Lou Molinaro

THE NEW YORK DOLLS

THE NEW YORK DOLLS

Hello Folks.  Buckshot and I had the opportunity to see the New York Dolls on February 18th at the Phoenix.  Couple of things stood out about this show.  First of all, the Dolls are still terrific!  While some critics slag them for trying to be what they were 30 years ago, I believe that they really never changed.  They have not changed because they are real.  When you think about influential bands like The Who, Stones, & MC5, you have to include the New York Dolls in the mix too.  C'mon folks.....these guys revolutionized a look that would inspire everyone from Axl Rose to Robin Black.  Without the Dolls, Rock N Roll would have been pretty boring.

Ideally and chronologically, they stemmed from the Velvet Underground/Warhol scene without the pretentiousness.  As much as I love the Velvets, too many of the so called fans used their music to indulge in their personal drama.  However, the Dolls grabbed a fish (dressed in drag of course) and smacked you on the side of the head with it.  The Dolls were not afraid to simplyfy the art of music, and they showed their true colours by building their sound on acts like the Shangri-Las, and on Doo Wop genre.

I had the opportunity to interview David Johansen on February 6th in support of the New York Dolls Toronto show.  To describe how I felt about chatting with David is unexplainable.  One of the greatest Rock N Roll singers and Frontmen!  Luckily he leads a sensation called the New York Dolls.  I hope you enjoy the interview...

LOU - It's 2:29 and change here at C-101.5 FM.  Man oh Man, what a huge pleasure to introduce to you David Johansen of The New York Dolls.  David, are you there?

DJ - Yes, I am here, and the pleasure is all mine, Lou.

LOU - Ah, THANK YOU...you are a kind gentleman.  Also joining me in the studio is my girlfriend Buckshot Bebee who is a huge fan of the David Johansen and The New York Dolls.

Buckshot - Hi David!!!!!

DJ- Hello!

LOU - Buckshot actually recorded Puss N Boots on her debut record with the Poisoned Aeros, and the one and only Sylvain Sylvain also sat in on it.

DJ - Really?  I do not know why I was not aware of this...(chuckling)

LOU - Well, you know how sneaky Sylvain is, right?

DJ - That's true.  I never really know what he is up to.  I have given up trying, Lou!!!

LOU - You don't try anymore?

DJ - No, I turned my thoughts towards other pursuits, because I know when I am licked!

LOU - OK...well, let's talk about some of your pursuits.  Aside from the New York Dolls, and we will talk about the Dolls....but you have become an amazing actor.  I have followed a lot of your acting, including a great episode of OZ recently.  PRISONER 96Z858.

DJ - hahahaha...Was that my name?  What I recall from that OZ episode was that I was walking down the street in Manhatten, and literally, an 87 year old lady maybe even older like 90 was dressed in black.  She looked like a widow, she walked with a cane and as I walked by her, she said to me.."Oh, I saw you on OZ!"  I said to her "You watch that show???? "

LOU - Wow David....she is the coolest 90 year old lady in the world!

DJ - More like a lady from Central Casting!..hahahaha

LOU - It was a pretty intense episode where you were in a kitchen and you threw hot grease from a pan at someone's crotch?

DJ - I can't really remember, but on that show they would show the crime, and I believe that I threw bacon fat in the face of my boss.  I was a short order cook, or something like that.  It was some horrible thing that I did to him.

LOU - Looking at your acting career over the years, I really do believe that you are still at the prime of your career.  Its hard to think that you have been at this for over 30 years!  As much as you have been a visionary, you have also been a chameleon where you have been lucky to be able to change into so many roles.  You are a Rock N Roll singer, actor, Lounge singer.  Heck, you were doing this Lounge thing even before it became popular again.  You were almost a 2nd generation proto-type Lounge singer as Buster Pointdexter.

DJ - Yeah....First came Louis Prima, and then came Buster Pointdexter.

LOU - You are very comfortable with all that you do.  You are a very natural born entertainer.  You must be happy with everything that you have been involved with.

DJ - I am not complaining.

LOU - Almost 10 years ago, you were involved in a project called September Songs. 

DJ - Oh yeah.....!  I think that we did that in Toronto.

LOU - No way?

DJ - Yeah....that was a lot of fun.

LOU - I remember when it came out, the critics praised it.  The video that you were in was also very cool.  Your make up in the video was remarkable.  Folks, the video is on Youtube.  Check it out!  Also, you did a beautiful Hymm with an acoustic guitar player a few years ago.  I loved that song!  Who was that on guitar with you? 

DJ -Oh, that was Brian Koonin.  We both played in the Harry Smiths.

LOU - Wanna hear a funny story about the Harry Smiths?

DJ - Yeah...

LOU - Back in 1998, and I want to remind you that this is a true story and for this reason, The Harry Smiths will always be scarred on my skin....Through one of the links of the Harry Smiths website, I got this very bad computer virus and I ended up losing tons of stuff on the computer!

DJ - Really?  What site was that?  I don't think that we had an actual Harry Smiths website, but our record company had a Harry Smiths website  .

LOU - That's the one!

DJ - Back then, wow, I don't think any of us had a computer!

LOU - And now you do?

DJ - Now, I have a computer and everything that goes with it.  Lou, I am really with it!

LOU - How are you enjoying this re-incarnation of the Dolls?  The different players obviously add a new and different dynamic to the band.  Obviously, you can not compare 30 years ago to today.  You are a new band, times have changed, and both Syl and yourself have changed.  Some of the reviews that I read on the latest record had critics saying that it did not sound like the first 2 records, but c'mon give me a break! 

