Free MP3s of Motorcycle Boy!!
There was this Clown Variety show where the clown played an accordion and I always wanted to play one since I saw him play the accordion, so my parents got me one when I was like 12. I just picked it up. I have two accordions now.
HIP: Do you play any other instruments besides bass and the accordion?
I play the piano and the guitar.
HIP: But with Motorcycle Boy you only play the bass right?Im a lazy guy.
HIP: With a lot of musicians, you can quickly tell what their influences are. I can't do that with Motorcycle Boy. What are they?
I guess just the whole New York punk rock thing that happened. I just never got over that. Johnny Thunders, Iggy Pop, that whole thing that happened in 78.
HIP: As far as I know, Motorcycle Boy has one major release, Popsicle. Did that CD come out the way you guys wanted it to come out?
I didnt mind the sound of it. Other people criticized it but I think it sounds just fine.
HIP: So you wouldnt change anything in it?
Well, I think you always want to change some things but basically, no. I wouldnt change it. Its fine. It was fun working with Sylvain. That was really cool.
HIP:Yeah, tell me about that. How did you guys get the honor of working with Sylvain Sylvain of The New York Dolls?
We were in New York and this guy that used to be in the band called Rat Boy met Sylvain. We became friends and we asked him if he would produce the record for us. It was basically just an excuse to hang out with Sylvain.
HIP:Any plans for another release soon?
Maybe. Ive written a bunch of new songs, and yeah, we might record some.
HIP:How was your stay with the Triple-X label?
Theyre very nice. I must go visit them soon. I havent seen them in a while.
HIP: Whats you favorite club to hang out at these days?
In New York I was hanging out at a club called..oh man, everything there was car oriented,the Hot Rod Club or the Car Club, I cant remember. In Los Angeles, lets see, I guess The Dragonfly is fun. We play there occasionally. I like playing the Dragonfly, its a good room.
HIP: What do you think about the L.A. music scene today compared with say, 10 years ago?
I think its picking up again. It was a lot more fun ten years ago. Its kind of starting to pick up again and being fun again. Ten years ago was a blast. It was just ridiculous. Thats why we all ended up in trouble.
HIP: Youre originally from Seattle right? Did you ever think of going back there when that whole Seattle thing was happening?No. When I was in Seattle nothing was happening. You couldve been the most brilliant person and nothing wouldve ever happened, and thats why people migrated down to Los Angeles. Not that it got much better for us down here but Seattle was dead. It was so dead.
HIP: When did you leave Seattle?
I dont really remember. I think I was 23.
HIP: You and Kenny (drums) originally started Motorcycle Boy?
Yeah, I kept bumping into him at different clubs and stuff and I said Hey, play drums with me. Play drums in my band He was playing in a band called Slaughterhouse Five so he couldnt quite join the band but eventually that fell apart so he started playing with me.
HIP: Has the line-up stayed the same over the years?
No, its had many, many members. Which doesnt say much about my leadership.