Interview with Mike and The Ravens

Some time ago, I interviewed a band of misfits called Mike and The Ravens. Now, the group, come from a time that me and you couldn't imagine. A world when rock 'n' roll was brand new... a world where some mop-top scousers hadn't decided to take over the world... yup, The Ravens were there at the first shoot of rock 'n' roll... and they wanted to make it louder and faster. Mike Brassard & Co were proto-garage... and boy, do I love 'em!

A couple of years ago, a couple of records sneaked out starring the Ravens. First up was the Heart So Cold (Vol1) which featured killer skate tunes from the “North Country 60’s Scene”, then the no-filler of ‘Nevermore’ comp of Mike & The Ravens cuts. With the Raven’s classic line-up of Mike Brassard (vocals), Steve Blodgett (rhythm guitar), Bo Blodgett (lead guitar), Brian Lyford (bass), Peter Young (drums) readying a brand new album, I thought I'd dig up the old interview to share with you.

Interview with Eddie Shaw of The Monks

So you read my old interview with Gary Burger from The Monks? (Click here if you didn't) Well, how about another? Here, for your intrigue, is Eddie Shaw of the legendary Monks! For your info, this was an interview from a while ago, which first appeared on PopJunkie (now defunct).

Interview with Gary Burger of The Monks

After the recent death of Monk Dave Day, I recalled that I'd interviewed Gary Burger and Eddie Shaw from The Monks some time ago...

Catching him just before the Cavestomp and London gigs, Gary Burger was in fine form and talking about shocking the public, plans for a solo LP and, quite potently, talking about how Dave's banjo "defined The Monk sound".

Consider this part one of the interview... Eddie Shaw's interview will come later (you'll have to stay tuned to find out when). So let's quit the yappin' and make it happen... bow, kneel, show some reverence... it's the greatest voice from the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world!

Exclusive! Electric Roulette interview with Nick Drake (The lost tapes)

With Nick Drake's continued success, we at Electric Roulette thought it might be a good time to catch up with the legendary folk singer to see how things were going on in the afterlife and what he thought of his new releases. Electric Roulette's finest all get together with Mof Gimmers on the Ouija board while Dave Walker, Paul Fuzz and KissoffBoardy held hands... no-one wanted to miss out on the chance of talking to the troubled singer-songwriter.

ElectricRoulette - Nick... are you there Nick?

(The lights flicker and a Toffee Crisp wrapper falls)

ElecRoul - If you can hear us Nick, give one knock for no and two knocks for yes...

Nick Drake - *knock... knock*

Contact has been made... let's ask some questions...

Mark Wirtz Interview

Mark Wirtz is a legend. Simple as. His work in the underground sixties music is unparallelled and of course, his foray into the hit parade with the classic 45, Grocer Jack (Excerpt from a Teenage Opera) is one of the most enduring and ambitious pieces of music ever cut to wax.

With 2007 being the 40th anniversary of Teenage Opera (and Grocer Jack’s 122nd Birthday), I caught up with Mark to reminisce about working with Keith West and Tomorrow, Kim Fowley and the mayhem that was the glorious decade known as the sixties. Aside from looking back, we look at Mark's future on the alt.comedy scene in the US. It would seem that after all this time, Wirtz’ mind is still as active and restless as ever…let's look at his 'extraordinary life' and incredible body of work.

Read over for part one of our in-depth interview with one of pop's greatest producers...

Interview with The Electric Prunes

The Electric Prunes are one of the finest examples of psychedelic garage punk. Their 'I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night' rattled up the billboard in the late sixties to give a rallying call to all the pretenders out there who thought they were tuff enuff.

With a career that had many ups and downs, including a disasterous time with the legendary David Axelrod, a band break up, psychedelic drugs, being shafted by management and a phoenix like resurgance, we caught up with lead singer James Lowe, and noise-smith Mark Tulin chat about their new LP, those David Axelrod LPs, and the rise and fall The Electric Prunes.

Candie Payne interview

This year, Candie Payne released the brilliant 'All I Need To Hear' single which is a soulful Memphis pop song that takes in Dusty, Stereolab, Broadcast and The United States of America all in one. The rest of her output saw Candie hitting pop-noir gold. Gathering everything from Dusty to Serge, Candie creates a wonderful chic pop that echoes everything that is great about having ears," before adding "certainly set for huge things".

If you haven't guessed, we're big fans of this girl. With an LP and single due out early next year, we caught up with Candie to have a chat about her influences, her new video, the birth of pop-noir and her lack of groupies. To see an unofficial vid for her new single, set for release in February, click here and read on for the interview.