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KUNG FU MONKEYS INTERVIEW
This interview is brought to us by the lovely Jessa Cryptic of SHE'S GONE RECORDS who was nice enough to let me put this on my website! Thank you, Jessa!
An Interview with the Kung Fu Monkeys
Amateur Hour Fanzine (never published)
July 20, 1999
Jessa Cryptic, interviewer
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> 1. Please state your name and band function.
JAMES: James Leo Cahill. I play guitar and sing.
MIKE: They call me Mike. I own a drum kit and do my best to operate that kit with excellence. It is also worth noting that I rock for the forces of good. Evil be damned!
> 2. When/How did the Kung Fu Monkeys form?
MIKE: Oh, let me get some S'mores while Uncle James spins one of my favorite yarns. Don't start without me!
JAMES: The band formed while I was a student out in California, circa '94, as something to do in between classes and when the waves were low. The seed of the band was myself and a friend named Tome Jo, who owned a rickety old drum set. The two of us used to practice in the study lounge of our dormatory on Saturdays. We convinced another friend to buy a cheap-o bass, and viola, we became a group--by mere definition of numbers at least. Since then, there have been 7 different line-ups, and several protracted sabaticals, until my oldest of chums, Chris, joined up as bass player, and shortly after, Egghead. broke up and Mike joined for a second time (his first appearance being when he and the rest of Egghead. backed me on "Shindig"). We've been doing this crazy thing non-stop ever since (Jan. '98).
> 3. Do you have any particular musical/lyrical influences?
JAMES: My influences are pretty varied. I love the popular culture of the sixties--The Monkees, Beach Boys, Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Batman, Dragnet, Frankie and Annette films, candy, the commercial and cartoon art of J. Ward...all of these things seep into my music. I also love Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, cub, the Kaisers, the Muffs, BJ Snowden, Mrs. Miller--people who write short, direct songs. Lyrically, love, sugar, and fun are the three main ingredients, though anyone whose has glanced at the track listings on our records knows that. In a strange way, I think my songwriting style developed not only as nod to my particular tastes but also as a reaction against the overly solipsistic and grumpy tones of grunge rock.
MIKE: My favorite drummers are the gals and guys who keep it steady'n'simple without being boring. Chief among them would Mo Tucker and Mick Avory. Tad from Young Fresh is amazing as is the guy from the Attractions. Those guys are more involved than Mo and Mick but are also among my fav timekeepers. Lyrically, I bow before the likes of Ray Davies, Scott McCaughey, Paul Westerberg, and the like.
> 4. What fuels your desire to play?
MIKE: Peanut butter'n'grape juice (aka the nectar of the gods). That and the need to put my goofy stage attire to good use.
JAMES: It's extremely fun and rewarding to create and perform upbeat, giggly music. As trite as it may sound, it really does give you a high to make something coherant out of nothing. We also have a very strong dedication to our fans--most probably because we're on a first name basis with all of them. Mentally, we are fueled by the knowledge that our songs bring a little sunshine into our lives, and that of our dozen fans. Physically, we are fueled by sugar, especially Laffie Taffy and Pixie Stix. Astrologically, it's my need as a Leo to be the center of attention.
> 5. Where was the first KFM show?
MIKE: Mmm, wait, I need another S'more.
JAMES: We hadn't been together more than 36 hours when we played our first show in a warehouse in Highland Park, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The next day the Northridge earthquake rattled LA off of it's foundations. Coincidence?
> 5A. Did any other bands play the first KFM show?
JAMES: Funny you should ask that. There were about 5 bands (including us) scheduled to perform. All were hardcore punk, except for us. The only other band name I can remember is Blind Sided, comprised of our first drummer's brother and his friends. They used to always make fun of us.
> 5B. What happened?
JAMES: After we (the first band) played, the cops showed up and broke the gig up. Appearantly, the warehouse was condemned, and no one was supposed to be in there, let alone charge other people 5 bucks to get in. As we waited for our ride home (none of us owned a car) the cops kept calling us "band on the run"--which we were, cause all the hardcore kids were pissed that they never got to mosh because the stupid pop band played first.
> 6. What's the story behind the band's name?
MIKE: Phew, I'm going to get stuffed pretty soon.
JAMES: It was kind of a failed exercise in democracy. I made of list of about 200 names, among which KFM was the only one the three of us could agree. Originally it was Dr. Pasgetti and his Kung Fu Monkeys, but we knew that people would either truncate it to Dr. P or KFM, so we went with KFM. That aspect of the name was a nod to my then top band, The Monkees, and my love for karate films. The ideas was that we would be like the Monkees with a little kick. Personally, my first choice was The Haircuts.
