Saturday, October 17, 2009

James Williamson's Interview

Here it is, an exclusive interview with the man who needs no introduction to Iggy and the Stooges fans...six stringer extraordinaire "Straight" James Williamson!



1. 'Raw Power' and 'Kill City' are considered "classics" by many fans and critics. Do you agree? Why or why not?

In the sense that it is a unique and authoritative work, I'd agree. Nothing before or after it has sounded quite like it. It was a stand alone effort.

2. Back in the early 70s, you had a "dark" sort of image with the make-up and the black clothes. Was that an extension of your personality, or was it just experimentation?

Is there a differance between an "extension of your personality" and "experimentation"? Yes. However, the darkness aspect was overrated. Those who know me, know that I'm actually a little shy and certainly reserved so that can come off as dark sometimes.

3. If the original line-up of Iggy and the Stooges did in fact succeed, where do you think the band would have went?

If I understand you question, you are asking if the two guitar lineup had succeeded? If this is what you are asking, its impossible to answer other than, we had started working up new material as you can hear on the new release 1971 from easyaction records...beyound that it's anybody's guess.

Regarding the 72'-74' lineup, I think we would have continued to evolve new material...in all likely hood we would have done the album Kill City with the stooge or at least alot of that material and is its totally appropriate that the reunited Iggy and the Stooges have that material to draw on as well....of course what's ifs very hard to determine, but we were truely evolving very rapidly and it could have become really interesting....well it did become really interesting, but I just mean it could have taken on very new and differant directions...who knows?

4. What do you believe it would have taken to gain commercial success in '73 and '74?

You needed very accessible music...like pop music...catchy tunes, that sort of thing which we were never about..people didn't want to think too much, they just wanted to sing along to the radio...still do I guess.

5. I understand that Columbia Records recorded a show on New Year's Eve of '73. Is this true? If it is, will you and/or Iggy see to it that it is released?

I'm not sure about that, I vaguely recall discussions about that but all I remember was our rehersals being taped (not videoed)

6. When you heard about the death of Ron Asheton, what was your reaction?

I was intially shocked, then sad that Ron should pass away at such a young age. However, as time passed I was comforted in the knowledge that he went out doing what he wanted to do most, which was playing with the Stooges. You know none of us are getting out of here alive, so you've got to do your best to make things the way you want them.

I also wanted to add that Ron Ashton was a great guitar player in his own right. I had known him intially as the bass player in one of the last incarnations of my first band the Chosen Few. However, after he went on the found the Stooges with Iggy and his brother Scott along with Dave, I became one of their biggest fans. I saw them playing from day 1 in their house in Ann Arbor long before I was ever in the band.

Ron made a meaningful and lasting contribution to music and he'll be sorely missed by all those who ever rocked out to the Stooges.

7. Since you have rejoined the band, were there any restrictions and conditions that you felt had to be met?

Just that we were a band.

8. According to Iggy, most (if not all of) 'Raw Power' will be performed. Will there be songs performed that didn't make it on 'Raw Power' such as 'I'm Sick of You,' Cock in my Pocket,' and 'I Got a Right?'

No doubt. We're working on all of those that you mention and many, many more, however the final set list has not been decided yet.

9. When performing the 'Raw Power' tracks, will the various additional instrumentations (such as the celeste, acoustic guitar, and piano) be recreated?

No, probably not as we're going out as a simple line up.

10. Finally, does rejoining the band mean that you can make-up for the mistakes that were made 35 years ago? Why or why not?

