07.24.08
It’s not for the cock, it’s for the banter.
Stalkers Interview.
Hailing from New York, Stalkers, are a Punk band just dripping with cool. The five piece, who are signed to One LIttle Indian in the UK, played two dates in the capital recently and were nice enough to answer some of the Cock’s questions.
It’s tough to find out anything about the band (this may just be my awful googling skills) beyond your myspace so could you explain when, why and how Stalkers began? How would you describe your sound?
Andy Animal: Josh and I had some bands that we realised wouldn’t go nowhere unless we started something new together. We were sick of all that uncatchy downer rock shit! We write songs that are sure to get stuck in your head!
Josh Styles: We were in a few bands kicking around NYC that all happened to be falling apart at the same time so we decided to start a band that sounded like what we wanted to hear. Basically a cross between early 60s beach boys and late 70s punk. As for google try Stalkers, Abba. (Doing this produces this video.)
One of the few things I could find out about you is that you have a pretty wild live reputation, would you agree with this? How do UK audiences take to your live shows? Do you enjoy playing in the UK?
AA: We love playing everywhere. Uk audiences are pretty wild and appreciate all the naughty things we do.
JS: The UK is great. We played a club there once called the Horse and Groom in Shoreditch and the crowd actually broke the floor! Playing live and the energy involved is what the band thrives on.
You’ve played with the likes of Black Lips, The Horrors and Ra Ra Riot. Who have you really enjoyed touring with? Is there anyone you really want to tour with?
AA: I love playing with Nice Boys from Portland Oregon USA. We wanna do a tour from Toronto to Tijuana!
JS: The Black Lips are great. X would be cool. There are some new bands in NYC that we would love to tour with like the Electric Shadows and the Ex-Humans. Also really like Apache from California and the Nice Boys.
As a punk rock band how has coming from New York influenced your sound? Are alot of your main influences from there? Which other times and places have influenced you as a band?
AA: My sister in law turned me onto the Dead Boys when I was a kid. Of Course, The Ramones were always number one. I also love Kiss, David Peel, GG Allin and the Murder Junkies, Dolls of course etc… Yeah, I always wanted to be part of that when I was a kid. NY is the coolest!
JS: I guess in NY you grow up listening to Doo-wop and and early Girl Group sounds on the radio so that has its influence for sure. Also, New York Dolls and The Ramones. But I think even with NYC getting cleaned up there is still and underlying feeling of sleaze, filth and danger in this city that I’m sure subconsciously effects what you do artistically.
What do you think of the current rock/indie scene? Do you take much notice of mainstream artists?
AA: I like Sean Kingston!
JS: I don’t pay attention. What I have heard is very depressing.
What do the band have planned for the winter? Can we expect any new releases?
AA: I don’t know, I’m just the singer! We are producing more new stuff than ever. Loook out.
JS: Hopefully we’ll be wrapping up a second LP around then as well as some limited edition 45s, we are going to Toe Rag Studios next week I hear.
To end, we’d like to go a bit desert Island Disks. What would you say are the most important albums to you?
AA: The Rutles ! and our first album Yesterdays Are No Tomorrow.
JS: Flaming Groovies ‘Teenage Head’ LP. JULY s/t LP. Link Wray and his Wray Men (epic LP). Damned Damned Damned. 1st three Ramones LPs. Outsiders (Dutch 1st LP). Shangri-Las ‘Leader Of The Pack’ LP. Early Phil Spector productions. Joe Meek productions. 1910 Fruitgum Company. Bay City Rollers.
Thanks alot and good luck in the future.
AA: YO word!
Become a stalker yourself by keeping tabs on the band’s myspace!