Punk'N

!Ok, I'm watching some Beavis and Butthead episodes I taped way back and I've had to stop and laugh several times here...The humor still holds up pretty well...So, a question: If Beavis and Butthead were watching one of your videos, how might they react?

I would hope for a different reaction than I know they would have had. Man, I hate those kind of audiences. They don't get it, never will, yet think they have a right to their assinine opinion and that it's true. Did you know my stalker thinks he doesn't libel me because he thinks his drival is "true". At least Beavis and Butthead use their own names! Actually, I like Beavis and Butthead. I would love to think they got drunk on Near-Beer and watched my videos. Tea-Hea-Tea-Hea!

Regarding cartoons in general: What was your favorite cartoon growing up and current cartoon favorite? Do they compare to one another? Opinion of the "less-humor-more-hero-epics" trend in the comic-book stores?

Cartoons? Remember Tom Terrific? I like all the cartoons. I still do. Anymore I am a big Simpsons fan! I like the witty humor, and the everyone is fair game approach. Lisa Simpson IS the Lizard Queen. Comic books! I collected comic books for years, then foolishly traded a priceless comic book collection for some music instruments. I think the less humor movement has always been there. Do you watch Archie's Weird Mysteries? Speaking of Archie, when will he ever work up the nerve to just do a threesome with Betty and Veronica? That would be something!

Speaking of what some refer to as "nerdy" topics and since the tables have seemingly turned where super-hero movies make epic money, people like Seth Rogan and Jack Black have careers...It seems that now is the greatest of times to make "nerd-money." What are your plans to corner the "nerd" market?

I am not sure I want to. I grew extremely tired of that kind of image a long time back. I don't want to be the Bozo Prince of Pretentious Rock, anymore than Jim Morrison did. I am not out to make money anywho! If I was I would sell out like Leslie Hall. Do a black face act! Sing Swanee, Leslie! I do concerts once or twice a year. That's plenty. I can keep my soul that way without making deals with the devil for money.

Aside from "nerd" market planning, what projects do you currently have in the works?

I have a few! A new film here in October. A full blown epic documentary/bio-flick in June of 2010. I am also thinking of writing more this winter. I have wanted to do another book for a long time.

If you could go back in time and change ANYTHING, what time would you travel to, what would you do and how would you go about doing what you hypothetically plan to do?

Two places. I would go back and try to record, perhaps video tape, all I could of Scream of the Butterly, my first band. There was a recording of our one and only show, but it's gone in the ether. Video tape didn't exist, maybe I would super-eight our show. That was a great band in its way. I don't even have a photo of us.

Second. I would try to end things differently with Twyla. We were more than friends and more than lovers. It saddens me that it all ended the way it did. Twyla, if you read this, I would like to try even now to resolve things differently.

Speaking of time, the time is ticking ever closer to Halloween AKA Punk'n season. Any plans for another installment of the Punk'n movie series?

YES!! Punk'N II - The Seedling, begins filming this month. I should have it done by All Hallows Eve. I will try to put it on YouTube post haste! How did these little short films ever become epic? Seems like there is an installment every two years. LOL. Look for Punk'N III in 2011... LOL

Regarding the movies: Rented, gone and seen or plan on seeing any new releases? If so, which ones? If not new releases, what might you be renting and why? Do you have any movies you can NEVER get sick of seeing no matter how many times you've seen them? If they had "The Gary Forney Movie Channel," name some movies that'd be in constant rotation.

A Clock Work Orange, Forrest Gump, The Blues Brothers, O Brother, Plan Nine, Robot Monster, Star Trek The Wrath of Khan, The Bank Dick, Flying Dueces, The Wolf Man.

Switching media here, any new albums on the horizon you're looking forward to hearing/buying? Similar to the movie question: any album you never tire of hearing? Why?

Any thing by The Doors, and that even includes, reluctantly, The Doors of the 21st Century.

If you could "cast" a dream album, featuring a "dream band" comprised of ANY artist, living or dead, who would be featured on that album? What kind of music would the album feature?

