Glamour Punks Interview

GLAMOUR PUNKS INTERVIEW:
May 7, 2012

Websites: www.facebook.com/pages/Glamour-Punks/132680873465756
Interviewer: Grant W.

The Glamour Punks were arguably one of the most outrageous acts to come out of Hollywood in the early ’90s. They had a glam image but their sound was most definitely punk rock, while their shows resembled riot scenes and their lives were just as dangerous. Sleaze Roxx’s Grant W. caught up with the band to discuss the new CD ‘One Sick Posse’ (out now on Demon Doll Records), future plans and past experiences.

Sleaze Roxx: First up let’s talk about the new CD, ‘One Sick Posse’. For the record, this isn’t cleaned up versions of old demos, these songs are brand new 2012 versions of Glamour Punks classics. Why’d you decide it was time to re-record these over 20 years later?

ManD: Because it’s been over 20 years! It took a long time and some convincing for me to make the move, but after releasing the last record, which was done with re-mastered demos and then the reunion show last year, it just seemed right. People still dig this shit, and it warms the cockles of my heart, that they do. The old versions of the songs on the new record sounded like complete shit, I would never have released them, so we had to do a new recording. Everyone killed it in the studio, it came out better than we could have ever imagined.

Sleaze Roxx: Can I just say the production on this CD is great, finally we get to hear some old tunes in their full glory. How long did it take to get the band back rehearsing, into the studio and get the tracks down?

ManD: This is punk rock mother fucker! We rehearsed three times, recorded all the tracks and mixed and mastered it in 20 hours. We just went in and busted it out live in the studio — it really captures that live raw energy, which is exactly what we were looking for.

Sleaze Roxx: Of the songs that appear on the CD, which ones are you most looking forward to performing live and what ones stand out for you?

ManD: Of the songs on the new record, “Day In The Death Of America”, “Anti Social Child” and “Roach Motel” really stand out to me. They are straight punk rock music just the way I like it. Of course I am really proud of all of it, but those are my faves.

Skitzo: I love every song we play, but as far as the ones that stand out for me would be “Anti Social Child”, “Roach Motel”, “Bad Attitudes” and “Day In The Death Of America”. I love playing these songs live, they embody everything I’ve always loved about this type of music — just balls out and in your face. There isn’t a drug in the world that can give me the feeling that I get when I’m rockin’ these songs live.

Sleaze Roxx: Is there any recorded material left over from the CD or are there plans to re-record other songs for a follow up release?

ManD: No plans right now for a record, this one just came out. We do want to continue the Glamour Punks legacy. I am still blown away by the responses we get even all these years later. One Sick Posse 4 EVA. We ain’t goin’ nowhere.

Sleaze Roxx: Have you guys ever thought about recording new songs together that capture the embodiment and spirit of the Glamour Punks or would that be walking on hallowed ground?

Skitzo: There is no hallowed ground. We are and always have been the Glamour Punks. Some people may think this is all just a blast from the past but in my opinion that isn’t at all accurate. There is, and always will be, more to say. At least that’s my opinion.

ManD: We are working on some new material and are hoping to play a new song at our show June 2nd at the Roxy.

Sleaze Roxx: About that gig, you’re playing the Roxy on June 2nd with Blackboard Jungle and Swingin’ Thing. That’s a pretty impressive bill, how are you all feeling about getting back on stage a year on from the Viper Room gig?

ManD: It feels great of course! Rockin’ this shit live and direct is what we do best. This year’s show is guaranteed to blow minds.

Alley: I live my fuckin’ life on a stage. I feel I’m one of the best bass players and entertainers, Skitzo’s one of the best guitarists ever, Man-D’s the best front man I know and Spazz is as bad as fuck. I’ve never been more at home on stage than with these guys. They’re my brothers!

Skitzo: I can’t wait! This show isn’t just a show — it’s an event. Best friends, old friends… no competition, no drama — just a bunch of guys that truly love each other gettin’ together and doing what we love to do… Rock and Roll.

Sleaze Roxx: Judging by the hype around this and the list of people going, this is going to be like stepping back in time a bit isn’t it?

Skitzo: I see it more like a chance to make new friends and new memories. I’m not a big fan of living in the past.

ManD: As Skitz said it’s a gathering of old and new friends. Blackboard Jungle have done such an amazing thing over the years and we are just happy to be a part of it. We all want to continue this show and grow it every year.

Spazz: Plus there’s a whole grip of new kids that would live or die for the Glamour Punks. This music is timeless and holds depth and weight for all generations to come.

Sleaze Roxx: So ManD, is Steve Summers gonna be there?

ManD: I doubt that. I don’t peg him for a punk rock guy — he’s in to that sappy shit. Of course, he’s welcome to come, maybe we can convert his soul to the dark side.

Sleaze Roxx: Is there a chance that more Glamour Punks headline gigs will be lined up? I’m talking a tour of some shape or form.

ManD: There are no tour plans at this time, but I guess you never know. We will probably take some shows around town, if the mood strikes.

Sleaze Roxx: I’ve asked ManD in the past for his memories of what it was like being part of the ‘Sunset Strip’ scene back in the late 80’s early 90’s. What are your recollections of living life as a Glamour Punk and being a part of what was a pretty wild and decadent lifestyle?

