MARSHMALLOW OVERCOAT interview

Marshmallow Overcoat are one of my most cherished groups. From their debut album, The Inner Groove, which came out in 1987, up to 2008's The Light Show, all their releases have been among my very favourite; a perfect blend of garage and psychedelic sounds, with great original tunes and fabulous covers, as performed by excellent musicians. Timothy Gassen, the group's creator and soul, is yet another of those childhood heroes of mine with whom I have had the joy and honour of communicating, be it via the faceless 'net. Having, over the years, put out seven albums, countless singles and numerous tracks on compilations, they recently issued a 6-CD box set including all their releases! A most welcome gift from our friends hailing from Tucson, Arizona.  

Why the six cd box was released only in 100 copies? It will be released more copies in the future?
Hello to my friends in Greece! We wanted to create something very special for our dedicated fans, so the limited 100-copy box set was one idea. We do want to make the 138-song set available to a wider audience, but we're not sure right now what form that will be in -- a CD set, digital download only, we don't know yet...but whatever form it takes it won't have all the extras that are on the limited first edition.
Let’s start with the very beginning. Which year M. O. got together?
Summer of 1986 in a very hot Tucson, Arizona. We recorded our first 45 for Dionysus Records and soon began to play shows...
There was a local psych/garage scene those days?
Tucson has a garage scene that goes all the way back to the 1960s. The classic garage-psych band Yard Trauma started here in the early 1980s, and we were the next back to create that sound in Tucson after they moved to Los Angeles...
When did you begin to play music and what are your first hearings?
The first "live" music I ever heard was in my basement with my big brother's band -- a 1967 garage band when I was very little! So as a little kid I heard the Seeds, Blues Magoos, Beatles, Byrds -- It makes sense I grew up to make this music! I first stated in the early 1980s in a New Wave-type band, kind of a cross between Joy Division and Kraftwerk. It was called JACKET WEATHER, and we had one 7" EP that goes for $300 on eBay now, lol. I still dig crude electronic music, which surprises my punk rock and garage-psych friends... Oh, Jacket Weather celebrates its 30th anniversary next month, and I'm preparing a complete collection of all of those songs for minimalist-electro fans...(http://jacket-weather.bandcamp.com/)
By the way we re interested in that project
In Jacket Weather? Well, I just found our original 1982 demo tapes, and they sound great! And as I do this interview, I'm doing overdubs in my studio on our first new songs in decades... ;) way cool!!

