The Presidents Of The United States of America Interview

                                                                                         By Ozgur Cokyuce

The Presidents Of The United States of America…… a pop-punk-rock band from Seattle……Some of you may remember them with their 2 big hits called “Lump” and “Peaches” but I remember them as being one of the funniest and most enjoyable bands on earth with great and unforgettable melodies.They were once called as “The Lo-Fis”,”The Dynamic Duo” or “Pure Frosting” and they received grammy nominations in their early days.Now they’re ready to be back with their new studio album “These Are the Good Times People” which is expected to be released in March 2008.

It’s a pleasure for me having the chance to do this interview with the “Old man on the back porch”…….Chris Ballew. So let’s start…..

1 –PUNK GLOBE : Chris ,as The Presidents of the USA, you're recording your new album nowadays.How's it going? How will the new album smell or taste like? Will the new album sound be similar to the previous ones or what surprises can we expect?

CHRIS : It is going great! in fact we are almost completly done with it....it will smell like a pile of strawberries under fresh laundry and taste like a pile of stawberries under fresh laundry...

2-PUNK GLOBE: Please tell us a bit about the early days.Where did the name come from,how did the band form?Any songs from those days that haven't seen the light of the day yet or to be re-recorded?

CHRIS : I dont remember any of it...its been so long and the whiskey is so strong these days...besides 1976 was a long time ago...some of the songs on the new record are actually 20 years old...actuall all of our records are a mix of yesterday and 20 years ago...I had a prilific time back then and the songs just keep popping up..

3- PUNK GLOBE : Which bands-can we say - had most influence on the general sound&melodies of The Presidents of the USA?This may give an idea also to new listeners who made a great mistake of not knowing your band before. 

CHRIS : The Beatles....they were gods to me...

4- PUNK GLOBE: After the second album in 1996 a small decrease in the popularity of the band began and it have not became the same(like in 1995) to this day.When comparing the qualities&style and the taste of your albums including the ones in the 2000s, each one is great.How do you explain the decrease in popularity?Was it because of the change in the music scene that began in the late 90s,the lack of marketting for your albums or any bad effect of deciding to split up but coming back again in a short time?

CHRIS: Things just come and go and the big american brian has a short attention span and people love to see others fail...

 

5- PUNK GLOBE: Chris,you collobrated with different musisicans and played in different bands throughout your career.But, if you were to create your all time dream band,who would be the members of this heroic army?

CHRIS : First of all I love the name HEROIC ARMY!!! That would be the name and the other members would be all the Beatles in 1964.

6- PUNK GLOBE: When did you start music? Was it your plan or thought to be a singer or be in a rock band when you were young? What was the most important thing that made you decide to start making music? Could it be different if you started 5 years later,what do you think?

CHRIS: I started at the age of 4 on the piano but the guitar is way sexier and more power with less effort...I am lazy!! I feel good when I make music...like a member of an HEROIC ARMY!!! and I make something out of mothing and there is really nothing there when I am done...music is invisible...I like that...who knows if it would have been different...too hard to say....

7-PUNK GLOBE:  Now,as you are still continue touring,how do you compare the crowds at shows in 2000s to the crowds in the early 90s?(Your observations about new generation meeting the old generation in your audience?)

CHRIS : They are the same in some ways...young to older...a variety...nice folks who want to get bizzy and rock out all night long...I dont have any real observations about that old vs new thing...but it was a fortunate thing that the kids that were 10 when we came out can drink and party now!!

8- PUNK GLOBE: What were you listening to in late 70s+80s and what are you listening to nowadays?

CHRIS : Punk and new wave back then and kinda new country like the Avett Brothers and classical music like Satie and folk like Nick Drake now...

9- PUNK GLOBE : The Presidents of the USA covered "The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star","Ian Hunter - Cleveland Rocks","Problems - Sex Pistols","Kick Out The Jams" by MC5 and maybe a few more. Can we expect covers like these in the new album or in the future albums from you?

CHRIS : NO! we cant find anymore KILLER songs...we tried but we are all set with covers for a while...

10- PUNK GLOBE : What are the plans for next year?Videos for the singles of new album or any festival
apperances?

CHRIS : Both....we are working on video treatments now and setting up tours in europe and the usa fot eh spring and summer...YAY!

11- PUNK GLOBE : Chris, you also had collobrated with Beck in the "Caspar and Mollusk" project and played bass-guitar in his "One Foot In the Grave" album. How was it working with him and what are your opinions about him as an artist who experiments with different styles in his each record? Tell us something about Beck that we don't know: )

CHRIS : Beck is a genius...no other word for it...I had an amazing time living with him and playing in his band and I learned a lot about the experience of becoming famous from talking to him as we drove all over LA....when we first met he ate with his hands..no utensils...theres a BECK FACT for you

12- PUNK GLOBE : A question I would like to ask the most. you released many albums in your career and I'm sure everyone of them is a great experience for you but which one is your favourite album and which song is the most special for you amongst others ?

CHRIS : Lump...I never get tired of playing it...NEVER

13- PUNK GLOBE : Last question : If someone puts an album up on their wall, are they doing it because it looks cool or because they love the music on that record? What's your opinion?