I would have Tiny Tim do a duo with Janis Joblin, backed by the Doors! A twisted country blues album!

Speaking of the "dream" of playing for a band, there's been a LOT of hype about Rock Band games, specifically lately The Beatles version. Do you believe that such items minimize the music game, as in making the music a mere back-drop for people to click buttons to...all while giving the players a moment to feel as if they're part of the "band" on-screen? If you were approached to add "Punk'n" tracks to the next installment of the Rock Band game series, what songs would you allow to be produced into the game and why?

At least they listen while pushing buttons. Sometimes they get introduced to new artists too. Punk'N tracks? Let's see, Mojo Bone, Whole Lotta Hard Luck, The Quest, maybe Three-Eyed Boy even though Punk'n doesn't perform that song anymore.

Back to the reality of an actual rock band, Punk'n...What's next for the band?

I would LOVE to find the old drummer from Scream of the Butterfly, Ron Reed. If I could Punk'N would suddenly have a new drummer to replace Doc Rythm! I have also considered playing keyboards on stage, but not that sure yet. What I would really like for Punk'N is to add a keyboard and drummer to our sound. For sure, I would keep the blues sound we have now, just add some choice people.

Great...Thanks for your time and the best of luck to you in your next projects and in your life beyond...Any last words?

June of 2010 we are filming the Gary Forney Story movie! Y'all try to get involved. We need audiences, extras, groupies, roadies, more groupies, crew, even more groupies. You get the idea.

     The cold February winds howl through gray winter skies. The holidays are over, spring is seemingly a lifetime away. The Earth seems a dead shell, awaiting new life. Yes, we are in the typical cycle of life, yet there is nothing typical about the meteoric rise of underground buzz surrounding Punk’n, the blues-rock, psychedelic punk rockin’ experience one has to see and hear to believe and understand. We’re here with Gary Forney, your master of ceremonies on the audio voyage that is Punk’n.

TD: Gary, I’d like to thank you for allowing another interview. I know life is busy for you and the band at this point.

Gary: “Busy is relative.”. In the overall view of the universe I haven't really been that busy. In the view from the ant hill I suppose I have been.

TD: It’s been a successful yet chaotic year for Punk’n, with steady concert gigs, a short film, crazy experiences with the weather and deranged fans, and more potential film work on the way. The chaos has left you feeling dead at some points in recent time and you claim you want to let the world know that you’re “back from the dead.” Could you elaborate on what you mean by this?

Gary: “Dead is also relative”. I guess I meant that the old Iowa Mountain Tour, Off The Charts, and a few other things are dead, at least for me. Punk'N is the new reincarnation of things. No matter what the incarnation though, they are all cloned from the same soul.

TD: Punk’n has become synonymous with everything admired by underground music. The experience that is Punk’n contains modern originality yet reverence for past rock greats, a unique variety of “show” that respects great showmanship of the past and a following that is eclectic yet focused on getting the most one can get out of a live musical experience. In this day and age of limited creativity in the musical/entertainment realm, how do you stay original and creative? What artists of yesterday and today inspire Punk’n to remain a unique force in the underground music scene?

Gary: In the words of Johnny Cash, “Black was the only shirt we all had. If we could play different, we would.” The best way to explain things is “backgrounds and influences”. Josh and I each have our own. I can't speak for Josh. I bring a strange mix of art and root music. For those that don't know, I was an art student at the University of Northern Iowa. My mother was also an artist. So were her ancestors. Mom could also play accordion. So, art definitely enters the equation. I really loved the surrealists, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp are personal favorites. Art is a definite influence that I bring to the table. That accounts for the films and a few things. Musically, growing up in a small town in the midwest, I bring a lot of “root” music into things. I went to a small rural elementary school where I learnt all the great old folk and cowboy songs. At the same time my family went to an old time southern Baptist Church. There I learnt the great old time gospel songs. Can we still call them “Negro Spirituals”? At home, it was before TV reached poor people and entertainment came from the radio or old records. I had three sisters so I heard all the teen idols of the fifties! My late father also played a lot of old blues on 78 RPM records. The evolution of rock paralleled my growing up and coming of age. I was born in the 50's, came of age in the 60's, was on my own in the 70's. So,all those things were absorbed by me like a sponge. They mixed together and what you hear and see, experience is the resulting mix. Of course that all gets mixed with Josh's influences.

