For 20 years now, The Real McKenzies have been taking Celtic music and adding their own punk rock style to it making for some intense and fun music. The band, who is part of the Fat Wreck Chords family, has toured the world multiple times in their career and prides themselves on making each night a night to remember regardless of how much you had to drink.
Full of punk rock influence, the band contains members of previous acts such as Good Riddance, Rich Kids on LSD, and even DOA. They take pride in performing traditional Scottish songs as well as write plenty of their own Celtic-heavy punk rock songs that revolve around everything from getting wasted to tough times. The band is also known to cover other songs from artists including Hendrix and even Turbonegro, but on their own terms of course.
Sure The Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly may have taken Celtic punk rock to mainstream levels, but The Real McKenzies have been around just as long and are equally as talented. If you have not heard of this amazing Scottish influenced band, what the hell are you waiting for? Check them out today. You might just like what you hear.
I was lucky enough to chat it up with Paul McKenzie of The Real McKenizes the other day. Read on to hear about their new album Westwinds as well as the time they did an advertisement for a Canadian beer company and even how it feels to be in a 20 year old band..
BHP – First off, Westwinds is incredible! This might be my favorite album by you guys to date. What did you guys do differently while recording this album?
PMc – We recorded in a wee town in southern Alberta with no distraction with a great piper called Goed Taylor who is no longer in the band because he couldn´t take the rigorous lifestyle of being on the road for long periods of time.
Fair enough. So sid you get help from anyone while putting these tracks together?
Yes, Steve Loree was a great guy to work with.
This album seemed to be full of songs sailors might sing back in the day while on a journey, definitely more traditional sounding in my opinion. What are you referring to with the album title Westwinds?
We come from western Canada and these are the winds that blow around the world, just like us.
Can you give me a little history about how a bunch of Canadian guys decided to write Scottish punk rock jams? I know there is deep Scot history in Vancouver, but what made you guys decided to mix punk with Scottish music?
Having had grown up with lots of Celtic influence, and being a teenager in the late 70s, I guess the outcome of the Real McKenzies was just meant to be.
And you have been around for almost 20 years correct? How does that feel?
I suppose it should make me feel a bit old…but it doesn´t. I am still kicking the hell out of the world and please remember that time really does fly when you´re having a blast.
Amen. Did getting picked up by Fat Wreck Chords help with getting noticed?
Yes. Fat Wreck and all the boys and girls who help represent the company have helped us immensely in our campaign for world domination.
They are indeed some good people. You guys have shared the stage with everyone from Rancid to Shane MacGowan. How awesome is that?
It is and always will be an honor and a pleasure to share the stage with our peers.
Do people tend to automatically associate you with Irish punk rock bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys when they hear you? Seems to me that every time someone plays Celtic music, it’s automatically labeled Irish.
There have been a considerable amount of confusion in terms of this and that but the bottom line is that we are all great bands helping to keep Celtic music alive for new generations and the generations to come. We love having the opportunity to be part of a great bunch of bands who like to play Celtic music.
Great answer there. So you guys promoted Kokanee Beer in the 90s. What exactly did you do and where can I find this beer?
We scared the production crew away and ended up practically doing the commercial with one cameraman and one producer.It is pretty funny. The beer is still available in Canada
Speaking of beer, Westwinds seemed to omit songs about getting hammered. Well, “My Luck Is So Bad” made me want to throw back a few, but still… Did you guys decided to take a break from the drinking songs and focus on something different?
We took a wee break just to catch our breath,but as soon as this hangover has run it´s course ,we shall be right back writing drinking songs for piss tanks like us.
I actually could hear a lot of Scottish pub style songs in this album. It was turned down a notch on some levels at times and really enjoyable to listen to. Who’s idea was it to almost go a cappella on some tracks of the the album?
Well, it´s a funny story and I am glad you asked. We were all ready to do the songs when suddenly , the rental agency with whom we rented our gear came crashing into the studio waggling their fingers at us and repossessed all the gear because we spent all the money on whisky and beer.So there we were with the tape running lots of beer and whisky but no instruments…we had to think of somethingquick so…we just started drinkin´and singing and partying and that is the god honest truth. What does a capella mean anyways ?
I think it is Latin for moose or something. Wrapping things up, I loved the pipe solo towards the end of the album. Was that something to build up the final end of the album?
We Real McKenzies have always incorporated at least one pipe track on every album. I suppose it has become a sort of tradition with us.
Well, it is amazing to listen to. I have yet to see you guys play a live show. What am I missing out on?
Beer, blood , sweat, spit, love , hate, and 2 hours of dynamic gut wrenching rock and roll with a bagpipe.
