Interview By: Ginger Coyote

Most readers best remember Randy Rampage as the kick ass bass player for DOA . Randy was the real deal and showed no fear into putting on a fucking kick ass show. In this interview Randy talks candidly about his DOA days , the shows , his other band projects. Randy also talks about the recent hoax on the Internet regarding the death of Chuck Biscuits. I hope you all enjoy

Punk Globe – Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. Was DOA your very first band that you played with?

Randy:DOA WAS THE FIRST REAL BAND THAT I PLAYED WITH. BEFORE THAT I WAS FUCKING AROUND SMOKING POT AND TRYING TO BE A DRUMMER. I AUDITIONED FOR DOA AS THE DRUMMER. DIDN'T GET THE GIG. BISCUITS GOT THE DRUM GIG AND I ENDED UP PLAYING BASS AND GOT HIRED AS THE BASS PLAYER. I ALWAYS HATED BASS PLAYERS.

Punk Globe – What year did you help form DOA?

Randy: EARLY IN 1978 WE FORMED. AS A THREE PIECE. JOE SHITHEAD, CHUCK BISCUITS AND ME. WE RECORDED THE FIRST EP AT THE END OF MARCH - DISCO SUCKS EP - AND WE HAD DONE A FEW SHOWS IN VANCOUVER AND ENDED UP DOING ONE SHOW IN SEATTLE AT THE BIRD. I THINK WE PLAYED WITH THE LEWD. FIRST TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO WAS AROUND MAY 1978. CHUCK AND I TOOK THE BUS. JOE TOOK THE TRAIN. BRAD KENT HITCHHIKED. BRAD WAS ON GUITAR THEN.

Punk Globe - I remember meeting you in front of the Mabuhay Gardens before your very first show in San Francisco. Do you remember that show? I remember at one of your shows DOA played with The Vktms we took a picture of you ratting my hair in the Women's Bathroom while Nyna Crawford the Vktms singer was pissing her pants from laughter..

Randy:LAUGHING....WE SHOWED UP. WE HAD NO EQUIPMENT. DIRK DIRKSEN - RIP - LOOKED AT US LIKE WE WERE A BUNCH OF RETARDS. THANKS TO NEGATIVE TREND AND THE AVENGERS - THEY LENT US SOME OF THEIR GEAR AND WE GOT TO PLAY. STEVE THE DRUMMER DRAGGED ALL THEIR GEAR OUT OF THE REHEARSAL SPACE AND BROUGHT IT DOWN TO THE GIG. I WAS DOING YOUR HAIR IN THE BATHROOM. I REMEMBER IT WELL. YOU SET THE TONE FOR THE GLAMOUR ELEMENT SHALL WE SAY OF EARLY PUNK ROCK. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE VKTMS? THAT WAS MY WELCOME TO FRISCO EXPERIENCE.

Punk Globe- I remember after that very first DOA show you all had a buzz " DOA fucking kick ass with their high energy sound"

Randy: WE WERE ALL ON A SUPER HIGH AFTER THAT. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE A REAL BAND. THE FIRST NIGHT WE OPENED FOR RAY CAMPI AND THE ROCKABILLY REBELS. THAT WAS THE NIGHT THAT JOE TAPED HIS HEAD AND HE COULDN'T GET THE TAPE OFF HIS HEAD. HE WANTED TO GO ON STAGE LOOKING LIKE A MUMMY. THE FIRST SONG I BROKE A STRING. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A DISASTER. THAT WAS THE NIGHT OF JOE PISSING ON THE CROWD. BISCUITS WAS JUST SITTING IN THE BACK PLAYING LIKE A MONSTER THAT HE IS. BRAD KENT WAS INCREDIBLE. WE WERE REALLY SCARED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. WHEN WE GOT A GOOD REACTION IT WAS LIKE WOW WE COULD GET INTO IT.

Punk Globe - Who writes your songs?

Randy: I do....they all come from my 'darkside'.....we all know where that is right?...we all have one...some darker than others.

Punk Globe- What’s your favorite Anti-nowhere league song and why?

Randy:So many from different periods of my life ....but at the moment...Self Harm.....and Chocolate Soldiers.

Punk Globe - Are you still fans and of who?

Randy: Yes I am still a fan...I don’t get along to shows so much these days unless its a festival we are playing....and because I know most of the bands now... we sorta talk about the old days instead of me throwing my undies at them!!

Punk Globe- I think the best DOA material was written when DOA had Chuck Biscuits and later Dave Gregg. How many albums did you release during the years 1978 through 1981?

Randy: THE FIRST 3 EPS WERE AS A THREE PIECE. ( DISCO SUCKS, THE PRISONER, WORLDWAR III). THEN AFTER THAT THE TWO ALBUMS "SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE" (1980) AND "HARDCORE 81" (1981). I THINK THAT'S BEST DOA MATERIAL EVER WRITTEN AND THE BEST LINE-UPS HANDS DOWN.

