Old Weird Americana - 20 Questions

Former Long Ryder, Sid Griffin is currently touring with his band The Coal Porters, playing acoustic bluegrass shows to packed houses across the UK and Continent. Their shows during the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival 2002 promise to be talked about for a time long afterwards.

How's it going? It is going very well, thank you. We are in the middle of a UK tour and getting good responses from almost sold out houses so I have no real complaining to do. This is with the Coal Porters playing acoustic bluegrass, right? Although I also do the electric alt-country thang with Western Electric and a pretty good solo troubadour act it is the acoustic five piece Coal Porters I am working with now.
Are you looking forward to Ireland? Very much so. I was just in Duncannon for a vacation last week or so and Kilkenny is just up the road. Plus our banjo player Pat McGarvey played the Kilkenny festival last year as bass player for the Arlenes and he came back raving about the festival.
What can Kilkenny expect from the Coal Porters? As I said we are a five piece acoustic bluegrass/folk band featuring me on mandolin, Alan Bisset on bass, Pat McGarvey on banjo, Neil Robert Herd on guitar and Celtic fiddle hero Ivor Ottley. Everybody sings 'cept Alan who saves his warbling for the shower and late night drinks with supermodels. The band performs some of my stuff, some traditional stuff, a tune of Pat's, two or three Bob Dylan songs...you will dig, this sucker is road tested in the USA, Germany, Spain and UK by the time we get to Ireland.
When were you last drunk? Good question. Since becoming a Daddy I have had to cut waaaaaaaaaaay back on the Guinness since babies like their parents sober and responsible so I guess October 2000 in Manhattan at Kennedy's bar on West Fifty Fourth was the last time I was intoxicated and it didn't take that much as I was already not drinking much by then. But what a great place that joint is! Do visit there next time you are in New York, the place is just grand with wonderful folks hangin' out. Also check out Tommy Makem's pub in Manhattan near the George Washington Bridge, if it is still open, it was a terrific place too.
What's your Karaoke song? I went kicking and screaming to a karaoke club years ago only to get there and have a wonderful time, ha. Anything by Elvis, I suppose, or anything I know the words to by heart.
Do you still get asked for Long Ryders songs? Yes, I do and I still try to perform at least one or two a set to please those folks who would like to hear a Long Ryders tune. I have no problem with that but must confess in the Coal Porters it is impossible, musically impossible, to do any of our rock n' roll singles in the bluegrass style. So no "I Had A Dream" or "Looking For Lewis And Clark", alas.
Are you pleased with the reaction to the Ryders DVD?
Yes, it just got a five star review outta five stars possible in UnCut and my solo acoustic segment got a four star review so you cannot beat that. Plus good reviews in Q, DVD Monthly and so many other magazines and websites I cannot recall them all but you bet I am pleased. The only thing wrong with that DVD is the mix is funny, our guitars are not loud enough but other than that it rules.
Who was your 1st love? Probably my Mother, who is now 83 years old and with cancer but hanging in there as best she can.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? The first record I got which I really wanted was bought for me by my Mother, it was the Beach Boys album Surfer Girl and she bought it for me on Valentine's Day as a Valentine gift for me since I hardly needed any more sweets. I still have the LP, too.
The first gig I tried to attend I could not get into. It was Herman's Hermits in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and my sister took me to it but it was sold out and we could not get in so we stood outside and listened to the screams coming from inside the venue. I was very small but I still remember this just a little bit.
Any favourite Web sites?
There are good websites for Phil Ochs, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, etc. where you log on and then can go to a feature where they have the artists' tunes with all the lyrics and chords. Those kind of sites I really love, I can waste a hour easily playing along to those tunes but am way too lazy to figure out the chords and lyrics myself.
Your most embarrassing lyric? I can do better than that...I have a most embarrassing song! A song so bad I never tell people what it is and it even sold some copies. In Scotland once this waitress asked me to play it for her and when I finished she said "my friend said that was the worst song ever and now I know he is right, that really is awful". I was so embarrassed, I thought she wanted to hear the tune because she liked it.
Read any good books lately? The Howard Sounes biog of Bob Dylan is very good as is the history of the NYC punk scene, Please Kill Me by Legs McNeil.
Write your epitaph? He came, he played 12-string and now he sleeps.
What's your favourite insult? "I hope your daughter marries a jazz musician!"
Last record you bought or blagged? Shake A Tail Feather, the Best Of James & Bobby Purify on Sundazed Records, a cool reissue label out of New York state someplace. Soul music at it most soulful, truly great stuff, check it out.
What's on the stereo at the moment? The Great Liverpool Acoustic Experiment on Viper Records.
Your favourite film of all time? Dances With Wolves if seen on the big screen in the USA, A Hard Day's Night if seen on a smaller screen anywhere else, Get Carter if I'm only watching a TV.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? Answering the emails sent to the Prima Records office which I help run.
Turn ons / turn offs?
Music, family and friends make it all worthwhile, as sentimental as that seems.
Day jobs suck, mean people suck, most world leaders are clearly, clearly not up to the job, creeping corporate globalization sucks, the weather in the UK and Ireland usually sucks...none of this is new to you I am sure.
Lambchop or Pork Chops? Lampchop by a mile. I don't eat meat anymore and very little fish. How does Lampchop pay all those people, that's what I want to know.

