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R:
To tell you the truth, it was a big
mistake. We could have been working the underground all those years but we
just didn’t realize anybody still listened to rock and roll. You can
thank MTV for that. Then we stated to hear a lot of bands cover our old
tracks and that led to us getting back together. So,
the times have changed since the late 70’s and the punk movement isn’t
so much popular as it was back then… what do you think about this? R:
I
disagree. In a way The Ramones, Dead Boys, Johnny Thunders, The Dead
Kennedys etc. are more popular now than in the seventies. In the US anyway.
We are doing better than we ever did. Do
you think that nowadays there are fans out there that are interested in
punk music… or that movement died in the early 80’s? R:
I
think it’s all good. Some kids jump on the new punk bandwagon and
quickly jump to the next fad. But some get introduced to off mainstream
music channels and start to form their own opinions and start to really
appreciate the good stuff. Plus the old timers are still with it. They
still go to clubs and buy music. It’s not like our parents who gave up
having fun when they turned 40. Look at us. What
do you think that punk bands wanted to offer to the world and what finally
did they offer? R:
In the
late seventies the long death march of Rock and Roll began. We were making
a futile last stand to keep the spirit of real rock and roll alive.
That’s what it was all about. We weren’t gonna let it just die. We
made it great again. But the man eventually wins out and today it’s in
really bad shape. Since
you are one of the beginners of that punk movement back in the late 70’s
can you tell me how was the situation back then… R:
It was
not a wildly popular movement in the US. The Ramones were not really
famous. The Dead boys didn’t sell any records. Every city had a few punk
bands but it was mostly a coastal phenomena. No Radio station back
then ever played any punk rock unless you call Blondie or the Clash punk
rock. Which
punk bands do you think that have succeeded all those years and which
bands do not? R:
Well,
the bands that influence the next generation are the successful ones in my
opinion. Dead Boys, Devo, New York Dolls, MC 5, and Iggy. I
saw recently Clash’s history on a DVD and their efforts to conquer the
world… things where more innocent back then but very tough in order to
become popular… do you agree with me? R:
The
Sex Pistols didn’t want to be rock stars and The Clash did. The Ramones
weren’t political and The Clash were. The Clash had hit song and no
other punk band ever did. By
the way, what’s your opinion about Clash, Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedys? R:
I think the Clash hated Rock and Roll. Well
let’s go to Rubber City Rebels now and of course let’s talk about your
new album… First of all have you read my review on Grande Rock? What do
you think of it? R:
I
think I got my $20 dollars worth. Thanks. Why
did you call the band Rubber City Rebels? R:
We used to
be called some other name. We played one of our first gigs with the Dead
Boys. We used to end our show with the song “Rubber City Rebels”.
After we played, Cheetah and Stiv came up to us and said we should change
our name to Rubber City Rebels. So we did. Can
you tell us some things about the title of your new album “Pierce My
Brain”? What’s the deeper meaning of that title? R:
Pierce
My Brain is like- well, what’s next folks, what do the freaks do for an
encore. Why
do you sing that you do not want to be a punk no more? R:
I
thought it was ironic to have a punk song sung with punk attitude about
not wanting to be a punk any more. It’s a song that hates itself. What
could be more punk than that? Can
you tell us in a few words some things about the lyrics of the CD? R:
If you
listen to the songs you will find that most are worth listening to and
they usually have a punch line. What
are the differences between “Pierce My Brain” comparing it to your
debut back in 1980? R:
PMB is
our best album by far. Better songs, better production. It was also far
far cheaper to make. Are
you totally satisfied with the production of the album? R:
Not
totally, but for the time and money we had I think we made a great album. Which
are those things that you would change in your career if you had the
chance again? R:
Almost
everything. But I didn’t know anything as it was happening so what could
I do except what I did? How
far do you think that you can go with Rubber City Rebels? R:
You
never know. The one thing I’ve learned being around so long is that you
can’t get anywhere if you give up. So you just hang in there. Are
there any plans for a tour? R:
We have
done three tours of Europe since 2003. They’ve been great. We are headed
to Japan in fall 2004. And we play in all over the states on a regular
basis. Some
more general questions now. Do you believe that is so easy for a band to
differ in today’s music industry than in the past? And if yes what shall
it do in order to achieve it? R:
I
think it is easier to do some different kind of things if you stay with a
small label and aren’t out to be a big star. The internet is making that
possible. However the mainstream business is completely screwed up and
should be avoided. It’s better to sell 10,000 records on a small label
and tour, than sign with a major, because if you don’t sell hundreds of
thousands then you’re shit. Have
you listened to a very good album that surprised you lately? R:
I like
the briefs, hives, turbonegro,donnas, wildhearts, but the two records that
I’ve heard recently are Firestarter (Japan) and Texas Terri’s new one. Do
you believe that punk music will ever be so popular as it was back in the
late 70’s? R:
I
think it’s more popular now than it was. And
some Weird Questions now, to relax somehow!!! What are the biggest life
lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career? R:
What
I’ve learned is... there’s always a way to make it, if that’s what you
want to do, the only question is how much are you willing to pay. If
you were living in Middle Earth which character would you choose to be and
why? R:
I
think I would be... the director. If
you were a God’s messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of
humanity? R:
Destroy
MTV!!! Do
you believe that if our world was free of religions, things would have
been better for humanity? R:
Do you
think if the world was free of humans it would be better for the slime. Do
you consider yourself as a rock star? R:
The
question is - does anybody else consider me a rock star? How
do you imagine that the music world could be, one thousand years from now?
And why? R:
Music
has been around for tens of thousands of years at least and probably
won’t go away. So folks will likely listen to music from all times at
all times. Some will be forgotten but will always be rediscovered. Which
is the most overrated band today? R:
The
Beatles. If
you could go back in time and see any band live in their prime & open
for them which would it be and why? R:
The
rolling Stones in the sixties because most everything in punk rock was
invented by the stones. Imagine
that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for
herself an expensive ring. How would you react? R:
If I
had anything worth a shit she’d be welcome to it. Unfortunately I
don’t, so it’s moot. Ok,
Rod… welcome back gain and I wish you the best for that album, cause you
truly deserve it. The last words of this interview belong to you. Thank
you again for taking the time to answer to my questions! If there is
anything else that you would like to tell to Grande Rock readers, just do
it!! R: If you get a chance to see the Rebels do it!!! There ain’t that many good bands out there.
by Thanos Aggelakis |
Hi
Rod and… welcome back to music business after almost 24 years…Why did
it take you so long to release your second album?