|
Pulse of the Twin Cities Login |
|
If you do not have an account yet
Create One.
|
|
|
Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
|
|
|
|
Ed Gein Fan Club: I Was A Punk Before You Were Born
Wednesday 06 November @ 09:49:52 |
 by Chelsea40oz
When Ed Gein died of respiratory failure in July of 1984, a bored suburban punk rocker named Ollie Stench commemorated the event by writing “Ed Gein Fan Club” on a T-shirt with a permanent marker. Later, when that same sense of ennui led young Ollie to form his first punk rock band, they had a ready-made name. The ’80s origins come through loud and clear in the snotty, irreverent music of Ed Gein Fan Club. Some of the lyrics have dealt with the “third death of skateboarding,” the religious right, and contempt for Hessians. Although the band members remain modest—almost to the point of self-deprecation—about their musical skills, their sloppy and poppy sound is actually quite appealing, and their onstage shenanigans are downright entertaining. Although the band has admittedly been a little slow leaving the gate, 2002 sees Ed Gein Fan Club winning a growing following among Twin Cities audiences. This interview was conducted with Ollie Stench (founding member, original vocalist and bassist) and John 3:16 (guitarist) by Chelsea 40oz. Drummer “yermom” was not present.
PULSE: Eighteen years have elapsed since the band’s formation. Can you recap some of your milestones for us?
OLLIE: Our first show was in November 1985; that lineup included Greg MacAlloon, who went on to be in the Glen Rustles. We had to play under a different name, Chevaleski Funtime Family Showband, because we were getting death threats. We played in ’91 with Skippy Friendly on bass, a.k.a. Pat Dwyer of Am Rep Records and Grumpy’s Bar. I believe we were the first band that had been together for over six years to play a New Band Night in the Entry. The band never breaks up—we have been a band all along. Our first show with the current line-up was in winter of ’97. 2002 has been a busy year for us. We became a punk rock power trio in February. Around March, we thought we should start playing some gigs, and that the crowd might understand what we are doing now. We started playing regularly in April, and it turned out to be true. We were 18 years ahead of our time.
John 3:16: We recorded our first album in April, that’s a milestone.
PULSE: When you say people understand what you’re doing now, do you have a new fan base among youth?
OLLIE: People seem to be embarrassed to admit that they like us. They won’t admit it to their friends, or to us. Judging by the crowd reaction, instead of people leaving the room when we play, they’re all moving up front and cheering, having a good time, and throwing stuff at us. I thought I would alienate the kids when I wrote “I Was A Punk Before You Were Born” but I have a lot of kids come up and say “Dude, that’s so cool, you were a punk before I was born!”
PULSE: Offending people seems to be your stock in trade anyway...
OLLIE: You know, when I got into punk rock, it was an excuse to be loud and obnoxious and piss off old ladies. This was the philosophy I started the band with. I don’t know where all the PC political activism came in. My idea of a good time is getting under people’s skin. Even our instrumentals have profanity in them. But there’s a fine line between just being an obnoxious asshole and being an obnoxious asshole who is really clever about it. I would like to think most of the time we’re really clever about it. We don’t write the obvious song. There are other bands that do that. The Meatmen were a big influence on me, but FEAR, and Lee Ving, were %@!#$&ing geniuses. There’s a big difference between The Meatmen, The Mentors, and G.G. Allin and bands like FEAR and Angry Samoans. I would like to think that even though we are out there to annoy people, they can see the entertainment factor in it.
John 3:16: What I like about FEAR is they are very inclusive. FEAR wanted you to have a beer with them–
OLLIE: –and another beer...
John 3:16: Exactly–as many beers as you like. And all these other bands are like, ‘%@!#$& you, this is my beer.’ FEAR’s like, ‘This is our beer. Let’s share.’ They weren’t trying to scare you off, they just wanted to have a beer with ya. How can you not get behind that?
Ed Gein Fan Club opens for crossover legends DRI Wed., Nov. 6, in First Avenue’s mainroom. 8 p.m. $8 adv. / $10 door. 21+. They play again Thurs., Nov. 14, at the 7th Street Entry in the Ed Gein Fan Club Rock and Roll Circus. 8 p.m. $5. 21+. First Ave. and the 7th St. Entry. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388.
|
|
 |
|
|
