Plateprat med Kogar the Swinging Ape

If someone offers to buy you a drink, what do you order?
Bourbon or red wine

Describe yourself using at least five words.
Tall, pissed-off, passionate, dedicated, loyal.

If you were to choose a pseudonym or artist name, what would it be?
Hmmm...

If you ever wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?
“Oh Christ, look at this….”

Which song do you put on to get people dancing?
Depends on the situation; Either El Monkey by Saxie Russel

or Mayonnaise Man by Bobby Lee Trammell

What’s your relationship with libraries?
I recently went to my local library for the first time to scan some larger items for a book project. Other than that, I don’t really utilize them. I LOVED them as a kid, but I buy books, I don’t check them out. I wouldn’t want to give them back!

What are your five favorite albums?
Oof, that’s a tough one. It constantly changes.

The Cramps - Psychedelic Jungle

Charlie Feathers – Get With It box set

Cleo Page – Leaving Mississippi

Hasil Adkins - Moon over Madison

Pagans – Shit Street

What are your five favorite songs?
Again, super tough and it changes frequently:

Rockin out the Blues by the Musical Linn Twins

Jungle Fever by Charlie Feathers (first version)

Call of the Wighat by The Cramps

Diane by Dave C. And the Sharptones

Moon Over Madison by Hasil Adkins

What have you been listening to lately?
An LP reissue of a CD that came out years ago by Japanese band The Baitones called The Weird Weird World of the Baitones.

Is there an album you think is underrated?

The Bobby Fuller Instrumental Album

Is there a classic album you've never quite connected with?
Well, classic is in the ear of the beholder. What some might consider classic other’s might dislike. I guess I’ve never been much of a Beatles fan.

What are your three favorite album covers?
Back from the Grave Volume 1 (artist Mort Todd has just passed away, RIP)

Lubricated Goat Plays the Devil’s Music (one of the first LP’s I ever bought based on the cover alone. I had no idea what the music sounded like. Ended up loving it)

Sin Alley Volume 3

Do you collect records – and if so, why?
Yes! I mainly collect 45’s now.

I always try and get the original 45 on the original label. I prefer the original records, but sometimes will buy a repro or reissue. There is just something about holding a record from 60 or 70 years ago that still gives me a thrill. Here is this 7 inch piece of wax that has made its way to me to be its caretaker until I decide to pass it on to someone else.

I recently got a new tube amp, so I am playing LP’s a lot more than I had been, so maybe I’ll start buying LP’s again, who knows?

What’s the biggest difference between when you started collecting and how it is today?
I started collecting records and CD’S in 1990 or so. Back then a new LP was like 8 dollars. New records now cost like 35 dollars which is kind of insane, haha. Back then it was much more fun discovering things, now we’ve entered a «point and click» atmosphere where someone can hear about something and a few days later have it in their collection. Back in the early internet days you had to really scrounge to find cool things.

Favorite physical record store?
So many have closed that I loved; The Crypt Record Store in NYC, the short lived Norton Records Store (also in NY) In Your Ear, Mystery Train and Mars Records in Boston. Sadly, I don’t have a regular record store that I visit, but do go to record shows when I can.

What was the last record you bought?
Black Man (Too Tough to Die) by Cleo Page on Wonder Records (45 RPM)

What’s the best record purchase you’ve ever made?
That’s also a tough question. Probably when I bought Rockin out the Blues by the Linn Twins. I bought one copy of the 45, and the seller (ebay) sent me TWO COPIES. They had found a quantity of the 45’s because they were cleaning out the Linn Twins estate. It led to a feeding frenzy of rockabilly collectors getting an insanely rare record.

Which three records are currently at the top of your wantlist?
(off the top off my head, random)

Scream by Ralph Nielsen & The Chancellors

Wizard of Ah’s By Count Ferrell

Wayne Williams - Red Hot Mama

In your opinion, what’s the greatest guitar solo ever recorded?
The one note repetitive solo on JB Lenore’s Mamma Talk To Your Daughter on the PARROT record label.

What’s your favorite song in a language or dialect other than your own?
Ja Ja Ja by Trio from their live album

Who’s your favorite lyricist of all time?
Hmm, this day in September it is Howlin Wolf.

What’s your favorite movie or TV series?
Once Upon a Time in the West directed by Sergio Leone

or The Exotic Ones directed by Ron and June Ormond

Vinyl, CD, cassette, or streaming – what’s your preferred format?
Vinyl

Would you describe yourself as an audiophile? No

What kind of setup do you use to play music at home?
I have a Stanton turntable with a Fisher 500 Mono Tube Amp from the late 50’s and a Jensen SS-200 speaker from 1959

If you were to create a mixtape or Spotify playlist to celebrate love, which three songs would you include?
Oh Lover by the Del Victors on the HI-Q record label

Oh Oh I Love Her So by The Ramones («fell in love at the soda machine» gets me everytime)

The Dils Tell Her I Love Her (live bootleg)

Which three albums have had the most influence or inspiration on you in the past three years?
Something Weird’s Greatest Hits LP

Jolo Holy Rollers – They Call Us Holy Rollers

The Dead of Nights(coming out soon)

Do you have a playlist you’d love to share? What makes it special?