> 7. Do you have a mascot?
JAMES: We do hang out with Plucky The Chicken a whole lot. I don't know if that counts as a mascot though.
> 8. How many times have the KFM toured?
MIKE: This marks semi-extensive tour number one!
JAMES: Up until this trip, the only "touring" we've done was to Ithaca, NY with The Heartdrops. However, on July 24, we're embarking on our first true tour--14 dates in 15 days, through out the east and mid-west! We are truly excited.
> 9. Where is your most/least favorite place to play a show?
JAMES: I love playing non-traditional venues. With the 7 different line-ups I've had the pleasure of playing at a bowling alley, several backyard and garages, a few dormatories, and at Skater's World roller rink in Wayne, NJ. When the group was based in LA we performed at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, where the employees made fun of us, and here in NY we've played at CBGB's, where those on the payroll gave us an equally warm welcome. The benefit of clubs is that they usually have better sound systems, but 9 out of 10 times, the better shows are those put on by fans. Vital Music Records in NYC is probably the friendliest/best place we've played so far.
MIKE: As it turns out, most any show outside of NYC treats us very kindly. The percentages are not quite so good for shows within the five boroughs. Not to say that we have not had some dandies. We have hooked up with some of New York's finest bands--Dirt Bike Annie, Sea Monkeys, In Crowd--and had swell times.
> 10.What's your most treasured momento from being on tour with the KFM?
MIKE: Answer pending!
JAMES: Since we're about to leave on our first tour, the treasured momentos have yet to be collected. However, I'm a junk nut, and have on my trips collected a whole slew of neat treasures--in Douglas, WY I found a plate with an illustration of a pregnant women with the incription "I Should Have Danced All Night." That is both entertaining and educational. On a visit to Tiajuana I picked up a velvet Elvis and a lucha libre wrestling mask. I love roadside attractions and novelty items. This time out, I'm in search of a Fur Bearing Trout!
> 11.Of the greater apes, from which species would you be most likely to choose a personal companion?
MIKE: Wait, do you hear that? It's the sound of silent keyboard...I'm too busy pondering this fascinating inquiry. I think I'd go with a gorilla. Why? Well, there is a song called "Mo Gorilla" and there is a comic book villian named Gorilla Grod. At least, I think he's a villian. That may seem to contradict my earlier statement about rocking on the side of good but I figure if me and Mr. Grod are personal companions maybe I can talk him over to our side.
JAMES: Now that's a question I've often asked myself. And after serious consideration, I think I'd have to go with a miniature chimp. They're super smart, adorable, mettlesome, and pretty good at chess. I stress that I want a miniature model because I want it to ride on my shoulder and fit in a tea cup. The real question is whether I would put it in a diaper or not.
> 12.What is the most boring thing you can think of?
JAMES: Mediocrity in art. Always go for broke.
MIKE: My current job (working in one of Columbia University's libraries) which I'll be leaving, for good, tomorrow!
> 13.Which bodily humor do you like best, and why?
JAMES: I'm partial to Yellow Bile (warm and dry), mostly because it resembles the climate in Los Angeles, one of my favorite cities. As a matter of practice, I try to keep equilibrium between all four bodily humors, as I cannot stand going to the barber for leaches or a letting.
MIKE: The burp is nearly always funny. It's something my dad instilled in me. I'm not proud of it but there it is. My brother, Pat, once won a burping contest in college. Ironically, he's the weakest belcher in the clan. My brother Casey reigns supreme in that department. My dad also believes that any movie with a fart joke isn't all bad. We differ on this one. When "Blazing Saddles," the fine Mel Brooks flick, came out my Dad, in his own way, hailed it as the dawn of new era in cinema. That campfire scene was a slice of heaven for him. We're a smart, educated bunch yet we're united by the dumbest of things. Sorry for all the talk of bottom burps but you did inquire about bodily humor.
> 14.Are any of you presently in bands/associated musical endeavors other than the KFM?
JAMES: All of my energies are pretty focused on KFM, though one day I want to resume playing the tuba, something I did all throughout junior and -high school. Nothing spells cool like a skinny kid with glasses and a tuba.
MIKE: My first band was King Otter and the Electric Flem. We lasted for three summers ('87-'89). My friend Dan from that band went on to play with the absolutely fabulous Wrench, a band that was based in Buffalo and did one CD for New Red Archives. They rocked mightily! The other guy, Shawn, now lives in Missouri and works at a steel plant as an engineer. I was also in a combo known as Egghead. but I see that we have questions ahead that address that issue. More forthcoming!