Mistakes?, what mistakes? Anyway, certainly one mistake that we will correct is that we will perform songs that the audience actually knows this time around. It should make for a more enjoyable experience for all concerned.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

P.L.M.B. (Pathological Lying Mutant Bird)


Dossier de Presse
Question : Qu'est-ce-que le MUTANT ROCK ?
Réponse : Il peut être décrit plus facilement avec 4 lettres: P.L.M.B. (Pathological Lying Mutant Bird).
L’évidente question suivante serait: Qu’est-ce-que P.L.M.B. ?
La réponse simple serait : « les pionniers d'un nouveau genre de musique appelé « Mutant Rock ».
Dans cet article, je ferai de mon mieux pour décrire cette nouvelle scène qui m’a laissé complètement déconcerté et enthousiaste.
J'ai découvert ce groupe dans un club de Paris alors qu’il délivrait un des sets les plus électrisants qu’il m’ait été donné de voir. Je ne sais pas trop d’où ces gars débarquent, mais je pense pouvoir affirmer que c’est un endroit plutôt ravagé, à haute teneur radioactive.
P.L.M.B. fait partie du label Siamese Dogs Records, label culte du début des années 70.
Début 1971, Philippe Mogane, co-fondateur, photographe rock de son état, en quête de pur Rock ‘n Roll et de liberté, s’embarque pour les USA. Excité par la sortie du L.P. « 1969 » des Stooges, Mogane va jusqu’à Détroit dénicher le groupe, qui allait être à l’origine d’une nouvelle ère musicale. Durant les mois qui suivent, il devient ami des Stooges et décide de fonder Siamese Dogs
Records avec le guitariste James Williamson (de l'album « Raw Power») comme Vice Président. Et en avril 1977, ils publient les désormais classiques "I Got A Right" et "Gimme Some Skin" des Stooges, lesquels selon les dires de Joey Ramone, contribueront à alimenter la scène Punk New–Yorkaise.
30 ans plus tard, Siamese Dogs Records est de nouveau prêt à vous distiller de vrais délires Rock ’n Rolliens. Le résultat d’un électro choc entre Mogane et le groupe inventeur du « Mutant Rock» : P.L.M.B. Dirigé par Buddy A, un « psychopathe de dessins animés », P.L.M.B. secoue les « égouts parisiens » en attente de l'explosion que tout Rocker espère; une révolution pour les oreilles des amateurs d’authentique Rock ‘n Roll du monde entier.
Je vais maintenant divulguer la recette « Mutant Rock» du cocktail P.L.M.B. :
Commencez par une bonne dose de Punk attitude façon Iggy Pop, ajoutez une pincée de poésie torturée à la Johnny Thunders. Prenez quelques grains de stupidité du power trio Green Day et agrémenter le tout d’une cuillère de démon rongeant l’âme de Nirvana. Terminer avec un zest de l’efficacité de Clash et des Ramones. Bien agiter, verser et servir. Eviter d’utiliser une paille. Buvez cul sec en penchant la tête.
AVERTISSEMENT : Tout le monde n’est pas habilité à boire ce cocktail.
Imaginer mon état à la fin du concert ! … Enthousiaste, j'ai joué des coudes pour rejoindre les membres du groupe et leur poser quelques questions « post-show ». Malheureusement, le batteur s’était évaporé dans la nature. Et arrivé à la hauteur du bassiste, celui ci m’a jeté un regard brusque du style "No Comment" et du coup je n’ai pas insisté.
Si jamais vous avez l’occasion de le croiser, vous comprendrez pourquoi !
Heureusement, j’ai réussi à attraper le guitariste/chanteur et à le bombarder de questions, ce qui eût pour effet d’engendrer plus de difficultés que de réponses.
Cet énergumène, probablement échappé d’un asile psychiatrique, proféra à mon endroit une cascade de sons gutturaux ne ressemblant à aucun langage connu, puis disparut en coulisses.
Au bout du compte, je suis resté coincé sans personne pour partager ces « nouvelles saveurs mutantes » dans ma bouche.
Depuis, je traque ces musiciens avec l'espoir de faire la lumière sur les mystères de P.LM.B. et débusquer l'ère du « Mutant Rock» qu’ils cachent dans leurs « tripes ».
Restons en contact pour les prochaines étapes de ce voyage au long cours.
- Journaliste Inconnu (disparu depuis la parution de l’article).

