Recently, I had the great pleasure to interview Coolie Ranx and Vinny Nobile of the Pilfers. They were in Toronto for the first time (as the Pilfers) and I couldn't give up the chance to see them live and get an interview. This being my first attempt at an interview, I didn't really know what to expect, but I was happily surprised to discover that these two men are very down to earth, honest and gracious musicians and human beings. We covered many topics and both responded to the questions with a great deal of frankness, as well as humour, intelligence and eloquence. I have transcribed the entire interview and have left out nothing. I even left in most of the little quirks in both Coolie's and Vinny's speech, just so that you can get an idea of the true individuals.I spoke with Coolie first, we did the interview amongst the chaos of the merchandise booth. Coolie is a true artist and just a nice guy. He is so into the interaction with fans that he works the merchandise and answers all the stupid questions that fans like me hurl at him! Among other things, we talked about dancehall music, his life and Jeff Baker! Without any further adue�the Pilfers�PULLIN' BACK NUH PUNCH!
What were some of your influences growing up and now? What did you listen to as a kid?
I listen to a lot of dancehall, I mean that's where I came from. As far as the influences, like Dennis Brown, Nicodemus� because I was listening to singers and MCs at the same time. So anyone within the era, I listened to them�a lot of Saxon from England, Saxon studio, just hip hop, I listened to a lot of hip hop too.
What do you like now in dancehall music? What do you think of the music now?
It's�you know, for me, it still has a reach where it needs to go, as far as lyrical context. As far as style, there's kids that got crazy style, they got mad style, their flow is matchable to at least American rap where the flow is really good. I'm just looking for the elevation of the lyrics, the topics, you know, broaden the topics and stuff but what I think they're doing is great. I like Sean Paul, I like Bounty, I like Beenie Man, you know, I like Red Rat, I like a lot of the�
You like Capleton?
I love Capleton! Capleton's coming off right now. It's like there's a second wave of him right now, because he kind of fell off a little bit and now he's coming back again. His style right now is really hip�Capleton is really hip, he's coming right back�yeah, I think he's really good right now. But there's too many [MCs] too mention.
What interests you other than musically? Like what's going on in the world�because in your album you talk about stuff like ethnic cleansing in "Generation" and then there's "Dr. Kevorkian", so what do you think about all that?
Well, I just look at the world and I try to figure out what the hell is happening, you know? Why are things happening the way they do happen? And I'm just thinking�we as human beings, we're not elevating. And I like to use "elevate" a lot because I just feel that we need to progress. And we're not gonna progress until we find ourselves to be as ONE. I mean, regardless of who goes on the moon, or who finds Mars, or who has the best government�we're not elevating until we can come together as one people, as a race, you know what I'm saying? I don't know whether they're gonna conjure up some kind of catastrophe to force us to realise that we are supporting each other, you know? We NEED to support each other and not have someone be the richest man in the world or have all these millions of dollars while his people are starving and dying, you know? It's just�you know, capitalism is a good thing, SOCIALISM is a good thing but there should be a balance between the two�because when you have too much socialism you get the people lazy and they don't really think about what the situations are in life. They're taken care of; they don't care. While in capitalism, you're fighting and you have all this money, but when you have all this money you don't look back on the people that need help. So there should be a balance between the two of them, you know? Even communism, they take care of the people, it's kind of like a socialist thing too, but not to oppress. There should be a balance between all of these governments. We as people need to come together as ONE and figure out some kind of solution, other than just, you know, trying to exploit one another, you know? I could go farther�
What can we expect from the new record?
Well�it'll be ska�but�it's not just a ska band�just because I have so many musical tastes, right? That everyone else has a lot of different tastes, it's just gonna keep on growing. This next record�we've been playing these songs for about a year and there's been some change now, these new songs, so you're still hearing us grow. I've mixed jungle�you like jungle? You know jungle music?
