NOVEMBER 2004
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Finishing up with the notorious Demented Are Go!
Another interview with Criss Damage
By Ryan Davis (TX PSY CO)

Sparky with Tatsuya of Starlite Wranglers

TXPSY: So it's time for the notorious Demented Are Go! to once again pillage America?

Criss: Pillage! If we went up to immigration and stated our reason for our visit was to 'Pillage'…I'm sure we'd be welcomed with open arms! I'd like to try that!! We're already looking forward to being fingerprinted and photographed when we enter the country…as if the photo in our passports isn't good enough or something like that…well actually I look pretty shady in my passport photo, with green hair and long stubble! I digress!

TXPSY: I can picture the stumped expression of the immigration officer's face if indeed you answered, “Pillage” when the question of your reason for coming to the U.S. came up. Not sure the humor would be appreciated. So what particular spots is the band looking forward to playing in the U.S. this time around?  

Criss: Well I think we're going to do New Jersey towards the end of the tour...I've never been to the east coast…the band did try to play there once… but that story is well known by now…read our bio for further details if you wanna know! I'm also looking forward to seeing San Francisco and the bay area... I personally think it's the best place in the states... Sorry Texas…you rock... but SF swings too!!

TXPSY: Swings both ways SF does. How many albums has DAG released?

Criss: Several studio L.P's and a host of live and 'best of' comps...I'm a drummer I can only count in 4's...That's if I can be bothered to count! Shall we say 4x4x4x4! Then...with a middle 8!

Strangy: Exclusive photo from upcoming issue of PLAYGIRL

TXPSY: How close is the world to being able to buy a brand new DAG record?

Criss: The studio has been buzzing with activity recently… (They're actually refurbishing the studio while we mix! quite handy because Strangy is a carpenter by trade and Mark's...well good at interior design!! HA! HA!). 12 songs are down and are being mixed as we speak!! We had some great guest musicians came down, including Lex Luther (one of DAG's longest serving members) who played some awesome leads. Don't expect a formula!! There are a few surprises in there including a brilliant Nu-Country cover!! It should hit the shops in January... Vince Ray has come up with great cover-art again too! Hellbilly Storm's-a-comin'!!

TXPSY: I seriously look forward to this new record. I talked to Sparky a couple months ago by phone and he sounded great...to what do you attribute his ability to keep sane and relatively sober these days?

Criss: He's a bloody fine actor that boy! He fooled you too!! No seriously we've all been under pressure in the studio but that hasn't stopped us from pissing it up as we always seem to!! But we've had no time for hangovers! Thank God the studio was next to a pub!

Sparky: Climb Into A Brand New Corpse

TXPSY: Thank God indeed. DAG contribute the lead track (“I Wanna See You Bleed”) to a psychobilly compilation called “Kicked Outta Purgatory” that is currently on over 550 Hot Topic counter tops…any comments on this song?

Criss: Oh yeah...'”I Wanna See You Bleed” is a killer track...damn hard to play...so don't expect it in the set!!

TXPSY: How do you think Demented Are Go! has been able to sustain and develop their popularity within and beyond the psychobilly scene over the last two decades?

Criss: We don't really do anything much…people talk about Sparky or the other guys all the time…they make up stories…that's what keeps us going. Yes we are a very talked about band. But we are all also into and contribute to the 'scene' around us and the sub-cultural scene in general…by that I mean we support other bands and organizations where we feel it's due. Some people and bands have been very good to us and we try to give our all when we perform...it would be rude not to after all the effort people go to for us!!

TXPSY: Yeah I suppose that in addition to Sparky, there has been a mixed bag of characters rotating in and out of DAG. Please give us an update as to what members are in DAG these days and where they came from?

Criss: That porcupine I ate didn't go down so well

Criss: Strangy and Doyle (Klingonz/Celtic Bones/Numbskulls etc...etc...) are well know whores of Psycho… Stan was plucked from behind the desk at Scumcat Studios and given more rigorous duties… Sparky found me on the mean streets of Crackey East London, a victim of bad squat parties and restored me to my rightful place on the drum throne....

TXPSY: So what music is in your CD player? What spins your dradle these days Criss?

Criss: : I still have vinyl dear boy!! Remember vinyl...I love the Hunns new L.P. 'Long Leg's'
We had a great time on the road with them...Zeno Tornado and the Boney Google Brothers...a Swiss, redneck, bluegrass, country, hick band on Beatman's label Voodoo Rhythm. Screaming Jay Hawkins, Lee Perry/Upsetters. (I'm a massive reggae fan...sorry!). I liked Thee Merry Widows demo, which Miss Eva so kindly sent over…All girl psycho...Mmmm I like the sound of that. Oh yeah our damn rough mixes!! Ahhhh!! Destuction Boy!! Ahh!! I'm off again!!

DEMENTED ARE GO! play an exclusive Texas date on Tuesday Nov 18 th at Sin13 in San Antonio.