Punk Globe - You also have a good voice! Did you sing on any of the DOA tracks?

Randy:9/10S OF THE BACKGROUND VOCALS. LEAD VOCALS ON ONLY ONE SONG. IRONICALLY TITLED "I DON'T GIVE A SHIT".

Punk Globe- One of DOA's best shows was at The On Broadway and we must not forget "Day On The Dirt" at Aquatic Park in Berkeley. Punk Globe Photographer had such a huge crush on you... She was taking pictures and you had played with a Red Bandanna wrapped around you head... You gave it to her and she fainted.. She had that Bandanna wrapped around her boot all the time.. Do you remember Julie and that day?

Randy: I REMEMBER THAT DAY VERY WELL. THAT GIG WAS CALLED "EASTERN FRONT". DIRK INTRODUCED US THAT DAY. IT WAS REALLY DUSTY OUTSIDE. DIRK CAME RUNNING OUT TO INTRODUCE US AND PEOPLE STARTED THROWING BOTTLES AND CANS AT HIM. HE WHIPPED OUT HIS UMBRELLA, PUT IT UP AND HE SHOUTED AT THE CROWD..."HAAA YOU CAN'T GET ME SCUMBAGS AND BY THE WAY HERE'S DOA." I REMEMBER JULIE TOO. I WONDER IF SHE HAS ANY OF THOSE PHOTOS?

Punk Globe - After her crush faded on you (after 3 years) she met a Dentist and rejected punk rock.. However she did come to the On Broadway dressed like a Secretary. She was crushed that you had no idea who she was when she spoke with you.. Anyway enough of that... Do you remember all the after hour shows we all went to at Ian Stein's Secret Studio's?

Randy: YES. LOTS OF SPEED IN THE BATHROOMS AND LOTS OF BEER. HILARIOUS STREAM OF SEMI-CONSCIOUS CONVERSATION. TIL THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. WE'D BE LEAVING THERE AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING HAVING TO LEAVE AND GO ON TOUR.

Punk Globe - In what year did DOA first tour Europe?

Randy: IN 1981 WE WENT TO ENGLAND WITH BEV DAVIES THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND LEST WE NOT FORGET OUR MANAGER KEN LESTER. WE WENT WITH THE DEAD KENNEDYS. NOT EUROPE. JUST ENGLAND. WE DID ABOUT SIX SHOWS IN AND AROUND THE LONDON AREA. WE PLAYED THE LYCEUM WITH THE DKS. IT WAS A MASSIVE SHOW. NEVER MADE A DIME OF COURSE BUT HAD A FUCKING BLAST AS USUAL. CARLA MADDOG AND DEBBIE SUE FROM FRISCO SHOWED UP AT THE BACKDOOR AT THE LYCEUM SO IT WAS OLD SCHOOL DAY. KIDS DUG IT. DKS WERE HUGE THERE AT THAT TIME. SO PUNK WAS NOT DEAD IN LONDON IN 1981.

Punk Globe - DOA had to be one of the hardest working bands ever. How many shows did you average a year back then?

Randy: IN THOSE YEARS WE WERE DOING AT LEAST 150 SHOWS A YEAR. WE WERE PLAYING ALL THE TIME. EATING CHICK-A-LONI SANDWICHES, SLEEPING ANYWHERE, AND LIVING ON 10.00 A DAY PER DIEM. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I DID A LOT OF THE DRIVING IN MY TRUCK. SO DID DAVE GREGG. AND OF COURSE ROADIE BOB. CHUCK'S BROTHER.

Punk Globe – In what year did you first leave DOA?

Randy: 1982. I WAS FIRED AND THEN CHUCK QUIT SOON AFTER. CHUCK AND I DID THE RANDY RAMPAGE EP. BRAD KENT, ZIPPY PINHEAD, TRACEY MARKS AND BENNY DORO. CHUCK WAS ALSO IN VANCOUVER'S FIRST FUCK BAND "SGT. NICK PENIS AND THE BRASS BALL BATTALION". ZIPPY DRUMMED, CHUCK PLAYED GUITAR!!!, AND BRAD PLAYED THE BASS. CHUCK AND I HAD ALREADY LEFT THE BAND ONCE BEFORE. BUT WE BOTH FLEW THE COUP. I'D BEEN BACK IN DOA FOR A FEW YEARS UP UNTIL THE END OF RECORDING THE LAST ALBUM IN 2008.

Punk Globe - Tell us about what you did after quitting DOA?

Randy: I NEVER QUIT DOA. I ALWAYS HAVE CONSIDERED MYSELF, LIKE CHUCK HAS OR MAYBE DAVE, A MEMBER OF THAT UNIT. BRAD KENT AND I DID GROUND ZERO WHICH WAS MORE METAL. THIS WAS THE ERA OF THE BIG HAIR METAL BANDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE JUMPING ONTO THAT.