Nice. So what would you tell someone who has never heard of you before?
Go buy a kilt and some jackboots ,put them on and come to the rock show to have the time of your life.
I believe that. Do you have any last words before I wrap this up?
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all who wish to attend our Scots rock and roll extravaganza.I guarantee you will not be dissatisfied,if not with the visual spectacle or the quality rock,but we feature some of the most accomplished bagpipers the world has to offer, but don´t take my word for it,come and decide for yourselves. See you at the rock show.
The Real McKenzies’ new album, Westwinds, recently dropped on March 27th on Fat Wreck Chords. I will have a review of it shortly and I was completely sincere when I told McKenzie that I thought it was their best album to date. Check out a track below from the upcoming album:
Folk / country / punk rocker Tim Barry is perhaps one of the hardest working musicians out there. He tours when he can and makes ends meet when home, sometimes secluding himself from the real world for days at a time. He’s been known to hop trains at times and has a great relationship with his fans, sometimes even asking them for lifts to local shows. He’s always quick to thank said fans for their support and you know he is sincere while doing so. The guy plays music for the sake of music.
The one time lead man of 80s punk legends Avail recently finished up an all new album entitled 40 Miler. I can not tell you how excited I was to hear that Barry was releasing new material. Naturally when I was asked to interview him, I jumped to the opportunity. As a huge fan of Avail and his solo material, I was thrilled to be able to trade off some questions with Barry earlier this week.
Check out what he had to say, and make sure on April 10th, that you grab a copy of 40 Miler:
BHP: I guess to start things off we should probably talk about your upcoming release. 40 Miler is due out next month. How are you feeling about this new release?
TB: I temporarily erased 40 Miler from my mind. Writing, planning and record an album is an epic task, as anyone who has spearheaded the process can attest. Once complete, the focus shifts to release work. I self manage, so I’m knee deep in all preparations regarding the recording becoming public. Currently that is mainly tour preparations. When I am done with an album I step away from it. This helps me gain perspective and hear it freshly. I am currently in what I call recording detox. I have no copy of the album at this moment to even reference. I look forward to getting my own copy when it is released on April 10. The album will sound brand new to me by then.
I heard that a 40-Miler is a term that train conductors used when referring to a hobo. Is that right? Care to elaborate on this?
That’s actually incorrect. But close. It’s a term hobo’s use to slander another hobo. There are many different sects and sub sects in the railroad world. The term 40 Miler is comparable to calling a “mall punk” a poser. Or the new skater at the park a poser. Or perhaps the new worker in the wood shop the “new guy.” Lifer hobo’s, those who live on the rails, can use the term 40 Miler in a derogatory way to describe me. I’m a poser train rider. I take short trips close to home. I do not live on the rails I am a poser. A 40 Miler.
40 Miler sounds more country heavy over folk. Was this intentional, or was this just how the songs came out?
I never have an intention with my albums. They come out the way they come out, but I think you are right. We focused more on our live sound while in the studio on particular songs. Adding heavy electric guitar and strong harmonica playing by Josh Small and Andrew Alli. Although I certainly left some of the very folk style songs on the record as well, such as Todd Beene.
“Adele and Hell” has a lot going on throughout the song including some duel singing duties. Who was the lady who helped supply vocals on this track as well as on “40 Miler”?
The lady singing back up on “40 Miler” is in fact my right hand man Josh Small, who often accompanies me on tours; however, Julie Karr is the star of the song “Adele and Hell”. Julie is a songwriter here in Richmond, VA, who I was lucky enough to coax into singing that song with me. She killed it. So happy it worked out the way it did. She’ll actually be playing her own songs on many of my tour dates this year. West coast for sure, and some up in the north east.
Ha, whoops… So did you recruit anyone else to help you record some of these songs?
Most of the players on 40 Miler are the folks that I tour with. The main players are Andrew Alli on harmonica and Josh Small. Both of those guys have put in many miles on my tours. Julie Karr is new to the crew. Cameron Ralston did all the bass tracks. He’s a Richmond local, and probably the best bass player I’ve had the chance to meet. My sister Caitlin also played violin, as she usually does on my recordings. And Lance Koehler, who has recorded my records for many years now shared the percussion responsibilities with me.
I love the track “Amen” off your new release. What made you decide to write such a song?
It’s funny to write a song out of context. The song “Amen” is a summery of a long time touring on my album 28th & Stonewall. A lot of good, and some bad happened in that year an a half. However, I wrote “Amen” while touring in the lap of luxury. I completed the song, and played a half-assed version live for the first time at the massive Osheaga Festival in Montreal while touring with The Gaslight Anthem, who was kind enough to let me tour in their bus. Funny to write a song about the hardships of touring while on the road with an incredibly giving group of people who fulfilled all of my needs.