CHRIS : Looks cool...its a bonus if th music id good...

 

14- PUNK GLOBE : Any Last words for Punk Globe Readers???

CHRIS : A rat done bit my sister Nell while whiteys on the moon!

*Punk Globe would like to wish the best to The Presidents Of The United States Of America and thank Chris Ballew for taking the time to do this great interview....

 (ozgurcokyuce@hotmail.com)

THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE INTERVIEW WITH ANTON NEWCOMBE

THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE INTERVIEW WITH ANTON NEWCOMBE

By OZGUR COKYUCE

ANTON ALFRED NEWCOMBE……A singer-songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist and founder, lead singer, guitarist, and head of the amazing band, The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

It’s a great pleasure for me having the chance to do this great interview with my friend Anton.

1 - PUNK GLOBE: Anton, The Brian Jonestown Massacre released its 13th studion album called “My Bloody Underground”. You’re touring Europe in July and Australia during August, right? How are the tours going compared to the previous tours? It seems like the feedback gets better and better with every new album?

ANTON: Actually, I knew that people would not understand this album so much as it is more about a mood than songs. We made videos for each of the nineteen songs on the album and ep...I'm just experimenting with my friends, with sound and with languages. I'm working on five albums and really want to explore different language as a way of saying thank you with my actions to cultures that I respect and love or see something of my own spirit in.
I'm happy that we keep growing in popularity as well asartistically. We are not a radio or tv band and that is ok. I don't give a shit about pop, I mean it's fine. It's business, but at the same time we sell out concerts, make t-shirts and records and make jobs and travel.
I am thankful and want that to grow for as long as I have energy to create.

2 -PUNK GLOBE: Please tell us a bit about the early days. Were there any names thought for the band other than “The Brian Jonestown Massacre”? Any songs from those days that haven't seen the light of the day yet or to be re-recorded?

ANTON: Our first name was blur. Then i saw in a magazine that this band from England stole our title. So we did some acid and made up a new name. I recorded over a hundered things that I have not shared. This stuff is all in San Francisco with this guy and his studio. I don't care so much as i am thinking about the future.

3 - PUNK GLOBE: Which bands -- can we say -- had most influence on the general sound amd melodies of The BJM? This may give an idea also to new listeners who made a great mistake of not knowing your band before.

ANTON: Well I love so many things. I think California punk...old stuff, Sixties music, Eastern music, Echo and the Bunnymen....basically everything except heavy metatl and '70's bullshit rock.

I hate it.i've never even heard all of Led Zeppelin and all of this stuff. I don't have the time to type out everything i listen to. I have like 36,000 albums and I would rather fuck my wife and make up my own music than to talk with guys about music you know...

4 - PUNK GLOBE: When did you start music? Was it your plan or thought to be a singer or be in a band when you were young?

ANTON: I started writing music after I saw these garage bands in my home town. Before that, I never felt it was possible to do this stuff...then at parties I saw that these people were assholes and stupid, so i got the courage to try. Then I remember a voice like God in my head saying, "Smart boys do not play guitar..."

So I guess I am a rebel....

5 - PUNK GLOBE: Some people say,you are a genius for your talent...and a loser for being true in this f.u. world.... In different interviews, you said, 

'We're revolutionaries.
'People will [see it and] wake up.'
'It isn't about my fame. I am not the light. I hold the torch so others might see.'
'My greatest weapon is that I'm underestimated by everybody.
'It's easy for people to dismiss what I'm saying, what I'm doing or what I can do. That's the greatest power.
'Maybe the real losers are the ones who don’t even see the light, who don’t even recognize that someone holds the torch, who are not aware of anything.'"

What are your opinions?

ANTON: I think it is for each person to decide what their life should be about. Some people also step outside of that like Ataturk and change cultures. I dunno, I try the best i can to create a world that i would like and can live in. I also believe that the true things in life are done in silence. I just do it.

I would be happy if other people tried to change things and i could just live in a tree or something...but i also see that if i don't work, i don't eat, my son doesn't eat...and my wife doesn't eat.

I don't want to be the person at the side of the world road, with a broken car, waiting for help...as Porsches and other cars go by.

I'll walk if i have to. It's in my blood to never give up until i die.

6 - PUNK GLOBE: Nearly 10 years years has passed since the events of September 11 in the U.S. What are your thoughts and feelings about what happened in New York and Washington? What has changed? 

ANTON: I think it's bullshit.

I hate all of this oil war and excuses. The oil is for sale. China is growing.
The Arabs are not going to build a pirate ship and attack America.
This has done nothing except make defense contractors and the traitors in my government rich.
It has also made me and my son unwelcome in many places in this world just because the colour of my eyes and skin. My sister is half Omanni, and she could care less about God or the Koran. That's her way. i just love her as my sister and want her to be happy.

At the same time, I am fucking pissed at how many people have been killed in iraq over oil.
I want it to stop. And even if my government says I am wrong, I will say I don't want to except your idea of right. 

We do not need this bullshit. I think everyone needs to see these photos of dead people and what their money is doing. Shame on everyone for being too busy to at least look at the facts.