Grant Birkenbeuel and JinJa Davis are a husband and wife cottage industry form Chicago. Their latest self produced, designed, distributed, etc, record 'Comfort for the Traveller' is about to get a 'proper' release through Munich Records in Holland.

How's it going? Pretty good. We just signed a licensing deal for our new album "Comfort for the Traveler" with Munich Records in The Netherlands.
What's the best thing about your home town? The variety of music clubs in Chicago.
What's your favourite venue? Beat Kitchen in Chicago.
When were you last drunk? Last month after the Beat Kitchen gig.
What's your Karaoke song? Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley.
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? Meat Puppets.
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record?
Neil Young-Birds
Jimi Hendrix-Angel
Meat Puppets-Up on the Sun
Irma Thomas-Time is On My Side
Lynyrd Skynyrd-Simple Man
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles-Tears of a Clown .
What's the best piece of advice you've received? You've got to have a dream.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? JinJa-Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here and Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Grant-Led Zeppelin IV
First Gig-Schubas in Chicago .
Any favourite Web sites?
http://indymedia.org
http://www.salon.com
http://www.milkyelephant.com
http://www.utahcarol.com .
Your most embarrassing lyric? It's not fit for print, it's just too awful!
Read any good books lately? The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen and World History for Dummies.
Write your epitaph? Music made them dream happy dreams.
What's your favourite insult? You actually voted for George Bush?
Last record you bought or blagged? Bought: Augustus Pablo-Original Rockers.
What's on the stereo at the moment? Jack Nitzsche-The Lonely Surfer.
Your favourite film of all time? If we absolutely had to pick one today, it would be Paths of Glory by Stanley Kubrick.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? JinJa: Drinking a cup of English breakfast tea with cream and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, sitting by the fireplace while listening to Grant play guitar
Grant: Playing my guitar
Turn ons / turn offs?
Turn ons: Adbusters Magazine and Mojo Magazine
Turn offs: Corruption and greed and in particular as it relates to corporations and politics
Lambchop or Pork Chops? Neither. Flame Grilled Gardenburgers-Hamburger Style.

Brett and Rennie Sparks, Americana's Gomez and Morticia have just released their fifth collection of observations on David Lynch's America. Entitled 'Twilight' it has been rightly lauded in the music press. They very kindly returned Old Weird's unsolicited 20 Questions.

How's it going? OK.
Are you looking forward to Ireland? Very much so.
What are you doing after the Irish shows? Detox.
When were you last drunk? Two nights ago in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
What's your Karaoke song? All of them.
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? Kraftwerk.
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record? Showroom Dummies, Computer Love, Model, Hall of Mirrors, Robots, Autobahn.
Who was your 1st love? Captain Kangaroo.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? Beethoven's Greatest Hits, Nazereth.
Any favourite Web sites? lostkittens.com.
Your most embarrassing lyric? I don't write words no more.
Britney Spears or Broccoli Spears? Albert Speers.
Write your epitaph? I'm Not Here.
What's your favourite insult? Gobshite.
Last record you bought or blagged? Grandaddy "Under the Western Freeway".
What's on the stereo at the moment? Grandaddy, Kraftwerk, new Bob Dylan, The Shins, Howe Gelb, National Public Radio (for news updates).
Your favourite film of all time? La Dolce Vita.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? Sleeping.
Turn ons / turn offs? It's all the same.
Lambchop or Pork Chops? Silence of the Lambs.