Guide de l'explorateur de l'univers P.L.M.B

P.L.M.B. voit le jour à la fin de l'année 2003 à l’initiative du chanteur / guitariste Buddy A.
L’influence de la “mode” EMO, à son apogée aux États-Unis, fut le détonateur à contre courant de P.L.M.B.
En réaction, Buddy A crée avec Buddy B, son ami de longue date, un Rock ‘n Roll dont la « fun » attitude se base principalement sur un chant de voix solo et des jeux lyriques.
Installé dans un petit appartement de New – York, ils grattent les premières notes de ce qui va devenir le son P.L.M.B. Enregistrant sans relâche et organisant des concerts, ils se mettent à la recherche d’un label et signent avec Siamese Dogs Records.
C’est à New - York qu’ils enregistrent leur premier album : 27 chansons, dans lesquelles on décèle des influences aussi variées que le « Raw Power » d’Iggy Pop & The Stooges, le « Nevermind » de Nirvana", le « Rocket To Russia » des Ramones et la période solo de Johnny Thunders.

En 2008, désireux de conquérir l’Europe, Mr Buddy A emballe ses guitares et prend le premier avion pour Paris. Avec Siamese Dogs, ils promeuvent quelques concerts pour le lancement du premier E.P. (5 titres) : “Dead Moves-Not The Puzzle”.
Début 2009, c’est LA rencontre avec le bassiste, The DuDe, qui incarne la même passion Rock ’n Roll et un parcours similaire. Buddy A et The DuDe deviennent dès lors le "yin » et le « yang" de P.L.M.B. et sont rapidement rejoints par M. Maow, batteur et ami de longue date de The DuDe, pour former l’un des power trio les plus puissants à ce jour. Une parfaite alchimie qui coïncide avec la sortie en octobre 2009 du premier L.P. de P.L.M.B. : "Kill 1 Mutant Bird With 2 Stones», PM 1004 SDR, mauvais jeu de mot sur le proverbe français « faire d’une pierre 2 coups » devenu : « faire de 2 pierres 1 coup ».
Voilà ! Maintenant les morceaux “Mutant Rock” du groupe sont autant de « bombes à retardement » prêtes à vous exploser à la gueule. Ecoutez la Green Day-esque "Butter Sauce", le heavy “Queen Can’t Honas”… ou bien le blues punkifié de"Cancel The Cancelled Cancellation", vous saurez tout de suite que ces gars sont là pour tout faire péter !
Membres du groupe
Buddy A : Guitariste / chanteur
J'ai grandi en écoutant de la musique, mais je n’ai commencé à « en faire » qu’à partir de l’âge de 16 ans. Le premier instrument sur lequel j’ai tenté de jouer, était une Fender Squire qui m’avait été offerte en décembre 2000. Je me suis précipité pour écrire des chansons que j’ai enregistrées ensuite dans le studio de mon voisin. Au cours de l'été 2001, des amis m'ont dit qu'ils cherchaient un leader pour leur projet musical. Malgré l’absence de toute expérience en tant que chanteur dans un groupe, j’ai décidé d’essayer et cela modifia mon destin.
La musique devint ma vie. Après avoir entendu notre premier enregistrement, j'eus tellement honte de ma voix que je quittais définitivement le groupe et le chant pour aller à New - York fréquenter une école d'Art. C’est là que je me suis aperçu que la musique était ce à quoi j’aspirais artistiquement et je me suis attaché à développer mon talent musical. Grâce à cela, je suis parvenu à créer le style de P.L.M.B., dont la principale originalité réside sur la voix mixée à l’opposé du « dogme » EMO, dont j’ai pris le total contrepied.