Now don't get me wrong. I would defend my country against anyone. Man. Woman. Beast or child...but I don't see that this is the situation so I moved out of America and live in Germany and Iceland now. 

I can't live in the culture.

Not anymore. I don't look at the world in an us against them way.

I don't care how people live in Afganistan. 

If they want to live with tribal law, go for it. But I also know we make so much off of oil and opium that it's a joke. 

If Israel and the us attack Iran, and use bunker busting small nukes, that will affect Turkey and everyone. I think it's stupid and i don't want to see it. 

I'm sick of these people and the way they think it is ok to lay waste to a bunch of people now. I'm not talking about Tatars, or Armenians...I'm talking about depleted uranium and smart bombs....This is the bullshit of our time....

7 - PUNK GLOBE: When we think about The U.S.A 30 years ago and when we think about today, doesn’t U.S.A and of course the world needs the existence of true bands like The Brian Jonestown Massacre more than ever? For telling the youth what’s going on, giving them the spirit to not only get angry but to question everything?

ANTON: We all need to be informed about what is going on to be able to make decisions. When I find out little pieces of truth...I want to scream and toss fire at the face of power but I also respect soldiers, police and government.

I think I would like to see those people respect themselves as well.

I am waiting, and until the day I die, I swear to live more free and to learn.

8 - PUNK GLOBE: Now, as you are still continue touring, how do you compare the crowds at shows in the 2000s to the crowds in the early 90s? (Your observations about new generation meeting the old generation in your audience?)

ANTON: Our first show had 600 x 2 for two sets, so...I dunno. I love to play.

9 - PUNK GLOBE: Anton, you collaborated with different musisicans and bands throughout your life. But, if you were to create your all time dream band, who would be the members of this heroic army?

ANTON: Shhhhhhhhhhh. . . I am working on the idea of a new group called 'The Serious Matter.' It is going to be a day camp for talented people.

You will see. It's going to be great, really.

10 - PUNK GLOBE: What were you listening to in late '70s and '80s, and what are you listening to nowadays? Are there any unknown bands you’re into at the moment or you could recommend us to check out?

ANTON : I have a youtube page 

http://uk. youtube. com/user/antonfjordson

I make playlists of wierd shit all the time.

11 - PUNK GLOBE: Do you know any Turkish bands or have you ever listened to Turkish music?

ANTON : I like classical Turkish music. Stuff from the Ottoman Empire and the days of the Sultans. There are a lot of very old records on French lables.

12 - PUNK GLOBE: As far as we know, you’re able to play a lot of instruments. What is the last instrument you bought?

ANTON: I've bought a couple of electric acoustic guitars to work on two of my next records.

13 - PUNK GLOBE: The Brian Jonestown Massacre is one of the very rare bands in the music history that has its sound compared to a lot of old bands and at the same time it sounds very unique (including the lyrics) which will surely make The BJM one of the most special and unforgettable bands of all time. What has been your main inspiration?

ANTON: I like taking my bad feelings and recycling them. It makes me feel great to be hated too.

14 - PUNK GLOBE: Anton, any Last words for Punk Globe readers???

ANTON: Keep yourself free -- no matter what. Be wise . . . It 's ok to be afraid...it is not ok to give up or to betray.

***People can watch videos for the 19 songs in the new album if they contact the website :

(www. brianjonestownmassacre. com) and follow the link given to the videos. As also said in the beginning of the interview, The Brian Jonestown Massacre will be touring Europe and then Sydney during the summer, so we warn everybody not to miss it!!

*Punk Globe would like to wish the best to The Brian Jonestown Massacre and thank Anton Newcombe for taking the time to do this great interview....2008

                            (Contributions to the artwork by Gokhan Tuncisler)

ozgurcokyuce@hotmail.com

ABBY TRAVIS INTERVIEW

ABBY TRAVIS 

INTERVIEW 

BY 

OZGUR COKYUCE 

Photo by Brian Romero

Abby Travis…….The singer-songwriter, underground fashion icon from Los Angeles and the current bassist of The Bangles…..She is in the music scene since the mid 80s and she keeps taking golden steps to be one of the unforgettable hidden treasures for true music lovers….Most importantly, her music is the “Theater of our Dreams”….. 

It’s a pleasure to do this interview with the creator of this “Theater” and a great friend of mine…..Abby Travis. 

PUNK GLOBE: Abby, your last solo release was 2006’s “Glittermouth” and now you are currently touring with The Bangles.

How’s the tour going? What are your plans for the rest of 2008 and 2009? 

ABBY TRAVIS: I'm no longer working with The Bangles. My last show with them was a couple of weeks ago. I just got home from the Democratic National Convention which was absolutely thrilling! I'm very hopeful that Barack Obama will win the next election here in the US -- If we lose I think I'm going to move to Barcelona. This whole Sarah Palin thing is freaking me out. 

Now that I am home I am working on some film score stuff, finishing my next full length release, teaching my bass students, and doing session work.

PUNK GLOBE: You began your career as the bassist in the Los Angeles band The Lovedolls. In 1989 you joined the power pop trio The Rails. Please tell us a bit about the early days. 