> 15.If you could play in a band other than the KFM for one day, what band would it be?
JAMES: How can I pick one??? Here's my decade by decade play, starting in the fifties with Buddy Holly (though I'll take the bus, thanks); the sixties at Shea Stadium with the Beatles; the seventies with the Modern Lovers; the eighties on the Jackson Victory Tour (which Chris and I attended); and in the nineties I think it would be great to rock out with cub or Boris The Sprinkler.
MIKE: M: If I had the chops, I'd love to pinch-hit for the Young Fresh Fellows. They are one my all-time favs and are probably the best live band I've ever seen. Oh, to have a crack at those songs and play behind Kurt Bloch! Either that or Queen (which would require even greater chops!).
> 16.Please explain the phenomenon known as "Egghead".
JAMES: "Egghead" is a name I was called a lot in high school. It is also the name of one of my favorite bands.
MIKE: Wow, you remember Egghead. That is so cool. Geez, if I could explain Egghead. maybe I could have found a way to make us a wee bit more popular. Umm, how about this, three geeky music fans who met while working in college radio decided to take a crack at doing the stuff they loved to listen to...Dickies, Beach Boys, Kinks, Dead Milkmen and stuff we discovered later like Sicko and Cub. Line up number, with Travis Michael Knight (his real name) on guitar lasted from October '92-May '93. Line up number two, aka the Johnny Reno on guitar years, lasted from January '94-January '98.
> 17.What happened to Egghead?
JAMES: The Kung Fu Monkeys stole their drummer! Right Mike?
MIKE: The S.S. Egghead. ran aground in early '98. It ceased being a lot of fun so we threw in the towel. We had a great run and Mutant Pop has a pair of Egghead. CDs in the works. The first one is due this fall, "Dumb Songs for Smart People" a greatest hits of sorts (10 old tunes, 4 previously unreleased ones, I know, how lame, new stuff on the "hits" record, who do we think we are Don Henley?). The second one will be a longer, "clean out the attic" compilation with the rest of the released stuff and tons of stuff that was slated for comps and whatnot but never got out the front door. Coincidentally, I was asked to join KFM less than a week after Egghead. was laid out on the slab.
> 18.I used to read Go Metric 'zine. It was hillarious. Is it still in print?
JAMES: Along with Roctober and Now Wave, it's one of my favorites!
MIKE: Hopefully you still can read such a zine! Of course, it would be much easier for you to do so if it came out more frequently. Yes, indeed Go Metric is still alive. Its frequency has dropped off due to other things (mostly the job/grad school combo) but it is among the living. In fact, #11 is done and should be available shortly after we get back from tour.
> 18A. If so, where can I get a copy?
JAMES: I defer to Mike.
MIKE: Simply send a 55 cent stamp (for $1 for two issues) to: Go Metric, P.O. Box 250878, NY, NY 10025). Of course, people who interview us get copies for free.
> 19.What/Who's your favorite... Movie?
JAMES: Junior High School, starring Paula Abdul. A must see. "Grease 2" "Pink Flamingo's" and "Rat Fink A Boo Boo" (featuring Ron Hadock) are also classics.
MIKE: You pose the toughest of questions...the last really funny movie I saw was Jackie Chan's "Twin Dragons." "Austin Powers" was a big dud. "Matrix" was surprisingly good (don't ask Keanu to say much and he'll be just fine). "The New Star Wars" movie is quite entertaining though not without it's disturbing elements. Further proof that Lucas is off his rocker. Who else could get so many people to root for the demon child? And what's up with the Amos'n'Andy-era stereotypes?
> 19A. Television show?
JAMES: "Get A Life."
MIKE: SCTV is all there is. I also like some newer shows like "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "King of Queens." And while the Dilbert cartoon strip never appealed to me, I find the show to be really funny.
> 19B. Commercial?
MIKE: Bleck! No me gustan los commerciales!
JAMES: Operation, the board game. It has a wacky, frantic jingle, and perfectly embodies the dialectic struggle between the hipsters and the squares, emphasised by the generation gap. Honey Comb, Teddy Ruxpin, and Slim Jim have all had their fair share of great ads as well.
> 19C. Celebrity?
JAMES: Don Knotts or John Waters.
> 19D. Book?
JAMES: Graham Greene's "The Loved One" and Oscar Wilde's "The Importance Of Being Ernest" are two of my favorites.
MIKE: I recently flew through The Iowa Baseball Confederacy. It's a brilliant piece of work that defies summary.