How's it going? very well thanks, Just got back from three week U.K. tour with The Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman (with Andy white and Rab Naokes), I’m busy and slightly over tired..my favourite state.
Best thing about your home town? Its location (in the middle of England), it’s multi-culture and it’s vast choice of great balti houses, sadly not the quality of its football teams.
What's the best venue you've played in? Most beautiful is the theatro scientifico in Italy.
When were you last drunk? On holiday in Greece 4 weeks ago, every day for six days, not falling down drunk but kind of stooping down drunk.
What's your Karaoke song? would have to be something by Elvis, Vegas period (Suspicious Minds, Wonder of You, Always on my mInd) or Roy Orbison (In Dreams, Its Over).
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? The Band, but sadly we are not talented enough for that (but then who is??).
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record? one has been muted for the past two years and here is the short (or long) list, which also includes songs that I or the band have already covered on previous albums.
Songs covered by The Good Sons / Michael Weston King
The Last Ones - Loose Diamonds
I Saw The Light - Hank Williams
Rainsquall - Richard Buckner
Good Fortune - Joe Henry
The Letter - The Boxtops
Holy Spirit - Victoria Williams
You Are Loved - Victoria Williams
Will The Circle Be Unbroken - Trad. / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
You Are The Light - Lone Justice
Hold On To God - Dwight Yoakham
Pressing On - Bob Dylan
Momma, You’ve Been On My Mind - Bob Dylan
I Believe In You - Bob Dylan
Troublesome Waters - Iris Dement
Why Me Lord - Kris Kristofferson
In My Hour Of Darkness - Gram Parsons
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down - Uncle Tupelo (Live Rec)
If I Ever Needed Someone - Van Morrison
I Can’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore- Trad.
Listen To The Band - The Monkees
You Got It - Roy Orbison
Withered and Died - Richard Thompson
Can’t Be Too Strong - Graham Parker
By My Side - Darden Smith
Friend Of The Devil - Grateful Dead
Do Anything You Wanna Do - Eddie and the Hot Rods
You Are Everything - Maryin Gaye + Diana Ross Rec
Straight To You - Nick Cave Rec
Hide Your Love Away -The Beatles
Downtown Train - Tom Waits
No More Songs - Phil Ochs Rec
Annie - Ronnie Laine Rec
Till It Shines - Bob Seger
Guitar Man - Bread
Suspicious Minds - Elvis
Cant Cry Hard Enough - David Williams & Marvin Etzioni / Victoria Williams Rec
Lovers Lullaby - Townes Van Zandt Rec
Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young
Someday Never Comes - Creedence Clearwater Revival Rec
Who was your 1st love? George Best and Marc Bolan (in that order), or if we are talking personally Beverley Andrews who broke my heart when was 14.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? Electric Warrior by T.Rex, (for passing my eleven plus exam). Dr Feelgood supported by Squeeze in 1976 or 1977 at Liverpool Empire which all sounds very credible but I was also to be found at gigs by Mud and Gary Glitter, and buying singles by Sweet and Slade.
Any favourite Web sites? Not that I wish to mention here!, apart from Old Weird Americana
Your most embarrassing lyric? The women I’ve not slept with and the ones I wont again” from 35 Regrets, but there are one or two.
What's the most useful piece of advice you've been given? ‘Stick around” given to me by Townes van Zandt and I have endeavoured to do so ever since .
Write your epitaph? Here lies the body of the greatest songwriter that
What's your favourite insult? I never insult anyone unless drunk , and then I do it far too frequently, only trouble is I then can’t remenber what I said.
Last record you bought or blagged? I just played the Beyond Nashville Festival and got given the accompanying album which is a nice compilation of all strands of “good” country music especially the first c.d.). Also just got the Elektra re-issues of classic albums by Fred Neil, Phil Ochs, David Blue, Tom Rush, The Dillards, and Tim Buckley, and I am looking forward to trawling through those.
What's on the stereo at the moment? The new Joe Henry album, Scar, Gold by Ryan Adams ,Elvis Costello re-issue of My Aim Is True, new Dylan album but only had chance to play it once so the jury is still out on it for me, and Tim Hardin is always on it..
Your favourite film of all time? I can’t pick just one but most recently loved Happiness, Dancer In The Dark, Magnolia. Just got the video of The Insider and cant wait to sit down and watch that. I love movies and on any given day On The Waterfront could be may favourite movie of all time, but just as easily do could The Jungle Book. I also love rock n roll films...The Buddy Holly Story, That’ll Be The Day, and a great film about the D.J. Alan Freed called American Hot Wax, a truly great music film that hardly anyone I know has seen.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? Sleeping, or maybe I am.
Turn ons / turn offs? Turned on by my partner Lou Dalgleish / turned off by undiscerning people who think that if it is American it must be good (especially in this area of music) and it just aint so. What’s good is good, and what is shit is shit...wherever it is from.
Lambchop or Pork Chops? Noting against Kurt but Pork chops everytime .