DJ - Well, I don't think any 2 records really sound the same anyway.  Except for maybe Badfinger who sound a lot like Wings.

LOU - Wow...David!  You threw me for a loop there!  Do you listen to a lot of Wings and Badfinger?

DJ - No, I don't, but its the first thing that came to my mind.  There are 2 bands that put out records that sounded alike.

LOU - Oh yeah, that thick production quality.  I know what you mean.

DJ - Yeah...You can probably compare any 2 records that were produced by Jeff Lynne and they would sound alike...hahahaha. But other than that......Lou!  I can't think of any! hahahahahahaha

LOU - hahahahahaha

LOU - Your last release on Roadrunner records was a successful record in my opinion.  I loved the record, the songs, and I thought that Jack Douglas did a great job on the production.  But as a fan, it was great to see the longevity of the Dolls still continue.

DJ - Oh Cool! Being in this band is really great!  You see, I am a member of this band, and I do not have the responsibilities of having to wash the bottles or keep a count of things.  I go in, I sing, and that makes it a great gig!

LOU - A Few years ago when Sylvain spent almost 10 days with Buckshot and I, he was with another New York band called the She Wolves.  He kind of tipped me off saying "Lou, I think that its going to happen!  I think that David wants to do it!".  I was freakging!  So was that when Morrissey entered the picture?  Luckily the band did get back together, but what were your first impressions?

DJ - Well, here is how it went Lou.  Morrissey called because he was producing and booking a week of shows in London.  They do this every year.  They pick a different rock star to pick a bunch of bands.  So, Morrissey booked all the acts for this week of shows.  He called and said, "Would you guys like to do a show?"  So we went into this really only expecting to do one show only.  The show sold out. I don't know...pretty quickly.  So, they added a 2nd show.  We knew that we were going to do 2 shows and stay in a really nice hotel.  We went into this thing thinking "let's have the most fun that we could possibly have!"  So after it was all said and done, we got a lot of good notes on the shows.  This was in June 2004 I think.  Afterwards, we were invited to play festivals like Leeds and Reading and all these other mud baths...(hahahahaha).  So we figured lets do these shows too because we are having so much fun.  Eventually, a year or a year and a half later, we were still doing shows together.  So, we decided to make a record because we're in a band and that's what we do.  So, we really did not go into this in any way planning a reunion or something like that.  You know what I mean?  I think that would have been too much!  But the fact that we just fell into it, and it lead us instead of us trying to lead it, that drove the train and it worked out the way it did.

LOU - You must have been overwhelmed by the positive reactions from all over.  Especially from musicians themselves.  They were embracing the news of the Dolls getting back together.  If you look at guests that appeared on your last record like Michael Stipe, it showed us that there were lots of Dolls fans who did not look or try to sound like the Dolls.

DJ - Well, a lot of musicians tell me that they were inspired by the Dolls.  As far as we are concerned, we consider ourselves as artists.  Probably, the most important job of an artist is to inspire other artists.  The Dolls are a big package.  We have philosophy, fashion, and we have music.  We have all this stuff going on, so people took different things from the Dolls and different aspects were applied to their art.  Yeah, that is very satisfying.

LOU - I know that the Dolls have always been fasion innovators and visionaries with the Rock N Roll look.  Plus, 30 years later, looking at the Dolls and your age group....there are not many cooler looking guys than Sylvain and yourself.  You are setting a standard for guys who are maturing to still look cool.  We are grateful that you are not directing us in the old man's department of clothing.

DJ - I guess so, I never really thought about that.  I wear what I wear, and I go walking around and people say to me..."Oh, there goes David".  So, I don't even know....

LOU - Couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Todd Rundgen, and I had the chance to meet him and get some stuff signed.  With a bunch of Todd records, I also included 2 records that he produced.  One was the Sparks/Halfnelson record, and the other was the Dolls debut record.  In a very respectful way, he said to me..."Wow, this record still continues to haunt me!"

DJ - Well...that is a great record.  Its kind of an iconic record.

LOU - Did you guys realize the importance of that first record when you were recording it?

DJ - Well, at the time, we were very excited about making a record, and we were very happy that Todd agreed to produce it.  I don't know if we thought too much beyond that, or what its impact would be.  We were inclined to make a certain kind of Rock N Roll music.  We all had staunch ideas about how Rock N Roll should be played, and how it should be presented.  I think that Todd understood that.  We maybe worked in the studio for a week or so. It definitely was not a long drawn out process.  It was how the bad played, and it did not have a lot of overdubs on it.  So, it was not like we tinkered with the sound too much.  But we did have very strong ideas about the record.  You know how Folk Art is?  Someone one paints a rooster on a side of a barn.  They are not doing it because they want to put it in a gallery, they do it because they want to do it.  Its not really geared for the marketplace.  Its geared towards personal satisfaction.  So, we make records that we think that we would like to hear.  Then, if other people like it, then that is really great!  The amount of people who liked it were all considering living the Artist life themselves.  So, they took bits of it, and with that inspiration they went out and did other things.

LOU - Did you guys feel the same way, philosophically, about the last record that the Dolls made?

DJ - Yeah, well we went in to make a record, but we did not think about how it was going to sound because the record was going to sound just how we play.  We were not going in trying to sound like something else.  To me, that would be too much of a job....trying to sound like something else.  But if you can go in and feel free and do what you do, then that's playing music, not working on music.  I do not like to work music.  I like to play it.