Yeah�
So I got a track in there with jungle and ska, I call it "Skungle". [we all have a good laugh] You know, so it's elements like that�it's gonna continue to grow with the times. You know, a lot of bands try to go retro and try to figure out what was the past. Which is good 'cause you need to know your history to know where you are now. But I really love contemporary music, and I don't think the musicians here get a fair shake 'cause they're so retro, you know? I love contemporary music, I want this music that I do to be contemporary as well as draw up on the old influences of music and putting them together as one genre of music. I still wanna keep on progressing and trying to experiment with different sounds and different styles of music. But I think for the core of it, it'll still be ska. You know, 'cause that's the basis where we come from. This new album expresses that, you know, definitely defines the new sound, the new wave, and the new era, you know? 'Cause the kids now, they listen to everything, you know? And a lot of them probably can't even get their hands on the old stuff, you know? [chuckles a bit] These kids can't go to Moon Records and just walk and browse and shit. So they listen to a lot of different styles of music and they put their influence in it, as I do. I listen to techno, I listen to jungle, I listen to hip hop, I listen to country [ponders a moment with a confused look on his face]�nnnNO! [MAD laughs all around] But I listen to music, you know what I mean�
TIM: You wanna hear some Dwight Yoakam?
Ugh�to what?
TIM: Dwight YOAKAM
You see what I'm saying? I don't even know that�shit! But I listen to a lot of music and I try to put what I like at the time into the music and stuff, you know? So it'll just keep on progressing. Shouldn't be the same thing. That's what I was really bored with about the last band I was in. It's like formula and this is not formula, this is just expression, you know?
I noticed that you put "Legal Shot" on the new record.
Yes. [with a smile]
Is there any reason why you chose to make it a PILFERS song?
Yeah, well you see�when I first came out with the Pilfers, you know, there was no way I couldn't do that song�there was no way that I couldn't do that song because I wrote the song for myself way even before I was with the Toasters and I used to sing that in the dancehalls of England and Brooklyn and all of that. So there was no way I wasn't gonna sing that song�it's a good song for me. But then, with the Pilfers again, I took that song to a next level again. So, I took part of "Legal Shot" and then, it's like a part two, is "Pam Pam". It's still about , you know, "Legal Shot" is symbol of a gun, a sound of a gun. So, same thing is "Pam Pam", it's the sound of a gun. So it's just part two�it's part two and dealing with�um�the honour of a woman. You know, like some guy rapes a woman and this one is about the guys now, like, seeking out these guys who raped this girl and taking revenge. It's a part two�the first "Legal Shot" was nice, and this one is�um�NICER! [laughs] In a rougher way�it's part two.
There have been lots of complaints about Moon Records in the past. I also heard lots of stories that when you left the band [Toasters], there was lots of animosity between you guys. What do you have to say about that? 'Cause you just did the reunion.
Right Right�[laughs]
So what do you have to say about the whole thing�you don't have to answer if you don't feel like it.
No�it's ok. You're a hard-hitting journalist. [mad laughs all around] You know, Moon Records and I, that's like something that happened in the past, you know? There was animosity because�I LEFT the band, you know? I was a key figure of the band, when you leave the band like that it's gonna hurt the other members. Sometimes you can't really think about how it's gonna hurt someone else as much as it's hurting you to be there, you know what I mean? So if it was hurting me to be there, my soul was unhappy, my spirit was unhappy; I had to go. If I stayed there, I'd made everyone miserable! You know? If you knew how I am now in this band, it's a far cry different from when I was with the Toasters. I'm more in control of myself and it's not like I need a boss, or my band members need a boss; we work together. This is actually the first band I've been in, I was in a company before. When I was in the Toasters, I was in a company. It was organized, set up way before I was there. Now this is a band where we all help one another, you know what I'm saying? I'm happier! So�no animosity. There's no animosity, I've seen the members, you know? The reunion was cool, but even before that I've seen them at shows and stuff. I've sat down with Buck, had lunch, chilled out with him, you know, talked about good things, bad things and it's all good. Now I've moved on. There's no more animosity, no more pressure, no more stress.
I read in an interview with Jeff Baker that you called him up one morning complaining that he called you out on the mic. I just wanted to know what your side of the story is.
Yeah�I said I would KICK HIS FUCKIN' ASS if he talked shit about me anymore on the mic, I said that too him!
Really?
Yeah! Because what I actually told him�because he was dissin' me. And the first time I told him, I said, "Listen Jeff, I thought you and I were friends. There's no need for you to be saying shit about me." He says, "Okay Coolie, okay Coolie!" And I said, "Don't let me hear shit anymore!" Then like, I don't know maybe a few weeks after that, I heard it again. So I call him, I said, "I warned you once. When I get home off a tour, I'm comin' home and I'm KICKIN' YOUR FUCKIN' ASS! That's right!" And, he sent me a fax apologising and begging for his fuckin' life. 'Cause I would've killed him! You understand me? [looks into the tape recorder and yells right into it with a laugh] YES! IN PRINT! [mad laughter all around!] You know what I'm sayin'? I don't play that shit! I don't disrespect no one! I try to get along with everyone. And if I ask you not to do that, you shouldn't do that. You should respect me enough to not to do that. I'm not in any MC war, you understand me? I'm not east coast, west coast, I'm just Coolie! I'm not in any of that battling shit. So when he did that he violated me.