The DuDe : Basse & Choeurs
Fan de musique depuis son plus jeune âge, The DuDe ne commença à pratiquer la musique qu’à l’âge de 17 ans, attrapant dès lors le virus. Très vite, il démarre son apprentissage en jouant avec le plus de groupes possibles (P.L.M.B. étant son 21e à ce jour), élargissant ainsi considérablement son univers musical (Funk, Punk, Grunge, Jazz, Pop, etc.…). Fort de cette pluri-universalité, The DuDe crée son propre style de basse, qu’il décrit lui-même comme « le groove du Funk et l’attaque du Punk ». Il rencontre Buddy A en 2009 et sans même une seule note de musique jouée, une étroite collaboration s’installe : alter-ego l’un de l’autre (autant physiquement, musicalement que philosophiquement), ils fabriquent le cocktail Molotov musical, signé P.L.M.B.

http://www.myspace.com/siamesedogsrecords
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?drop&ref=mb#/SIAMESEDOGS?v=info&ref=profile
http://twitter.com/siamesedogs

http://www.myspace.com/plmb

P.L.M.B. (Pathological Lying Mutant Bird)


Question: What is MUTANT ROCK?
Answer: Can most easily be described with4 letters: P. L. M. B. (Pathological Lying Mutant Bird)

So the obvious follow up question would be: What is
P.L.M.B.?

The simple answer would be the apparent pioneers of a new music genre called: “
Mutant Rock”; which would leave us at square one again.
In this chronicle, I will do my best to unload my first hand impression of this unusual scene that has me baffled and excited.

I discovered this group at a club in Paris ripping through one of the most electrifying sets I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure as to where in fact these misfits formed exactly, but
a safe guess would be some place directly adjacent to a toxic waste land fill; underneath power lines in a region testing very rich in radio activity.

P.L.M.B. is on Siamese Dogs Records (SDR), the cult label from the early 70’s. In1971, Philippe Mogane, co -founder of SDR moved to the U.S.A in a quest for pure Rock ‘n Roll music and the freedom from conventions that it incarnated.
Sparked by Iggy& The Stooge’s release of “1969”, Mogane made his way to the West Coast where the boys from Detroit who had started a new era of music where encamped in a pink building on Sunset Blvd.

He would spend the next few months becoming close with them to eventually start
Siamese Dogs Records with guitarist James Williamson (from the “Raw Power” album) as V.P. and Mogane doing the “hustle” work. They released “I Got A Right” and “Gimme Some Skin” which helped to fuel the NYC punk scene in the words of Joey Ramone’s past homage.

Now, over 30 years later, SDR is ready to bring the most insane and in-your-face Rock music to the masses once again. The hiatus was broken when Mogane discovered the
Mutant Rock band known as P.L.M.B.
Headed by “cartoon-like” psychopath Buddy A, P.LM.B. is slithering through the Parisian sewers awaiting the overdue explosion they will unleash on the ears of true Rock n’ Roll fans worldwide.

I will let you in on the “
Mutant Rock” concoction of the P.L.M.B. cocktail.
Begin with 4 oz. of Iggy Pop’s dirty Punk attitude, followed by 2 oz. of Johnny Thunders on-the-edge poetic sensibility. Grab 3 oz. of early Green Day’s power trio stupidity, and top it off with 5 hard oz. of the sheer demon power and brutality of Nirvana. Finish it up with a small dash of The Clash and The Ramones’s combat rock squad. Pour and serve. However, don’t attempt to drink it through a straw. You have to tilt your head back, open your throat, and swallow.


Fair warning, not everyone is equipped to stomach such a product.


You can imagine my curiosity following the performance I had just witnessed, so I attempted to corral the members for some post-show questioning. Unfortunately, the drummer was nowhere to be found as if he had just evaporated into thin air. When I passed the bassist and raised my arm to grab his attention, he shot a sharp and visible “No Comment” glance at me, which I dared not push further. If you ever see the guy you will understand exactly why. Finally, I managed to catch the guitarist/vocalist and started firing questions, which proved more trouble than it was worth. This most likely escaped mental patient responded with a hail of sounds that certainly could not be identified as any current language and disappeared backstage.