LOU -  I know that you have played Toronto many times.  Are there any recollections of Toronto that stand out?

DJ - Well, I like Toronto a lot, and I feel very comfortable there.  I do not know how to explain the comfort.  One time, I was doing some filming there and I was there for couple of months.  I even had an apartment there.

LOU - And you didn't call....

DJ - No, I forgot....hahahaha

DJ - Actually, I was working long hours, and I was not playing.  I was working!!!

LOU - David, how did Jack Douglas come into the picture for the production role of the Dolls last record?

DJ - It just seemed natural that we should use him because he was the engineer on our first record.  He had a lot to do with the sound of that first record.  It was early in his career, and we felt that he knew what to do.  We knew that we were not going to have many discussions about it.

LOU - I saw a clip of you being interviewed by Susan Blond at a Cheap Trick afterparty in 1978, and you described your songwriting as "Light and Campy in the song department".  Do you still feel the same way?

DJ - Yeah, I think so.  Its Rock N Roll music.  Its got a philosophy there to think about, but it was made for fun.

LOU - You must be impressed and maybe overwhelmed by the amount of times that the Dolls get name dropped.  Are there moments where you feel that this is beyond comprehension?

DJ - To comprehend is not my job.  When you do what we do, you only think of that, and not the other stuff.

LOU - I guess that is what keeps you guys real, and it prevents you from going into LaLa land.  Unfortunately a lot of artists tend to go there.

DJ - You know, thinking about it, maybe we do have a responsibility in making a kind of Rock N Roll music that we like.  We are pretty much geared to doing that, and nothing else beyond that.

LOU - The band is still active and doing a lot of shows.  Can we expect a new record soon?

DJ - Yeah, we actually have a live record coming out in 2 weeks or so.  It was recorded on December 28th at the Fillmore East, which is the old Irving Plaza.  We decided to tape a couple of shows and see what we sound like.  The tapes came out so great, we decided to put them out.

LOU - Will this be a Roadrunner release?

DJ - I believe that it will be out on Sony.  But most people will probably get it at the download depot.

LOU - What do you think about that method of getting music?

DJ - Its fine with me. You know, we're a band.  We go out, we play, we sing, and we eat.  So....its ok by me.

LOU - Are you still living in New York?

DJ - Yeah..

LOU - How's New York today?

DJ - Its very odd because its 65 degrees outside and its February.

LOU - Wow...we are getting belted with snow and ice. 

DJ - Well, we will be coming out there soon and we'll share some of that with you.

LOU - Or melt it.

DJ - YEAH!!!!!

LOU - Are you feeling comfortable about New York City?  I know that there have been lots of changes.  Are you still proud to call it home?

DJ - Yeah...Well...if you were to go away for a long period of time and then come back, then its more shocking.  But when you live her all the time, you notice the changes gradually, and you become accustomed to it.

LOU - I do not mean to sound redundant, but I can not tell you how much of a thrill it is to talk to you.  I have been a fan of yours for a very long time.  I have been a fan of your acting, and of course your music.  But again, you have really become a great actor!

DJ - Well, as far as the acting is concerned.  Once in a while, someone will approach me with a script and tell me that they want me to be in their movie.  If there is nothing else going on, then I will consider it.  But I really do not go out and look for acting jobs.

LOU - Really?  Now I would find that hard to believe because you are so good at it.

DJ - Well, people will say that I am a natural at it, and that is fine.  However it is not my pursuit.  I am a singer.

LOU - And that is what you prefer most?

DJ - Oh Yeah...You know there is something about singing and being in a band that is just gratifying.  I have always dug singing.

LOU - Have you ever thought about doing something else in a band other than singing?  Maybe playing an instrument in the band only?

DJ - Well, just to be the Harmonica player in a band would really be great!

LOU - There is a local artist by the name of Bob Lanois, and he is the brother of the infamous Dan Lanois, and he has taken his harmonica playing to another level.  Its not Rock or Blues, but its more ambient sounding.  However the Harmonica is the the main instrument.  Its has been courageous of him to take the Harmonica to a different level.

DJ - Oh Cool!  You know when we were kids, everyone said, "Oh, I want to play drums".  I would think "Oh, I would hate to think that I would have to schlep those things around"  Others would say, "I want to play Bass" and I would think "Well, that's a pretty big amp you have to carry around".  Can you imagine having that on your back as you are going to a gig?  The Harmonica is nice, because you can put it in your pocket and after the show you can say to the rest of the boys, "I will be seeing you fellas later!"

LOU - I am learning from you David, that I do not need to work, I just need to play.

DJ - Well, you know I think that the most ideal situation that one can be in during their life - To follow their bliss.  If one is fortunate enough to be doing what they want to do....its the best.

LOU - Mind if I ask you what you are listening to nowadays?

DJ - Last night I got couple of songs off from I-Tunes.  One was NOT ME by Gary US Bonds, and TELL'EM I'M NOT HOME By Chuck Jackson.  I like the I-Tunes thing because a song can be floating thru your mind, and then you think that you can probably get that song right now.  It can even be at 2am in the morning.

LOU - Have you heard Mary Weiss' latest record?

DJ - Yup...

LOU - What did you think?

DJ - I like it very much!  I have a radio show on Satellite and I played it.

LOU - Oh....very cool!!!!  Maybe I can be your guest one day!

DJ - That would be good!  You are very good at the interview stuff.  I am quite impressed!

LOU - Wow..this is INSANE!!!  Wow...Really?

DJ - YES!

LOU - Thanks David..