How’s that hand doing these days? I remember hearing about that.
Oh that? Boxer fracture. No big deal.
I want to shake your hand for writing “”Fine Foods Market” (see below for a video I found). Thanks for the laugh. Why did you decide to call out the hipster folk?
The original name of the song “Fine Foods Market” is “Tim Barry makes fun of Tim Barry.” Yes, I’m making fun of hipsters. But, I’m making fun of myself more than anyone. I’m at an age where I can tally up all my own idiocy and inconsistencies and publicly humiliate myself with clear conscience.
So, who is this Todd Beene fellow? Sounds like a hellion.
He sure is. Let’s leave that one up to the listener.
Was there any certain track on 40 Miler that you favored over the rest?
No, not at all. I like all the songs. I dropped perhaps 25 [songs] before picking the ones that made the album. The next task is to find which ones feel the best on stage. I look forward to that.
As do I. I can not wait to see you play some of these songs live. Who did the cover art? Is there any meaning behind it?
There is more meaning behind the cover art that I can articulate, but I’ll leave it at this: The design was created by my best friend Travis Conner who passed away in early 2008. I’ve used his art/photography on nearly all my albums and shirt designs. I refuse to let his memory to fade.
I completely understand. Nice way to pay tribute. Moving on, 40 Miler is being released on Chunksaah records. How does it feel to be on such a great label?
Perfect. I’ve been close to the folks at Chunksaah for far longer than the label has existed. I trust and love all the folks involved with my release. I’m lucky.
So, how was SXSW? My friend snapped a shot of you playing outside at Red 7 the other day and it looked like an absolute blast.
Whirlwind. Very quick trip. Shows were fun. Here was the schedule: Arrive in Austin via American Airlines at 11pm Thursday. Drink with Hot Water Music at hotel bar until 2am. Wake up at 6am. Eat breakfast. Go on short walk. Shuttle to downtown. Play two shows. Back to hotel to sleep from 11pm until 3am. Arrive at airport at 4:30am for departing flight to Richmond. Arrive in Richmond to have a coffee in my back yard by 11:30am. Head trip.
It doesn’t sound like you were able to see any other acts play SXSW at all.
Nope. Only the folks I played with. The entire line up for the Shirt for a Cure show was fantastic. I also played The Revival Tour show that afternoon. Everyone killed it.
I know you are not the biggest fan of the Internet, but I’ve noticed recently that your website has had quite the facelift. First off, it looks awesome. Second, does this mean you are biting the bullet and going to start using the Internet a little more often?
Travis Stom, Travis Stom, Travis Stom.. That man has done wonders for me. He has taken on all of my web design, updating and all logistics. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what I would do. I am in no way a luddite, and do use all the free social networking sites as much as I can, but I’m simply not as well versed in computers as most folks are. They are the only thing in my life that creates real and pure frustration, so I steer clear of them as much as I can. However, I am not against technology and all of it’s benefits.
So many bands from the past are reuniting and touring or recording new material. I’m sure you are asked this all the time, but still…any chance of Avail doing something again one day?
Nope. Been and done.
If you could tour with anyone alive or dead, who would you choose?
Townes [Van Zandt].
Finishing up, what’s next for Tim Barry?
Touring time. US, Australia and parts of Canada are lined up now. I’m sure tons more dates will pop up. I’ll probably write a book this year as well. Who knows? I don’t plan much. I just go where things take me.
Punk / psychobilly rockers Koffin Kats currently are kicking ass overseas. The band, who recently released an all new full length album called Our Way & The Highway on Sailor’s Grave Records, has been touring non-stop in support of the release. With plans on touring the states in the Spring, Koffin Kats show no intentions of slowing down at all.
I reviewed Our Way & The Highway last month and was beyond impressed with what I had heard. I am really looking forward to seeing these guys live again sometime very soon. Their mix of punk rock and psychobilly keeps things entertaining and fun. They are a hard working group and skip all the bells and whistles and go straight for the kill when it comes to performing live. They are a punk rock band. This is what they do.
I had the chance to chat with Vic Victor, the band’s vocalist / stand up bassist this week. While in Spain, Victor was more than happy to answer a few questions about the band and their recent release:
BHP: Our Way & The Highway rules. This might by my favorite release by you guys. How happy are you and the band with how it came out?
