The Independents-- Interviews

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Interview by Billie Ballistic: October, 2001

Question # 1: what steps did you have to take to get started, and who gave you the kick to get going?
E: I have always loved music. I have two older brothers and on was in a lot of bands when I was growing up. After seeing him play I knew that's what I wanted to do. I just tried to find people to jam with but it was so hard because everybody only wanted to play cover songs. I started playing bass with anyone who would let me. It sucked playing with a lot of the people I did because I was always wanting to do this for my life when others didn't give a shit they just wanted to get laid or free beer. Nothing wrong with that just I wanted more. I loved music and to write your own and to see someone into it was better to me plus you were sure to get girls if people liked your music. Any way I'm not the best guitarist in the world but I did manage to play in a few bands. I had too because I started pushing everyone I jammed with and they quit. I pissed off a lot of people and still do today because I want things to be done right and not half ass. I jammed with willy B on and off then got in a few bands with him. He was really the only one That I could sit down with and hum an idea too and he play the thing note for note. Once I heard the music in my head coming out Through jamming with willy I knew I would never stop. That was my kick.

Question # 2: how did you get affiliated with the ramones, and who is your favorite one? as a matter of fact, on the VHS RAMONES AROUND THE WORLD joey wears your shirt in a short scene....
E: I met CJ Ramone in Myrtle beach SC. At a casino that was next to where they were playing that night. We hit it off and hung out after the next two shows and became great friends. He got us on tour with the Ramones on their Acid Eaters tour. Joey heard a tape of us and hung out. We got along great so he offered to manage the band. Joey became my best friend. We saw eye too eye on everything. We had like a father and son relationship. He had been there and done that before I had so he just helped me through a lot of shit band wise and personal. He was really a great person. He will always be my favorite Ramone by far.

Question # 3: how did you feel about the death of the late joey ramone, and how come nobody has interviewed you guys about it?
E: I lost my best friend when Joey passed. I will never get over it but I will keep going because I know he would be calling me up telling me to get off my ass right now if I didn't. As far as Interviews. I have not felt like doing any about it. Most of the interviews were offered right after Joey passed and I just couldn't deal with it.

Question # 4: you guys seem to be extarordinarily nice to your fans, does it have anything to do with how the misfits are? what nice guys, ya know.
E: We know we don't have shit if we don't have fans. We are fans too. I hate when I meet a band and they are dicks. It kills me to listen to their music after that. People are people we are no better then anyone else.

Question # 5: theres this girl i like alot, named birgit..and shes afraid to get close to me, could you give me some words of advice, please?
E: Why is she afraid? I would just be myself and just play it cool. Be nice to her and let her know you like her but don't bug her. Just do what you gotta do to get your life in order and going the way you want and see what happens.

Question # 6: do your amps go up to 11, like spinal tap? how about before you got yer stuff stolen?
E: Our amps go to-1 how about that shit! Before they were stolen they were all new now we have used stuff.

Question # 7: i know im pushing it with all these questions although your tired from playing, what do you think about your breif visit to the pissy kid web site, and would you trade us some ballistic merchandise for yours?
E: I think it is a very cool site. I can't trade now but later on I will after the tour. We sell out of everything and people always get so pissed .This is where we get all our stuff done. Everyone should use this company for all there band needs.www.geocities.com/thelogopro or PO BOX 4803 Florence, SC 29502 843-679-9707

LAST QUESTION!!!! what are your feelings with the recent events of the terrorism going on in the u.s. ??? like, for instance i feel in the near future, anyone in the u.s. without the flag on their car or t-shirt will be burned alive by those bastard soccer moms....
E: We lost a few really good friends. I think it sucks that there are such fucked up people out there who would kill children etc.One of my friends lost his mother and brother. Another has a child that will never see her father again. I think what we are doing is right by going after all who have and will do these kinda acts. I feel bad about the innocent people being killed right now but if the taliban would have handed over the ones they were supposed to non of this would be going down now in their country. it is scary to think about all this antrax shit . We never knew how free we really were in this country.

hey! thanks for doing this great interview, although i may not be "meet the press", i am but a young writer in tampa, and if you want some free shirts or patches, e-mail me plus im gonna be at the show on the 25th. with all my luve, billie ballistic!
E: Thanks Billie. See you on the 25th. Take care.

