While I was sitting at home feeling like shit I came upon a recording of Fur Dixon (Ex- Cramps) and WTFUKUSHIMA playing at The Maui Sugar Mill in Los Angeles. Now I've always been one to salve my wounds with the loving arms of music and this was no exception. After seeing this kick ass gig and feeling a lot more ready to take on the world I had to find out more about Fur Dixon and WTFUKUSHIMA.
Punk Globe: There’s a great line up in WTFUKUSHIMA, how did the band get started?
Fur Dixon: I returned to play rock n’ roll in 2015 after a long dive into the folk music world. Mountain music, western folk, old country-blues. I loved it and still do, but I began to get itchy for some electricity. I thought, “If I’m actually going make a rock n’ roll band again, what would that sound like for me?” My first loves have always been wild surf music, garage and Link Wray. As soon as I figured out a direction to aim, I was able to narrow down my search to a much smaller and unique pool of musicians. I decided to make a record but have not been the greatest at talking myself up.
I finally got up the nerve to ask Dusty Watson (Sonics) to play drums on my album. He agreed and I was thrilled that he said yes! Dusty then suggested that Bernard Yin (Fuzztones, Bellrays) would be a great fit to record lead guitar. Bernard is undeniably a r&r and surf guitar monster!
Dave Provost (Dream Syndicate) has been my musician friend forever, it seems, and he’s been in this band with me, right from the beginning in 2015. Early on, although I wanted to play bass, I realized that I couldn’t perform a proper live show doing that and singing, so Dave took over the bass slot so I could move over to rhythm guitar. Paul Roessler (The Screamers and 45 Grave) played fabulous keyboards and synth’s all over this record. He’s a great singer, musical genius as far as I’m concerned. Paul created string and brass orchestrations and also co-produced along with my long time friend Dennis Moody and myself.
We’ve decided we’re going to steal Paul away from his studio (Kitten Robot) and take him on tour with us! Jack Ruby played a beautifully badass saxophone, Jack and I have played together since 1983!
During the recording of Return 2 Sender I very hesitantly asked all the fellows to play a show or two with me. I would have never presumed anything more than that, although I was hopeful that maybe we could be in this band together. I may have a hard time asking but I have an over-active imagination and was plotting it all in my mind.
Punk Globe: Return to Sender is the latest album that just came out on Bandcamp June 11. It’s only 10 tracks, but it packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. What is the story/message that you are trying to convey in Return to Sender?
Fur: Only ten tracks!! Tell my maxed out bank account that!!
The album title suggests that even alien abductors don’t want us humans anymore, because we SUCK! In fact, if dinosaurs were still roaming the earth, (some think they still are) they’d probably take one bite and spit us out!! We’re too gross for even carnivorous dinosaurs to eat. Okay sorry, enough about the album title, already! The story I s’pose is about crashing and burning, but then getting back up again. Sex, drugs, weird sea creatures, having a good time and trying to be free.
Punk Globe: One of the songs I’m in love with is your cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Cod’ine. What was your draw to cover it?
Fur: Cod’ine carries in it an image of craving that is so deep and so real, that in another place and time that was me. The Austin punk band Poison 13’s version was the first time I heard it and immediately I grew to love it.
Punk Globe: Return to Sender isn’t the only treat you’ve dropped, there’s also the single Don’t Tread on Me that’s not on the album on Bandcamp as well. Is this the rally call we need to wake the fuck up as a nation?
Fur: I originally wrote that tune in 1986 when Communism was still alive and well, before the fall of the Berlin wall. I re-wrote it in 2017 ‘cuz here we are again, only the times are somehow darker and the crimes against humanity are more blatant and in plain view. What the hell is the matter with us and how are we going to turn this situation around? I guess it’s up to us the people, as always.
Don’t Tread On Me is going on a 7” single this fall and most likely on our next full length album.
Punk Globe: I know there’s a UK tour coming up. Any other plans to tour?
Fur: Touring and performing is what I would like to do with the next 30 or so years of my life. I consider myself coming OUT of retirement. So yes. After the UK and Spain in July, hopefully we’ll be returning again at the top of the year to Europe, Scandinavia, here in the US, South America, Japan, Canada, you name it. We’ll go. Send us fat stacks of cash and airplane tickets we’ll play in a town near YOU!
Punk Globe: In a post I believed I read that you have a book coming out?
Fur: My book is almost complete, about 259 pages. I’m working to finish it with my instigator and partner in crime John Nikolai. He convinced me to write it.
Punk Globe: What’s the best way to stay up to date with what’s going on with you and the band?
Fur: You can find my pages on FB: Fur Dixon Music or our band page WTFUKUSHIMA. And Instagram.
You can check out my website: www.furdixon.com
Download your copy of Return to Sender on Bandcamp and do yourself a favor and catch this amazing line-up live. You wont regret it!