Lets go on
You did a lot of covers from sixties bands. Which are your favorite ones?
Yes, I didn't realize how many cover songs we did until they were all together on the CD set. Many were recorded for compilation albums, B-sides, etc. My faves are "Shape Of Things To Come," "I Can Only Give You Everything," ""Say It Is Not So" (that was from a 1960s Tucson band!), "Tomorrow Never Knows," "ESP," "The Woods"... we put our own sound on those, I think! Oh, and one of our recent sessions, "Not Fade Away" -- I really like that one. I always wanted to do that as an encore if we returned to Europe!
 (Two of ours favourites covers are this house is not a motel and The light show)
In 1992 you had a European tour. You played in Athens two days. What do you remember from those live appearances in Athens
Oh, "The Light Show"! Yes, one of our MOST psych recordings!!!I rememebr that the Greek garage fans were so very kind -- and they knew a LOT about garage music. Our shows were packed and the crowds were so enthusiastic. We were able to stay in Greece for about a week, and I thought it was so beautiful. I always have said if there was one country The Marshmallow Overcoat could return to it would be Greece. We never got to play in Thessaloniki, where we landed from Italy, and it reminded me very much of Tucson...
In 'a touch of evil' your inner photo is from those live. Do you remember any of that bands you played with?
Yes, we had many great photos from those Athens shows -- you can tell the band was really enjoying it. We played with the Sound Explosion, who were so very cool! They were one of the best bands we played with in Europe -- wow, what a great sound!
Yeah, Sound Explosion
I'd have to go through notes to see who else we played with -- we've done a lot of shows over the years, lol...
Do you know any other Greek bands from the sixties till now?
I have a great LP from the Mushrooms.. and a bunch of Hitch-Hyke's releases...I've been hunting for the Greek pressing of the "Eyes of Mind" album (from Bomp Records) for years now...I also have some great Greek 1960s compilations. The Greek sound reminds me a bit of the 1960s Texas sound -- a bit more wild than the rest of Europe, like Texas bands were more wild than the rest of the US...
You’ve changed the name of the band from Marshmallow Overcoat to Overcoat and then Marshmallow Overcoat again. Why?
In 1990-1991, after our "Beverly Pepper" album, there were some major labels interested in us. They suggested shortening the name, so we did for 2 albums -- but we didn't change our sound and they didn't sign us anyway, lol. So we decided to go back to our real name and keep playing the garage-psych sounds we love! So 25 years later, once again we are searching for a record label to release our music!
You have new songs to release?
We have new songs on the limited 6-CD set that we'd love to get out on vinyl -- if the entire 6-CD set isn’t picked up by any label perhaps a single CD of our most recent material would also be cool...
You are the editor of The Knights of Fuzz book that is a psych-garage music guide from 80s to 00s. Tell us some more (how much tome you spend for...etc)
Yes, I first wrote a garagare-psych book titled "Echoes In Time" and then it doubled in size and was published as "The Knights of Fuzz." It took me 5 years to write! It is now out of print and VERY expensive to find a paper copy. An electronic version with lots of updates and hundreds of other garage articles I wrote is on the DVD version of the Knights of Fuzz, along with 25 music videos from garage bands 1980-2005...
How you felt when you came across with all those bands and people? Was difficult to collect all those information
I started collectcting any and all garage bands from 1965 on! I started to find the older '60s musicians and also the new ones, talking to them, learning from them -- I am a supreme garage fans, but also a musician making the music -- so it has been an exciting journey. I've been able to get to know so many of my heroes, and also make music myself! Yes, it took a LOT of work to collect all of this. Remember, I started many years before the Internet or e-mail! Everything ws done by postal mail, so the interview we are doing now instantly would have taken a month to complete!
Super!!!! You have also not only met people from the sixties but played with. For eg. to celebrate the release of Knights of Fuzz in 2001 was a big live show with Fuzztones, Plasticland.... and Sean Bonniwell (a great loss for 2011) etc. How was your meeting with Sean?
Sean was a fabulous guy! We talked about recording togetehr but that never happened, much to my regret. The Music Machine's drummer, Ron Edgar, also played with him at that show, with the Fuzztones backing him up! I have lots of pictures from that night that I have to put online -- I have the biggest smile on my face in all of them! To be able to gather all my fave bands together in NYC for that show was a real highlight for me -- and it was only 3 weeks after the attacks in NY in 2001, so everyone really pulled together to make it happen. It was a real celebration, a special night.
Do you know anything about the "crisis" in Greece (or any other country in Europe)
Oh yes, we are very concerned. The world has changed -- the US and the rest of the world are linked, and we all need to be concerned about each others' welfare! At least I believe so!
ok
With Purple Merkins you had released 4 7’’ and one album. Why don’t you continued with?
I listened again to all of the Purple Merkins releases a little while ago, and I think it sounds like a long-lost Marshmallow Overcoat album! In the 1990s when the Overcoat was using larger studios and doing more intricate music, the Purple Merkins were recording crude '66 garage in our house. But now, all these years later, it sounds to me like the same band, lol. I'd love to do more Purple Merkins music -- but we are having great difficulty finding a garage-psych label to release any of our music! Even after all we've done as a band, we arein the same difficult boat as many other garage bands...
You have also released a single as Thee Hands Of Tyme by a greek label. Why don't you have continued writing music with them?
I thought Thee Hands of Tyme would continue, doing much more psych music, but again it seems any band with me writing, producing and singing ends up sounding like the Marshmallow Overcoat! So I am embracing all of those sounds rather than trying to separate it into '66 garage. psych, and power pop as different bands.
In your latest releases I think you are sounding more psychedelic. Am I right?
Yes, I think so. "The Beyond," for instance uses a mellotron and tremolo vocals! We were going for a real 1967 Abbey Road studios sound on that one!
Besides music you are a journalist film maker, music producer etc. Tell us some more

I have three professional personalities: 1) music, 2) film and journalism and 3) as President of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame (ice hockey.) These worlds are so different that I have 3 sets of friends who don't really know about the other things I do, lol. Music people think that sports isn't cool, and film people usually don't understand underground music, etc. But it is 3 very interesting worlds!

You played ice hockey?

I was never good enough to play, lol. But I did the radio play-by-play for a team, and have written books about ice hockey. It's like a religion, and many people think I am from Canada!  

For us ice hockey is an unknown sport! All these years you had played with a lot of bands. Which of them you remember mostly?