Interview by Dutch journalist Bram van Schaik: August 2001

Bram Van Schaik: Still S-Carolina based?
Evil Presly: Yep, we are still from the South. There is no other swamps like ours!

Bram Van Schaik: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Ever been here in Europe?
Evil Presly: Not yet but have heard great things of your beer and women!

Check out a recent interview on the Dedkitty website with Evil.

The Independents are the featured artist on the BOX13 website, an online music zine. Click here to check out a review of the band plus an interview with Evil Presly on the site.

Check out this interview with Evil Presly from July, 2000 on the website Rock City.

Interview with Evil Presly by Scotty Ramone, January 2000:

Have you ever thought what the ultimate band might sound like? Do you imagine a combination of rock'n'roll, punk, ska, goth, doo-wop mixed with a whole load of attitude?! If so, I'm about to make your day... this band exists! They're like an explosive three car pile up involving Elvis, The Specials and the Misfits which results in them being fused together to spawn a ghoulishly unmistakable and original sound. They're called the Independents and they've just finished recording their second full-length album titled 'Back From The Grave'. It has been produced by Daniel Rey and Joey Ramone, who coincidentally co-manages the band as well. Their debut album 'In For The Kill' was put out in America in 1995 and this was followed in 1997 by an eight track mini album called 'Stalker'. I was so inspired by their music that one extremely cold black night, armed with my crucifix and a bag of very pressing questions, I went in search of the Independents fiendish frontman Evil Presly and here's what he had to say...

Where do the Independents originate and are they still based there?
We come from Hell Florence South Carolina. This is one of the most haunted parts of the United States. When we are off tour there is always something to do to get us inspired from the house I live in, which is haunted by six ghosts (all are Children), to the spirits in the swamps. There is nothing better than hanging out in the swamps at night to scare the shit outta you.

Have the Independents released any other recordings besides 'In For The Kill' and 'Stalker'?
There is a lot of stuff out there on CD and vinyl you just gotta really search for it. We put out a four song vinyl single on Hellcat / Epitaph Records early last year.

What is the current status with the new album 'Back From The Grave'?
It's pretty much finished. We still have a little art work to do but besides that it's mastered and ready to go. We are lookin' for the right label to put it out on. There are so many bands and labels out now that it's easy to get lost or screwed. We really want a label that's gonna be there for us for the long run.

How did you come to record Cookie Monster's 'C Is For Cookie'?
We covered it about two years ago for the compilation '20 Bands Trash Sesame Street' put out by Dave Mello (ex Operation Ivy drummer) on Bun Length Records and it will be on the new record.

Do Joey Ramone and Daniel Rey still help out a lot and are they still managing the band?
Daniel Rey just helped produce the new record with Joey and a few other songs for compilations. He's a great guy, it's always great to work with him. Joey is still working with us. He's the best!! He really opened our eyes to so much. He hooked us up with Drew Goldberg from Cornerstone Promotions, who now co-manages us with him.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
Everything from the Ramones to Elvis to Johnny Cash. I love the oldies from the 50s and the 60s. From doo-wop to hardcore I really am into almost everything, it all hits me.

What bands would you credit for giving the Independents their ska influences?
The Specials and Operation Ivy, Desmond Decker... There are so many great ska bands from the 60s to the early 90s that really had an impact on us.

Do you think the Independents will ever tour the UK?
I'm sure we will. I know we are all looking forward to it.

What's your most prized possession?
My Grandmother's teeth. She had them all pulled out when she was in her early twenties. I don't know why she wanted me to have them but I got them.

Do you have any pets?
I have a few dogs and ghosts.

Is there anything else you would like to get off your chest... about life, music, anything at all?
Just live it. Get the most outta it that you can. Enjoy music for what it is, don't put labels on it.

'Back From The Grave' will be released later this year but for those who are unsurprisingly a little excited about this band, you can find a new track called 'Death Notice' from their forthcoming album on a compilation CD called 'Up In Flames' out in the UK on Infernal Records now. And if you're looking for the first two albums, then the only place I can suggest, unless you're in America, is the internet site www.cdnow.com. They have both albums advertised on their site reasonably priced in dollars and they usually deliver to the UK within two weeks.