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WRECKAGE
INTERVIEWED
BY GORDON TAYLOR OF INFECTIOUS UNEASE RADIO
Wreckage
have been part of the music culture for many years. The
band has been very busy producing their new album “Bad
Vibes”. A very powerful album offering the listener
a phenomenally diverse brooding sound, with lyrics exploring
all elements. It is now available through Wreckage productions
for $18. Tony, Dusty Everett discuss “Bad Vibes”
and many other aspects of Wreckage with me
WRECKAGE
CONTACT:
Tony Lestat
POSTAL ADDRESS:
P.O. BOX 5635, WHITTIER, CA 90607-5635, USA.
Band:
Wreckage
Band Member: Tony Lestat, Dusty Jones Everett Thompsom
BANDS
DISCOGRAPHY:
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS
DISCOGRAPHY FOR
WRECKAGE
(FORMALLY LIKE WRECKAGE)
(* NOT YET RELEASED AT THIS TIME)
YEAR OF RECORDING FOLLOWS YEAR OF ACTUAL RELEASE
LIKE
WRECKAGE
SINGLES/COMPILATION TRACKS
“LIKE
WRECKAGE”-FROM NOSFERATUNES SAMPLER 1 CASSETTE COMP.-GHASTLY
MAGAZINE-1991 (1988)
“JUSTINE”-FROM
GOTHAM CASSETTE COMP.-GOTHAM PRODUCTIONS-1994 (1988)
ALBUMS
THE
GOOD, THE BAD THE, UGLY AND THE DEAD (FIRST SEVEN SONGS
ONLY)-
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/MERE MORTAL PRODUCTIONS-1996 (1988)
WRECKAGE
SINGLES/COMPILATION TRACKS
“SUBWAY’S
END/BODYCOUNT JIVE”-7” SINGLE-NOISE POLLUTION
RECORDS-1989 (1989)
“WEIRD
WOMAN”-FROM TANTRUM LP COMP.-COCKTAIL RECORDS-1990
(1989)
“HELLHOLE”-FROM
KILLJO CASSETTE COMP.-1992 (1992)
“DEEP
RED”-FROM BLACKOUT L.A. CD COMP.-HOMEBOY RECORDS-1993
(1992)
“LOGIC”-FROM
FIRST, LAST AND FOREVER: A TRIBUTE TO THE SISTERS OF MERCY
CD
COMP.-CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1993 (1992)
“BELIEVE”-FROM
GOTHIK CD COMP.-CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1995 (1994)
“ATMOSPHERE”-FROM
CEREMONIAL: A TRIBUTE TO JOY DIVISION CD COMP.-MERE MORTAL
PRODUCTIONS-1995 (1993)
“LARGATIJA
NICK”-FROM THE PASSION OF COVERS: A TRIBUTE TO BAUHAUS
CD
COMP.-CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1996 (1993)
“WAIT
FOR THE BLACKOUT”-FROM CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED: A
20TH ANNIVERSARY
TRIBUTE TO THE DAMNED CD COMP.-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/APOLLYON
RECORDS-1996
(1996)
“DEVIL’S
LITTLE HELPER(THE LUCIFER MIX)”-FROM GOTH BOX CD
COMP.-CLEOPATRA
RECORDS-1996 (1996)
“KITTEN
WITH A WHIP(THE BONDAGE QUEEN ONLY SEVENTEEN MIX)”-FROM
TALES FROM
THE VAULT CD COMP.-ALLIGENCE PRODUCTIONS-1997 (1996)
“PORNOGRAPHY-FROM
100 TEARS: A TRIBUTE TO THE CURE CD COMP.-CLEOPATRA
RECORDS-1997 (1996)
“BLOOD
IS THE LIFE”-FROM DRACULA KING OF VAMPIRES CD COMP.-WRECKAGE
PRODUCTIONS/ CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1997 (1997)
“SPIDERMAN”-FROM
TV TERROR CD COMP.-RECONSTRICTION RECORDS-1997 (1994)
“TOWER
OF STRENGTH”-FROM SONGS FROM THE WASTELAND: A TRIBUTE
TO THE MISSION
CD COMP.-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/RECONSTRICTION RECORDS-1998
(1997)
“PLANET
EARTH”-FROM NEW WAVE GOES TO HELL CD COMP.-WRECKAGE
PRODUCTIONS/
CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1998 (1997)
“HEROES”-FROM
GOTH ODDITY: A TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE-VOL.1 CD COMP.-
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/CLEOPATRA RECORDS-1998 (1999)
“BLACK
MOON MAGIC”-FROM WITCHCRAFT CD COMP.-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/
CLEOPATRA
RECORDS-1999 (1999)
“COME
THE NIGHT” -FROM SONGS OF TERROR: A TRIBUTE TO EDGAR
ALLAN POE CD COMP.
