(Pics by Sherry Globman: 1) Joey with Independents, the Continental show on December 11th, 2000, 2) from Life's A Gas: Joey Ramone's 50th Birthday Bash 3) from the Hustler in Melbourne Beach, Fl. August 10, 2000)
Joey loved to promote Independents, so let's support them and remember, at sure they're a really great band!
Its pretty obvious. The Independents didn't make lots of noise when they
did release their album Back From The Grave. Almost at the very same
moment the CD was finished Joey Ramone passed away. Joey produced
album with Daniel Rey. The
album is only available through their Internet-site and there's no
distribution yet for Europe. The band itself stopped all the activities
until August 11, when they did their first show in months.
Interview is with singer Evil Presly.Bram Van Schaik: 1) Still S-Carolina based?
- Evil Presly:
Yep, we are still from the South. There is no other swamps like ours!
Bram Van Schaik: 2) Who is in the band right now (the album info along with the picture is not that clear)?
- Evil Presly:
Willy B and Blackie along with myself are here. The past few years we have
used hired hands to help out on the road for the most part. Hard to find
good fiends these days.
Bram Van Schaik: 3) How do YOU describe the band style?
- Evil Presly:
Horror punk/ska with a sense of humor. You wont last long in this world
without a good sense of humor now would you?
Bram Van Schaik: 4) Is there any philosophy behind the horrorthing (besides what's on the homepage)?
- Evil Presly:
It's just what comes to mind when I write. I get these fucked up stories
in my head and I just run with them. I can't help that for the most part
it is twisted. We have all loved horror bands that were cool with it like
the Damned. You know they are not caught in the campiness of it all.
Bram Van Schaik: 5) Was there such an album as 'B F T Grave' possible without the help of Joey and Daniel?
- Evil Presly:
Joey came to us as a fan of the band before managing us. He took us up to
a new level. Like working with Daniel. I know without Joey being involved
things would have been a lot different.
Bram Van Schaik: 6) What is your relationship with The Ramones as a band or individual? Were they The Great Inspiration or if not, who was/is?
- Evil Presly:
There would be no us without the Ramones period. The kick started all this
music we have today. CJ is a really good friend who introduced me to Joey
and Joey became my best friend. He was a genius .He taught us so much from
the shit he had been through its UNreal. I love all the old rock n roll
from the 50's and 60's till today. There is little that we all don't
listen to. There is so much in so many different types of music.
Bram Van Schaik: 7) What was your first thought when you discovered your voice looks pretty similar as Elvis'?
- Evil Presly:
I have heard that but I don't believe it. He was my biggest influence as
far as voice goes. He had the golden voice. No-one like him.
Bram Van Schaik: 8)
Is the Joey-performed song "Garden of serenity" recorded during his last
performance on Dec 10 2000 (or so)?
- Evil Presly:
No it was done a year before.
Bram Van Schaik: 9) Commercially I should say there's big market for one of the last Joey-projects. How aware are you of this fact?
- Evil Presly:
I'm aware of it that's why I have not put the record out more then it is.
Bram Van Schaik: 10) You cancelled most activities till August 11, what are the future plans?
- Evil Presly:
I needed some time off. I just lost my step father and best friend and to
be honest didn't deal to well with it all. Now it's time to. Just to keep
on moving forward.
Bram Van Schaik: 11) Is there a chance The Independents enter Europe this year and especially The Netherlands?
- Evil Presly:
I just got off the phone with Joe Queer of the Queers maybe in late Feb we
will be over with them.
Bram Van Schaik: 12) Ever been here in Europe?
- Evil Presly:
Not yet but have heard great things of your beer and women!
(Thanks: Bram and Evil)