VV: Thanks! We are rather proud of this one… I’m very happy with the way the mix came out. Damn close to how I had originally heard the songs in my head while we were writing them. If not better.
What did you do differently this time around?
We sent the raw tracks out to be mixed by Rene De La Muerte from the Canadian Psychobilly band The Brains. In the past we have always just mixed in the studio with the engineer we were recording with.
Any reason for the delay in dropping a new album? I thought hit was supposed to drop last year.
Originally we were going to put it out in November 2011, but we realised that it wasn’t enough time to properly promote it. Besides we were in no real hurry. This being the 7th release in 8 years of the band, I think we are putting albums out at a good pace.
So how’s Tommy Koffin doing these days? Do you still talk to him at all? It really does not seem like the band had any difficulties with getting Ian to speed. Am I correct in saying that?
He’s doing fine. We all still hang out whenever we are home. We were practicing the day Ian arrived from New Mexico. Really havent taken any breaks since his joining, so he’s going through the intensive training program. haha.
After initially listening to the new album, I realized you shared your vocal duties with Ian. Whose idea was that?
We have never done that prior and i thought it would be a good change up. Plus it makes the song “Choke” flow more natural between the verse and chorus by going back and forth with the vocals.
“For The Good Times” has what sounds like an empty bottle solo, did you guys dispose of those drinks properly?
Ah studio drinks. Yes those are necessary. Its good to keep the vibe a bit loose when recording.
I can not help but compare “The Devil Asked” to a Butthole Surfers song, maybe it was from the deep mono tone intro, but still, this song strayed away from the others. Was that the idea of this track?
Actually I had no idea how i was going to sing the verse part until the day I had to record the vocals. The night before, I was sitting at the bar and it came to me to do it almost Tom Waits style.
Do you have a favorite track off of Our Way & The Highway? I dig “Locket Of Sin” and “For The Good Times” the most on the album.
“The Bottle Called” has stuck with me as one I’m more proud of. It was the first track written for the album. It was actually released on split we did with 12 Step Rebels earlier in 2011. But that song right was the model for writing a lot of the tracks on Our Way & The Highway.
You guys tour a ton. When you have downtime, what do you do to make ends meet?
There are two reasons we tour so much. One being because we feel it’s necessary to get out there and push as hard as we can promoting the band with live shows. The other being that because we are gone so much, no job would have us back for only a few weeks at a time, so we have to stay on the road to pay the bills too.
Touring overseas has got to be amazing, but how does your upright bass take those trips? Have you had any casualties with your standup or any other equipment for that matter?
We have fried a few pedals and tuners with the power difference haha. I shipped my first upright over for the first Euro tour and it lived there until a few tours ago when I sold it to a band after it was just too beat up to play anymore. Then my current upright was one left over there by The Quakes. Two days after I got it the neck broke due to it falling over. Not an easy quick fix, but I seem to have developed a talent for rough road fixes on uprights. Its still holding strong on this current tour.
So if you had your choose, what bands would you want to tour with alive or dead?
Alice Cooper for sure. He’s not dead yet so maybe that can happen haha. I’d also like to do a tour with Bad Religion.
That would be insane. Who are some of your favorite bands you have toured with in the past?
We have been very lucky to hit the road with bands we have looked up to like Nekromantix, Long Tall Texans, The Meteors, & Mad Sin.
What is the response from folk who have never heard or seen you guys live before?
They are usually not sure what the hell just happened but they are usually happy hahah. The upright bass really grabs ones attention when they are not familiar with it and what can be done with it. Gained a good amount of following outside of the psychobilly world because we play all over the place for crowds who sometimes don’t know of anything related to psychobilly but dig that we are loud and fast.
How do you describe your sound to someone who has never heard of you?
Its easy. I always say punk rock with an upright bass. The hard part comes if you get asked what kind of punk rock? Then I say… you really should just listen to one of our records.
That’s the best way to check anyone out. So, what made you all jump onto the Sailor Grave Records roster?
They have put out some great bands albums in the past and we were looking for a label that we thought could help promote us better. For the first time, we are very happy with the way a label has worked with us.
That’s great to hear. Seeing that 2012 has just started, what plans do the Koffin Kats have before the world ends…?
If the world does end at any point this year… we will be on tour when it happens. We are pushing to hit the 250+ show mark this year. Last year was around 230.
That is impressive! Anything you would like to say?
Just want to thank everyone who has been spreading the word of this new record and we will continue to tour and hope to see ya out at a show.
One last thing, when are you guys coming to Cleveland?
Well see ya in the spring and in the fall.
The Koffin Kats are currently on tour and will be hitting up the states in the Spring. Visit the Koffin Kats’ website for more tour information.