-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/ CLEOPATRA RECORDS- 2000 (2000)
EPS
PHOENIX
RISING-FIVE SONG CASSETTE (FAN CLUB RELEASE ONLY)-WRECKAGE
PRODUCTIONS-1992
(1989-90)
ALBUMS
CRAWLING
FROM THE WRECKAGE-TWELVE SONG CD-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/
CLEOPATRA
RECORDS-1994 (1994)
THE
GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND THE DEAD -(LAST TWELVE SONGS
ONLY) CD-
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS/MERE MORTAL PRODUCTIONS-1996 (1989-93)s
BAD
VIBES-TWELVE SONG CD-WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS-2000 (1996-99)*
Interviewer:
Gordon Taylor
Interviewee:
Tony Lestat, Dusty Jones Everett Thompsom
Date: 25.02.2000
Wreckage
was first form in 1989 how did all begin?
Tony:
In 1988 I had co-founded a band called LIKE WRECKAGE,
but I wanted to take it in a different direction, more
aggressive. So I quit the project to do a new one, which
I called WRECKAGE, the name I had wanted LIKE WRECKAGE
shortened to. The rest of LIKE WRECKAGE continued with
a new singer for a few shows, then called it quits. They
got together with Warren Mansfield of SCREAMS FOR TINA
to do a new re-vamped version of that band (which is where
that bizarre and untrue rumour started about WRECKAGE
being an off-shoot of SCREAMS FOR TINA! Not true!) And
later went on to other worthy projects. I joined forces
with a terrific bass player called Bill E. Bones (later
known as William Faith) and an enthusiastic guitarist
called Killjo and together we founded WRECKAGE in 1989...
What was it like to work with William
Faith and Killjo?
Tony:
Fun! Those early days of WRECKAGE were, as William put
it perfectly, "one big drunken blur!". I loved
working with William, a true talent and I missed him when
WRECKAGE regrouped after an 18 month "vacation"
from 1990 to 1992. He was replaced due to his commitments
with MEPHISTO WALZ. Still, fate had FAITH AND A MUSE down
the line for him - one of my favorite bands. Killjo returned
though. He is also a real talent, but working with him
could sometimes be frustrating, which is why he was not
always with WRECKAGE back in the late 80's and early 90's.
I respect his work with the band though, very much. I
have enjoyed working with almost everyone who has been
in WRECKAGE (and LIKE
WRECKAGE) over the years...
At what age did you all take up
music?
Tony:
I always loved music of course, but did not form a band
until I was 26. That was THE WITCHING HOUR in 1986...
Dusty:
Ten years old
Tony in 1995 Dusty Jones of Human Drama and Bass Guitarist
Everett Thompson joined Wreckage how did you meet them?
Tony:
A mailman delivered them to the door one day in a cardboard
box marked "WRECKAGE Life reserver"!!!. Actually,
Everett joined the band in 1995 as a second guitar player,
but then switched to bass when Dusty joined as guitarist.
I think I met him through one of Killjo's projects. Dusty
I met through Johnny Indovina of HUMAN DRAMA. I'd asked
Johnny to play guitar for WRECKAGE but he had too many
commitments, so he refered me to Dusty. We all clicked
well and today I could not imagine WRECKAGE without either
of them!
Dusty you have been involved with
Human Drama what was that experience like?
Dusty:
It was a great experience. We had some really magical
moments while playing and recording. We spent awhile in
New York where some great material was put together
What instruments and equipment do
you use to produce your music?
Dusty:
A computer, keyboards, samplers and a couple of real instruments
which include guitars, bass and of course Tony's vocals.
What creative process do you go through when composing
your music?
Tony:
Is there one? I just write the lyrics as I feel them and
the melody comes easy to me. No real battle plan!