Skitzo: There will never be another time in history that resembles that of Hollywood in that era. I can’t speak for everyone who was there because not everyone had it so good, but my experience was awesome. I don’t have to sit around and wonder what it would be like to be a rock star because I lived it. Anything I needed was given to me. I never had cash in my pocket and it didn’t matter because everything was free. I had a bag with all of my belongings, a guitar and amp. Wherever that stuff was is where I was living at the time. I had my little clique and nothing else really mattered. We looked out for each other. Non-stop adventure to the point that it really started to cloud my thinking and made it easy for me to get side tracked. There’s just no way to fully explain how crazy it was. I’ve tried to explain it to people and they just think I’m making shit up. If you weren’t there you wouldn’t be able to comprehend the madness. Sometimes I question it myself — did that really happen?

Sleaze Roxx: It’s a cliched question, but looking back would you have done anything differently?

Skitzo: I don’t have any regrets. I think things happened the way they were supposed to happen. Everything we do in life ultimately has an effect on who we become. I like who I am. So, no, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Spazz: I suppose if I knew then what I know now I would have gotten help and tried to help my best friend from drinking himself to death.

Sleaze Roxx: I only found out recently that Punk Rock Dave (PRD) had passed away about a year and a half ago. Is there any further info on how this happened and any fond memories you’d care to share about Dave?

ManD: He embodied punk rock, he lived it. O.S.P. used to skateboard around Hollywood all day and night back then and, no shit, at least fifty times a day Punk Rock Dave would yell in peoples’ ears and scare the shit out of them and literally make them jump or scream — old people, little kids, and everyone in between. They were all fair game to him. He was one of a kind. Anyone who ever saw him stage dive knows how it went — strapped in a straight jacket, with total disregard for whether or not he was gonna get caught.

Spazz: Yeah, I can still see him skating down Hollywood Blvd with his green hat, the bill flipped up and the word ‘cunt’ in big letters across the front just itching for somebody to say something so he could tell them to fuck off.

Skitzo: For me Punk Rock Dave was a big part of my life back in those days, especially after The Glamour Punks called it quits. We had some really good times and some extremely bad ones. He was a very complex person, but he was fearless. Back in those days I used to have an obsession with bringing home large objects that I didn’t really have any use for. Things like statues, flagpoles, lobby furniture and anything else that was hard to carry and dangerous to steal. Dave didn’t mind helping me out at all — he loved the rush. We used to get drunk and push each other through traffic in shopping carts, skate around Hollywood and just cause general mayhem. I really miss those days.

Sleaze Roxx: It’s also pretty apparent that Dizzy Damage is still very strong in everyone’s’ hearts and memories judging by all the posts on Facebook. If he was looking down now, and he probably is, what do you think he would make of the CD and reunion?

Skitzo: I’m not the type of person that believes in all the hocus pocus bullshit that you see on television all the time, but while we were layin’ down tracks for the ‘One Sick Posse’ release some weird shit went down that we all witnessed and couldn’t explain. This leads me to believe that Dizzy is pleased. I’m just gonna leave it at that.

Spazz: Yeah, he would be really proud of what we are doing and really proud of Alley. I think he would love that we hashed this out live, with no click tracks in true punk rock style.

Sleaze Roxx: So Alley, on that note I guess you know you were following a hard act, but ManD described you recently as “the only guy that could fill in for Dizzy”. How did you come to step up on bass and what’s it like being part of the One Sick Posse?

Alley: I’ve been in a band called Skumbag with Skitzo for 15 years and ManD and I were in a band called Full Metal Racket for 6 years and various other short lived bands. These guys are my best friends so it was obvious to the guys how it should be. Plus I’m the biggest Glamour Punks fan around and since most of the Ramones are dead, I guess this is the only choice I had (laughs)!

Sleaze Roxx: It looks like some old footage of a few Glamour Punks gigs has resurfaced — I recently saw a clip of Dizzy smashing up a bass. Is there any more information of when the Glamour Punks DVD documentary will be released?

ManD: We’re gonna release it this summer, Lucky Rooster Films is doing it for us. There is old and new footage as well as interviews with the band and fans. For the record, that was a bass solo you saw of Dizzy.

Sleaze Roxx: Are there any plans for Glamour Punks merchandise? I noticed some photos of people on Facebook sporting T-shirts, I’d like one of those for myself.

ManD: We’ll have merch at the show and then available at a few different web sites after that. People can get all the info on our Glamour Punks Facebook.

Sleaze Roxx: Is there anything you’ve learnt from your past that has stayed with you throughout life that you can pass on to others?

Spazz: My serenity level is directly proportional to my level of acceptance.

ManD: You will always pay for your mistakes one way or another, so you better fuckin’ learn from ’em.

Sleaze Roxx: And finally what’s the future hold for the Glamour Punks?

Spazz: I see the Glamour Punks easily marketed to a whole new group of kids who are pissed off at their parents, life in general and need an outlet. This is the one thing about music that will never change. After 20 years I truly believe the Glamour Punks are a band for the twisted youth of today.

ManD: And don’t forget some new goddamn mother fuckin’ Glamour Punk band music!