually listen to the most it is Subterranean Jungle and Pleasant Dreams. I'm probably one of the few that actually likes Adios Amigos too. It was my first Ramones album.

JJ.  The three of us spent two years living in the shittiest house on the planet, where every night was a party till the sun came up whether we wanted that or not.  Pleasant Dreams was the one Ramones record that got played every single night.  We went through some dark times with it as a soundtrack but its probably the one for me too.

How was the tour the band just finished up with Big Eyes?  

BJ:  It was fun! We played Tijuana and Reno for the first times, got to see a lot of buddies, and got to see Big Eyes every night, who I love.   

JW: We went to Sunken City somewhere out near San Pedro. I think SOMEBODY in our crew took a shit in the bushes there.  

JJ:  Thats a no brainer, it fucking ripped! We all had a blast. 

In a previous interview, it was stated that recorded their latest LP, On Mars “at a super shitty house in Portland,” it feels there is a deliberate attempt to capture a more melodic sound this time around. How deliberate was this choice in the songwriting and the recording process for On Mars? 

BJ: Deliberate.  It wouldn't have been very interesting for us as a band to make another 'pop punk' album of 2-minute songs about how partying rules.  The songwriting for On Mars was an attempt to try new ideas; ideas that are consciously stupid as shit like shaking macaroni boxes, hitting hubcaps with Jager bottles, unnecessary key changes, slow jams, etc., but new things nonetheless.  The influences are all from outside the realm of 'modern punk' music.  The recording process is just whatever we are capable of doing before getting bored or passing out. 

JW: In response to questions like this before I've always said that its actually kinda hard to sit down and write a 1.5 minute fast stupid "punk" song when you are deliberately trying to do so. Most of the songs on our first album just sort of ended up being that way, I don't think it was on purpose. 3 years later when we were doing album number two, lots of things had changed and we just sort of went with what we felt like doing. 

Was Dirtnap interested in working with Mean Jeans before the songs for On Mars were written or did they hear the songs and then decide to put out the LP?

BJ:  We've done a bunch of records on Dirtnap, and they were on board before hearing On Mars.  I wonder how bummed Ken was when he heard it!

JW: I think there was a sort of non-spoken agreement that Ken would put out the next album on Dirtnap no matter what. In terms of "signing" us to Dirtnap in the first place, I always like to think that his wife was the one who convinced him to put out our record after seeing us play live a couple times.

Mean Jeans just finished playing Music Fest NW festival and are slated to play both FEST 2012 and the Fall Down Get Down. How exciting is it to mix in these bigger festival shows in with smaller bar/club/all-ages shows? Which type of shows does the band prefer more? 

BJ: I am down to play any kind of show, any time, but a variety is important to us.  We've had offers to play on "real" tours with "real" bands from booking agencies and stuff, but aren't interested in playing only big clubs.  Gotta mix it up.  I also think Mean Jeans have fans in a few different 'scenes' so it's important for me to mix those crowds up as well.  Play pop punk fests, and play rock n roll fests. I like playing shows where everyone is wasted or just generally in it to win it. 

JW: I think we have been pretty lucky with some of the "bigger" festival type shows that we have done in the past. We have always gone over well at Awesomefest, which is pretty much a pop-punk thing, but we also had a really good response when we played at Gonerfest last year, which is more of a rock and roll/garage-rock type thing. We somehow are able to fit in with all sorts of different "rock" bands. Which is nice. I must say though that the idea of playing on a huge stage in front of shitloads of people isn't very appealing to me personally. Soundchecks also suck. So, I probably prefer bar shows.

JJ:  In general, the appeal of where we play or what type of venue we play rests solely on the people coming out to watch us.  It could be a huge stage with tons of people or a basement with 15 people crammed in it.  If everyone else is having fun, then we're going to be having fun.  Mean Jeans is lucky enough to play for people that love to get drunk, get wild, crowd surf, throw beers and act stupid.  That's what we do.  I'm glad that we have had the opportunity to play in such a variety of situations though.  It keeps things from getting stale to play a big club one night and a shitty dive the next.

50 years ago people used to buy music and get their water for free, now people pay for water and get their music for free. How do you think this affects music in any way?

BJ: Music is for fun. I can't say we are really a part of 'the music industry' or that I really care about it. 

JW: I'm hopelessly out of the loop when it comes to the current state of affairs in the music industry. I just found out who Nicki Minaj is. I'm basically still reeling from the shock of Michael Jackson's death.

JJ:  That’s pretty deep.  Too deep for the Jeans.

Where can people hear the band?

BJ: Touring around.  On the Internet.  We have a bunch of music videos! 

Start there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7J2J_pRoiA and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaVXvtb6ddo

We have lots of records.  On Dirtnap, Trouble In Mind, Burger, Gnar Tapes, Big Neck, Portland Mutant Party, Goner, P. Trash and more. 

JW: You can get our latest MiniDisc at Sam Goody. At the mall. 

What’s next?

BJ: Shooting a new music video now.  Then flying to South America and Florida for the first time.  We have a new split 7 inch with Big Eyes that is recorded and about to be pressed.  I want to tour Europe again and I want to lose my mind. 

JW: Look for a job.

JJ:  Take it to the limit.

Follow @AAmmunition

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