TD: I’ve heard rumors that Doc Rhythm, your percussionist has been considering a solo career. I know you’ve had problems seeing eye-to-eye in the past and have been reported as saying in a past interview that you believed the Doc “had no soul” but, do you believe the Doc and Punk’n can work out their differences?

Gary: Oh yeah! The good Doctor will either do what I say or will be replaced. I am in negotiations with a Japanese drummer if the Doc doesn't work out.

TD: Early reviews of your short film “Message from Space” have called the short clip a “revolutionary voyage drifting between light satire and omniscient telephoto insanity.” Would you care to respond to this viewpoint regarding your film?

Gary: Yeah, with a “Huh?”!

TD: If you were given unlimited funds to produce a big screen feature film, who would you cast in it and what would the story-line be?

Gary: I would really like to do my own life story. The trouble would be how to end it. Maybe several alternate endings? Failing that opus, I wouldn't mind doing any of the other “Plans from Outer Space”. So far we have only seen Plan Nine. What about the other eight? Were there plans beyond nine, such as ten and up? Be worth exploring.

TD: You have a new tour in the works and your fans need to know immediately: When are these concerts and where will they be performed?  Also, is there free beer at any of these venues?

Gary:  No free beer. I am performing at all-ages venues this tour. We will be at Swing State in Lake Villa, Illinois on April 23rd and 24th. The 23rd we will be screening Puppy starring Calico Cooper. Also doing a set. We will be joined by “Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop”, whom I am trying to get to change their name. LOL. Maybe to “Sammich Shop”. On the 24th we will be doing “song poem night”, which should be interesting. We will attempt to write songs on the spot and let the bad notes fly where they may. We will be being joined by “Sandwich Shop” again and also “The Oliver Twists” and “Nonagon”. Come both nights to get the full experience!  At this time, mid February, I am also talking with another venue who may have us for April 25th. It's not definite yet, but looks good. Check my website at www.punkn.org under appearances for updates [ to just about everything going on ]. We will also be at The Straight Edge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 2nd.

TD: What would you do if you found people bootlegging your merchandise outside of one of your concerts? Would it be Chuck Norris skull cracking time or what?

Gary:  Why should I care? Actually, I do find it at times. I found someone trying to sell copies of “Mojo Bone” online. They gave us credit and a glowing review of the song! So, I let it go. There was also the Southern Sea with their song “Iowa Mountain Tour”. They hadn't asked permission, so at first I was leary. I listened to it. It wasn't bad, if a little off center. I let it go too. The thing is I am not getting rich, doubt they are either. If some one were to start getting rich off my stuff it might be a different story. Meanwhile I don't see where it hurts.

TD: What is the one message you wish to send to your fans at this time?

Gary: “THINK!”. Put that message on a big sign somewhere. Doesn't matter what you think, just think! If I could add to that message: THINK FOR YOURSELF!. Don't let someone else tell you what music is, art is, who you are! THINK. And if allowed two more messages: EXPERIENCE and CREATE!

TD: What it the one message you wish to send to the trouble makers and demented people you deal with at this time?

Gary: I AM NOT GOING AWAY! If it bothers you that I am still here, GREAT!

TD: A rather typical question for you: What was the last great movie you saw, one which inspired you? One that spoke to you? One that was just damn fun to watch?

Gary: I really liked WALK THE LINE. Also BELIEVERS. IRON MAN.

TD: If you had this lifetime to live over again, what would be the primary elements you would change or would you even wish to change anything?

Gary: I may already be living this live over. How would I know? I may keep living it over and over. I would chose a different father...maybe. Also maybe do some things younger than I did, but then, if I had or would, the timing might not be right.

