SEPTEMBER 2003
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Catching up with the notorious Demented Are Go!
And an interview with Criss Damage
By Ryan Davis (TX PSY CO)

 

Sparky of DAG

When their name comes up in psychobilly circles so do the stories, rumours and gossip. It is often quite difficult to separate fact from fictional heresy when it comes to one of the most controversial and original bands of the last two decades: the notorious Demented Are Go! Copious amounts of drugs, an inhuman consumption of booze, igniting forest fires, countless encounters with the law, broken legs and backs, poo-flinging, and sex with household appliances on stage are all just part of the fun that is Demented Are Go!. I spent a couple weeks as the tour manager of a D.A.G. west coast American tour after the Wreckers Ball 2002 psychobilly festival and I have to say, for better or worse, when the tour ended I was not the same person I was before hitting the road with the DAGsters.

Although Demented Are Go! elevated their popularity through the British psychobilly scene of the 1980s alongside peers the Meteors, Guana Batz, King Kurt and others, Demented Are Go! also established themselves as heavyweight contenders in the punk, goth, and garage rock scenes over the years. The driving creative and also destructive force of this phenomenal band has always been it's lead vocalist and lyricist Mark "Sparky" Phillips. Born to entertain and enthrall, I have personally witnessed Sparky not only hold the attention of hundreds of people in a live music venue but also hold a conversation about life with an 85 year old man in a Las Vegas Wal-Mart. Demented Are Go! have faced many an obstacle throughout the band's twisted history of twenty odd years. They've encountered challenges that would have meant "kaput" for lesser bands. But somehow this circus outfit keeps traveling. And growing remarkably stronger. Here's an interview with infamous punk (External Menace, Zero Tolerance) and current D.A.G. drummer Criss Damage:

Strangy & Doyle

TX PSY: Criss, please tell us about the newest additions to the Demented Family...who, why, what?
Criss: We have Doyle & Strangy (guitar & upright Bass) from the Klingonz on board at the moment..They have been around on the scene since it began in the early '80's and have the kind of experience DAG were looking for and they also know what to expect from a band like ours.. We will play together til the end of the year then see where we stand after that, due to their other commitments (they're both in about 50 bands at the moment!!)..I would like to point out that we didn't poach them away from their respective bands and music projects. Doyle came forward when Lex quit and knowing that he and Strangy are big DAG fans we thought they would be good for us....
TX PSY: Although I enjoyed Lex and Kelvin in the band, personally I am very excited about Strangy and Doyle coming on board. I look forward to this dynamic. D.A.G. has quite a cast of characters once again. Should we be frightened?
Criss: Yes!!! Up to this date we haven't rehearsed much but at the 1st rehearsal we played about 13 songs straight away without too much problem. You have to remember that there are over 70 DAG songs! So we still have work to do!! Yeah it's gonna be different without Lex (his guitaring has shaped DAG for over 12 years) but the energy between the new line up has got me quite excited about our upcoming tours! (We might even play..'Don't Go in the Woods!!')
TX PSY: The band recently signed to People Like You Records out of Germany who released Mad Sin's last record. How did D.A.G's involvement with P.L.Y come about and what can we expect to result from this new venture?
Criss: PLU were very very patient with DAG..we got involved with them after being approached by our German booking agent (lucky@dieinstyle) who suggested that we talk to them..They are one of the biggest labels in Germany and what attracted us to them was the fact that they are not a purely psycho/rockabilly label.. Ok so they have the likes of the Meteors & Mad Sin on their books but also other punk rock bands like Duane Peters and the Huns and the Forgotten among others..as you know DAG draws it's influence from all kinds of music and we felt that PLU would help us get a new audience...
TX PSY: What are you doing these days when you are not playing in Demented?
Criss: DAG takes up a lot of our time but I have recently played drums for punk band the Jack-Offs but since I broke my hand again I've had to stop playing and get myself fit again..I suppose you could say that when we're not involved with DAG it's because we're usually recovering from one injury or another!!
TX PSY: What do you do to unwind? Meditation? Martial Arts? Get pissed?
Criss: Music is such a big part of our lives we often can't think of what else to do!! We regularly go to shows as we know so many people in bands and I like to think that we can give them our support..Not many people I know in so called BIG bands go to little gigs (apart from Charlie Harper from the UK SUBS who can be seen at your local squat gig or at a big venue), I know that outside of music Sparky is interested in art and serial killers!! He can sometimes sit and make amazing figures which sometimes become part of our stage show. One thing we both like to do when not playing music is a good bit of grafting! (work to you Americans)..I work for antique dealers and various other dodgy guys in London but yeah..we both like to work..(but not all the time!)
TX PSY: What music have you been listening to lately?
Criss: I'm glad you asked that because I think you'll like my answer to this Ryan...The Scotch Greens-Draw (a HairBall8 release) one of the best bands I've heard for years..Calavera-anything by them will get your foot tapping..Hellbillys, Deadbolt, Phenomenauts, Peterpan Speedrock..I'm lucky enough to have played with these bands (apart from ScotchGreens) but I still listen to old bands like the VIBES, Fuzztones, Elvis Hitler and the Hickoids (Austin's original cowpunkers). I also have a passion for reggae and a good two thirds of my record collection is reggae and ska..(Lee Perry...My Hero!!)
TX PSY: Any thoughts on Johnny Cash passing? Were you a fan?
Criss: Not a massive fan but I had a lot of respect for him and his music..I think he sang about life as HE lived it. Country music is massive over here but it's an area I've never been that involved with...and I also couldn't really give a fuck if he was the first person to use the term Psychobilly..It's not important to me...

Sparky & Criss soak up some rays

TX PSY: How is Sparky these days?
Criss: Sparky is very good, fit and healthy and raring to go. He still has a shit load of energy and ideas for DAG which is a testament to his determination to keep on going...I would like to say though that Sparky has never treated the band as his own...we are all treated equal. We are not Mark Phillips and Demented Are Go...He hates it when people think the band is just about him...
TX PSY: D.A.G. has a European tour coming up with the Phenomenauts from San Francisco. I'm presuming they won't be bringing the Phenomebomber on this tour?
Criss: A great band. We had a great time staying with them (remember Ryan.. Good idea of mine wasn't it!!) but if anyone knows this band they will know about their incredible stage show... I think they are bringing as many props as they can including a fridge!! I am very excited about our tour with them as they are top guys and create a fantastic atmosphere wherever they go...
TX PSY: When can we expect to see Demented Are Go! in America again?
Criss: When we've paid the fines and gone through the therapy! Failing that it won't be till 2004...we have to work on our LP before we tour the US again but I love the States and we'll be back I assure you...