Dusty:
There are several ways we create, that is through mostly
having an idea of the concept and then getting together
in the studio and starting a basic idea.
What inspires you when you write
your music?
Tony:
How I feel right then and there. All of my lyrics are
personal, the serious, the dark, the hopeful and the humerous!
Words have always come easy to me as I'm a poet as well
as working in a band...
Dusty:
The most inspirational thing is the mood or vibe that
I feel and trying to get it into the song.
What
formula do you use when writing lyrics for your songs?
Tony:
Simple. I think of a melody, feel the mood and write lyrics
to fit. A “rough” set of lyrics takes a couple
of hours at best for me.
Are you influenced by books, movies, art, plays, and if
you are do have particular book, movie, play or picture
you would like to talk about
Tony:
I think every artist is to some degree. Horror and fantasy
movies inspire me in life so I guess it rubs off in my
music and lyrics. There are too many things I love to
list or talk about here though...
Dusty:
Particular book, movie, play or picture you would like
to talk about. Actually I am not a movie fan really. I
am inspired by technology though.
When you have time to relax what music do like to listen?
Tony:
Almost any kind except "Rap" which I can't stand
(sorry Dusty!) and modern Country. Classic Country is
cool though, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and the like.
I enjoy Rock, Punk, Electronic, Big Band, Swing, Classical
and a whole bunch of other stuff. You are most likely
to hear me listening to a radio station that plays old
1930's through 1950's music. Of course, my all time favorite
band is THE DAMNED.
Dusty:
I listen to a lot of classical music. I also like a good
bit of the ambient type new age music (Bryan Eno, Harold
Budd)
Are you participating in any side projects? One of bands
that you are in is "Immortalis Amor" what is
the inspiration behind this band?
Tony:
I have an occasional side project with Kent Bancroft (from
LIKE WRECKAGE) called GHOST TRAIN AND THE SORCERERS OF
CAFFIENE REVELATION. Sort of dark-techno, with a sense
of humor! No, I'm not in IMMORTALIS AMOR. Dusty and I
co-produce the songs, although Lucy Lozano-Tate (the vocalist
and my wife) will be sharing that credit more with us
on future songs. The band is Lucy. She writes the lyrics
and some of the music. Dusty's involvement is more hands
on musical though... As for the inspiration, you would
have to ask Lucy!
Dusty:
This band is definitely more of an EPIC style band with
really dark, introspective music. Wreckage kind of is
too, but this is a different way than wreckage is. It
is a vehicle to utilize some of the ideas that would never
fly in a wreckage song. I have one other side project.
It is called Ocean of You, and a mix of dark and ambient
music with Techno, House style beats. I am marketing it
towards the dance music crowd.
To
the readers who may have not heard much of your music
how would you describe your sound?
Tony:
Depends what period of WRECKAGE! Earlier stuff was gothic-punk-power-pop
I think. Today I'd say gothic-rock with an Industrial-electronic
edge. What do you think Dusty and Everett?
Dusty:
Unpredictable, industrial rock. Dark and introspective.
How has the response been with "Bad Vibes"?
Tony:
Well, it's only just been released (or did it escape?),
but reaction has been excellent so far!
Dusty:
Great so far. We had a release party and the response
was really good to the CD, the artwork and the music.
What
was the inspiration behind the latest album"Bad Vibes?
Tony:
Er... write some great songs and put them together on
an album? This is not a concept album or anything, just
WRECKAGE doing what we do best. I leave the concepts for
the compilations I produce.
How long did it take to produce?
Tony:
Too long! Really though, in studio time not that long,
but getting it released is what took up most of the time.
The final tracks were finished in 1998, but with nobody
willing to press it for us, we had to wait until I could
afford to press it myself. NIGHTBREED are picking it up
for the U.K., but we still don't have a distributor here
in the States.
Dusty:
How long did it take to produce? Six months
What have you got planned for the next album?
Tony:
Well, we all have ideas for songs, but it's too far ahead
to think right now. I have to focus on getting the next
two (overdue) compilations out!
Dusty:
Probably some new twists on the Wreckage sounds.
Where have you toured, are you planning any up and coming
tours.
Tony:
WRECKAGE have never toured. I can't see anything for the
immediate future.
Dusty:
Only southern California to date. However, we plan to
go to the East Coast at some
point in the next year.