ABBY TRAVIS: The Lovedolls were an off shoot from Dave Markey's flims "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls" and "Lovedolls Superstar"    

The Rails were better musicians, songwriters and singers. I loved the three part harmonies we sang together. Chris Nakata played drums and Darryl Jensen was the primary songwriter, singer and guitarist. We kind of sounded like early Big Star. I miss being in a real band like that! We were kids- It was fun. Chris Nakata is still one of my favorite people on the planet.  

PUNK GLOBE: Starting from 1993 you also toured or recorded as a bass guitarist for artists like Vanessa Paradis, Elastica, Beck, Exene Cervenka, Gibby Haynes, KMFDM, The Meat Puppets and The Bangles. Any other names we may have forgotten to mention? Which of them you had recorded with and which one was the most enjoyable to work with? 

ABBY TRAVIS: The only people on that list that I recorded with are KMFDM and The Meat Puppets. (Except for some TV shows and live shows possibly being recorded). I just sang back up vocals on a  Meat Puppets song. I never played bass on anything that was released by them. With KMFDM I'm on the "Symbols" album.I think Elastica and The Original Sinners (Exene's band) were the most fun to work with. I loved playing with DJ Bonebrake! He's such a sweetie and such a great drummer. I adore Exene as well- She is a brilliant lyricist and a really smart, funny, woman. The Elasticas were just a lot of fun in general:)

PUNK GLOBE: When did you exactly start music? Was it your plan or dream to be in a rock band when you were young?  

ABBY TRAVIS: I took piano lessons as a kid. I started playing bass when I joined the Love Dolls. It all kind of came together by accident. 

Photo by Rocky Schenck

PUNK GLOBE: Your first solo recording was 1998’s “The Abby Travis Foundation." The songs in the first album…were they some old songs that you were planning to record and release sometime in your career or did they all come up around 1996-1997?? 

ABBY TRAVIS: Some of those songs were written earlier than that. I think "14 Angeles"  was written in the early 90's. I did a version of "Dust" with The Rails. Foundation is more of a compilation of stuff I had written to date. I briefly had a band called "Mommy" that played a lot of the stuff on Foundation live before i made that CD.

PUNK GLOBE: Which bands -- can we say -- had most influence on the general sound amd melodies of your solo work? 

ABBY TRAVIS: David Bowie, Roxy Music, Queen, Julie London (vocals), The Beatles, T Rex come to mind .

PUNK GLOBE: Abby, you collaborated with different musisicans and bands throughout your life. But, if you were to create your all-time dream band, who would be the members of this heroic army?  

ABBY TRAVIS: John Bonham drums, Mike Garson keys, Mick Ronson guitar (or my friend Chris Bruce! I love his playing!!!!!). I want Brian Eno to produce the dream band.

PUNK GLOBE: Nearly 10 years has passed since the events of September 11th in the U.S., and terror is a bigger threat for lots of countries than ever. What has changed? And when we think about today, doesn’t the world need the existence of real and honest bands more than ever? For telling the youth what’s going on, giving them the spirit to not only getting angry but to question everything. What do you think?   

ABBY TRAVIS: I wish we had more honest sources of real news in the US. The 24 hour news shows barely even cover world events. The shows are mostly centered around talking heads editorializing vapid content. I do think it's important for artists to contribute to the discussion but I don't know how qualified we are to provide hard facts. The government and corporate interests drive a lot of the information we get here in the US. I usually watch BBC America and Jim Lehrer on PBS because I'm so fed up with network and cable TV news. John Stewart and Steven Colbert do excellent jobs --They are so FUNNNYYYYYY!!!! And Stewart often asks harder questions of his guests than real news anchors. I agree with you about the need to question. I think it's a civil responsibility to at least try and remain aware of what is going on in the world. I know a lady in her late 30's-40's who doesn't even know who Vladimir Putin is!!!!!  How fucked up is that? 

Photo by Rocky Schenck

PUNK GLOBE: Everybody knows about you being a great bass player. Do you play any other instrument besides bass guitar?  

ABBY TRAVIS: I write on piano but do not consider myself a real piano player. (My left had is not so good:) I love to play drums and have a good pocket but pretty much suck on drums too:) 

PUNK GLOBE: What were you listening to in late '70s and early '80s, and what are you listening to nowadays? Are there any unknown bands you’re into at the moment or you could recommend us to check out?  

ABBY TRAVIS: I don't remember what I was listening to in the late 70's -- Blondie? (I was 10 in 1980 so It's hard to remember) I know I loved Siouxie, The Go Gos, X, 45 Grave, (I probably got into 45 Grace in the mid 80's.) I liked Prince a lot!!  

Yesterday I listened to "Rejuvination" by The Meters. I listen to all kinds of stuff and often listen to nothing at all as I spend so much time in the studio. The last album I really liked that didn't get as much airplay as it should have, was Persephone's Bees. They are from San Francisco and really great!

PUNK GLOBE: Your music can be described as a music genre or a category of its own. It is smoky, unique, melancholic, dreamy, sophisticated but melodic at the same time which will surely make Abby Travis one of the most special and unforgettable musicians in the music scene. What has been your main inspiration? 