Punk Globe –I remember someone telling me that you had released an EP called Randy Rampage when did you do that?

Randy: YES, THERE IS AN EP CALLED RANDY RAMPAGE. I HAVE ONE COPY. THERE IS NO MASTER. WE'VE MADE MP3S. THIS IS A REAL CLASSIC CUZ AS I SAID, THERE WAS ZIPPY PINHEAD, CHUCK BISCUITS AND BRAD KENT ON IT. IT HAS SOME GREAT SONGS. I SHOULD BURN YOU SOME OF THEM.

Punk Globe –Tell us about Annihilator?

Randy: FOR ME ANNIHILATOR WAS A FUCKIN BLAST!! IT WAS LIKE THIS METAL BAND THAT WAS REALLY HOT AT THE TIME BUT DIDN"T HAVE A FRONT MAN . SO THEIR MANAGER {A LOCAL MUSIC &PORN PROMOTER} WHO D.O.A. HAD PLAYED FOR MANY TIMES RECRUITED ME. I HAD NEVER REALLY DONE ANY SERIOUS VOCAL WORK BEFORE SO WHEN GARY ASKED ME IF I KNEW OF ANY HEAVY METAL SINGERS WHO WERE LOOKING FOR A GIG, I OPENED MY MOUTH AND SAID I WAS THE GUY AND THEN WE WERE IN A RECORDING STUDIO. NEXT THING I WAS IN FIASCO BROTHERS RECORDING. ANNIHALTOR WAS A GOOD RUN ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE. I GOT FIRED FOR BEATING UP THE GUITAR PLAYER SONGWRITER.

Punk Globe –You have worked with Brad Kent on a few projects tell us about that?

Randy: EVERY PROJECT WE DO IS A DISASTER. WE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE SHALL WE SAY. WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE GREAT MUSIC BUT IT'S BEEN TOO MUCH PARTY AND NOT ENOUGH BUSINESS. WE'VE DONE THE SICK ONES, THE 45S , GROUND ZERO, FAKE IT BIG TIME....AND WELL I THINK THAT MAY BE IT.

Punk Globe –How did you meet Susanne Tabata? Can you tell us about the Movie/ Documentary that Susanne is filming?

Randy: WE MET AT BEV DAVIES PUNK ROCK CALENDAR RELEASE PARTY. BEV IS A HUGE SUPPORTER OF RAMPAGE SHALL WE SAY. A REAL COOL CALENDAR SHE DID WITH NARDWUAR. IT FEATURED ALL THE VANCOUVER PUNK BANDS PLUS AMERICAN ACTS WHO PLAYED HERE. SUSANNE WAS SHOOTING THE SHOW OUT OF INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT. SHE WAS VIDEOTAPING ME AND I HATED HER AT FIRST SIGHT. I MEAN SHE PISSED ME OFF. SHE HAD BEEN PART OF THE SCENE IN THE LATE 70S AND DID THIS LOCAL TV SHOW CALLED NITEDREEMS, A MUSIC SHOW. BEFORE MTV. I THINK YOU HAVE TO ASK HER ABOUT THE DOC. BUT I'VE BEEN VIDEOTAPED ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST 2.5 YEARS AND SO HAVE OTHERS. THIS IS THE VANCOUVER EARLY PUNK DOC AND IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY HOW IT WILL BE BUT I WON'T ALLOW MYSELF TO BE IN IT IF IT'S CHEESY.

Punk Globe –Is Stress Factor 9 your latest project?

Randy: NO THE DOA NORTHERN AVENGER PROJECT WITH BOB ROCK WAS MY LAST PROJECT.

Punk Globe –Any plans to tour or record in 2010?

Randy: NOTHING ON THE TABLE. I JUST LOST MY MOM AND WE WERE VERY CLOSE. IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.

Punk Globe –Do you have any Internet Address such as a Website or My Space that you would like to give the readers to get updates and news ?

Punk Globe –Do you care to to comment about the hoax that was running rampant on the Internet about Chuck Biscuits passing away?

Randy: TOO MUCH INFO!!! NOT ENOUGH FACT!!!. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE PHONE??? I'M NOT ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO SPENDS THEIR DAY ON-LINE. I DON'T CARE IF YOU TOOK A SHIT TODAY. ON THE CHUCK THING, I DID GET CONCERNED WHEN A LOT OF PHONE CALLS WERE COMING IN SO I CONTACTED BISCUITS AND HE RESPONDED. I LOVE BISCUITS. AMEN.

Punk Globe –Any parting words of wisdom for the readers?

Randy: WELL WHEN PEOPLE SAY I'M A LEGEND OR A PIONEER IT REMINDS ME THAT 30 YEARS HAS JUST FLOWN BY. DON'T WAIT. IF YOU WANT IT. GET IT. AND WORK WORK WORK. I'M SURE YOU CAN RELATE TO ME WHEN I SAY, WE NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT WE WERE DOING.

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