What
gigs did you enjoy the most and what was the audience
response.
Tony:
I've enjoyed most gigs, the good ones and the not so good
ones. Crappy sound systems do not make me happy though!
Still, you have to keep a sense of humor...
Is there anything special incorporated
within your performances?
Tony:
Wild Ferrets and Badgers released on stage. Seriously
though, we just let the music speak for itself. Unless
the guys have some suprises for me!
Dusty:
No. Just the three of us.
When you have a performance what goes through your mind
when you are on that stage. What is it that you feel?
What sort of emotions do you go through when the eyes
of the audience are on you?
Tony:
Once I'm past being nervous(!), I just enjoy the moment
to entertain people and perhaps make them think as well.
Then I just "pray" that the sound does not screw
up on us or I forget my lyrics on stage!!!
Dusty:
Explosive
What
have some your experiences been like when touring.
Dusty:
Fulfilling but tiring.
What
bands have you toured with?
Tony:
No tours, but we've played with a lot of different bands.
Some names that Tony: come to mind are PENAL COLONY, SCREAMS
FOR TINA, EX-VOTO, HAUNTED GARAGE, KOMMUNITY FK, MOTHERS
OF INVENTION (yes, Frank Zappa's old band minus Zappa),
GREEN JELLO and THE UNDEAD.
Dusty:
Human Drama
In what countries are your fans based.
Tony:
All over! Outside of the States, England, Russia, Israel,
Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany and (of course!) Australia!
Dusty:
To our knowledge, USA, Germany and Australia
Are you planning on making any films or making videos?
Have you ever been?
Involved making music for soundtracks?
Tony:
I have considered doing a video film in the future for
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS. We'll see what happens. I'd love
to do some videos for some of our songs. Any budding filmmakers
out there who want to talk to me? As to soundtracks, Dusty
and I will be composing music for an upcoming project
of mine called VAMPIRES FROM MARS. It's kind of a secret
project right now so that's all I'll say at this point.
Dusty:
Possible upcoming video to Devil's Little Helper. No sound
tracks yet. We tried to get Evil Thoughts onto the Beaches
soundtrack (Leonardo Decaprio) But they felt the subject
matter was too strong! (kidding).
Tony when did you begin "Wreckage Productions".
You are also involved in music Journalism and music promotion
what music magazines do you write for. What method do
you use when writing reviews and biographies?
Tony:
WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS was founded in 1994 to put out our
first album. The compilation projects that followed seemed
like a natural progression. I write for OUTBURN and also
have contributed to such fine mags as GHASTLY, PERMISSION
and Australia's own DARK ANGEL. No method, I just do it.
It's more fun doing darkwave mags than when I use to write
for a living for film mags. That's what I did before the
band and music took over my life.
Tony
you have produced many wonderful compilations what criteria
do you look for when releasing a band on a compilation.
Tony:
Is the band good? Is it original? (originality not required,
but it helps. SISTERS and BAUHAUS copies bug me!). How
big a band is really is not that important to me. How
good they are is. I like to help bands with potential,
because f**k knows there was very little help for WRECKAGE
in the early days. I don't want to be like the assholes
who ignored us early on. The big exception there of course
is CLEOPATRA RECORDS, who have done very fair by us in
the past.
What was the inspiration behind such compilations "Dracula
king Of Vampires", New Wave Goes To Hell" "Songs
From The Wasteland", Goth Oddities A Tribute To David
Bowie Volume One" "Witchcraft" and most
Recent release "Songs Of Terror: A Tribute To Edgar
Allan Poe"
Tony:
I think the titles are self-explanatory....? Beyond that
they were just fun to do!
What are your future plans.
Tony:
Get out the next batch of cool compilations and then take
a well deserved break. Later this year, maybe we will
start working on demos for the next album?
Dusty:
To record a new album that is the newest incarnation of
Wreckage sounds and ideas.
Is
there anything you would like to say to the readers out
there?
Tony:
For those of you who know and love us (all three of you...
Just kidding!), thanks for all the support over the years,
we love you too! If we are new to you, then man are you
in for a gothic treat! If you hate us, then why are you
reading this interview????
Dusty
Jones:
Thanks for all of your support with the new album. We
hope to see everyone on a near
future tour. |