The great white hopes for Irish alt country, El Diablo, have released their debut album. After two critically acclaimed EP's support slots for Pernice Brothers and 16 Horsepower and a trip to Nashville things are looking good. Singer Anna Carey drew the short straw for their 20 Questions.

How's it going? Not bad, thank you very much.
How would you describe your debut album? Grim.
What is the 23rd Psalm? 'The Lord is my shepherd', etc. The 23rd Psalm Cafe is the name of a cafe in Nashville in which we played at a songwriter's night. We didn't know until we got there that it was a place devoted to rather disturbing devout Christian music - like, Mariah Carey stuff with lyrics about Jesus. The people were lovely (if a bit scary) but it was all very, very odd.
When were you last drunk? Um, Saturday night, actually. I had a hideous hangover the next day. I don't get drunk very often though.
What's your Karaoke song? The one song I've actually sung at a karaoke night was 'You Were Always On My Mind', but I secretly really want to sing 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' by Bon Jovi. It's a long story....
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? I'd devote myself to Francoise Hardy. She's one of my heroines.
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record? In random order: 'Hot Burrito #1' by the Flying Buritto Brothers; 'Woman's Blues' by Laura Nyro; 'Country Pie' by Bob Dylan; 'Shimmer' by Throwing Muses; 'Some Velvet Morning' by Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra; 'Ill Feel a Whole Lot Better' by the Byrds; ''Reject All American' by Bikini Kill
Who was your 1st love? Matthew Broderick in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? The first record I actually bought (as opposed to taped) was 'Blind Man's Zoo' by 10,000 Maniacs, rather embarrassingly. The first gig was R.E.M. in the R.D.S. in 1989. I was 13 and in awe.
Any favourite Web sites? damnhellasskings.com theonion.com turdmonster.com
Your most embarrassing lyric? You tell me. Or rather, please don't!
Britney Spears or Broccoli Spears? Britney Spears, if only because I hate broccoli even more than I hate pervy teenage divas.
Write your epitaph? 'Excuse my dust.' Thank you, Dorothy Parker!
What's your favourite insult? I'm too nice to insult anybody. Now fuck off and leave me alone.
Last record you bought or blagged? Timeless, the Hank Williams tribute album. Gorgeous.
What's on the stereo at the moment? Ultra Chicks: Filles in the Garage. A compilation of French '60s ye-ye music. I love that stuff.
Your favourite film of all time? Hairspray. I love John Waters.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? Eating toast.
Turn ons / turn offs? Turn ons: French pop music, Gram Parsons, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', Patsy Cline, toast, Joan Jett, Jon Spencer, 'Challenge Ant' on SM:TV. Turn offs: Right wingers, Atomic Kitten, Daddy Long Legses, 'NSync, people who say 'I'm not a feminist, but...' , people who think hating cats is a virtue.
Lambchop or Pork Chops? Lambchop.

One- Man musical War-Zone, Ed Hamell has recently recovered from a near fatal motor accident to release Choochtown, record of the month in April's Uncut Magazine & possibly the most Punk Rock of the year so far, a live album is also imminent. Described by the Irish Times as "the future of Rock 'n' Roll", Hamell is the missing link between Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Bill Hicks & Martin Scorcese.
Read a review of Hamell on Trial's show in Cleere's Theatre at the Kilkenny Roots Festival on May 5th