ABBY TRAVIS: Wow - - thanks for you kind words!! My main inspiration is to try and make the best music I can.  I mean I often don't know why I keep doing this. I guess it's just who I am and what I do. (That's kind of a lame answer -- sorry:) 

PUNK GLOBE: Especially with the last album “Glittermouth” the sound has changed a little.The first two albums had a more guitar based sound and darker compared to the last one. Glittermouth has also trip-hop and soul influences in addition. You were assisted by different names like the L7s Donita Sparks, Save Ferris vocalist Monique Powell, Simon Raymonde, Curt Kirkwood, Kristian Hoffman and more. What surprises can we expect from the next album in means of collobrations and musical direction?  

ABBY TRAVIS: The new album I am working on is more glam and pop than the previous ones. There are a lot of tracks in 4/4 ! So much of my stuff is in 6/8 that I actually made a point of writing songsin 4/4. (There are still a couple of things in 6 though) So far the people who have played on it are less "famous" types but super good session musicians I know from that world. To date, the people who have played on this record are: Jebin Bruni (keys) Chris Bruce, Eric Schermerhorn and Dave Bongiovanni (guitars) Chris Ross and Alfredo Ortiz (drums) and myself. I hope to wrangle Kristian Hoffman in to arrange some back up vocals (I love his vocal arrangements!!!!) but he's pretty busy working on his own album. I tracked the basics for this 'record" in the Spring. It still takes me a zillion years to finish the album because of the other work I do (I was on tour a lot with The Bangles this year) and because I'm a perfectionist nut bag in the control room:) I wanna do some strings on this album but I'm pretty low on cash right now. Oddly in this time of singles based download sales I'm making a real album. I love that format- the whole collection of songs put together as a larger piece. Not that many people will hear it that way because of the way people listen to music now but hey -- I'll like it:)

PUNK GLOBE: The question I would like to ask the most:You are known to be a fan of Freddie Mercury. Is there a possibility that, sometime in your career you may create an album similar to “A Night at the Opera”, because your music already has some theatrical feel in it; or can we expect the “Bohemian Rhapsody” of our generation from you who has the most talent, imagination and one of the greatest / strongest vocals to be able to create masterpieces like that??  

ABBY TRAVIS: Oh My god!  I wish!!!!!!! There are some pretty major nods to Queen on my new stuff but I think the thing with Queen is that they were a band AND had Roy Thomas Baker! I'm just a solo artist:The magic of four people who really play together all the time and are a real band will all ways kick more ass! I totally WORSHIP Freddie Mercury. He is my favorite singer in Rock. I am working on some pretty ambitious stuff right now but I could only dream of contributing something that important to popular music.

Photo by Don Spiro

PUNK GLOBE: Last question…..When you were a kid growing up, who did you imitate when you stood in front of the mirror? 

ABBY TRAVIS: Well, I always wanted to be Jacklyn Smith when my little friends and I would play "Charlies Angels." I also remember speaking in a southern accent for a few days after seeing Dolly Parton in "9 to 5" (LOL)

PUNK GLOBE: Any last words for Punk Globe Readers?? 

ABBY TRAVIS: VOTE VOTE VOTE !! 

PUNK GLOBE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ABBY TRAVIS FOR THIS COOL INTERVIEW 

INTERVIEW BY OZGUR COKYUCE – PUNK GLOBE OCTOBER 2008 

ozgurcokyuce@hotmail.com 

INTERVIEW WITH DON BOLLES OF THE GERMS

INTERVIEW WITH

DON BOLLES

OF

THE GERMS

BY OZGUR COKYUCE

"Don Bolles, the legend…… a punk rock icon and one of the best drummers that rock’n roll history has ever seen……He and his band The Germs is still a big influnce on many great bands of today and also the reason to start music for most of the big bands that you have listened for the last 25 years.It’s a pleasure and a great honour for me having the chance to do this interview with Don.So let’s start…..

PUNK GLOBE : Smear, Doom, and you reactivated the Germs with West taking over the vocal spot. You played on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour and toured club shows in the US later that summer, and again in 2007.What are the plans for 2008?

DON BOLLES : More of the same, at least as much as we can cram into the time between Pat's Foo Fighters schedule and Shane's acting jobs. I'm hoping we can make it to Europe this year...


PUNK GLOBE: In the beginnings The Germs was named as "Sophistifuck & The Revlon Spam Queens," with Beahm (then 'Bobby Pyn,' and later Darby Crash) on vocals, Ruthenberg (then and later called Pat Smear) on guitar, an early member named "Dinky" on bass, and Michelle Baer playing drums. This lineup never played in front of a live audience.Is that right?Tell us a bit about the early days and how you joined the band please.

DON BOLLES : That line-up never played a show because it never really existed like that. It was supposed to be Belinda Carlisle on drums, but she chickened out and got her friend Becky, AKA Donna Rhia to take her place. And Pat was always Pat Smear, as far as the Germs goes. Maybe Dinky and Michelle were supposed to play at one point, but they most definitely did not.
How I joined the band? I called Pat and Darby from Phoenix after hearing the Forminig / Sex Boy 7" and told them I had just started playing drums and as I had heard that they needed a drummer I told them I was going to move to L.A. and play with their band. A couple of weeks later I did just that.
PUNK GLOBE: Was the band called Zolar X an influence on the Germs ?In which ways?