Any fan of punk rock music these days should know the name Dave Hause. He is an amazing musician who not only fronts The Loved Ones, but also has been quite successful at being a solo performer.
Touring over the years with the likes of Cory Branan, Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem, Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio, Frank Turner, and Mikey Erg just to name a few, Hause has had no problem playing his solo material to the world. His songs are infectious to say the least, and always make for a good time.
In 2011, Hause released Resolutions at the beginning of the year and toured non-stop in support of the album. When I saw that there was not a Cleveland date, I reached out to him for the below interview and decided to try my luck and asked him to play a house show. He and tour-mate Branan were all about it and with help from some friends, we put on a show at the Gurley House in Akron, OH that topped my list of live shows in 2011.
It’s still early in 2012 and Hause is already touring overseas. The guy just does not seem to stop. All I know is that his debut solo album was amazing and I can not wait for his next release. I would be happy with a new Loved Ones album any day, but there is just something about his solo material I am just drawn more to.
Before, during and after that awesome December evening, I had a few chances to chat it up with Hause. Here’s what he had to say:
BHP: Last year came to a quick end, rather quickly if you ask me. How was 2011 for you?
DH: It’s been a great year for me musically, I’ve been all over the world playing songs I made up on my couch with tons of great people.
You have been touring a ton this past year with everyone from Hot Water Music to the good folk on the Revival Tour. How different is to tour without The Loved Ones?
It’s pretty different, I’m much more mobile and able to do whatever I want socially. I miss the revelry with my buds and playing loud some nights, but I do enjoy the ability to just get up and go with ease.
Is there a backing band touring with you?
Not touring with me, no. Where I can put people together for a few shows or a one off or something, I’ll do that, for instance NYC and Philly on this tour I have a full band. But not yet, I’m working towards that in the future.
You toured with Cory Branan towards the end of last year. Any reason Cleveland was overlooked?
Cory’s booking agent put the whole thing together and then asked if I would like to come along. I think he has something against Cleveland. Not Cory of course, but his booking agent.
Luckily I was able to persuade you and Cory into playing some songs at a house show in Akron. Thanks for that by the way. I hope you guys had a good time. I know some of the folk who showed up there that night were beyond stoked to see you and Cory trade off on songs.
We did, thanks for having us. It interrupted our movie marathon but was worth it.
Photo by Andrew Wells
Has Cory given you any tips how to shred on the acoustic? That guy is insane when he does that.
He told me he learned those from some guy with horns at a crossroads down south, and was reluctant to share them with me.
So it was just Cory and you on the road for this past tour right? Who took over the driving duties?
Cory drove unless whiskey Cory showed up. Then I’d try my hand. Whiskey Cory probably would’ve been better…
You gave a shout out to Matt from American War that night, did you think he was in the crowd?
No, I just thought of his music due to the fact we were in Ohio. He’s a terrific talent.
That he is. So, how did the rest of the East Coast tour treat ya?
Interesting and quite fun. Philly was great, New Haven was, well, north of New York city…
Did you see a lot of Loved Ones fans at the shows? Have there been mixed responses from them about your music?
Loved Ones fans have been way into the record and the shows. I write for the Loved Ones and I write obviously these solo songs, so it’s just minor tweaks of aesthetics that separates the two.
I heard you will be playing with Frank Turner in Europe next year. How stoked are you about that?
I am doing one enormously huge show with FT in England. I haven’t heard about any tour, but we always get together drink whiskey and talk about all of the touring we will do, so sooner or later it will happen I would think.
What made you initially want to drop a full length solo album anyways? Not that I am complaining or anything,. Resolutions is amazing. Just curious
If this is something you wanted to do for a while or if you needed to take a break from the loved ones.
I needed a break and wrote some songs that weren’t best suited for the Loved Ones and one thing led to another.
Photo by Andrew Wells
Who are your major musical influences that helped mold this solo release? It is safe to say this is not a punk rock album at all.
Well really not much different, writing songs for anything always hold the same basic influences. As far as the aesthetic, I love what Conor Oberst did with his 2 solo records, what Jenny Lewis is up to, Jonathan Rice, Deer Tick, Patty Griffin, etc. Just more modern songwriting acts. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires both are terrific as well.
I love how you have so many friends / musicians contributing on Resolutions. Was it easy to recruit everyone? Were there others that did not make it
on the record that you asked?
It was totally easy, everyone was so gracious with their time and really excited about the songs and the project. Some of my dearest friends and some amazing musicians played on it. Actually there were people who later said “why didn’t you ask me?”, not really the other way around. I’m a lucky girl.