So I take it you're not interested in entering the "Open Season" war?
Open Season�you see�and this is what I explained to him. I explained to him that he doesn't understand Jamaican music. Now, he can think he does. Back in the days, when you did this "Open Season" stuff, if you said something like that, you would of had a meeting with someone in that area, you'd of had a lunch. You'd of sat down. You'd of discussed it. You'd of said, "Listen, this is no offence." Because we are violent in nature, you understand me? So if you do some shit like that, someone can get killed.
Yeah, yeah.
You understand me?
Like all that stuff that's goin' on in dancehall music now.
Exactly! You understand what I'm sayin'? So if that were to happen, you would sit down with him and say. "Yo listen, I'm gonna do this�ladadaduh�" Kinda like wrestlin'. You understand me? So you can't just do that shit and don't expect repercussions. So when he did that, and I explained to him�so he violated me! You understand�that's why I said all of that. You can love the music, play the music, carbon copy the music, but if' you're not FROM the mentality�you're doin' it all wrong! You can only know part of the puzzle. And I'm tryin' to show him that you don't disrespect people like that. You sit down with someone at first, have a drink, and discuss it. Not just do that. So he had it wrong, he made a mistake.
I also noticed that in the first album's liner notes, you use the word "livication" which is a rasta word.
Yeah�
Do you consider yourself rasta, do you align yourself with it at all?
I used to be rasta. I used to have locks and all of that. I don't know if I'm not or if I am, but I definitely have a lot of the teachings still within me. So�um�you know�I don't praise Selassie I, but I definitely believe in a lot of rastafarianism. I definitely believe in a lot of that�as I do believe in Christian to, but I haven't pledged anything yet. Maybe one day I will. [to Dan] Like your locks by the way.
Have you ever thought of having a more traditional sound�I guess you already answered the question?
Yeah�with the whole traditional stuff, I'd rather go with a band and just do a total album of that. Just like the Skatalites or something like that. I'd like to do a whole album with the Skatalites and shit like that. You know? And just do a traditional sounding record�'cause I could do that easy. That's no problem, you know? But�um�with this band I wouldn't wanna do that. I'd rather just go to band to band to band and have them do things like that. Like I'd like to do something again with the Toasters in maybe a couple of years, you know? Do something just Toasters style and then�um�even with Pietasters. I'd like to do like a Pietasters style 'cause they have their own sounds, you know? I appreciate that, I appreciate their originality and the different sounds and stuff like that.
You mentioned the Skatalites�you did a cover of the Skatalites with the Kingpins, right?
Did I?
TIM: Ball Of Fire
Yeah, Ball Of Fire
Oh?
From the Radical Records OI/Skampilation Vol.3�
I gotta tell you�what that was�that was totally a fluke, man�'cause�um�yeah, they just called us up to the stage to do it. I didn't know the SONG [laughs]
That's why you just basically chatted over the track?
Yeah�I didn't know what the hell was goin' on! [mad laughs] It was like�COME UP HERE�I was like "OH�okay!" I mean, I didn't know�it was just spontaneous!
So is there any association with you guys? 'Cause you guys played with them in Montreal? Are you guys like friends or something?
I would like to say we're friend�[laughs] I haven't heard from them in awhile. If they do read this, I lost my phonebook so they can always�um�give me a call! [MAD LAUGHS�pauses to gain his composure] Anyone who knows me and you know who has the number�just call me�'cause I lost my phonebook! [bursts out laughin' again]
Another thing I was wonderin'�the name you chose for yourself�Coolie, right? Why did you choose it�because the word itself means "east Indian", right?
[looks at me bewildered with a grin]
TIM: This is research!
[laughs]
Hey I know my stuff ok! I'm just curious whether you picked it for that reason or 'cause you're cool and you're Coolie?
Well�I didn't actually�I did pick the name, but I didn't select the name. Someone else chose the name for me�like�um�
Like a nickname?