DJ -Yeah..

LOU - I have to tell you that my head has filled up the whole city.  Now I am on an ego rush.

DJ - Oh good for you!

LOU - So listen to this....A good friend of mine...he's kind of a bruiser.  He calls himself  Glen, the Hamilton Kid.  He invited me for a winter walk in the Arboretum.  Normally we drink, but..

DJ - He's gonna beat you up!

LOU - Maybe that's what he wants to do is beat me up!!!!!  Here I am thinking that he wants to get something off his chest, or complain about his marriage or something, but I think that you are right.

DJ - He probably likes to beat people up in the Arboretum!  Can't you say,"Ah, can't you just beat me up at home?  Do I have to put on all my sweaters and stuff?"

LOU - Maybe we can get this done without involving any winter clothing or a lot of maintenance.

DJ - EXACTLY!

LOU - I am looking forward to seeing you in Toronto.  Thank you so much for doing what you are doing.  I am so pleased that the spirit of the New York Dolls still lives on.  You guys are such an important band to the art of Rock N Roll and to the music of Rock N Roll....and let's not forget the look of music as well.

DJ - Well, I hope you all come out and see the show.  Its going to be a lot of fun!

LOU - What song did you want us to play from your records?

DJ - How about DANCING ON THE LIP OF THE VOLCANO

LOU - Tell us a little about the song before we let you go.

DJ - Its a song about Ritualistic Dancing.  While we were recording the record, Michael Stipe came in to watch us.  He was curious on how these Savants can create impeccable music.  We were watching him thru the glass, and he was watching us.  So, we said "why don't you come here and sing with us?"  That's what happened.

LOU - WOW!!  He must have been as giddy as a little girl!

DJ - hahaha...we had a lot of fun!

LOU - David...its been a HUGE pleasure.  Please say hello to Sylvain on behalf of Hamilton Ontario.  We can not wait to see you guys!  Thank you Mr. Johansen.

DJ - Alright Lou, Thank you...

And the music played on.......

And the February 18th show was great

WILLIE P BENNETT (1951 - 2008)

 

Howdy Hamilton...

   

Many of you have now heard the awful news about Willie P Bennett passing away.  I am shocked by the news, and furthermore, as selfish as this sounds, its horrible to know that we will never see another Willie P Bennett show again. 

 
 

Mr. Bennett was a genuine artist.  He was a gifted songwriter that could put an audience into tears with his passion, and in the next song he would having everyone smiling and bopping their heads.  He certainly had a very strong connection to Hamilton, and good ol' lady called Hamilton will definitely miss this boy. 

 

I was planning on having Willie P Bennett play in Hamilton on Sunday April 27th with Tommy Ramone's newest Bluegrass band called Uncle Monk.  Willie's agent and I were just getting things confirmed for the big announcement. 

   

Unfortunately, I did not want the announcement to reference Willie P Bennett passing away.

   

The last time that Willie P Bennett played in Hamilton was Feb 15th 2007 at Pepper Jack's.  It was a horrible winter night, but the strong die hard fans of Willie's were entertained once again to a beautiful night of wonderful songs and music.

   

I would like to re-post my blog entry of Willie P Bennett's final Hamilton solo show.

   

Mr. Bennett, may your rest in peace....

   

February 16, 2007

 

WILLIE P. BENNETT - A Magical Rarity!!!    

I had the pleasure of hosting a Willie P Bennett at Pepper Jack's on Feb 15th, and for those of you who are Willie fans will know what I mean when I say that he is an honest rarity.

Willie plays with Fred Eaglesmith all year round.  This touring machine perform close to 275 dates per year.  A wonderful bonus is that Willie P. Bennett has a small window of availabilty for solo shows. Selfish promoters like yours truly bug Mr. Bennett to possibly include a Hamilton show during his down time!

Last night's Hamilton show was the first of a string of solo shows, sans Fred.  It was great to have Hamilton as the launch pad. 

Willie's music smells and sounds like true Canadian music, and his songs are not cryptic. I would not say that he is typically a poet, but he is poetic with music.  There were so many times during the set last night where the Bennett-esque style of words and songs clearly make him iconic! 

Willie had mentioned to me before the show that he had not played guitar for a while, due to the mandolin playing in the Flying Squirrels.  So, it was a treat to see him with a six string and wail away on such beautiful heartfelt songs.

Graham Rockingham agreed that he would post a review about the show in his blog, so I am not going to be redundant in this post.  However, I would like to share with you a few things that I believe make Willie P. Bennett genuine.

Lately, it is rare to get a Willie P. Bennett solo show.  So, when Mr. Bennett gets up on stage to perform, you would think that all of his fans would pay close attention to his song intros and of course he wonderful pieces of music.

Pure and Simple...its Willie's stage. However one thing that I love about Willie is his ability to cut through the room, while he is performing, and find that chatty person in a heartbeat.  Some artists will just let a heckler go on, but Willie has a great Punk ethic (its my personal opinion, you do not have to agree!) and will shut a person up.  He is not a creep about it by any means, but you do get the point!

Some one was speaking a little loudly about her bill during one of Willie's song, and Mr. Bennett took care of business, diplomatically.  Then the music played on.....