Wow, I've been so luck to have played shows with so many great bands. Yard Trauma was always great, The Pandoras, Fuzztones, Plasticland,.. the list could go on and on, and I don't want to leave anyone out! We have been very fortunate. I won't say lucky, because we have worked very hard for years to make our music!

You’ve almost did a cover of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Why only some seconds
Ah -- we were warming up in the studio and tape was rolling as we just started playing it as everyone laughed! I included it because it still makes me laugh!
Which are bands or albums you like most from now days
Another hard question! There is a band from Sweden I really like called Nom De Guerre -- kinda garagey power pop. I've been listening to a lot of power pop lately -- also the new Sick Rose album ROCKS! Almost everything on Misty Lane is great -- and I've re-ignited my Beatles passion with lots of bootlegs. I usually hate bootlegs, by the way, but I make an exception for the Beatles since they have enough money already, lol.

What about doors?

HA! As you might expect after hearing our records, I have every Doors song there is! Ray Manzarek was supposed to play on our most recent sessions to celebrate the Marshmallow Overcoat's 25th anniversary, but he was on tour so our schedules couldn't come together. But we might do something with the Electric Prunes!!!

You prepare a show to celebrate the Marshmallow Overcoat's 25th anniversary?

We are trying to do a few sows with the Prunes -- and there's talk about Europe again, but until these deals come through I don't like to talk too much about them. I really don't know if they will happen...

Greg Shaw mentioned you as ‘the guru of garage” how do you feel about that?
 

Greg Shaw was a dear friend and he opened so many doors for me in the music industry and the garage scene. he really wanted me to carry on in promoting garage music, and that's why he came up with the "Guru of Garage" title for me. Greg was a genius of promotion! It makes me smile when people call me that -- I owe it all to Greg.
 

Do you believe that there is future for psych-garage music?
 

I think that garage & psych music will survive all the trends and other mainstream media fads. Garage-psych is pure music, it is very easy to identify, and it appeals to the rebel and explorer in all of us. I have seen the garage scene grow to a very large scale, and then shrink back again, and then grow again. I think kids will find Farfisa and fuzz again and again -- at least I hope so!

Do you want to add something more?

 I just want to thank all the kind fans all over the world who help me document this wonderful music. Thank you also to the dedicated fans who have celebrated with us the 25th anniversary of the Marshmallow Overcoat. And finally, thanks to the people of Greece for being so kind. I hope I can visit you again soon!

by kostas M. & george M. 

THE DANDELION interview

The Dandelion

We are huge admirers of the songwriting of Daniel Poulter. So, when we came along with his new songs, after the disbanding of the Dolly Rocker Movement, (aka Dandelion) we wanted to learn a few things more.  Here is the review of the album

Tell us a few things about how you wrote the songs, played all the instruments and recorded the album.

Some of the songs I had written before recording like "I Turned On" and "Here Comes Love" and most of the other songs I just strummed out some chords or jumped on the drum kit and built the song around the original take. Over the years I've collected a few different instruments and I took the time the learn how to play them for this record.

       How come the vinyl version of the album has fewer songs than that of the CD?

The CD was self released by myself and the vinyl is a part of Bad Afro Records EP releases. There are plans to release the second half of the album this year.

       What is the source of your inspiration for the lyrics of your songs?

It all depends on what is happening in my life at the time and my surroundings. I usually don't write lyrics with something in mind it's just words in my head. It's not until months or years later I realize the meaning or story behind what I write.

       Do you have any plans for live performances or is this difficult?

The first official live show was last week and it went really well. Not difficult at all!

      How did you decide to follow a solo career?

I've always been more of a solo artist than a collaborator. The Dandelion is different only in the way I recorded all the instruments myself. I'm really happy with the band I have now and plan to record new songs with them really soon. But essentially The Dandelion is just a new name. If I was going to record a new Dolly Rocker Movement album it would sound exactly the same. The DRM did have it's core members and we have all moved in different directions emotionally and spiritually. The Dandelion still reflects my adventures and style but beginning with a new name and new band was essential for me to move forward as an artist.

       To what extent did your trip to America influence your decisions as far as music is concerned?

Kill City Creeps was a direct influence of my time spent in Los Angeles for sure. That was a whirlwind experience both living in LA and performing with Kill City Creeps. I had a spiritual awakening around the beginning of 2012 which caused me to move away from what I was doing with KCC and find a new path in my life. I had to make friends with what I thought were demons in my life and re-kindle a damaged relationship I had with my soul. I had a great experience in LA but the decisions I made while there and for two years after were centered around trying to please the wrong people and the pleasure seeking side of my ego. This left me feeling pretty empty,with not much recording output,a drug problem and broken relationships with people who actually cared about me. Thankfully my brain was guided by some very powerful forces to place where I could mend those broken situations and get back on my journey.