You sister actually played organ on Resolutions. Does she happen to play in any other bands?
She hasn’t. She played some recitals as a kid and then The Loved Ones dragged her out on tour on Build & Burn. I keep telling her to get her ass into a local or cover band to keep her sharp.
I can hear many styles of music in Resolutions including a little country twang. With all of your punk rock history, I was kind of impressed to hear that your solo material was not just you and an acoustic guitar. Did you actually write all of the music in the album or did you get some assistance?
I wrote all of the songs, but when it comes to the specific bass lines, guitar parts and that kind of thing, I knew the people playing on the songs are amazing and let them just go for it. Pete and I sometimes would guide them in the direction more suitable for the vibe we were going for, but by and large their initial instinct governed the parts. Chris Gonzalez in particular wrote so many cool guitar parts. It was really amazing.
The video for “Time Will Tell” clearly pays homage to Martin Scorsese’s short The Big Shave. Where did you get the brilliant idea to add your own
spin on the film?
I went to film school for 2 semesters before quitting college. I have always been a huge fan of film and Scorsese is a cornerstone. Not sure where the idea to do that came from, but I must say, I’m glad the idea came. I love how it turned out.
Will The Loved Ones be releasing anything anytime soon?
Not sure. I have a whole record almost done, but not sure what the schedule is gonna be like.
Are you going to help Chris Gonzalez on his solo album? He still plans on recording something right?
He doesn’t need help, he’s amazing. I’m going to sing some on it I think. I am chomping at the bit to hear it finished!!
You are living the dream man and it does not look like you are slowing down. What’s next for you?
Making up songs, recording them, then playing them for people all over the world. That’s living the dream in my book, and I don’t want to slow that down.
Do you remember your first time? Think about it for a moment. Did it hurt? I know mine did for a moment. It was not excruciating or anything, but it was a new pain that I slowly found comfort in. I have returned to that feeling many a time since. I really do believe everyone should experience it at least once.
I am talking about tattoos of course. Many of us have them and many more appreciate them.
Whether you have 1 or 100, tattoos these days are becoming a more common trend and seen on people of all ages. I am not going to get into the ethics of tattoos or anything of that nature, I am just merely pointing out what tattoos have become. Forget the eyebrow ring piercing…tattoos are one of the more popular forms of socially acceptable self-expression on the human body.
I’ve interviewed all sort of people over the years for this site and others including musicians, artists, authors and once even a roller derby team. Having my own site has opened doors to so many interesting stories and events. I feel honored to have talked to so many people from all over the states.
I, until now, had never for whatever reason interviewed a tattoo artist and I honestly do not know what took me so long. I’ve chatted with Cleveland’s Derek Hess in the past and his art is on the flesh of thousands of fans, but not once did I ever sit down with a tattoo artist and just shoot the breeze and find out a little more about them than many may know.
If any of you have ever met me, you are probably aware that I have a huge appreciation for tattoos and have quite a few all over my body. I certainly plan on getting many more with visions of a full torso piece getting started this year. With such a love of permanent art, I realized that a few months ago that I should really try to incorporate something into this site about tattooing.
As luck would have it, one of my favorite people in Austin heard wind of my idea and shared with me a name of someone I should check out: Evan Lovett.
Thanks Morgan.
It was not hard to track Lovett down, thanks to the ever popular social networking, and after I saw his online portfolio, I realized that not only did I want to interview him, but I wanted him to tattoo me. His drawings and tattoos were more detailed than I was expecting and I was immediately intrigued to learn more about this guy, let alone get something done by him on me.
With him in Austin and myself in Akron though, I was not sure if that was going to happen anytime soon…until I realized I was going to Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin. I was sure he was going to be busy that weekend but I was mistaken and on day two of Fun Fun Fun Fest, Lovett texted me and told me to stop by the studio.
After hanging out for a little bit and checking out Lovett’s portfolio, he told me that he had some fun pieces he wanted to tattoo. I took this as an invitation for him to use my skin as his canvas and was quick to pick out something that he had previously drawn up. So, not only did I get to interview Lovett, but I also got tattooed by him. The experience was amazing. I enjoyed not only chatting with him, but also watching him work. His shading technique was unlike anyone else’s I had seen before and he basically was painting on me. Mixing inks and blending sections together.
The result was a great afternoon full of good conversation as well as an amazing tattoo.
How did you get into the tattoo business? Was it something you wanted to do all along or were you kind of just introduced to it by chance?