A comical payback moment occured with Willie P. Bennett and Tim Gibbons (the opening act).  Apparently, during a previous Willie P. Bennett show in Hamilton, Tim was stretching his voice from the crowd and interferring with Willie's set.  Willie has a very good memory, and remembered this particular night.  So, at one point of the evening, Tim kindly yells out a request.  This gave Willie the perfect opportunity to put that previous night to rest.  He kindly let Tim know that the Pepper Jack's show was not going to be a repeat performance!!!!!  In fact, Willie was so cool that he even went as far as complimenting Tim on his fantastic set.  While Willie was getting ready and tuning up, he was playing along with Tim's set from his dressing room.  Then came the quote...."I think that I can see a future here! ha ha ha ha".  BRILLIANT!

What am I trying to say here?  Willie is a well balanced performer.  He is honest and will not hide any punches.  He is sincere about his music, performances, and his words.

I have grown up liking artists who have ALWAYS had somewhat of an edge to their personna.  This is a respectful quality!  Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Ray Davies, Pat Todd, Ian Hunter, Willie P. Bennett - regardless of the musical genre.  Its that remarkable genuine quality that these amazing artists have. 

I get goosebumps hearing Willie sing.  His voice is still, perfect.  I was watching the crowd's facial expressions while Willie was performing his magic on stage, and we were all in a trance where we just did not want the songs to end.

One of the most interesting quotes I heard last night was from a fellow who said "Can you imagine how popular Willie would have been if he was born in the U.S.".  I know that he meant it as a compliment, but thank god that we can claim him as our musical treasure.

Willie...thanks again for a wonderful evening.  Can't wait till the next show!

MARY WEISS - THE COOLEST OLDER SISTER OF ROCK N ROLL!!!!

 

Howdy Gang...

If any of you have been listening to my radio show on Wednesdays, you will know that the Rock N Roll Gods have been very kind to C101.5 FM.  The past few weeks have been total reality checks for me.  Especially yesterday.

John Mars was my special guest, and the both of us had the opportunity to speak with the one and only Mary Weiss.  Her name should be familiar because she is definitely the COOLEST OLDER SISTER OF ROCK N ROLL!!!

She was a one time member of the Shangri-Las.  Last year, she released a new record called Dangerous Game.  Its available on Norton Records.  I wanted to share with you the interview that was aired live on C101.5 on Wednesday Feb 13th. 

This was such a HUGE honour!

Enjoy!!!!

LOU - I have to say that its a huge pleasure to be able to talk to you.  I do not mean to sound redundant by saying that I am a huge Mary Weiss fan, but I so happy and impressed to see that we had new Mary Weiss music with the Dangerous Game and it was a great album.

MARY WEISS - Thank you so much.

LOU - It's been a while since we last heard new music from Mary Weiss. 

MARY WEISS - A while?  Try a life time!

LOU - Was there a reason why you took a hiatus, Mary?

MARY WEISS - A hiatus?  Well, I dropped out all together.  Too much litigation, and it was thicker than the music. So, I threw my hands up and said "that's enough".

LOU - I am presuming that a lot of people name dropping Mary Weiss and the Shangri-Las as inspiration plus a resurgence of girl led bands may have inspired you to record again?

MARY WEISS - I always felt that I would do it when I felt like it.  I have always had many offers over the years, but I felt none of them seemed right to me.  So, I just did not want to do it.  Then suddenly, I met Billy (Miller from Norton Records) at a party, and that was that.

LOU - You are referring to Billy Miller from Norton Records.

MARY WEISS - Yes.

LOU - I was happy to see that the record was released on Norton Records.  Being a fan of Norton Records, I thought it was a no brainer!  It definitely seemed like a perfect combination.  Mary Weiss' music available on Norton Records.

MARY WEISS - Plus, they are very nice people.

LOU - You had the opportunity to work with a band called Reigning Sound?  How did you hook up with those guys?

MARY WEISS - I love those guys!!  We had not met each other before going into the studio.  We were MP3-ing stuff back and forth.  So, all of us were holding our breath to see if this was going to work out, and what this would be like.  It was magic.

LOU - I was tipped off a while ago by Andy Shernoff of the Dictators that you were going into the studio to record new music.  I was thrilled to know that we would be able to hear your voice again.

MARY WEISS - Aw thank you.  I think that its funny that people were saying "Mary, your voice is lower".  People don't realize that when I was making demos, I was 14 years old!!!  God forbid that your voice stay the same when you are 14 years old.  My voice sounded like a human nasal condition...!

LOU - My special guest today, John Mars prepared a bunch of music from either girl led bands or girl groups, and we played a Marianne Faithfull song from 1965 called SUMMER NIGHTS, and he mentioned the same thing that its natural for a lady's voice to change over the years.  But there is something truly remarkable at the Mary Weiss voice!

MARY WEISS - Aw, thank you!

LOU - Are you enjoying the fact that you are going out to play live again?

MARY WEISS - Its a whole different thing.  When you have a lot of records on the charts, people always look at you and wonder "what's next?".  Then they say, "what about the next one?  and how about the next one?"  I hear it all the time.  I watch MTV and I realize that there is no ladder that I am trying to climb.  Right now, this is a great place to be, because I don't care about that stuff.  I just want to play and perform music that I like.  If other people like it, then I am very happy.

LOU - Are you more comfortable about things now because you are calling the shots?

MARY WEISS - Well yeah.  Anybody that started out as a kid back then got screwed.  You did not have music business attorneys.  There was no security, no cellphones.  C'mon, think about it.  It was a scary place.

LOU - John is my special guest.  Did you want to say Hi to Mary?

JOHN MARS - Hi Mary.  I was wondering about your sister who was also in the band.  At first, you had the 2 pairs of sisters in the Shangri-Las. Was your sister Betty part of the records?  I know that she left the group pretty early on.