        What do you miss most from the period with The Dolly Rocker Movement

I look back fondly on that period and I learned a lot about life, myself and made some very close and unforgettable friends. I don't miss that period at all because I value what those past experiences have taught me. I enjoy growing older and searching for new experiences.

by kostas m.

“Gew-Gaw’s Journey To Nowhere Street”

(Gew-Gaw fanzine’s compilation of latter-day British and European psychedelia is as duffel-ya (mixed) bag as you could wisli for, ranging from the ridiculously sublime to the sublimely ridiculous in two bars and a quick-step. All but a couple of the artists featured should already be familiar to most of you so there’s probably little point in shopping on tracks other than to pick out the highlights with our wide-eyed beam: in no particular order we have Alan Davidson’s Kitchen Cynics and a gloriously subdued magic-carpet ride to faery-land entitled ‘\muddy Mistress’; Alan Tepper’s Fantassy Factoryy and his fearfully evocative, echoing ‘Book Of Hours’-his work unfsilingly reminds me of spirit, in this instance something from the ‘Spirit of 76’ sessions; our very own Nick Saloman’s Bevis Frond and a kaftan-blistering piece of guitar-led acid-rock called ‘Three Mile Wall’-no idea why this has remained otherwise unreleased until now to be honest, it’s a gem-Todd Dillingham’s whimsically tripped-out ‘Golden Girl’ and ‘Oh Wot A Bore’, the latter featuring the memorably catchy refrain “My face is melting, it’s dripping on the floor / can’t do anything about it. Oh wot a bore!”; Neal Heckford’s Art Snobs who turn in an extremely trance-like and rhythmical ‘No-thing-Ness’ (no doubt a few readers will remember Neal fondly from his ever-vivacious presence at Terrastock II) and Ross  Stephens Reefus Moons, donating the brilliantly introspective ‘Candle Moon’, a piece not dissimilar to Paul Roland and/or Nick Haeffner at their best in its delivery and composure. Elsewhere, the Smell of Incense out-petal the Petals on ‘(I Wanna Live In The) Golden State’, a song originally released as a flexi on some long-forgotten ‘zine of yesteryear; the increasingly fascinating German psychonauts Mandra Gora Lightshow Society somehow meld Mad River, the Elevators and the Marshmallow Overcoat into one glorious, coagulating mess on ‘Sundials In The Night’; Belgium’s Tribe of Cro lend us the inevitably Hawkwindesque ‘Hydrocultura’ (the title track of their last album, drooled over in Terrascope 25, although for some odd reason this wasn’t included) and to cap it all Purple Overdose trip over their own frills and laces with the middle-eastern influenced, almost Kaleidoscopic ‘Funny Decoration’. There’s at least three Purple Overdoses that I’m aware of: this is the Greek version, and sound equally as worthy as their Australian and American counterparts. Anyway, there we have it: a worthy successor to Freakbeat magazine’s forays into psychedelic compilations of a few years back, and with sleeve art to rival the same. Isn’t it interesting, incidentally, that a significant proportion of the better contributions to this collection are each principally the work of one person? Just a thought.

PTOLEMAIC TERRASCOPE No 27 Summer 1999)

track list

Chateau De Fleurs-memorial sleep (unreleased)

Todd Dillingham-golden girl (unreleased)

Mandra Gora Lightshow Society-sundials in the night (from a very rare single)

The Art Snobs-no-thing-ness (unreleased)

The Smell Of Incense-(i wanna live in the) golden state (unreleased)

Kitchen Cynics-muddy mistress (unreleased)

Tribe Of Cro-hydroculture (from their album ‘Ηydroculture’-different version)

Reefus Moons-candle moon (unreleased)

Barbie’s Dead-joy (unreleased)

Fantasyy Factoryy-books of dreams (unreleased)

Bevis Frond-three mile wall (unreleased)

Purple Overdose-funny decoration (from their album ‘Solemn Vision’-different version)

Todd Dillingham-oh wot a bore (unreleased)

Melting Ashes-angels of sunrise (from their album ‘Green Fuzz 1987’-({very} long version)

NICOLAI VILHELM TELL interview

I had acquired Før Lyset Forsvinder (Orpheus-2007) of Nicolai Vilhelm Tell in 2010. An amazing psychedelic album, which included some songs that are truly diamonds, influenced mainly by the respective English sixties bands. Since then, our Danish friend was not released anything else ,until they came our "own" Crystal Thoughts inviting him to record a song that exists in their new incredible album .. Some questions were sent, and here the answers!!!!