DON BOLLES : They were like us in that they were those characters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, just like we were. Other than that, they were mainly an example to us of what NOT to do. I saw them in 1976. They were horrible, but looked amazing. Ygarr was always an awesome musician, though. He and I became friends when I moved into the Canterbury apartments. He lived on the 4th floor, and I lived on the 3rd.
PUNK GLOBE: People are expecting to hear much more from The Germs.Will Germs continue with new releases in the following years?

DON BOLLES: New releases? That would involve new songs, I'm afraid. We do sort of have some new songs; "Out Of Time" (a Darby Crash Band song that was originally supposed to be a Germs song) and maybe "Golden Boys", written by Darby and Pat but only performed by Celebrity Skin and the Dickies. We're thinking of re-doing some of the old Germicide material, but rewriting the songs a little to make 'em better.


PUNK GLOBE: Don,you played in many great bands throughout your career.But, if you were to create your all time dream band (including the musicians who passed away in the last 30 years)Who would be the members of this heroic army? :)

DON BOLLES : I've been doing that, as best as I can with all the dead people. 45 Grave was my "Dream Band" at the time, except with my girlfriend singing, because none of us wanted to. Now I have a sort of new 45 Grave, but wityh me on guitar and lead vocals. It's called the Snowsnake Orchestra, and also features my lovely GF Cat Scandal on drums and Paul Roessler (45 Grave, Screamers, etc.) ..boards. I also have another band called Thee Fancy Space People in which I sing and play guitar (also drums and some bass, on the recordings anyway).

PUNK GLOBE: When did you start drumming? Was it your plan or thought to be a drummer or be in a punk-rock band when you were young? What was the most important thing that made you decide to start making music? Could it be different(like being a vocalist etc) if you started 5 years later?

DON BOLLES: I was always going to make music. I was a singer first. Sang in my first cover band when I was 12. It was called "Tube Steak" (eeew) and we played the rock hits of the day, at various high school dances and such. Later I got a Danelectro bass and in 1976 started a punk band in San Francisco with Rob Graves. We hated it there, so I moved back to Phoenix and he moved back to Detroit, but a month or so later I called him from Phoenix and played him a tape of my new band, Kray-Zee Homicide, over the phone, and Rob immediately flew out, moved in, and joined our band. He played guitar then, mostly... We both joined a band called the Exterminators, which became my first band I played drums with and Rob's first on bass. We were pretty frantic. There's a tape or two somewhere... Then Rob and I moved to L.A. in February 1978, and I joined the Germs and he joined the Bags.

PUNK GLOBE:  Now,as you are still continuing touring,how do you compare the crowds at shows in 2000s to the crowds in the 70's-80’s?(Your observations about new generation meeting the old generation in your audience?)

DON BOLLES: It's really extreme -- there are really old people, yes, but mostly there's really young people. One thing I like about the Germs is that it always seems to resonate with whatever generation of teenagers there is; the people that make our t-shirts told me that "Every generation of 15 year olds rediscovers the Germs".
PUNK GLOBE: What were you listening to in late 70s and what are you listening to nowadays?

DON BOLLES: I've always listened to mostly Avant-Garde, 20th Century Classical, experimental and electronic music. Noise and abient sound, basically. Also a lot of free improvisational music. In the 70s I was really into Krautrock, too. And punk -- 60s and 70s. Also instrumental Surf music and 60s French girl pop. I have a pretty unique record collection. I like a lot of strange, anomalous things too numerous to even begin to try to catalog... I have a lot of records. Lot's of Christian Ventriloquism, Sound Effects records, and weird vanity pressings...

PUNK GLOBE: Germs had a lot of songs covered by many bands.Which cover did you like the most? I’m sure everyone of your songs is important for you.But can you tell us which song is the most special for you amongst others ?

DON BOLLES: My favorite Germs cover (so far) is the Posies' "Richie Daggers' Crime." It's hilarious. And good, too. "My Way" made Darby's mom cry when I played it for her on a radio show. She had never really listened to any of her son's music before, and it really kicked her ass, I think. She said she had no idea that his music was so "beautiful". I felt like I did a good thing, turning her on to the Germs like that.



PUNK GLOBE:  Nearly 10 years years has passed since the events of September 11 in the U.S. what are your thoughts and feelings about what happened in New York and Washington? What has changed? And when we think about today,doesn’t U.S.A and the world need the existence of real punk-rock bands more than ever?For telling the youth what’s going on, giving them the spirit to not only getting angry but to question everything (which made punk-rock as important as any other movements.)What do you think?

DON BOLLES: Obviously.Yeah, living in a police state kinda sucks, but we've been doing it for so long it seems normal.
PUNK GLOBE:  As everybody use the internet nowadays,how did it effect our social lives? How did it effect the music industry and most importantly did it effect the creativeness of the new bands/today’s music as the young generation can reach and listen to any music easily,without any need to search them in depth?