MARY WEISS - No, actually its funny because she left the band and then came back.  Every member of the Shangri-Las went in and out of the group at different times, except me.

LOU - Its interesting that there was a 2 sister team that made the Shangri-Las...

MARY WEISS -  (laughing)...Yeah, and it made for some great fights too....hahahhahhaha.

LOU - Any of these sister fights on Youtube?  (joking)

MARY WEISS - No, none on Youtube.  Maybe if we had cellphones back then!!!....

JOHN MARS - Any pillowfights back then?

MARY WEISS - Any what?

JOHN MARS - Pillow fights.

MARY WEISS - No....sorry no pillow fights.

LOU - John Mars mentioned earlier on the show that Queens New York had a very predominant sound, and the Shangri - Las were definitely the Captains of that team.  You met Shadow Morton during those days.  How were you introduced to him?

MARY WEISS - I kind of met him as a fluke.  We had a manager at the time who wanted Bob Lewis who was a jock in New York, and he wanted to hear us sing.  Our manager brought us up to Bob's apartment, and there was a grand piano in the apartment.  So we sang for him, and Shadow was there.  That was the begining of Red Bird Records.

LOU - How did you feel working with Shadow?  While I was preparing for the interview I read somewhere that Shadow was so amazed how well all of you sang, considering your ages.

MARY WEISS - Well, none of us had easy lives, and a lot of what we were feeling came out in our music.  Our music was more of a release than anything.

LOU - It seemed that the emotions that we heard sounded natural and true.

MARY WEISS - It was real.

JOHN MARS - I read an anecdote recently that said that George Morton wrote REMEMBER WALKING IN THE SAND on the subway to the recording studio.

MARY WEISS -  Ok...that's a different one....I thought that it was written in a car on a Hicksville road or something like that.  I am friends with George.  We talk all the time.

LOU - There is a cool pic of Bruce Springsteen and yourself on your myspace page.

MARY WEISS - Yeah, he was very nice.

LOU - Where was that taken, Mary?

MARY WEISS - It was taken at a Christine Carr Benefit for Cancer.  It was an auction and it was a very nice night.

LOU - Are you enjoying being active in music again?  I checked out some Youtube footage of you from recent shows, and you sound great, and you look great.  I just hope that we will get more new Mary Weiss music now that you cracked open the safe again.

MARY WEISS - Well, there is a new cd in the works, and I am starting to tour again.  I am doing a show in New York on March 22nd and then I am going to New Orleans for the Ponderosa Stomp.  I will also be touring Spain and doing something in France too.  It should be fun!

LOU - So, all of a sudden, this has become full time again, Mary.

MARY WEISS - Oh yeah!  I used to do commercial interiors for years and years for mega buildings and I walked away.

LOU - Were you designing actual designs for the company?

MARY WEISS - No not really.  I was pretty much busy with the technical side of things.  I was like a senior account manager.  We did one building that actually blew up on 9-1-1.

LOU - Wow...how awful!

MARY WEISS - Yeah, that hurt.

LOU - Did your co-workers have any idea of who Mary Weiss was?

MARY WEISS - Unfortunately, yes.

LOU - Unfortunately?

MARY WEISS - It was so weird.  Say you walk away from what you are doing and you walk into a Joe Blow private citizen existance.  People would show up in the lobby of this company with albums that they wanted signed.  How they found me, I would never know.  No matter where I went to work, it was weird because that is what I was running away from.

LOU - I guess it is weird  because the Shangri-Las were such a sensation, everyone wanted a piece from you girls. Just as they did with the Beatles.  People are always sticking records in front of you to sign, or papers to get an autograph from you.

MARY WEISS - Or how about sitting in a restaurant and being bothered.  The security was not there.  Even in your hotels.  People would try to break into your hotel rooms.  A lot of it was very scary.  There was not the security that musicians have today.  Even if you go to a benefit today, you have a wall of people to help.  No one really had this back then.

LOU - Well, just food for thought Mary....I weigh 2 and the juice.  I am 5 foot 10 and a half, and I am a strong Italian guy.  If you EVER need security, I would be more than happy to help you out!

MARY WEISS -  I'll think about it....(laughing)

JOHN MARS - Mary, he's actually a teddy bear!

LOU - How long did Dangerous Game take to record?

MARY WEISS - Selecting the music took the longest.  It was a process.  We went in the studio in the summer, mixed and finalized everything.  The whole thing took basically a year.  However the recording did not take that long.

LOU -  Dangerous Game is such a great way for new Mary Weiss fans to begin to learn about your music.  Especially when it opens the door to the Shangri-Las.  But, I must admit that I was somewhat hesitant to hear your record, but the more I read about it the more I was excited to hear it.

MARY WEISS -  Thanks so much!

LOU - Norton Records is so amazing because they singlehandedly have saved so much Rock N Roll.  Looking at the fact that Norton Records are loved by many areas of the world.  Did you get the chance to visit a lot of these areas of the world when the Shangri-Las toured?

MARY WEISS - Our schedule was so insane back then.  We were constantly working.  I never made it France or Spain.  I went to London a few times.  But this time, it should be a lot of fun.

LOU - When the Shangri-Las came out, you were obviously a target for fashion.  Did you work with any fashion-type people back then?

MARY WEISS - No, I did not like what everybody else was wearing.  I am not a chiffon dress and high heel person.  Most women that I know are not.  I just didn't like it.  I used to go to a place on 8th street and get low rise pants.  I don't have any hips, so they were comfortable.  Men's pants were much more comfortable too.   At that time, people were so rigid.  They would look at you as if you were gay, and I am looking at them back like they're nuts!

