Interview with Timothy Gassen
(December
2005)
v
When did you
first got in touch with garage punk music?
In the early
1980s, the first ‘60s garage re-issues appeared, and I discovered the
underground sound of ’66. I was hooked! Of course, as a very little kid I heard
the Beatles and Stones, so I knew this was the best music in the world!
v
Which was your
first band? Was it easy to find other people in your hometown to form a garage
band?
My first band was
a three-piece New Wave band that sounded a little like Joy Division! This was
in 1982. By 1984 I was engulfed with the garage-psych spirit, and formed my
first garage band, named Reptile House. We recorded 6 songs, but never finished
them. I found the master tape and have finally mixed the songs, more than 20
years later! I don’t know if they will ever be released, though. No, it was not
easy to start the band – the garage sound was very much unknown then…eveything
was against us!
v
What’s the story
of the Marshmallow Overcoat?
I was so excited
about the neo-garage scene in the US, especially Los Angeles, that I had to
start a pure ’66-styled band. I wanted it to be wild, crazy, and fun – that’s
why we picked such an outrageous name: The Marshmallow Overcoat! That was in
1986. I had a bowl haircut, paisley shirts – it freaked everyone out! YEAH!
v
What was the
inspiration for the Marshmallow Overcoat and what did you listen to back in the
80’s?
I love the
folk-rock ’66
sound, the psych sound, but my fave is probably the fuzz-and-farfisa garage
sound. So that’s what I set out to perform, write and record…
v
You changed your
name to simply Overcoat and then again you added the Marshmallow. Why did this
happen?
Around 1990 we
changed some band members, and thought it would be better to have a simpler
name. There were also some larger record company people who were interested in
the band, and wanted a less strange name. By this time we had become a very
good live band, and the “marshmallow” was making difficult for some people to
take us seriously. But we would not change our sound to be more commercial, and
decided after a couple records that we should always be the Marshmallow
Overcoat! Our fans never stopped calling us that, anyway, so we made the right
decision!
v
Which is your
favorite Overcoat song?
Wow, that’s hard
to choose. I like the orchestra on “Our Love Will Survive,” the fuzz on “Psilocybic Mind,” the garage sound
of “13 Ghosts.” I think we’ve made some pretty cool sounds over the past 20
years!
v
Now about the
Purple Merkins… Was this a side band to the Overcoat or you had decided to quit
from the Overcoat sometime and focus on the Merkins?
The Purple
Merkins was always a side-project for the Marshmallow Overcoat. We thought we’d
do one 45, just for fun, but we kept recording and making records! Then an LP
and now the CD “Merkinmania!” that compiles all our songs is finally out on
Dionysus!
v
Do you remember
any funny or strange story from the Overcoat or Merkins shows?
All I can say is
that almost every incident from the film “Spinal Tap” has occurred for our band
at one time or another. Touring is a very strange thing to do, and we’ve done
it all over the world. Great fun and very hard work! And I love those
garage-rock girls!
v
There is a split
45 that was released recently from a Greek label, Sound Effect Records, which
features two songs by the Marshmallow Overcoat and two by thee Hands Of Tyme. This
means that the Overcoat are still in action? And what about thee Hands Of Tyme?
Yes, the
Marshmallow Overcoat just won’t die! We started to do recordings again in 2001
and we keep going! Thee Hands of Tyme is the new side-project for us – and we
just recorded two new songs. We hope to have a 4-song EP or 45 out in 2006.
It’s like the Marshmallow Overcoat, but a little more of the LA ’67 psych sound
in there…
v
Let’s go to the
other side of Tim now… you are the author of the first ever 80’s resurrection
garage punk encyclopedia, the “Echoes In Time”, which was published in 1991.
And then you did the “second edition”, the “Knights Of Fuzz” and a few years
back the CD-ROM edition. Tell us more about the making of these books.
I became so
excited about garage music that I started a fanzine, and a radio show, then
started writing magazine articles about all the bands. So I tackled the idea of
writing a book on the neo-garage scene, which became the 2 books. Then I make a
CD-ROM version with the book and added audio and video in 2001. Now I’m
producing a DVD version of the “Knights of Fuzz,” with some great music videos
from the past 25 years! Long live garage rock!
v
Was it easier
for you to work on the Knights Of Fuzz book? Did you get more help from people
that knew you then by reading your first book?
Yes, the first
book helped people understand that I was serious, and I still get letters and
packages from new bands. Keep them coming!
v
How many copies
did these books sell?
Many thousands –
and all the paper books are completely sold out!
v
Are there any
plans of a new edition in the future?
No, the paper
versions will never be printed again. They are very collectable! You can buy
the electronic version from me on CD-ROM…
v
Which are your
favorite albums and 45s from the 80’s garage era?
Too many to
list, but The Fuzztones, Plasticland, Rain Parade, Cynics, Yard Trauma, Miracle
Workers are among my favorite. They are all fabulous bands, and I have 100
other favorites!
v
And who are your
favorite singers?
I love Arthur
Lee (Love), Gene Clark (Byrds), Colin Blunstone (Zombies) and yes, Jim
Morrison.
v
Are you still
listening to garage punk today? Are you listening to any new bands?
I listen to
garage punk EVERY SINGLE DAY! And I still get excited when I discover a new
band. I think I’m falling behind on the new sounds, though – I need to find
more of the current garage records!
v
It’s been over
40 years since the first garage bands showed up and this music is still alive.
What do you think is the future of garage punk music?
I think my
friend Luca Re from the Sick Rose said it best – garage music is classic, like
folk music – it will always survive. So kids, start a garage band. Find those
Beatle boots, get those Vox guitars. Make some of your own ’66 noise!
v
Anything else
you would like to add, Tim?
I love the
people of Greece, and thank you for so much support over the years. Keep
positive, keep sharing cool sounds, keep working for peace!
Thanks a lot,
Tim and thanks for all that Fuzz!
Visit
Purple-Cactus at: purple-catus.tv