When do you remember yourself first time involved with music & how your story begins?

Well it started when I was about 6 years old. My mom and dad bought me a pair of drumsticks, then I knew that I would like to play and make music. I sat and listened to my dad’s old records and laughed of the lyrics. I thought the were strange, but they stuck in my mind and inspired me later on.

I went on Music school, to learn how to play Guitar, for about 12 or 13 years! I’ve only learned to play guitar, all the other instruments I play are self-taught. I played in the usual bands that played the songs of big bands and then, after a couple of years I started to make my own music. Now i´m playing psychedelic rock.

In 2007 we got your amazing debut "Før Lyset Forsvinder" LP by Morten Aron's Orpheus Records. Tell us about it...

One night I was eating dinner in 2002, Morten Aron rang me up! He had read that I sought some musician to play in a Psychedelic rock band. Then he asked me, if I knew Orpheus records? I did! I already had a couple of their releases in my record collection! He asked if I was interested in sending some of my music to them? And of course I was.! Then some time after he send me a E-mail that they wanted me to make a record! At first I would record the album with other musicians playing together with me, but I never thought that it sounded real so I stuck with my own recordings!

Morten Aron asked me, if I would play organ in a band called Ghost Rocket, that he was forming and of course I would! Then my project with ”Før Lyset Forsvinder” was put on hold. But in 2006 or 2007 Ghost Rocket broke up and I thought ”now or never” and Orpheus Records agreed, and then it happend!!!!

The recordings where made in a small room at my parents house and I had to play quit calm because of their neighbor. So that’s the secret about the lo-fi sound!

What about the Tea Company? Are you still active? We checked out few audio tracks & a half-hour gig on YT only. Any recordings, future plans?

Well The Teacompany was thought as a recording project. I was thinking of making a concept album or a Rock Opera about this imaginary town called Mushroom Town. Then I thought ”Why don’t I make a band of my own” Then I started Nicolai Vilhelm Tell & The Teacompany! We played a lot of concert and went on a small tour in Denmark with a Psychedelic blues band called Syreregn! We never got very popular but we played a lot of concerts! Sadly we broke up after a couple of years, it never became what I dreamed of.

I still have a dream of making the record about Mushroom Town and I’ve got all the songs for the album and who knows, maybe some day in the future I’ll make the album through Giraffe Pressings!

A psychedelic organ & drums duo called K.O.T. few words please...?

One day I talked to a good friend. I knew him from when we went on Small Children Teacher College! We’ve played in a band called Antique Peppermint. Well we was talking about getting together again

and play some music! We agreed that it only should be the two of us, me on Hammond organ and Nicholai on Drums!

It clicked from the very start and we actually have enough material for a record but we haven’t got the money yet! So you’ll have to wait some time, but it will happen!

Early 2015 & a great collaboration is on the table...Crystal Thoughts & Nicolai Vilhelm Tell - Inside The Temple LP!! Recorded material between 2013-2015 is in the works. How? Any info about the vinyl's release?

I’m so psyched up about this collaboration! Spiros Rouchotas wrote to me that he was about to make a record and if I would be interested in having one of my songs on it! I answered ”yes of course”. We went back and forth about what song it should be but then we agreed on ”Sofies Verden”.

So it will be a two edition release! A Gimmick edition of 150 h/n copies with Open-Windows Cover and a Privé edition of 50 h/n copies including the Rotating Temple/Giraffe Blacksmith!!! It will be released in mid or ultimo June and I just cant wait for June to come It’s the first time in eight years that one of my songs will be released!!!! So, Greek Psych meets Danish Psych…. A great collaboration and who knows, maybe it’s not the only time we’ll make a record together!!!!

What are your current music influences?

Much of the music that have made an impact on me is Danish psych rock from the sixties and early seventies like Alrune Rod, Bifost, Ache and Skousen og Ingemann. But also Swedish bands like Bo Hansson, Fläsket Brinner, Träd Gräs och Stenar and a newer swedish band called Hedningarna. Maybe it’s because that I have Swedish blood in me that I’m drawn towards Swedish Psych/Folk music. Who knows 

So, any future plans?