How's it going? Good.
Are you looking forward to Ireland? Yes. Rereading Ulysses.
What are you doing after the Irish show? Sweating profusely.
When were you last drunk? May 13th 1987. I went to wipe something off of my shoulder and it was the floor.
What's your Karaoke song? The Old Main Drag.
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? Howlin Wolf's band with Hubert Sumlin.
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record?
Side A)(1)Race With The Devil (Gene Vincent),(2)Bastards of Young (The Replacements), (3)Drift Away (Dobie Gray),(4) The Blue Mask (Lou Reed) (5)Walkin' The Floor Over You (Ernest Tubb)( But it's the Jerry Lee Lewis version that sends me)(6)Dignity (Bob Dylan)
Side B)(1) I'm Ready (Muddy Waters) (2)Frankie Teardrop (Suicide) (3)Chinese Rocks (Johnny Thunders/DeeDee Ramone),(4) Pretty Boy Floyd (Woody Guthrie) (5)Let's Burn Down The Cornfield (Randy Newman), (6)Little Babies (Sleater-Kinney)
Hidden Bonus Track-L.A. Blues (The Stooges)
Who was your 1st love? Marianne Faithful (unreciprocated)
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? Introducing The Beatles. (A bastardization of Please Please Me over here on Vee Jay). First gig was a trio I had playing rock and roll at a boy scout awards ceremony. A pretty shitty gig, but not my worst by any stretch of the imagination.
Any favourite Web sites? www.bomp.com is pretty great, with all the links it'll keep you busy for a while. Also the Bill Hicks site.
Your most embarrassing lyric? "I'd pull 20 feet of my lower intestine out of my rectum to lasso your love"
Britney Spears or Broccoli Spears? Chucking Spears.
Write your epitaph? "Where'd everybody go?"
What's your favourite insult? I've got a minute....tell me everything you know.
Last record you bought or blagged? I've been on a Tom Waits kick, I went out and bought Swordfishtrombones, the one from the 80's trio I didn't have. I assume blagged is stole...the last record I stole was...let's see... oh yeah it was the Robert Johnson reissue, but it's a long story, I don't steal ever, I'm on the road too much and can't afford the karmic debt, but this guy was drug dealer pond scum and he deserved it, plus he wouldn't understand the subtleties of the record anyway...
What's on the stereo at the moment? I alternate between Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos, Stephen Malkmus, Roscoe Holcomb and the new Richard Pryor box set.
Your favourite film of all time? Raging Bull
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? When I'm done I'm going to go watch "Another Day In Paradise".
Read any good books lately? Motherless Brooklyn(Jonathan Lethem), Jesus' Son (Denis Johnson), Before Night Falls, (Reinaldo Arenas) and always a Raymond Chandler.
3 reasons to live in New York City?
1) Manitoba's Bar on 6th and B---Handsome Dick was/is the lead singer in The Dictators, his bar is a haven for rock and rollers of all ages. Cozy, unpretentious, with a blazing surprise to be had on any given night, it's a great place to play if you're a musician, (it's unquestionable my favorite in New York), and an excellent place to drink/ converse/ hang out in. Great music all the time.
2) The Anti-Hoot @The Fort @ The Sidewalk Cafe. This is located on 6th and A, (just around the corner from Manitobas, how convenient!), and every Monday night is the Anti-Folk open night. Hosted by Lach, the man that coined the phrase Anti-Folk and brought us the careers of Beck, Roger Manning, Michelle Shocked, Brenda Kahn, and Cindy Lee Berryhill, to name a few, this open mic is a fast paced, irreverent free for all, jam packed with undiscovered talent, and possibly the last bastion of real punk ethic.
3)To walk those streets that The Dolls, Television, Richard Hell, The Ramones, Patti Smith, Suicide walked. I see no evil, inspirational.

20 Questions with -
Paul Burch

Paul Burch plays drums & vibraphone with Lambchop and fronts his own band, the WPA Ballroom. His third album, Blue Notes is released on Scottish label Spit & Polish. Nashville music the way it used to sound.
Read a full interview with Paul prior to his Cleere's show in July.