DON BOLLES: It's weird that now there are so many young people into the same music that their parents and grandparents listened to (or at least could have listened to, if they were'nt mostly such dweebs). That never would have happened when I was a young 'un.
1968 to 1972 was a great time for stuff, like music, because of one thing -- LSD. That helped start the Germs, too, believe it or not. Read my stupid book! ("Lexicon Devil, the Short Life and Fast Times of Darby Crash and the Germs" by Don Bolles, Brendan Mullen and Adam Parfrey. Published by Feral House and available almost everywhere!


 

PUNK GLOBE: A question I would like to ask the most.Would it be the same music if The Germs started in 2000s(not in 77)How would it sound like?
 

DON BOLLES: I'm not sure that it could exist in any other way than it did / does.


PUNK GLOBE:  What made The Germs to be a this much big influence or called as a legendary band in the music scene?Is it the honesty,true spirit in your music or is it the basic but wonderful melodies you’ve created?What do you think?

DON BOLLES : Wonderful melodies? Ha ha. That's a good one. It must have been the other thing!


PUNK GLOBE:  Any Last words for Punk Globe Readers???

DON BOLLES : Um... you're welcome?

PS: Don't forget to buy our merch and cds and attend any and all Germs shows. Okay? Cool. 

 

*Punk Globe would like to wish the best to The Germs and thank Don Bolles for taking the time to do this great interview....

PUNK GLOBE – INTERVIEW BY OZGUR COKYUCE

(ozgurcokyuce@hotmail.com)

PUNK GLOBE’S SALAD / COWBOY RACER INTERVIEW

PUNK GLOBE’S SALAD / COWBOY RACER INTERVIEW

WITH MARIJNE VAN DER VLUGT

 BY

OZGUR COKYUCE

Cowboy Racer (originally called Cowboy Kate) formed by ex-Cuckatoo Twins(Swallow) member Mike Mason,ex-Boredoms member E-da and ex Salad Member Marijne Van Der Vlugt. With their own words they are “Creating a true and organic soundtrack for life”. So far they have released their “Yellow Horse EP” and currently they’re recording their debut album.

Marijne was Salad’s lead singer plus one of the most famous VJ’s of MTV Europe in the early 90s who had previously worked as a model. Now she’s back with Cowboy Racer and it’s my pleasure to do this interview with Marijne who is also an artist to contact about her beautiful handbags... (www.marijnebag.com)

So let’s start…..

Punk Globe : Marijne, as Cowboy Racer you’re recording your new album nowadays. How’s it going? So far, the “Yellow Horse Ep” has been released. Will the new album sound be similar to the EP?

Marijne : The new album is going really well. We are now at the mixing stage and are gradually working through 18 tracks from which we’ll chose 12 or so for the album. We’ve got a few titles in mind none of which I can share with you today unfortunately, but I have to say that unlike the yellow horse EP which was a sample to introduce us to the world, this album written over a period of about 2 years tells a story of heart break, love, (fulfilled and unrequited), fast cars, and explores the lighter side of life also. The sound of the new album is similar but also moved on…for example a few tracks from the Yellow Horse EP will be on the album but have been either remixed or reworked to fit in with the progressed Cowboy Racer sound. I think we are still creating unmistakable Cowboy Racer tracks but with everything in life over the past few years we have learnt so much more about song writing, recording and have been through the odd trauma or two to add to the depth our music.


Punk Globe: Please tell us a bit about Cowboy Racer. Where did the name come from, how did the band form?

Marijne: Originally the name Cowboy Kate came from a book of photographs by a famous photographer form the 60’s called Sam Haskins but like with all art, you take inspiration from everyday life that takes place around you and having written ‘My Car is Faster Than Yours’ about someone in my life playing far too much Grand theft Auto, our designer made some images for the song and called one of them Cowboy Racer, instantly we felt that name was more fitting to us at that time and it stuck and anyway we were not sure whether Sam would ever let us use the name of his book anyway.

Punk Globe: With Salad you had collaborated with 60’s legend Sandie Shaw on her 1965 classic “Girl Don’t Come” on an episode of Channel Four’s White Room. ”Dream a Little Dream” duet with Terry Hall (of the Specials)for the 1995-Help Album was also unforgettable and beautiful. Can we expect collaborations or covers like these in future Cowboy Racer albums or as a solo artist from you? 

Marijne: I would love to do something else with Terry Hall as he is a special guy, doesn’t take any notice of fashions and trends, goes where his heart leads him, kind of how we write also. But talking contemporary artists, well I wouldn’t say no to a duet with Emiliana Torrini and I really like Klaxons


Punk Globe: For the intro part of the “Dream a little dream”, Eric Cantona (Man.Utd footballer) was invited to sing, but his football club didn’t give permission, so it didn’t happen is that right? : ) Were there any other thoughts for alternative players to be invited or because of the limited recording time didn’t it happen?

Marijne: I’d forgotten about that bit of trivia, I think by the time Eric’s club said no we had to find a quick alternative. That whole day was nuts, everything was done at super speed but no corners were cut. The studio was full of string players, children, dogs, managers, journalists, friends and several TV crews, while Terry and I had to sing our hearts out and make up harmonies on the spot. A highlight of my time in Salad I have to say.