Well a lot of my plans I’ve already outlined, but my goal is to release The Teacompany and K.O.T in a not to distant future! Maybe start a psych band so my music can be heard live and play live with K.O.T is a great dream!

Anything last to add?

Just that it’s been a privilege to get the chance to tell about a very important thing in my life…. MUSIC!

Remember to check some of my music on youtube www.youtube.com/user/MrNicotoss/videos!

gew-gaw #3

(2003)

Purple Overdose, Lamp Of The Universe, Oophoi, Quarkspace, Brown’ Nose, Painted Air etc.

Gew-Gaw’s Quadraphonic Snail” (Nowhere Street Music)

compilation cd Free with gew-gaw#03

(gg483/cd)

                                                      

Yesterday’s Thoughts-I’ don’t love you (unreleased)

Nick Bensen-flying into the sun (unreleased)

Effeto Doppler-cometa (from their album ‘Indifferenticiely’-different version)

Lenin’s Modem-the unquiet federation (unreleased)

Baby Woodrose-maya (from their album ‘Blows Your Mind’)

Murmurs Of Irma-mannequins (from their album ‘Clouwatch HQ’)

Kitrinos Daktylos-trip hope (unreleased)

Lamp Of The Universe-love (from their album ‘Echo In Light’)

Seid-the tale of the king on the hill (from their album ‘Among The Monster Flowers Again’)

Nick Bensen-no resistance (single version of the song which appears on album ‘No Resistance’)

Brown’ Nose-golden sunshine (from their album ‘Life Is Question’)

Sweet Green-as the tide (unreleased)

Color Cacas-electric chair (from a single of Swamp Room Single Club)

Translucent-in high coloured cloud (unreleased)

(+ a great secret track.)

 

IMPURITAN interview

I did not know Impuritan until Alex Iliopoulos (Greek-American) sent me their first cd album called "look like nothing happened". One great psychedelic rock album, full of trippy songs and also with some experimental and dark elements.

Introduce us the band. When did you actually start?

Impuritan (http://www.impuritan.net) is me, David Molina, and Pepe Abad.  David and I are multi-instrumental (covering guitar, bass, keys, and vocals both live and in the studio to varying degrees on different songs). We use loops and David handles electronics. Pepe is our drummer/percussionist.

I started Impuritan as a solo recording project in 2005 while living on the US east coast.  It became an actual band in 2011 a few years after I moved to San Francisco. David and I were mixing & producing the first EP "Hijacked Artifacts, Treasured Forms" (http://distantspore.bandcamp.com/album/hijacked-artifacts-treasured-forms) when he joined the band.

Our friends Owen Grace and John Lee played bass and drums respectively for a while, and recorded with us on a few songs from our LP "Make It Look Like Nothing Happened" (http://distantspore.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-look-like-nothing-happened).

The current trio has been together for over a year and we've toured together.  We have a US east coast tour planned for September, and are currently recording eight new songs.

The production of the record is by you?  Who is responsible for your sound?

David and I mix and produce all Impuritan recordings. We mostly self-engineer and self-record, but basic tracking for past releases was done at Tiny Telephone studios with engineer Ian Pellicci.  All of our new material 100% is self-recorded with a mobile studio setup.

Both David and I handle mixing and production. David has years of sound engineering and music production experience, plus a keen ear and technical proficiency. We have a real blast working together and feed off each others' ideas naturally.  Our recorded sound is a direct byproduct of many hours and days of work. We know better than anyone else what we want things to sound like.

Which are the first sounds that you remember?

Eastern tones and scales were some of the first sounds I remember hearing, other than pop music my parents listened to when I was young. I grew up in the Middle East and was exposed to Arab culture from a young age. So my first music exposure was definitely a mix of eastern sounds (amplified prayers in mosques) and the western/American pop my parents would listen to on their stereo.

Greek folk music also has lots of eastern tonality. Incidentally, American surf music has the same tonalities, a kind of west-meets-east via reverb-drenched guitar and high energy. Even early sounds have a lasting impact.

Do you know anything from greek music?

I think the most influential "classic" Greek music for me is rembetika.  Its roots involved hash-smoking in caves and playing music in secrecy. There are not many original recordings of those songs, but people replaying them instead.  There is something romantic about that.

Acid Baby Jesus are a fun band and I like their music, but you wouldn't know they are Greek from the sound of their songs. I don't listen to much contemporary Greek music to be honest. I'd love some tips from you, George, on good Greek bands that are underground, non-pop, or trippy. (Check the Crystal Thoughts, Yesterdays Thought’s, Purple Overdose, Social End Products…..)