In conclusion, I am stuck with this Mutant taste in my mouth. A hard residue to simply shed without pondering intensively.
I continue to hunt these men in hopes to unlock the mysteries of P.LM.B. in my quest to uncover the Mutant Rock era lurking around the corner.
Check in with me for further updates as this journey unfolds.

- UNKOWN JOURNALIST (MIA since premiere entry).


Hitchhikers’s guide to P.L.M.B.

P.L.M.B. started in late 2003; a creation of vocalist/guitarist Buddy A.
This was in the height of the EMO era in the United States which was the big "anti-influence” of
P.L.M.B. Buddy A decided to create simple Rock n' Roll music with a fun attitude relying heavily on unique vocals and lyrical puzzles with long time friend Buddy B.
They crafted the early sound of
P.L.M.B. together in a tiny NYC apartment and began playing live shows with very mixed feedback. After constant recording and playing live shows they began to build steam and started to shop for a label. They would eventually sign with Siamese Dogs Records, in NYC, to record 27 songs for the creation of their breaking album, with songs which had nothing to envy to Iggy Pop’s “Raw Power”, Nirvana’s “Nevermind”, The Libertines’s “Up The Bracket” or The Ramones’s “Rocket To Russia”…
At the end of 2008, Buddy A came out to Paris to play a few shows promoting the 5 song E.P.: "
Dead Moves-Not The Puzzle"; that had been recorded with Siamese. The raving response from the audience and the Rock DJ’s made him realize he had to return to France to dedicate himself to the project. So Mr. A packed up his guitars and his clothing to move closer to the Siamese Dogs mates.
In early 2009, Buddy met bassist The DuDe who embodied the Rock n’ Roll flame and strained from the same background. They quickly impersonated the “yin-yang” of
P.L.M.B. forming with Mr Maow, a long time friend of The DuDe and drummer, one of the most piss-your-pants rockin’ power trio ever.
On the strength of that line up and of the release, in October 2009, of
P.L.M.B.’s first C.d.: “Kill 1 Mutant Bird With 2 Stones”, PM 1004 SDR, the band is ready to rock the world with their in your face kick ass Mutant Rock songs.
When you listen to songs like Green Day-esque “Butter Sauce”, the heavy “Queen Can’t Honas” or the punkified blues of “Cancel The Cancelled Cancellation”, you know these wayward sons are here to rock you off your boots…

Band Members

Buddy A: Guitar & Vocals

I grew up listening to music but didn’t get involved until I was sixteen. The first instrument I played, or attempted to, was a Fender Squire I received in December of 2000. I immediately began writing a bunch of songs which I recorded at my neighbor's studio. In the summer of 2001, I was approached by friends who told me they were looking for a frontman in their musical project. Despite lacking any formal training or experience singing in a band, I decided to try out and become their new singer unaware that this would be a decisive act in changing me forever. Music became my life. Yet after hearing our first recording, I was so disturbed by the sound of my voice I quit and left the band to attend Art School in NYC. Through my visual studies, I realized music was in fact what I craved and I started crafting my art. I eventually came up with the style of
P.L.M.B., which was mainly about keeping my voice straightforward with minimal mixing, and would musically satisfy me for the first time. (This was in the midst of the EMO era, so I basically did everything opposite)

The DuDe: Bass & Back up Vocals

Music fan from a very young age The DuDe only began to play music at 17, but as soon as he put his hand on a musical instrument he caught the virus. Quickly he began his learning by playing with as many bands as possible (P.L.M.B. being its 21st) significantly expanding his musical universe (Funk, Punk, Grunge, Jazz, Pop, etc.). At home in this multi-discipline universe, The DuDe created its own bass style which he describes himself as "Funk groove and Punk attack". He met Buddy A in 2009 and without even a musical note played, alchemy was at once there. Each of the two musicians are the perfect alter-ego of the other (in the tradition of Siamese brotherhood) fusing their creative visions to create
P.L.M.B. explosive musical compositions.