Growing up the son of a biker, I was always around tattoos and tattoo art, but the way i got into it was kind of strange. I was an artist from a young age always drawing and my dad basically handed me over to a tattoo artist that he knew to keep me out of trouble and I spent about everyday of my life in that shop from 15 to 18 years old.
Did you ever think you would ever be tattooing?
Before i stepped foot into that shop, no. But after my second day there ,the boss made me pick up a machine and outline a skull on his leg just to see if i had the balls. Well I did and after that I couldn’t think of doing anything else.
You are not as much of a tattoo artist as you are an artist that tattoos correct?
Yes, I agree with that. Not disrespecting any tattoo artist out there, but I feel to call myself a tattoo artist would be disrespecting the tradition and culture of the tattoo arts. I wasn’t introduced to tattooing in the traditional sense. The first shop I worked at, and in fact every shop I’ve worked at, have all been custom shops. Since I started so young, I was fortunate to attend art school while and after I started tattooing. I try to look at everything from a fine art perspective. regardless if its skin or canvas, although I have to admit I wish sometimes i could just tattoo!
I feel I take my tattooing too seriously and envy those tattoo artists with a sense of humor. In fact, I think the tattoo I did on you was the most light hearted tattooing I’ve done in a long time. (laughs)
I will admit, it was a lot of fun. So, which do you prefer more then, tattooing or drawing?
Drawing for sure. There is a lot less pressure in drawing. When it comes to tattooing, I try very hard to not think about the result and focus on the process. That is why I do my best to work out the drawing as much as possible before hand. The fact that I draw most of my tattoos directly on the skin before i tattoo is a bit strange for people, until I’m done. I have to make the drawing as detailed as possible so I end up drawing on people for hours sometimes. Luckily for me no one complains because when I’m done, I feel they have a better understanding of what the tattoo will look like and are a lot more comfortable with wearing it. Plus it’s fun!
When did you start doing this process of drawing on the skin over doing a stencil?
A few years ago, but only after I had the process worked out on paper first. A good friend and somewhat of a mentor of mine, Sean Zee, made me do a red pencil sketch for every tattoo i did. After that, [he] started making me do full color sketches with pencils. I did this for about a year with every tattoo I did. After a while, the tonal study was all I needed and I could replace colors in my head. That’s when the Sharpies came into play. They allowed me to create a fully rendered monochromatic drawing with a strong enough contrast quickly.
If I feel I still need to better understand something, I will still do a color study. You can never be too prepared. The better the understanding, the better the final piece will be whether it be a tattoo or painting of whatever.
Why a Sharpie though?
I like the shape of the fine point and the fact that they’re alcohol based.
So is there a process when drawing with Sharpies? Are there certain techniques you use when drawing with Sharpies over other drawing instruments? How many colors do you generally use?
The technique is harder to explain, but I basically blend out lighter colors with darker ones. I do this in layers until i get the result I want. i can use any colors, but I prefer to use primary ones: red, yellow and blue.
How long have you been drawing with Sharpies?
I’ve been drawing with them for a few years now, and it kind of just snowballed into kind of a style. It really is my favorite thing to draw with. The techniques I use originally were just experiments in order to open up some creative doors in my head, but after a while, I had so much fun and found them so versatile that i just stuck with it. With every shop, convention or guest spot I do, I find others fascinated by how far I can take it which is cool because hopefully by the time I leave, they have took it upon themselves to experiment and open some doors themselves.
That is kind of awesome and makes me want to go out and buy a pack of Sharpies… So have you reached out to Sharpie yet for a possible sponsorship? I think it is safe to say they are going to be impressed.
Working on it…
Tell me about growing up outside of Philadelphia in New Jersey.
I love that I grew up in that area, surrounded by everything from tree-filled suburbs to vast farm lands and the beach also being 15 minutes away from the city. I feel it’s made me very adaptable and well-rounded. Artistically, the east coast can be a little segregated at least in our industry. No one really talks to other people in shops, it’s very territorial. Regardless, I always tried to break that stereotype and befriended everyone. I hope it worked. (laughs) I was also introduced to some great graffiti artists. Some of New Jerseys finest in fact! But that’s something I’m not about to get in to.
No doubt, talking graffiti with you would be awesome but let’s stick to the tattoos – at least for now. What made you move from the east coast to Austin?
I’ve been visiting Texas to see family for as long as I can remember and it always seemed like the place i wanted to be. I remember my first solo trip out here, I think i was about 13 and I definitely stood out (laughs), but everyone was so nice and friendly. I was in a store with my aunt and people started asking me questions. Being from the big dirty, I was suspicious, but when i looked at her she assured me that they were just nice. [It] took me a while to learn to let my guard down a bit. (laughs) When it came time for me to finally make that move, I was lucky enough to have a few friends who already lived or moved out here, so it made my decision a little easier.
