BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR WHAT'S COMIN' AFTER SUMMER!!
*Coffin Nails started in 1985, how do you remember this days?
The early days were great!! A little hazy! As we were young and drunk most of the time!!
We were really lucky to our first 3 gigs with the Stingrays, the Guana Batz and the Meteors!! So we had a great start to our early career!
*In the early days you played at the Klub Foot and placed two tracks in the Stomping at the Klub Foot compilation, how was this mythical venue?
The Klub Foot was a great venue and we had some great times there!! And I met some great friends there!! I used to go to every concert, even if we weren't playing it was just cool being there hanging out!! It had such a great vibe! Everyone knew each other and most of the bands used to hangout!
*Nowadays the psychobilly music's become an earthquake in the USA, have you played any times in the USA recently, how is the psychobilly scene in the States? What do you think 'bout this psychobilly boom in the USA?
Yes we have played in Hollywood, Santa Anna, & New York and, yeah, we love it in the US; the crowds are great fun and so enthusiastic! And yes, I think what's happening in the States at the moment is great for European Psychobilly!
*Your first album "Ein bier bitte" was a classic in this kind of music, but you're changin' your style along the other albums; the sound is more punk-rock than the billy roots of Coffin Nails. How is the sound of the band today?
Yes, you're right. We haved changed the sound of the Nails in the last few albums… but we have been doing this to try an appeal to the younger guys and try and get them into Psychobilly!!! The sound of the Nails at the moment is very old school!! We are recording a new album at this moment and it's sounding great!! ITS GONNA BE READY FOR AROUND Sept/Oct time!
*Your line-up changed several times, what were the reasons of so many changes??
The line-up has changed mainly because our drummers all want to grow up and become boring!!! But we have had the same line-up now for around 8 years !!! and Scott Madman has been playing bass since 1989... nearly 20 years!!!!
*Appart of CN do you play in other side projects?? What are your occupations now?
No, I only have time for the Nails!! I wish I had more time to do other stuff but what with my Tattoostudio that take up all of my time! Scott Madman has another band Big Boss Man which have a very impressive careeer to date!
*The band have 8 records -apart from compilations- what are your favourite? Which one do you remember with more enthusiasm?
I have lots of favourites! I know most people say that "Ein Bier bitte" is one of the best and yes the songs are great! But we were young and naive and Nervous Records gave us a not very good record producer! And we didn't really get the sound we wanted! I wish we re-record it but I think somethings are best left alone. Other than that I think my fave's are either "Fistful of Burgers" or "Who's he?"
*How is your relationship with Greystone Records?
It's a great relationship!! As it's our own label! ;-)
* Ooops... XD
*You played some gigs with Nigel Lewis, how was the experience?
Being asked to play with Nigel was one of the highlights in my playing career!!! Playing with one of my idols!! And playing the great guitar parts of my other great idol!!.....what more can I say!!! Hopefully we'll get asked to do it again!!
*After this years in psychobilly, what do you think about that? What were your experiences as a band of the early days? What are your future plans with the band?
Yeah, I have enjoyed psychobilly! I think its been a great 23 years and as long as I can cope with it I'm gonna be rocking till I die!!!
*Are there any posibilities to make a new album?
Hell yeah!!! As I said earlier we are recording it at the moment!!! And its gonna be an old-school-fast-psycho-billy bonanza!!!
*Apart of being known as Humungus, you're well known at the tattoo world as “Klunky” as well. Why this!?
I have had the nickname Klunky since I was at school I don't know how or why??? So it's stuck ever since!
*Well, maybe for the English audience it comes so evident, but not for us! Where did the term "Humungus" came from!? From "Hum"?? from "Huge"???
The name Humungus came from the Nails second ever gig!! We were backstage with the [Guana]Batz and Pip looks over and says "You look so big! You look humungus!!" the name has stuck ever since!!!!
*Since 2003 you rule your own tattoo shop, Klunky's Kustom Tattoos, in Reading. How did you came into the tattoo world? When did you started tattooing? And why??
I have been into tattoos and tattooing since I can remember!! Ever since I first seen the Meteors I have wanted to have tattoos!!! I started workin' in the tattoo-studio in the early 90's then I done an apprenticeship at the Ian of Reading studio. I have now been tattooing for around 14 years and have had my own studio since '03!! We have recently moved to a bigger studio (Tat2-u, 10-11 Union Street Reading berks, RG1 1EU – www.tat2-u.com) and things have gone from strength to strength!
*Time ago I saw an article 'bout the Coffin Nails at the “Scootering”
magazine, do you like scooters?
Yeah I use to have several scooters when I was first into psychobilly and it was how I met Scott "Madman". He used to have scooters as well!! I still like 'em but I'm more into hotrods at the moment!
*I heard that you like the classic cars, is it true? Do you have any classic or custom car?
Hot Rods and Customs are my biggest love!!! I own a 1927 Model T modified, a 1931 Model A Coupe, a 1954 Chevy and a 1953 Chevy truck!!! And go to as many rod runs/shows as I can!!
*Thanx for the interview and regards from Spain.
No worries, it's been great speaking to you!!
Many thanx
*To you, Mr. Humungus, to you.