TD: 2012 is said to be the last year of humanity, according to numerous calendars. If you knew this to be true, what would you rush to do before the arrival of 2012?

Gary: The Mayans said that! They are gone! Are you familiar with the Ghost Dancers? The last year of “humanity”? that's an interesting word. What does it mean? Suppose I told you that my own world would end on November 24th, 2026? Would it mean anything to anyone else? [ go to www.deathclock.com ] The End, is relative.

TD: I know you’re not a major fan of discussing politics, but I have to ask and I’ll keep this short: Newsweek Magazine has recently claimed on its cover that “We Are All Socialists Now.” Did you ever perceive a day when the United States would turn toward Socialism? As someone that lived through the “us verses the establishment” era, how do you feel now that the “us” has become the establishment only to allegedly turn Socialist?

Gary: Didn't “Them” win the war of “Us vs Them”? We learnt our own fathers would and could kill us at Kent State! Jim Morrison must have been horrified. There are two separate theories on the continued evolution of “Mankind” [ there's that strange word again ]. One says that through racial blending we will become one golden race. The other says that through our basic animal instincts we will remain separate tribes. Then there are always the non-tribal lone wolves. As much as possible I try to remain a wolf. My least known album was “The Wolf's Prayer”. What I am saying is I try to remain apart from the golden race/giant family/Big Brother.

TD: What would you do if Socialism got out of control and tried to shut Punk’n down? How would you combat such evil in this hypothetical time?

Gary: By following this great advice. “To thine own self be true!”. In other words “keep on keepin' on!”

TD: I know you worked in television for a while there, producing the very enjoyable “Let’s Talk Music.” If you had an opportunity to do more television, what sort of show would you produce and who would star in it?

Gary: Man, I would love, just love, to do my own “reality” show! Just have a few cameras follow me around for awhile.

TD: People have claimed that “Hip Hop is Dead,” and still others have claimed that the media itself is dying out. What are your thoughts on these matters? Do you agree that certain music or media forms die or do they merely remain dormant until a new fan base emerges? Do you perceive of a time when Punk’n may die and be reborn to future generations?

Gary: Andy Warhol's “fifteen minutes of fame”, Why do some artists want more? Each act of creation has its beginning and end. One day I might say a particular thing. When I say something else the next day, it doesn't mean the previous day was invalid. Just that time moves on. Certain things remain true though. There will always be music. It just moves from note to note. All part of the vast harmony or lost chord.
 It would be a little presumptuous to predict Punk'n future. I just hope what I have created amounts to something and lives on. It's much like every parent hopes for their children. Since Punk'N has some deep roots, I hope it will “leave a mark”.

TD: Your new tour is in the works. Any new merchandising on its way as well?

Gary: We have T-Shirts now, but I don't really promote merch. If people feel a need in these economic times to buy something, buy my CDs, films, Digital Down loads, etc. That's more important than drinking some beer I might endorse. LOL.
      Corona on ice is Punk'Ns beer of choice!

TD: Fans oftentimes wish to read or view more about their idols within the media. Is there any chance of a new edition of your autobiography or a possibility that you will do an autobiographical feature film?

Gary: Ah, there have been yearly updates to my autobiography. In 2007 there was BEYOND THE CHARTS. In 2008 there was YEAR OF THE PUNK'N. Look for them.
     I also really want to write a book of fiction, and more poetry.
     I keep trying to think of a way to do a film. I just hesitate making some self-centered film about myself. You know? I would rather someone else did [ a self-centered film about me LOL ]

TD: I would like to thank you once again for taking time out of your busy schedule to be a part of this interview. Please, if you don’t mind, reiterate when and where your next gigs will be and also, in closing what do you wish to leave the readers with…a message? A thought? A motto perhaps?

THERE ARE THINGS KNOWN
AND THINGS UNKNOWN
AND IN BETWEEN
IS A PUNK'N PATCH..

Jim Morrison would have said that, if he was smart. But, he wasn't. He's dead.
Jim won't be back from the dead.