Punk Globe: Marijne, in one of your interviews, you mentioned that your favourite TV show ever was “Friends”and you could find a bit of yourself, your friends and family in the characters. Which one of the characters was Marijne or was the closest to Marijne? 

Marijne: Mostly like Phoebe because of her thinking outside the glass and I have been known to be a bit dippy like her, and possibly giving almost everyone the benefit of the doubt, I mean I try to always seeing the good in someone first before judging them…this can have its drawbacks but is ultimately a good character trait to start with I hope, but then when it comes to my relationship with my best friend I’m more like Rachel, a bit helpless at times and need mothering, on the other hand I love to be in control and adore games like Monica, and then there’s Chandler…well him and my big brother were separated at birth


Punk Globe: Salad (aka The Merry Babes previously) was at the height of their popularity in the golden days of Brit-Pop, where there were bands around like Echobelly, Elastica, Sleeper, These Animal Men, Blur and more…. Salad was a great band of course but if you were to create your all time Indie-Pop dream band who would be the members of this heroic army?

Marijne:
Alex James (Blur) – Bass
Debbie Smith (Curve, Echobelly) or Joey Santiago (Pixies) - Guitar
Chris Martin (Coldplay) – Piano and Backing Vocals
Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) – Drums
Kim or Kelley Deal or Nina (A Camp, Cardigans) or Lovefoxxx (CSS) – Lead Vocals
Any member from Hotchip, Lemon Jelly or Zero 7 - Programming


Punk Globe: Which bands were you listening to in your teens and which one of those had the most influence on you as an artist when dreaming and creating music? What are you listening to nowadays? 

Marijne:Then - The Cure, Queen, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Beatles, 10cc, Bartok
Now - Zero 7, Klaxons, Loads of classical music on BBC radio 3, CSS

Punk Globe: As far as we know, you also like Elliott Smith a lot. He passed away in 2003 and is a great loss for the music scene. What is your favourite Elliott Smith song and album?

Marijne: A very very big loss, I love Son of Sam of Figure 8


Punk Globe: Nearly 10 years has passed since the events of September 11 in the U.S. and terror is a bigger threat for lots of big European countries than ever. What has changed? And when we think about today, doesn’t the world need the existence of real and honest bands more than ever? For telling the youth what’s going on, giving them the spirit to not only getting angry but to question everything. What do you think?

Marijne: That’s a heavy question, not sure how to answer that… errrm not sure if the threat of terrorism which has, like you say, become an everyday reality, has any bearing on music that’s being made by anyone but I think music is a form of entertainment which can either be a great way of escaping but also a perfect way of bringing across life’s messages, what ever they may be and some bands may well want to concentrate on the threat of terrorism but others will focus on world poverty, while there are also those that are only focused on their own lives and bringing their audience closer to them by sending a familiar message closer to home. Personally I want to create music that people can relate to when it comes to their lives, loves, troubles, and happiness, you know, I’m a simple girl really

Punk Globe: A question I would like to ask the most….I saw an early photo of you named “Big Chess with loads of booze” Who won that chess game? : )))

Marijne: Most likely Mr. Peter Brown, he was the chess champ in the band, although I may well have won in the drinking stakes, he was more a roll up ciggie man.

Punk Globe: Returning back to Cowboy Racer. When can we expect the new album? What are the plans for next year? Videos for the singles of new album or any festival appearances?

Marijne: The New album will be out early next year.
Plans for next year are some live shows and a few videos; I’d like to at least ride a yellow horse through London Town or Amsterdam if at all possible
But there is a much bigger project I will be delving into and I will tell you more about that after Christmas.


Punk Globe: People also knew you as a VJ of MTV Europe, hosting the programmes like 120 Minutes and The Pulse. I personally know that many people remember you and those days with a smile on their face, missing and wishing to go back in time sometimes to enjoy the colorfulness of the music scene and those days once again. Do you remember which video you mostly enjoyed to play back then? Any interesting memories from the MTV days as a VJ?

Marijne: Whale –Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away

Going to Israel and covering a festival out there was really interesting traveling around the country, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, the people were amazing, I had no idea at the time how into MTV they were over there, very cool.

Meeting Black Francis and Kim Deal (Pixies) were highlights, the only people I’ve ever been star struck by

Punk Globe: Last question, you released many albums in your career and I’m sure everyone of them makes you feel like a new child born. Which one is your favourite album and which song is the most special for you amongst others?

Marijne: Well each album has its special songs and these are the ones that were milestones for me
Singles Bar – Kent, it started everything for us
Drink Me – Your Ma & Muscle Man, I felt my song writing was taken seriously for the first time
Ice Cream – Broken Bird, I discovered a new side to my voice even though I was suffering from a ridiculously heavy cold which you can just about hear if you listen carefully


Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe Readers???

Marijne: Don’t get hung up on the small stuff!!

Punk Globe would like to wish the best to Cowboy Racer and thank Marijne Van Der Vlugt for taking the time to do this great interview....

DECEMBER 2007

PUNK GLOBE – OZGUR COKYUCE