> 19E. Author?
MIKE: The gent who penned The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, whose name escapes me at the moment. He also did Field of Dreams. I never read that book but I did like the movie. Kevin Costner should do more baseball movies. He was in Bull Durham and that is excellent. He did one golf movie, Tin Cup, and that sucked. Golf is poor fodder for a flick.
JAMES: That's nearly impossible. David Sedaris is hilarious, but I also really dig Oscar Wilde, and Ralph Rugoff. For rock journalism I vote a three way tie between Josh Rutledge, Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus. >
19F. Chick fronted band?
JAMES: Solo artist: Lovely Leslie Gore. Band: At this very moment Poopie Head.
MIKE: Hmm, tough call. I love everything committed to wax by Junior Varsity. They are brilliant in every way. Loli and the Chones are quite different yet equally brilliant. However, I think Loli plays the drums and thus the band is "fronted" by the Chones, both of whom are guys.
> 19G. Butt Rock band?
MIKE: I am not quite sure what you mean by Butt Rock but I'm going to go with Queen here. Freddie Mercury was a big fan of one-piece stage attire and you could see his keester quite well when he wore such garb. Not that I was staring, mind you. No, when I stare at Freddie I stare at those teeth. How many other frontmen would have the confidence to proudly display such an overbit? No one! Freddie was a genius.
JAMES: I never really listened to any "B-rock" bands, though Poison did write some catchy numbers, and I think they featured Little Richard in one of their videos, and that's pretty cool.
> 19H. Urban legend?
JAMES: The explosive capacity of pop rocks and coke, of course.
MIKE: There is a rumor floating around Los Angeles that one day that city will field a winning baseball team. I don't believe it but that's what they say. Part of the myth revolves around this big thug, they call it a Murdoch. Allegedly, he's going to infuse tons of money into the team and they'll return to their past glories. The stuff people come up with these days, eh?
> 19I. Action figure?
JAMES: Stretch Armstrong.
MIKE: I once borrowed a Shazam action figure from a fellow third grader, Chris Bray. As with the comic book hero of the same name (Shazam, not Chris Bray), the costume is bright yellow and orange, really appealing colors to my 8-year old eyes. That was the coolest action figure I ever got to play with. As far as action figures that I actually own, I have from Waterworld. My friend bought it for me. It looks nothing like Kevin Costner. Like I said, he should do more baseball movies.
> 20.Are those Bugle Boy Jeans you're wearing?
JAMES: Why... no, but I think I did once have a pair. No models with British accents ever tried to verify that though.
MIKE: No, those are...hey, what are you doing looking at my trousers?!? Please, make eye contact!
> 21.What is the secret behind James Cahill's mah-velous vocal stylings?
JAMES: If I divulged, it wouldn't be a secret now, would it? My Mom had a really pretty speaking voice, and I think I inhereted traces of it. During a recent visit with my doctor he told me I had a perfectly shaped set of vocal chords, though he might say that to all his patients. If he was being sincere though, I'd say it's just genetic luck.
> 22. Is James Cahill really a chick?
JAMES: Is James Cahill really chic?
JESSA: Without a doubt, James Cahill IS really chic.
MIKE: He's all man.
> 23.Are there any recent KFM releases out?
MIKE: The KFM plate is quite full. I think our captain will handle the details on this one.
JAMES: Yep. "Girls, Cars, Sun, Fun: More Hi-Spirited Adventures In Mid-Fi Shag-Haired Bug Music!" 7" ep on Killer Records. We're also on the recently released "Day Dreaming In An Empty Station Wagon" compilation cd on Dizzy Records.
> 24.Exactly where can I get a hold of these releases?
JAMES: At any KFM "happening" or through Mutant Pop Records (http://www.mutantpop.com).
> 25.What's in store for the KFM?
JAMES: When we return from tour we're going to finish our full-length album (it's half recorded) for release this autumn, and then record some songs for a split 7" with Junior Varsity. Hopefully we'll keep on writing songs and spreading a little mirth, but the future is as of yet written. Please write us at 149 Elderwood Ave, Pelham, NY 10803 or check out our web site at: http://home.att.net/~topsyturvey
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ADDENDUM: September 21, 2000 The Kung Fu Monkeys have released a wonderful full length album titled "School's Out, Surf's Up, Let's Fall In Love: 12 Brand New Ultramatic, Supersonic, Candy-Coated, Technicolor, Bug-o-Phonic, Rhythm-and-Kid-beat Aural Adventures for Lovers of the Modern Sound", on Mutant Pop Records. $10 ppd. Do check it out!!
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