I would share this mixcloud mix that I made for an event held in Scotland called Lux Lives, a tribute night to Lux Interior of The Cramps.

It was given away as a CD to people who went to the show. It includes tracks from my series Lux and Ivy’s Favorites that I have been working on since the 90’s, compiling songs that The Cramps covered or mentioned in interviews etc.

This mix includes sound clips from movies and interviews with Lux and Ivy between the songs.

Are there any music books you’d recommend, and what makes them stand out to you?
That list would be longer than my arm, but here are a few that I love and should be on everyone’s shelf:

Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll by Nick Tosches

I’m Just Dead I’m Not Gone by Jim Dickinson

Record Makers and Breakers by John Broven (about independent record labels of the 50’s and 60’s)

Mind Over Matter: The Myths and Mysteries of Detroit’s Fortune Records by Biller Miller and Micheal Hurtt

The Incredibly Strange Music Book (volume 1) RE/Search Books by Andrea Juno and V. Vale

Which novel has left a lasting impression on you, and why?
Not one particular novel, but I would say the stories of Harlan Ellison. I seem to have been reading his stories since I was a teenager. Started with his «science fiction» but really love his stories from the 60’s when he was writing about juvenile street gangs.

What non-fiction book would you suggest, and what makes it worth reading?

Youth in Babylon by David F. Friedman – One of my favorite books about the exploitation/sexploitation film business from the 30’s to the 60’s. This book has so many great stories about those days when enterprising folks did what they could to make a buck in the entertainment business. If you like the films that Something Weird Video has been releasing for decades, this is the book for you.

What’s your favorite quote ?
“I think it would be a better world if there were a lot more strippers and a lot less Christians” Lux Interior interview with The Ghost Who Talks 1990 – 3RRR Australia

If you could assemble your dream band, with musicians from any time, who would you choose?
This is too hard, because I just keep going back to The Cramps. Maybe throw in Link Wray as a THIRD guitarist and Jerome playing maracas and Little Walter playing harp! Oh and Little Jimmy Scott and Charlie Feathers as backup singers.

What’s a memorable music moment that stands out to you?
Hearing Songs the Lord Taught Us by The Cramps for the first time…

Which concert will you never forget?
Seeing the Cramps on tour with the Demolition Doll Rods and Guitar Wolf. One of the best line ups I saw. There was a massive snow storm that night, we came close to going off the road, and my friend that I was going with ended up being hauled up on stage by Seiji in Guitar Wolf and forced to play guitar during their final song. An absolutely insane night. Tied with seeing the Cramps in 2006 at their last show they ever played in NYC. or The Monks in Las Vegas. I could go on and on....

What’s your favorite festival?
Nothing on the regular. I HATE outdoor big concerts. But I guess it would have to be a tie: Las Vegas Grind (the first one in 1999) and The Norton Records 25th Anniversary 4 day festival from 2011. The Halloween Ball held yearly in Japan.

If you could travel anywhere to experience music, where would it be?
Japan has one of the most vibrant music scenes I’ve ever experienced. The bands and fans there are some of the most passionate I’ve ever experienced. They do it all; Punk, rockabilly, garage and even what we in America call hillbilly. And the fans are ravenous and full of energy and they’re some of the nicest folks you’d ever want to meet.

What’s your dream job now, and how did it compare to your dream job when you were 13?
I never really had a dream job. I worked to support doing fun things and buying stuff.

Besides music, do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I love movies of all kinds. I collect books, magazine, comics, spook show posters and ephemera and probably a bunch of things I’m forgetting.

How do you think your friends perceive your taste in music?
Most of my friends listen to the same kind of thing...

Is there a music genre you wish you had explored more or gotten to know better? Not really....

How old were you when you "discovered" music, and what made you fall in love with it?
My father loved 50’s and 60’s music so there was a lot of that around. But it was mostly pretty mainstream stuff that you would hear on the radio. Discovering Punk in the late 80’s early 90’s led me where I am today. So I wouldn’t say music was a big part of my life until I was around 18 or so.

What kind of music did you listen to during your teenage years?
Living in a rural area of New Hampshire, I didn’t have a lot of options. No older siblings to clue me into cool stuff. I was into monster movies, comic books, late night TV and that kind of thing and listened to heavy metal and thrash.

Has your taste in music evolved over time?
Yes, as stated, in high school I listened to what a lot of my classmates listened to. I hated most mainstream things. After I discovered punk rock everything changed. I stopped listening to metal and got into punk which later led to music of the 50’s and 60’s (via songs that my favorite band, The Cramps, covered).

Today I mostly listen to rockabilly from that time period, vocal groups, rhythm and blues, blues, surf and a bunch of other genre’s from that time period; punk from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and «modern» garage bands and bands that model themselves after 60’s garage bands.

Which album can you still listen to when you're tired of music?
I never really get «tired» of music. If I can’t pick something specific to listen to, I have 15,000 songs on my phone. I would probably play my playlist of my 45’s that I have ripped to MP3 or a Cramps album.