I have to say, living in Austin is a bit of a comfort. This is the only city I’ve ever been in where people don’t just assume I tattoo. I’m mean everyone is covered out here, and sometimes it’s nice to not stand out.
You still travel to Philly though monthly right? Do you find a lot of appointments for work waiting for you when you visit?
Yeah, I work at Art Machine Production in Philly one week every month. It started out as just a guest spot, a chance for me to finish up some work on my clients that I left behind. I guess with almost 8 years of clients there though, I was still in demand. So I talked to my buddy Tim Pangburn and we made it a regular permanent thing. I’m usually booked solid there which is a good change of pace to my more casual Austin work habits.
Let’s talk about your art. You had an exhibit going on in Austin that lasted 2 weekends last Fall. Care to talk about that for a moment?
Yes. Me and my studio-mate Nick Baxter participated in what they call E.A.S.T. or east Austin studio tour. It’s a two-week-long open house free to the public that allows anyone to come into our private studio and see our work, checkout what we have to offer, see some cool art and meet us. There are over 300 individual artists and studios involved, so it was good to feel a part of a creative community. But I think the coolest part of it was just seeing our work cover the walls of our studio. They were pretty bare until E.A.S.T. gave us a reason to change that. (laughs)
How was the overall response?
Really good. [We] had a lot of positive feedback. had a lot of tattoo folk come threw artists from shops and studios around the city come check us out, it was cool. [It’s] good for people to know; just because we’re a private studio, we’re not some big secret. We just like to work in a smaller more comfortable atmosphere and make cool art work.
This is the first time you sold prints of your work correct? How did that work out for you?
Not bad, it was a bit weird for me, but had a good response and [I] was encouraged to make more. My drawings seem to reproduce beautifully.
I’ll say. Do you think you will make some of these prints available to others maybe via the net?
Never thought about it before, but I don’t see why not. If someone likes my art enough to want it, the least I could do is get it to them.
Here is the piece that Evan did on me. Hands down one of my favorite pieces.
[I] still don’t feel like I have a style that’s mine yet, but standing back and looking at everything I’ve done at the same time, I guess you can see something there. But either way, I don’t think I’ll ever perfect anything. [I] can only hope I die trying.
Your shading and detail is beyond amazing. How tough is it to take a piece you drew on paper and put it permanent on skin?
[It’s] way easier than taking something not perfected and putting it on skin. (laughs) But on a more serious note, there are limitations to both skin and paper and sometimes certain things can be pushed farther on one over the other. I always try to push further when someone is going to be wearing it. It’s only fair to them.
You’ve opted out the idea of owning a tattoo parlor and instead operate in a studio. When did you decided that you wanted to be more exclusive?
It’s something I’ve always wanted, once i started working on more of a serious clientele, but never pursued it till about a year ago. When asking the advice of my friend Nick on whether or not he thought I could do it, he told me he did and would be interested in collaborating on it with me. So, that sold me and here we are a year later.
The studio I work at in Philly is more open to the public, but has a private studio feel. We all work there by appointment only and do as we please working each in our own style on the things that interest us the most, so i have a good balance. Even if i did miss the atmosphere of a more street shop, I can and do often visit my friends at work all around the city, and it’s a honor to be welcomed in.
I am sure your work travels by word of mouth right? (In fact, when I was on South Congress the day before I flew home, a girl stopped me and asked me who did my piece.)
Well, since I’m am absolute shit at self-promotion, due to my shyness and anti-social behavior and anxieties, yea word of mouth has been the venue of chance for my carrier to spread. So, thank you to all of you out there who proudly wear my work and show it off.
Really, thank you! I am trying to have a working website this year! About time, I know…
Wrapping things up, what’s one important thing you learned in the past that you use daily when drawing or tattooing?
To slow my role! Make sure i know where I’m going with a piece before I start and that in a business that relies completely on the will of another person, that it never hurts to be nice.
What is your favorite thing to draw? How about favorite thing to draw on?
Well I don’t know why, but I really like drawing birds and nature in general with sharpies on skin. I like to paint with oil on board, and bic pen on diner place mats. (laughs)
You need to show me this place mat art one day. So, what’s next for Evan Lovett?
I think I’m gonna up my convention game in 2012 and try and hit as many as i can. Other than that, keep on making art as often as I can. I’d like also to simplify my life, although that’s what i say everyday, [it] never seems to happen.
Check out the following links for more information on Evan Lovett:
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