LOU - The Shangri-Las did not look like the rest of the other girl groups.

MARY WEISS - Well, we did that.  Initially you can tell by the early pictures that we had no money.  I remember going into Macy's and buying a wool skirt and a shell.  When we had hit records, we went to the village and had things designed for us.  We did not want to look like everybody else.

LOU - The Shangri-Las were the cool girls, though.

MARY WEISS - I read so much about how the Shangri-Las were so tough.  I just laughed!  It was hysterical.

LOU - A lot of us who learn about music in the early 60's in New York learn about street corners with Doo Wop singers.  Did that actually exist in Queens?

MARY WEISS -  That was very true.  When I was in grammer school, there were couple of groups of guys that used to sing harmony on the street corners.  Every once in a while, I used to cross the street, jump in and join in.  That was kind of a big thing back then.

LOU - Obviously, that had a lot to do with the sound of the Shangri-Las?

MARY WEISS - Yeah, that and the Everly Brothers.  They did so much for harmony.  They were a very solid 2 part that could easily become a 3 part.  Throw in a 7th and a 9th and there you have it.  The Shangri-Las were very much into harmony.  Everybody always asks, "Did you use any studio musicians for backing vocals?"  The answer is no.  We did all our own harmony.

LOU - Were they long and tedious sessions?

MARY WEISS - No, not really because we prepared so well.

LOU - So, your pre-production was very important.

MARY WEISS - Absolutely.  We worked out the feel of the song and everything else.  Back then, everything was all magic.  We did not have any synthesizers and stuff like that.  When you walked in and there was an orchestra, it was pretty cool.

LOU - Did any of the techniques used during the Shangri-Las recordings get used during the recording of Dangerous Game?

MARY WEISS - Absolutely none!!!!!!!!  (laughing)

LOU - Your current band is like a superstar band really, isn't it?  You have Sal Maida on bass, Dennis Diken on drums, Richard Heyman on guitars.  These guys must be stoked that they are playing with Mary Weiss! 

MARY WEISS - Don't forget Dave Amels from Reigning Sound.  Yes, we are having a great time.  They are all well seasoned musicians!

LOU - Apologies about forgetting about Dave.

MARY WEISS - That's ok.  But I also want to say that he is my musical director.

LOU - The front cover of Dangerous Game has a cool picture of you.  I mean this in a genuine respectful way, but you have aged very well!!

MARY WEISS - When do I grow up though?

LOU - Don't ever grow up!!

MARY WEISS - Maybe its because I have never had any kids.

LOU - So, you are still a kid at heart?

MARY WEISS - Yeah, Big Time!!  Scary isn't it?

LOU - Do you still feel like you have that same drive and desire as you did when you were a kid?

MARY WEISS - Drive and desire as to when I was a kid?  Absolutely not.  I am much more mellow and in tune with myself now.

LOU - So, its a good progress to where you are now in life.

MARY WEISS - Sure...there is too much drama nowadays.  Don't you think?

LOU - Way too much drama.  I am not too good with drama either.  Even when I get caught up in it.  I always tend to tell people to look at something in the opposite direction so, I can scram.

ALL 3 OF US LAUGHING....hahahahhaa

JOHN MARS - I thought you were going to be her body guard!!!!!!

MARY WEISS - I am in trouble if he is....(laughing)

LOU -  I just ruined it!  But I will let you know that if I am working security for you, I would be like an armoured car!  You will not find a better security guard.  Then perhaps, you could be my sercurity guard if I am ever in need of one.  In the perfect world, that would never be the case.

MARY WEISS - There ya go!

LOU - Mary, I am still somewhat speechless.  I am so glad that we are talking to you.  David Johansen called us last week, and we were talking about your record, and he loves it.

MARY WEISS -  I have heard that.  That is so nice!

LOU - We were talking about New York Dolls inspirations, and he mentioned the Shangri-Las.

MARY WEISS - I watched a Youtube clip of David's rehearsing Out In The Streets, and its pretty funny!

LOU - So when The New York Dolls came out and name dropped the Shangri-Las, were you aware of them?  What did you think?

MARY WEISS - I took that as a huge compliment.  I remember one time I was at CBGB's and a couple of the Ramones came up to me and told me how much they liked our music.  Its cool!!  I love hearing that from another musician.

LOU - When you get compliments from guys like Johansen and the Ramones, that is major compliments and validity, subjectively speaking.

MARY WEISS - Nice!!!

LOU - So, what does the rest of the week have in store with you, Mary?

MARY WEISS - The rest of this week???

LOU - Yeah...

MARY WEISS - Well.....I have things to do (laughing)

LOU - Mary, I was so excited when I got the word that you were going to do this interview and we have played Dangerous Game a lot on this radio show.  Thank you so much for taking to chat with us.  I hope that we can speak with you again

MARY WEISS - Thanks for having me.

LOU - Was it fun??

MARY WEISS - Yeah, I had a great time!

LOU - You see, we didn't even get into drama!  That's because you have great security!

MARY WEISS - ah ha!

LOU - We are going to play Don't Come Back.  Tell us about the song.

MARY WEISS - I love that song!!!  Its funny because we were winding down and I seriously wanted another up tempo number, and we did that one last.  I rehearsed it for one day, and we went into the studio.

LOU - Mary, I have to tell you again, that it has been amazing for both John and I to be able to speak with you.  Thank you so much again!  Happy Valentines Day, Mary!