If you had a time machine, which musical decade would you travel to?
Hmm, probably the 70’s. But if possible, I’d like to hit 55 to 66 as well!

Do you consider yourself nostalgic?
Interesting question, not really? But most things I love are from the past, but I don’t pine away for those times? But I do miss things before the internet (especially now).

Is there something you'd like to learn?
I’d like to learn graphic design. I have an eye for it, but a good friend of mine does all my graphic work and he’s so good at it!

Who do you think is the best-dressed musician?
Ivy Rorshach

Do you consider yourself vain? No

Would you be willing to show us a tattoo?
«See the amazing un-tattooed man!» If I were to get a tattoo it would be by Karl Kaufman in Australia. So If I ever find myself down there, I would have to get one by him!

Are you a maximalist or a minimalist?
Ha! I am pretty stringent in my views, and I’m a collector nature. So, I’m definitely not a minimalist.

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
I grew up incredibly shy but now I have many extrovert tendencies. But I still enjoy solitude. But give me a good conversation with a likeminded individual and I’m busting at the seams (with happiness and excitement).

Are you more of a Type A or Type B personality?
I lean more type A

How old do you feel mentally?
Age is such a relative thing. I’m 56 but mostly feel like a teenager (except for a few aches and pains).

What excites you? Music, ideas, interesting people.

What are you afraid of?
I wouldn’t say “afraid” but I am concerned about religious extremism and fascism.

Have you had any interesting dreams lately? What were they about?
I used to write my dreams down when I was in high school. The more you try and remember dreams, the more you will remember them. At least with me anyway. My dreams are like watching movies. Sometimes I can «direct» them. I almost never have nightmares, but I do have «scary» dreams which I love because I «know» they aren’t real while I’m having them.

If you could be reincarnated as a plant, tree, or animal, which one would you choose?
I don’t believe in reincarnation

What’s your favorite food?
Italian and Korean are tied as my favorite cuisines; but I’d say pizza.

What’s your favorite sport?
I HATE sports. I guess I like «nerd sports» like curling and badminton.

What’s your life philosophy?
Be genuine, stand by your friends, and cause a problem here and there for squares. Make some noise. Do SOMETHING. Don’t be boring.

Do you have a relationship with religion?
The older I get the more I despise religion. If I could choose one I would choose something along the lines of what Native Americans believe; that everything has a soul so treat it nice.

If there is a God, what do you think He would say to you when you meet?
Do you like my shoes?

What would you want Him to say?
Splunge!

Is there anything that annoys you?
Haha, there are too many things; liars, stalkers, thieves....

Is there something you regret?
I regret not discovering punk sooner. I missed out on a lot in the 80’s when I could’ve possibly gone to see some of my favorite bands.

What is your relationship with music journalism? How do you keep yourself updated on music?
I read a fair amount of music related books. I used to be a big fan of punk fanzines like Flipside, but they stopped years ago. I mostly follow a few Facebook groups for specific news/info about new bands.

Do you have any connection to the record industry?
Not sure what the «record industry» is considered, but I had a band that released a few things. I have worked on a few releases here and there and have been thanked in liner notes for various records/CDs etc.

Are there people who have influenced your taste in music?
Yes, too many to list. One huge influence was the afore mentioned Flipside Magazine which introduced me to a lot of punk and garage bands back in the 90’s. The main influence was Lux and Ivy and the Cramps. Reading their interview in the Incredibly Strange Music book, coupled with the songs they covered led to my interest of music from the 50’s and 60’s.

Others:

James Marshall aka The Hound and his radio show/blog

Rex Doane and his Fool’s Paradise radio show on WFMU

Howie Pyro and his Intoxica Radio show

Billy and Miriam from Norton Records and Kicks Magazine

Tim Warren from Crypt Records

DJ’s Mad Daddy and Mad Mike Metrovich

Who is your role model, or a mentor from whom you’ve learned something special?
Ron Haydock

What inspires you?
Everything I’ve mentioned in this questionnaire

What’s your favorite instrument?
Theremin

Who is your favorite producer?
Cosimo Matassa

What’s your favorite studio?
Current: Toe Rag Studios in London

Old: Sun Records or the Fortune Record Store Backroom

What’s your favorite record label?
Fortune Records/Norton Records/Crypt Records/Specialty Records/King Records.........can’t name just one!

What’s the best or most beautiful song for a funeral?
The Charades - Flamingo

Is there a musician or band that you think has received far too little attention?
Just because this has been on my mind lately, Mercy Baby aka Julius Mullins. He drummed for Frankie Lee Sims and released a handful of 45’s. He had a completely unique voice and amazing way of singing songs.

He recorded for Ace and Ric Records and eventually self-released few others. There are no known pictures of him and only a few songs here and there on compilations. It would be great if someone released a CD/LP of his recordings. I made a mixcloud of all his 45’s.

Is there something you’d like to ask yourself?
What’s next?

Who do you think I should have the next record chat with?
Not sure who you’ve talked to, but how about Mack Stevens

or Bruce Milne?