Bloodstains, Speed Kills, Fast Cars, Cheap Thrills
The interview took place during June/July by email.
Secret Agent: Mike Palm
Interrogator: Rick Happy
Hi Mike, so lets start off with an easy one. What is the present line up (name, age, vital statistics and vices) ?
Mike Palm - Vocals/Guitar
Age: Classified information
Vital Statistics: None Available
Vices: JW Blue Label, Vintage Watches, Unobtainium Components, and Singletrack.
Influences: Musical- Keith Moon, Johnny Ramone, Laika and the Cosmonauts. Other- Evel Knievel, Houdini, John Force.
Sam Bolle - Bass guitar/vocals
Age: Can't remember
Vital Statistics: Classified
Vices: Shiner Bock, No-Doze, Dark Sunglasses
Influences: Musical- Sigue-Sigue-Sputnik, Armchair Martian, Buddy Rich.
Other: Kelly Slater, Lee Iococa, Tony Alva.
Steve Latination - Drums, Drums, and more drums
Age: Unknown
Vital Statistics: Top Secret
Vices: Classified
Influences: Musical- Pete Townshend, Gene Krupa, Richie Stotts.
Other: Barry Gordy, Howard Stern, El Duche.
You're currently gearing up for a European tour you must be really excited about that ?
Yeah, It's kind of crazy that we have toured in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and Brazil, but this will be our first time in Europe.
I'm really excited. I suppose it would be the same as a UK band coming over to the states.
Everyone dreams of faraway places, right? We're just going to have to make up for lost time. You'll see, it will have been worth the wait.
How come you've not been over before because the band started way back in 1979/80 ?
We have made plans to tour over there on numerous occasions, but for various reasons, they always fell through. Basically, we wanted to make sure that the tour was promoted properly when we came over, and it never felt right. This time we're coming no matter what!
My main experience of Agent Orange is stuff like Living In Darkness, This is the Voice, singles and the surf EPs that you put out, what have up been up to recording wise since then ?
Well, lets just say that our record label made it difficult for us to continue recording for awhile. We were kind of forced back underground, and we felt that the only way to survive the situation was to keep touring.
When we were finally released from our deal, we recorded our "Virtually Indestructible" CD. We've also recorded tracks for various compilation CD's.
Our latest project is about fifty percent complete, and we are planning to finish recording as soon as we return from this tour.
So you've got a new release coming out, what is it called, who's releasing it and what sort of stuff can we expect to see on it ?
Well, we released the last one on our own label, Gunka Disc, and there is a good chance that we will do the same thing with this one. I can't really say much about it at this time, but I can tell you that it is supposed to be the soundtrack for a film that hasn't been made yet!
Going back to the early days, did you use to encounter a lot of violence at gigs ?
Not in the very beginning. At first the scene over here was more tolerant of different styles and ideas. Most of the people I knew in the early days were very open minded.
Later when punk morphed into southern California Hardcore, the whole tone of it became much more serious. There were lots of punk gangs that for the most part were a bunch of knuckleheads out looking for a fight. Kind of took the fun out of it in my opinion.
What was the worst show you can remember ?
Oh jeez. We have been suckered into playing weddings on occasion. That's always the worse situation to be in because the bride and groom and all their friends want punk rock at the wedding, and all the oldies want to hear "You Light Up My Life".
You can't please everyone, in fact you can't please anyone! Never again I tell you, never again!
Are things any better these days ?
Yeah, well now that it's been around for twenty years, people are starting to get it. There aren't as many fights at shows anymore.
Also, it used to be that whenever the club's bouncers saw a slam pit, they just assumed it was a huge fight and kicked everyone out! Fortunately, that doesn't happen very anymore.
What makes you :
a) Happy ?
I've had to ask myself that question many times in the last few years. I figured it would be a good idea to come up with some good answers and act on them. The first thing I did was move out of L.A. I'm so happy to not be stuck in traffic all day every day!
b) Sad ?
I think it's really sad to see people throw their lives away. I have a few good friends who have completely changed due to chemical substance abuse, and they will never be the same. I also think it's sad to see people who obviously hate their jobs. For God's sake, if you're going to devote eight hours a day for the rest of your life to any job, find one you enjoy!!!
c) Irritated ?
I don't know what it's like over there, but both radio and T.V. over here are unbearably irritating to me.
d) Glad to be alive ?
When I have the time to hang out with all the great friends I've made all over the world.
If Agent Orange could play at any gig (fact or fictional) with bands living or dead. Who would be your ultimate line up of bands and why ?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer, because I can't decide if the ultimate would be from an Agent Orange fan's perspective, or if it should reflect my own selfish interests. I would choose great bands that I never had a chance to see live, like Generation X (`79), The Avengers, The Kinks (`65), The Dead Kennedy's (that's right, never saw `em live!), The Buzzcocks (`79), The Who (`65). To build the ultimate line up from a fan's perspective, I would choose The Adolescents, The Dickies, The Weirdo's, Black Flag, X, The Germs, The Ramones. Any promoters willing to try and book either of these shows can contact our agent at any time!
What is Deora ?
The Deoras is a side project that I have been working on. It is a traditional surf guitar instrumental band.
We have released one 4 song E.P. and a track on a Shadows tribute compilation called "An Evening In Nivram". If you want to know more, you can check out our website at www.AgentOrange.net/thedeoras.html
How many of the band are into surfing and what's the best thing about surfing ?
I'm the only one in the band who surfs. The best thing about surfing is that there are no distractions out in the water, no phones, no fax machines, no computers.
If someone wants to talk to me, they have to paddle out! It's really nice to surf with a couple of good friends. Everyone is so busy with their lives these days, I hardly even see some of my friends unless we plan to go surfing!
You been asked to play at the Avengers reunion gig, I love the Avengers so how did that come about and we you be looking forward to it ?
Yeah, they played a reunion show in San Francisco, and it was very successful. They are planning to do one in L.A. and we have been asked to play.
Last I heard they are still trying to decide on a date, so I hope it doesn't happen while we are in Europe!
You cite a famous stunt artist and escapologist in your influences that's really interesting. What draws you to them and would like to undertake any of the amazing things these people have done ?
It's a matter of total commitment. Neither Knievel or Houdini could have done what they did without being completely focused and committed. There is no possibility of a questionable outcome of their performances.
Knievel either cleared the jump, or went to the hospital. Houdini either escaped from the upside down water torture cell, or he drowned (never happened!). Imagine how much nerve it would take to do something like that.
Well that's the interrogation over, thanks for your time. Anything else you'd like to say ?
Yeah, come and see us play! All the tour dates are posted on our website, and you can also contact us there.
The URL is: www.AgentOrange.net
If you don't have access to a computer, you can write to us at:
Agent Orange PO Box 16385 Encino, Ca 91416 USA
Thanks Rick, looking forward to meeting you soon.