How's it going? VERY FINE, THANK YOU.
Are you looking forward to Ireland? YES. MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS FROM CORK. I TRY TO GO TO IRELAND AS OFTEN AS I CAN.
What are you doing after the Irish shows? I THINK I'M PLAYING IN GLASGOW AND LONDON BUT I'M NOT SURE. THE PHONE RINGS, SOMEONE SAYS 'GO HERE, GO THERE' AND THAT'S WHAT I DO.
When were you last drunk? LAST NIGHT
What's your Karaoke song? I DON'T HAVE ONE REALLY BUT THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE I HAVE MY OWN BAND.
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be? DUKE ELLINGTON OR CHARLIE PATTON
What's the tracklisting for your Covers record? WELL CONTRARY TO PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN STATEMENTS, I DON'T HAVE ONE AS OF YET BUT I FANCY MAKING A RECORD OF SOME OF MY FAVORITE COUNTRY & WESTERN SONGS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DONE TO DEATH--RARE THINGS THAT DON'T GET RE-DONE VERY MUCH: JOHNNY & JACK, ROY DUKE, FLOYD TILMAN, WEBB PIERCE, ETC.
Who was your 1st love? SHE'S SOMEWHERE IN IRELAND NOW, I THINK. OR IN JAIL. OR BOTH.
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig? MY FIRST RECORD WAS REVOLVER BY THE BEATLES. MY FIRST GIG WHERE I MADE $5 WAS SINGING IN THE BAR OF A STEAK RESTAURANT
Any favourite Web sites? NOT REALLY BUT PEOPLE SEEM TO SEND ME STRANGE ONES ALL THE TIME.
Your most embarrassing lyric? ASK ME IN PERSON.
Britney Spears or Broccoli Spears? BROCCOLI SPEARS, NATURALLY.
Write your epitaph? A VARIATION ON W.B. YEATS'S BUT WHAT THAT IS ESCAPES ME RIGHT NOW.
What's your favourite insult? "HE'S A REALLY GREAT MUSICIAN. JUST ASK HIM" Last record you bought or blagged? I'M NOT SURE WHAT BLAGGED MEANS BUT THE LAST RECORD I BOUGHT WAS A COLLECTION OF ROCKABILLY RECORDINGS BY WANDA JACKSON. I'M ALSO VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THE KINKS BBC RECORDINGS AND THE NEW COSTELLO AND SOFIE VAN OTTER ALBUM. I'M FOND OF THEM BOTH, VERY MUCH SO.
What's on the stereo at the moment? TWO THINGS: THEM'S FIRST RECORD AND A CHARLIE RICH RECORD FROM THE MID 60'S ON SMASH WITH 'MOHAIR SAM'---A GREAT GREASY RECORD.
Your favourite film of all time? ONE FAVORITE IS THE 'BIG SLEEP'. 'BUTCH CASSIDY & SUNDANCE KID' I'M FOND OF. CAN ONE HAVE A FAVORITE FILM? IT'S TOO HARD TO TRACK JUST ONE DOWN.
If you weren't filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now? READING THE REST OF MY MAIL
Turn ons / turn offs? NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCOURSE BUT THANKS FOR ASKING Lambchop or Pork Chops? WELL I DON'T EAT MUCH OF EITHER. THE BAND LAMBCHOP IS PARTICULARLY FOND OF BBQ WHEN TOURING THE U.S., AS IS THE WPA BALLCLUB. A GOOD SOUP AND SOME FRESH BREAD RIGHT NOW SOUNDS MUCH BETTER.

Paul Burch online: www.landlocked.net/paulburch

20 Questions with -
The Arlenes

Big Steve Pulford met future wife & ex LA Punk Stephanie Arlene at a club in London & whilst falling in love to the sounds of Hank, Buck, Patsy & Ernest, they also created their own modern take on the 50's trad country sound. Steve is a veteran of the London alt.country scene & has played with the Hit-Kickers & his own A-La-Tex. Steph, before relocating to London cut her teeth as backing vocalist for (almost) legendary LA goth-punks The Flesheaters.
The sound they create today is high on harmonies, strong on melodies & bittersweet in its themes. Read a review from the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival

