The Pussy Galore family tree, if you will, stretches far and wide, and includes much more popular bands like Boss Hog, Royal Trux, Howling Hex, and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. But none approached PG’s absolutely nasty take on 1980s American punk. In honor of the 20 year anniversary of Pussy Galore’s first foray into the LP game with Right Now!, I’m going to write a fake (fake!) interview with singer/spokesman Jon Spencer circa 1987. You’re not going to learn much, (but I think that’s in keeping with the spirit), as I’ve never met the man. I was eight when this “interview” even could have happened. I think I owned a couple of tapes at that point. My favorite song was “Rebel Rebel” (the Bay City Rollers version).
So, here it is. Enjoy! Just remember that it is "fake."
Zingzing: Good afternoon, Mr. Spencer.
Jon Spencer: Jon, please, Zing.
ZZ: Much appreciated, but it’s “ZingZING.”
JS: No problem.
ZZ: Thank you for that.
JS: Yes, sir.
ZZ: No need for the “sir!”
JS: All right, you fuckin’ prick, get on with it…
ZZ: OK… You were originally from the D.C. area, but quickly moved to NYC—why?
JS: New York’s dirty.
ZZ: …
JS: What? You want more? D.C. had Dischord. That whole scene sucks. No sense of humor.
ZZ: Why do you assume they have no sense of humor?
JS: Well, when you make fun of someone, and they don’t laugh… they have no sense of humor… do you understand?
ZZ: You publicly declared your hatred for Ian Mackaye and Dischord Records.
JS: Mmhmm?
ZZ: Mmhmm. Would you consider your song titles “funny” then?
JS: What’s not funny about “Teen Pussy Power,” “Groovy Hate Fuck,” or “Cunt Tease?”
ZZ: Well, they aren’t very funny, but they are a little… gross…
JS: Pussy!
ZZ: …I’m not offended by the word.
JS: No, I’m saying “You Are A Pussy.”
ZZ: Well, you seem to like saying it.
JS: Ooohhh, testy…
ZZ: Let’s move on. So you moved to NYC in 1986 and released a full album cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main Street…”
JS: Yes, yes I did. All me.
ZZ: Stop it.
JS: Whatever. Move on.
ZZ: Later that year, Bob Bert, formerly of Sonic Youth, joined on percussion. It seems that he uses mostly scrap metal for percussion…
JS: …
ZZ: …is that true?
JS: That’s what you were getting to? For fuck’s sake, learn to do your job! Yes! Everything’s trash! Our drums: trash! Our guitars: trash! Our studio: trash! Our songs: trash! Our women: trash! At least according to our mothers, who are all trash!
Article comments
1 - Pico
Excellent. You should "interview" GG Allin next.
2 - Michael J. West
In addition to being fucking hilarious, this is surprisingly on the nose.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion once came into WXYC for an interview before they played at Cat's Cradle. As I recall, they came in, sat down, uttered a number of FCC violations, answered one question, ignored the rest, then Jon said on the air, "Call this station right now for free tickets to the show tonight!" (there were no free tickets) and they all got up and walked out of the studio.
3 - zingzing
yeah, i read a few interviews (there isn't much information on the web about pg... and what there is doesn't seem to take them seriously AT ALL) and then puffed it up a bit. jon could be a cordial interviewee, but he could also say some pretty awful shit. which, of course, is what i went with.
pico, i really have never read much/heard much of/seen any gg allin. if he had a sense of humor about what he did, he took it all too far. of course, throbbing gristle never had much of a (public) sense of humor... and i find them fascinating. but when personality trumps the music, that's where i have a hard time caring. you never hear about gg allin's music really. can't name a single song. he seems more like a performance artist than a viable musical project to me. but, i'll take a looksee.
4 - Pico
Naw, man, don't waste your time researching GG if you don't care for him; that suggestion was made tongue in cheek, anyway.
Spencer gives me a another idea for a One Track Mind, but we'll wait a while on that one until you've had enough time to absorb the Caspar.