Which musical styles forced you to form a band?

Impuritan is a real mix of influences.  We are lovers of post-rock, psychedelic, shoegaze, surf, ambient, punk, and experimental noise.  Our specific influences would vary if you ask each person, but there's also lots of common ground.

If I start listing individual bands and artists that influence me, we'll be here a long time.  I am personally a big fan of bands that have taken noise and sculpted something of beauty out of it, such as Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine.  Fuzzy guitars, feedback, and the weird tones of psych music have played a big role, as have bands that use unconventional song structures.

We have musical heroes from every decade, basically.  I always like to hear what influences people hear in our music - sometimes it's bands I don't much listen to.

Non-musical influences play a role too. Film, visual art, cosmology, philosophy, and of course relationships with people.  It's hard to run out of inspiration when there are so many interesting thoughts and ideas in the world.

 What kind of music did you hear as a child? Nowadays what kind of music do you like most?  Do you believe that your musical influences are reflected in your music?

I think all musicians and music-obsessive people naturally grow more eclectic the longer we explore what's out there.  I originally played clarinet and trumpet starting age 8 or so. What I learned to play guitar on was grunge, punk, and metal during my early teens.  In my early 20s I dove deeper into 60s psychedelia, old soul music, surf, and experimental genres. It's been an ongoing process of seeking newer sounds and tracing your influences' influences back further.

Today, many bands that fit under the "psychedelic" umbrella are most enjoyable to my ear provided they are doing something interesting and not just rehashing the 60s.  The list is always changing.  My rotation is old favorites (classic punk and old metal) mixed with contemporaries like Thee Oh Sees, Laika, Serena-Maneesh, and Ty Segall.  I don't like making lists because I feel like I'm always leaving something out!

Your album is out on cd. Are you interested of making a vinyl release?

We are definitely interested in releasing vinyl.  Vinyl and cassette have seen a resurgence in popularity. I think it's because those formats pay tribute to a time when finding and listening to music took more effort on the listener's part, and wasn't a stepping stone to digital duplication.

The only limiting factor for vinyl so far has been manufacturing cost.  We'd like to do a split release with another band of our ilk, or work with a label to make a vinyl release happen.

Have you been members in other bands? How you would describe your music?

David is involved in so much it's hard to keep track. Some of his other bands include Ghosts & Strings and Earthlike, plus he's done a ton of film scoring and soundtrack work.  He plays with Idris Ackamoor of The Pyramids, and also has an ambient solo project called Transient. He and I actually did a duo show as Transient vs. Impuritan once, with me on noise guitar/loops and him on many instruments, samples, etc. doing pure improvisation. It was off the hook and lots of fun.

My old bands in Washington DC were Psychic Twin and Red Right Return.  Here in San Francisco I played with a band called Spiral Bombs shortly before Impuritan came together.

Pepe's old band from Peru is called La Ira De Dios, who he played and toured with extensively.

We generally call our music "experimental rock" because people's eyes may glaze over if you throw out four or five genres for a single band.  It's psychedelic, but also more than that.

In your hometown are any other bands with similar sound?

San Francisco has always been a hub for counterculture, progressive thinking, and honoring "the underdog."  There is a vibrant music scene both here and in the East Bay.

Unfortunately, it has also become the most expensive city in the US (not a good thing for art and creativity). Lots of musicians have been pushed out and relocated to Oakland and other parts of the East Bay were life is more affordable.

The music scene is still vibrant here.  You can see a good live show or art event almost any night of the week if you are adventurous and know where to look.

Who made the cover art? This creepy skeleton how is connected to your music?

John Benko did the cover art for our LP. He has a fantastic and unique style.

The image actually ties into the title of the album. Earth is an ancient place compared to our tiny human lifespans. Much older forms of life have no doubt been buried by meteor strikes or geological events.  The skeleton on the cover is an imaginary creature.

This planet has a talent for making it "look like nothing happened".  What physical trace will we leave if humans went extinct?  After enough time, possibly nothing.

The lyrics of 'Show us your hidden daggers' are referred to. 

The song title is a calling to people to unleash hidden desires or repressed imagination. The only lyrics in that song are the refrain, "Your dormant dreams." The abstract, fantastical, and creative is often at odds with a materialistic and money-driven society.  But thoughts and imagination are really the true weapons of change. They are our hidden daggers.

How people respond to your music at the internet and to your live shows?