How’s it going?
I've avoided a cold for 8 months and just as the weather improves and I have to go and sing in the studio , I get a vague throaty thing going on. Hmmmm more ginger
Are you looking forward to Ireland?
Of course we are. They don't sell Guinness in London!
What are you doing after the Irish shows? We'll be doing promo for the new album and a few festivals. We're playing Brighton festival on the beach and one in Mallorca in July.
When were you last drunk? 2 Saturdays ago at the last ever Philosophy Society. I've stopped drinking now, till Kilkenny, too much to do, not enough time. Stephanie and I recently did a TV show in Scotland and shared a dressing room with Jimmie Dale Gilmore. He was so lovely and told me stories of how he watched his mate Townes drink himself to bits. Steph now believes there are 3 people in our marriage. Jimmie, Steph and me
What’s your Karaoke song?
'The Wonder Of You'
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be?
Buck Owens and the Buckeroos
What’s the tracklisting for your Covers record?
The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich, Train Leaves Here This Morning - Gene Clark, Easy Livin' - Uriah Heep, Why Not Your Baby - Gene Clark, Steel Rail Blues - Gordon Lightfoot, Does My Ring Burn Your Finger - Buddy Miller, Born On The Bayou - Creedance, The Race Is On - George Jones, Loves Gonna Live Here - Buck Owens
Who was your 1st love?
Try getting my first album A-La-Tex - 'Rough & Tumble'
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig?
'Bye Bye Baby' BC Rollers - Punishment of Luxury / Bitch - Lincoln Drill Hall
Any favourite Web sites?
www.catscan.com I don't know if it still exists, but people we're encouraged to scan their cat!
Your most embarrassing lyric?
I personally find all my lyrics embarrassing and can't see what anyone else sees in my constant whinging and whittering!
Britney Spears or Broccoli Spears?
Britney
Write your epitaph?
'I told you I was ill'
What’s your favourite insult?
Rotter
Last record you bought or blagged?
Slaid Cleaves - 'Broke Down'
What’s on the stereo at the moment?
Merle Haggard - Strangers
Your favourite film of all time?
Where Eagles Dare
If you weren’t filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now?
ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Turn ons / turn offs?
Raw ginger - meat
Lambchop or Pork Chops?
Ok you got me as a vegetarian!

The Arlenes online: www.arlenes.demon.co.uk

20 Questions with -
Cusack

Cusack are Essex geezers, Lance Baldock and Dave Seccombe . They are veterans of the Southend scene and are currently making waves in London. They want to make great music on the Moon.

How’s it going?
Fine and Dandy, thanks for asking.
What's the best thing about your home town?
My many drinking companions.
What's your favourite venue? The 12 Bar Club and The Forum in London and The Sunrooms (aka The Scumrooms) in Southend.
When were you last drunk? Easter Sunday -had a local gig where free Guinness was part of the deal.
What’s your Karaoke song?
'The Tender Trap'
If you were a Tribute Band, who would you be?
In my mind's eye - Frank Sinatra, In reality....Jimmy Pursey.
What’s the tracklisting for your Covers record?
I Don't Want To Get Over You - Magnetic Fields
Looking For Lewis and Clark - Long Ryders
Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith
Sweet Virginia - The Rolling Stones
Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground
You're Pretty Good Looking - The White Stripes
Telephone Call From Istanbul - Tom Waits
Dear Mr Fantasy - Traffic
Country Home - Neil Young
Spirit of Radio - Rush
You'll Have To Come Out With Us - Dave Dulake
Blister In The Sun - Violent Femmes
Greeting To The New Brunette - Billy Bragg
Who was your 1st love? Cat Woman
What was the 1st record you bought & your 1st gig?
Gig - Dire Straits at Hammersmith Odeon, record (with my own money) 'Flash' by Queen.
Any favourite Web sites?
www.catwoman.com
Your most embarrassing lyric?
'I feel like f***ing someone, just for revenge' (I was young…)!
Have you read any good books lately?
Two by Richard Braughtigan - 'The Hawkline Monster' and 'Willard and the Bowling Trophies'
Write your epitaph?
'He was here a minute ago…'
What’s your favourite insult?
'Ah!…Mouth breathers'.
Last record you bought or blagged?
Bought - New LP by 'Silver Jews', blagged 'Butterfingers' by Dave Dulake
What’s on the stereo at the moment?
The latest 'Uncut' compilation and The 'Lowspark' e.p Both excellent.
Your favourite film of all time?
You have to be joking! I recently re-watched these great movies… Marathon Man, Breaking Away, American Beauty & The Big Lebowski.
If you weren’t filling in this questionnaire what would you be doing now?
Sending stupid e-mails to my friends and colleagues, naturally.
Turn ons / turn offs?
Ons - Crisp winter sun, good beer.
Offs - Music that tries too hard, focus group TV - Pop Idol etc - I can't even laugh at it.
Lambchop or Pork Chops?
Kurt Wagner rules!