Here is all what Dasko wanted to find out about these legendary canadians..ENJOY!
All questions were answered by Rob.
Q: Who (what mucic) inspired you to form NoMeansNo?
A: The first punk band I heard was the Ramones and I guess it was they who
inspired me to play music instead of just listening to it.We loved all the original punk
bands(and New Wave,and Art,Noise,Primitive...it was all lumped together in the mid
70's)---just to show how old we are---Hardcore from California was a new development when
we were already basically doing the style of music we still do today.As much as the music
though,we were inspired by the attitudes and ideas that came with it.A new awarness of
sexual politics,anti-rock star-commercialism,honest self expression,uncensored
creativity,passion over posing---as I list things you can see how far the scene has
strayed from its original purpose.We still try to keep these attitudes first and foremost
in our work,although it is basically like pissing in the wind these
days(note:"pissing in the wind" is a vulgar English idiom denoting futility in
the face of prevalent trends---sort of like swimming upstream in a river of shit).
Q: Who is more popular right now NMN or Hanson Brothers?
A: That depends on who you talk to.NMN obiously has the edge in being know and
attracting a crowd but there are those who prefer pure puck rock stupidity to the
pretensions of NMN's "progressive","alternative" sound.I really enjoy
the Hanson Brothers myself Because I don't have to sing and I wear mask which protects me
when the beer bottles start flying.
Q: Something about Vancuver scene and D.O.A!
A: Vancouver has always had a very thriving and influential music scene.There
are still tons of bands and places to play here.I think the best new sounds are coming out
of Mint Records(The Smugglers,Cub,Maow) but there is tons of other stuff which I don't
even keep track of as well.
Q: Do you still have contacts with Andy and what do you think about Hissanol
project?
A:No,I don't have any contacts with Andy these days,he's doing his thing and
we're doing ours.As far Hissanol goes,quite frankly I haven't got around to listening to
it yet.
Q: Do you know some Yu-bands?
A:I'm afraid I know little of the scene in Yugoslavia,but then again I know
little of the scene in Vancouver.I concentrate on making my own music and don't otherwise
pay much attention to it.Usually the only time I will get a sence of them as people as
well.
Q: Did "The Residents" have some influences on your music?
A:I don't know if the Residents were a big musical influence but they certaintly have
been one of our favourite bands.They encompass the same parameters as the Ramones do,from
the savage to the silly,which we like allot.As a musical influence,listen to
Primus---you'll hear allot of Residents in them.
Q: Do you prefer "Hansons" like songs or the symphonies like from "Why
do they call me Mr Happy"?
A:We love both,obiously,which is why we play them both.There is nothing like a
good three minute power pop punk song---then again there is nothing like a fifteen minute
riff rock epic like Kill Everyone Now either.You see our dilemma.This is why we
have to be in two bands.
Q: What do you think about Jello Biafra(I really liked "sky is
falling...")?
A:Jello is extremely inteligent and articulate guy who lives in a big dark
mansion in San Francisco,hanging like a bat from the ceiling by day and drinking the blood
of the innocent by night---(just kidding,Biafra).I have to say nice things about him
because without him and his label Alternative Tentacles nobody would ever have heard of
us.One of the few people from the scene who actually took his succes and popularity and
used it to help promote other bands and their music.He''s the antithesis of rock star and
anyone who says different is a wanker.
Q: Tell us something about your "new" members(I mean after Andy!)?
A:Our "new" guitar player(actually,he's been with us for about five
years now) ia Tom Holliston,an old Victoria boy(our home town) who is insane and wears
glasses and loves hockey just like the rest of us.He has his own band called the Sho
Business Giants,who sing about pants and gunracks and all sort of quirky things in a style
all their own.Ken Kempester is also an Victoria boy who doesn't wear glasses and doesn't
like hockey(wait a minute ,how did he get in!)but he's a great drummer so we let him hang
aroungd with cool guys like us.
Q:Q: How old are you guys(I always wanted to know that!)?
A:We are ancient.I am 58,my brother John is 45,Tom is 42 or 43---we're not
sure because he was abandoned by his parent as an infant and raised by wolves.Kenny is
only 18 but he has been playing drums since he was 2.
Q: Massage for Yu-fans!
A:I get allot of mail from Yugoslavia and really appreciate the attention and
support.Although we never played actually in Serbia ,we always have great shows in other
Balkan state.Hopefully with the advent of a permanent peace we can do even more next time
we're in Europe.Thanks for listening!Keep in mind I lie allot!