Yeah�it's a nickname. In school I used to carry a lot guns, you know? I'm gonna tell you my history. I was like one of those gangster kids, you know what I mean�gold teeth and all of that shit, like gold chains. I used to where�
TIM: Like the kids who jumped that kid out there [referring to a beat down that took place outside the Comfort Zone next to the Elmo]
Well, probably. [laughs] BIG gold chains and big medallions and stuff like that. And um�I always used to get into some kind of strife with someone, you know? And�um�I would just handle it without using my guns, and without having to beat someone up, you know? Just talk to them and let em know�you know, it's not about that. A lot of guys call me different kinda names like duke, "Yo wha's up, duke? Wha's up, kid? Wha's up, money? Wha's up, coolie?" And I was like, "Coolie! Hey, that sounds�I like it!" So it came about me just having a lot of power and not exalting it, you know?
I read in your bio that you did four dancehall albums before you joined the Toasters. And like�seein' as how we're all HUGE dancehall fans, is there anyway to get those records now?
I don't think so�[laughs] You may be able to get�one of them is on a label called "Jah C" [sic]. They used to put out reggae, like dancehall, like a really prominent one�like how you had Witty�Witty was like Jammy's. You had�um�Livin'�Livin' Room [sic]�or some shit like that! [realised he just swore, covers his mouth] Some things like that�
TIM: You already said that when you were talkin' about Jeff�
OK�and another one was like Livin' Room [sic]�and another one was Bravo Records. I don't know if you'd still be able to get it, I really don't know. 'Cause those are like, in Brooklyn they come and they go. You know? Everyone trys to hustle and that was a hustle for a lot of these guys. They just puttin'out records and tryin' to see if they could make some money. You know, instead of selling drugs or in combination with selling drugs,,,[laughs] So this was like a side thing for these guys.
Is there anyone you'd like to do an album with or specifically chat along side of?
OH�there's TONS of em! You're kiddin' me? No, man�there's TONS! There is no ONE guy..there's like tons of em! No�but before I do that I have to brush up on my dancehall.
Yeah�but I mean, compared to�personally, you're one of my favourites�I love em all, you know? Like you probably have�I'm not just sayin' that�you have one of the best styles. 'Cause, I mean you've been doin' it longer, right? So�[shakes his head] at least from the ska DJs.
Maybe ska DJs, yeah. But as far that world, I went back to practise. I actually�we took a month off, right? And I was commissioned to do this dancehall Tuesdays�every Tuesday�and they shouldn't of put me in there! Because it was like�this place was like a really happening place and there was TONS of girls. I mean not little girls, I mean WOMEN! You know, like society women. And they were playin' all the latest cuts and shit. And I was like, "I am NOT ready for this!" You know? I was so scared�I was like�I think I need at least six months home. Hang out wit' some of my homeboys who are MCs and just get the flava and the flow back. Because this is something that when you pick it up you can't put it down. If you put it down, you're really rusty. It's a lot of training, it's a lot of conditioning. You gotta start like from nine o'clock to nine o' clock�practising, if you doin' dancehall. The flow is just�it's not a natural thing for me 'cause I'm not Jamaican. The flow is, but with time you gotta keep on practising that before you just go in and try to do that. It's not an easy thing like that.
What are you guys listening to RIGHT now�like while touring? And what are you reading right now?
I'm reading "Behold A Pale Horse". It's a serious book�it's by William Cooper. It's dealing with conspiracies of America. "Behold A Pale Horse", it's HEAVY! It's heavy. And�um�I'm listening to Pilfers' album. [smiles]
The new one?
[mad laughs] I'm listening to it at least ten times a day.
Just for practise? Or ugh�
Just 'cause I like that shit! [we all burst into laughter] I'm like, "Hey! This is a good song!" Yeah, I'm listening to that and I'm also listening to some dancehall. I'm listening to like some ooold '85 dancehall with, live stuff, with�ugh�Super Cat, Eek-A-Mouse, Nicodemus and um�Nitty Gritty, and Junior Rasta. I'm just listening to that. It's on a sound system called Coxsone, from England. So, I just popped that in just a little while ago. So�but mainly I'm listening to the Pilfers' album. I swear to God, I'm just like�[pretends to be listenin' to the record with a headset�groovin' to the beat] Rewindin'�yeah! Play that song again! Yeah! Have you heard the new one?
Nah�I wanna hear it sooo bad!
It's hype! I'm lovin' it!
Do you have a copy with you now? You know, maybe you can hook us up with an advanced copy!