MARY WEISS - Happy Valentines Day!

SMOG VEIL NEWS...

Howdy folks...

I just got this Press Release from the good folks from Smog Veil Records. As mentioned previously in this blog, Smog Veil is a label that not only puts out great music, but they also put out great news too!
Below is a word for word release that was submitted to me.  I thought that I would share this info with you too.
Enjoy!!!!
SMOG VEIL RECORDS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2008
Paper Free Publicity Campaigns For The Pagans And Teacher’s Pet CDs; Pere Ubu Tour Dates; Administration Of David Thomas’ hearpen.com Web-Only Record Label; Unknown Instructors Third Full-Length; Peter Laughner Release; Various Digital-Only Releases; Complaints Choir Documentary Film Completion; Annual Green Report On LEED-Certified Wis Tavern Building In Chicago
Chicago, IL, February 4, 2008; Smog Veil, an independent record label based in Chicago, IL (founded in Cleveland, Ohio), announces their extensive plans for 2008 today.  In line with their eco-friendly initiatives the label will reduce, and in some cases completely eliminate, paper from their publicity campaigns.  The Pagans and Teacher’s Pet albums, slated for April release dates, will pioneer the paper-free campaigns for 2008. Pere Ubu will perform in select U.S. markets in March and April and Smog Veil will administer David Thomas’ web-only label, hearpen.com. Unknown Instructors is set to release third full-length studio album in June and long-awaited Peter Laughner release is now slated for late 2008.  The label will also have several digital-only releases available throughout the year. The Complaints Choir documentary film is scheduled for completion by August. The first annual energy efficiency report on the Gold Level LEED For Homes Certified Wis Tavern Building, that serves as label headquarters and residence for the Mauceris, will be available in October.
The Pagans full-length titled, The Blue Album, and Teacher’s Pet self-titled record will both hit retail on April 8, 2008. The Pagans release features nine tracks of a live show recorded in Madison, Wisconsin at O’Kayz Corral in 1988.  The band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1977 and were part of the second wave of Cleveland proto-punk and post-punk bands which included Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys.  The self-titled Teacher's Pet album features 15 never-before released audio tracks and five video tracks.  The band hails from Akron, Ohio.
Pere Ubu is set to perform selected U.S tour markets in late March and early April.  Some of the dates will feature the band performing their live sound track to the classic Roger Corman film,  The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963).
Smog Veil Records is also administering David Thomas' new web label hearpen.com.  The site sells downloadable rarities, live recordings, limited releases, and anything else of note by Pere Ubu and bands related to Pere Ubu or Ubu Projex.
Unknown Instructors, featuring the legendary rhythm section of Mike Watt and George Hurley (both from Minutemen, fIRHOSE), Joe Baiza (Saccharine Trust), Dan McGuire (Unknown Instructors founder), David Thomas (Pere Ubu, Rocket From The Tombs) and artist Raymond Pettibon is set to release their third, fully improvised studio album on June 24th. Like its predecessor, this album was also recorded at Total Access in Redondo Beach, CA -- the studio in which nearly all of the best-loved SST releases were recorded.
The definitive Peter Laughner retrospective which Smog Veil has been working on for the past 16 months, is now tentatively set for an October 14, 2008 release date.  Laughner was a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist who played with Rocket From The Tombs and the earliest incarnation of Pere Ubu.
The Cleveland native died in 1977 but left behind a number of lo-fi live, rehearsal, and demo recordings.
Several digital-only Smog Veil releases will be announced and made available via iTunes, eMusic, and numerous other download retailers throughout the year.  Artists include The Other Kids (produced by Butch Vig), The Hoax (rare 1977-era punk licensed from Detour Records), and Numbskull (the original Final Days of Torture demo from 1983).

The Complaints Choir documentary film will be completed by August 2008 and is set for national U.S. release sometime in 2009.  The film production is a collaboration between Smog Veil, the artists Tellervo Kalleinen (Finland) and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen (Germany) and the Danish production company Fine & Mellow. The feature length documentary on the performance art phenomenon, directed by acclaimed director Ada Bligaard Søby (American Losers, Rome, NY, Lust Is A Woman) follows the Kalleinens to three continents (America, Asian and Europe). In conjunction with the film release, Smog Veil Records will also make a soundtrack album available.

The first annual green report on the label’s new headquarters in the Wis Tavern Building in Chicago will be widely circulated in October.  The report will include all the measurable facts about how the various energy features of the building are performing.  Tracking and reporting these results accurately is a vital part of the project and one to which the label will give the utmost care.

Label owners, Frank and Lisa Mauceri will both be at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March.  They are available to meet with press and industry and are particularly happy to share their knowledge and experience in the area of green and sustainable business practices.  They have made strides this past year with paper free product promotions and efficiency in running a green business. The label’s Ogreen efforts©ˆ have been reported on exhaustively in outlets as wide ranging as Billboard Magazine, Chicago Tribune, National Geographic, Dwell Magazine and Audubon Magazine.

Smog Veil Records was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1991.  The label is distributed by Morphius, Super D/DWI, Revolver, CTD Ltd., Southern, Forced Exposure, Get Hip, Subterranean, Cargo, Sonic Unyon (Canada) and digitally by The Orchard. Hector Montes at AAM handles radio promotions and Gale Rosenberg of Rock On. Retail handles retail marketing.  Additional artists associated with the label include Thor, Rocket From The Tombs, Amps II Eleven, New Christs (featuring Rob Younger of Radio Birdman) and Rubber City Rebels.