People seem to really enjoy our music. We've gotten positive reviews from all over the world.  I believe that our sound may not be for everyone or geared toward mass appeal, but those who gravitate towards psychedelic, experimental, or noisier rock music really enjoy what we do.

The internet is a blessing for reaching people's ears, but it can be tough to get people's genuine attention. We are all constantly bombarded with music online, and not all of it good.  I like to think great music will naturally rise to the top even in this new medium.

For live performance, we've been using visuals and projections at our shows increasingly more.  Not because it's kind of trendy at the moment, but to put people into a different head space and alter their consciousness naturally via their ears and their eyes.

I assume that this is your own label, isn't it? DIY  is it the best way for your music?

Distant Spore is our own label, correct.  If a record label is interested in working with us, we'll be very receptive.  It's just not our style to sit around and wait for others to make things happen.  If you are making art you believe in, you should do everything you can do spread it to as many people as possible.

We have been recording eight new songs so far this year.  Our rough plan is to put out four of them as an EP on Distant Spore.  We would ideally like to get an indie label that is enthusiastic about our music to release the other four songs in some type of format. Either way, we're 100% committed to creating and playing our music.

How do you write your songs (music and lyrics)? Is it a team work?  

We collaborate with songwriting now more than ever.  Sometimes I come to practice with song ideas and pre-written parts, which we usually combine with other sections or sounds we create through pure improvisation.

It's really a mix. We consciously try to blend conventional composition and structured parts with more chaotic, dissonant, or ambient sounds.  Improvisation is always in the equation, both live and on record.

David and I are both sound junkies, so we are always tweaking and refining parts till they feel right to us. I am a bit more of a words guy, so I like to have my hand in the lyrics when I can. Pepe also has good fundamental instincts when it comes to feel, vibe, or arrangement of a song.  The fact that we're able to create quality, raw stuff regularly out of improv is a real blessing.

Which are your future plans?

We are recording 8 new songs right now, and still trying to determine how they will be released (at least one new EP will be out soon).  We are also playing an Austin Psych Fest/Levitation pre-show on March 7 in Austin, TX (https://www.facebook.com/events/693038427508609/).  We plan to do more consistent touring, and may even come to Europe and Greece soon.  Label support would help us widen our tour scope and schedule.

Our music is also well-suited to soundtracks and scoring, and we'd love to work with other visual artists or filmmakers by either contributing our music or creating unique music in a more collaborative approach.

Anything else that you would like to add?

Nothing else to add, really.  Thanks for your support and we're glad you enjoy the music!

MUERTE PAN ALLEY Clunk & Sputter

S.a.p. Recordings

The Canadians Muerte Pan Alley composed by Bob Keelaghan (guitar, vocals, banjo) Jason Woolley (drums), both from Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, as well as Rob Oxoby (bass) from Mutilators. The Clunk & Sputter is their first album and contains 12 crazy country, (sometimes) dark blues, etc songs that dripping alcohol and genuine merciless pounding country, no kidding!! Raw sound, voice that really you'll expected at any moment it will explode from the tension. Recorded with the classic country way this album will delight fans of this style. The others will be satisfied with the "refined" americana!! As for me I probably will hear some time again, but with impatience, the country / punk frenzy of yalla and the blues debris this is a soul of a man!

Οι Καναδοί Muerte Pan Alley αποτελούνται από τους Bob Keelaghan (κιθάρα, φωνή, μπάντζο) Jason Woolley (ντραμς), και οι δυο τους στους Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, καθώς και τον Rob Oxoby (μπάσο) από τους Mutilators. Το Clunk & Sputter είναι το πρώτο τους άλμπουμ και περιέχει 12 παλαβά κάντρυ, (ενίοτε) σκοτεινά blues κλπ, τραγούδια τα οποία στάζουν αλκοόλ και γνήσιο ανελέητο κάντρυ σφυροκόπημα, όχι αστεία!! Ξερός ήχος, φωνή που πραγματικά θαρρείς ότι από στιγμή σε στιγμή θα εκραγεί από την ένταση. Ηχογραφημένο με τον κλασικό κάντρυ τρόπο το άλμπουμ αυτό θα ενθουσιάσει τους φίλους της συγκεκριμένης μουσικής. Οι υπόλοιποι θα αρκεστούν στην “εκλεπτυσμένη” americana!!  Εγώ πιθανόν να ξανακούσω κάποια στιγμή, με αδημονία όμως, τον κάντρυ/πανκ παροξυσμό του yalla καθώς και το blues συντρίμμι this is a soul of a man!