Sex
Presleys
Interviewed
by Giovanni
Hailing from S.F.,
the Sex Presleys
are the bastard demon child of Las Vegas
Elvis and a trans-gender Sex Pistols.
GOD SAVE THE KING!
Band Members:
Priscilla
- Vocals
Nick Pistol - Guitar
Markie Balls - Bass
Lev - Drums
After
seeing many San Francisco bands you come across one that sparks
your interest. Its very mind occupying to hear a band sing Elvis but in
a Sex Pistol style. Then it gets better You have 4 incredibly talented
members giving you a hint of themselves
Priscilla
on vocals works you up not only visually but has a voice that some
would sign a deal to the devil for. Nick
Pistol on guitar shows a great liking to the punks of
yester year. A strong player and the extra punk attitude to flare the
fire.
Mark on
bass gives you a real bass line on all songs, not falling off here and
there. Lev on drums
gives you a feeling that he plays them in his sleep.
The
possibility of leaving one of their shows feeling cheated is just not
something that would happen.
I think to call this band a cover band is falling short of what they
are. They really bring more to the songs then a backtrack of Sex
Pistols and an overlying Elvis. It’s a experience
that I think everyone
should have. The crowds they draw in are a mix of everything. You
definitely have your pick of what date to see their show with. The song
Can't Help Falling In Love"
is competing with Teddy bear
for me as top favorite. But I have to say all their songs have
something to draw you in. The group has cds available on MySpace go get
one it won't disappoint.
Q. What was the idea to bring
together Elvis and the Pistols?
 <
I
was staying at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Not sure if you've
ever been there, but the whole place is a rock'n roll temple. I kept
getting off on all the Elvis and Sex Pistols stuff under the same
roof... Elvis jumpsuits right next to a Sid Vicious slot machine. I
loved it! I decided then and there I had to create something to
incorporate both as the place made me realize that both extremes
appealed to largely the same people. Also, I wasn't doing all that
great attracting the off-duty strippers and realized I needed some kind
of shtick to lock in more action... It was along those lines of
thinking that the ideas for Heartbreak Hotel came to me. Upon arriving
home I arranged that one and followed it with I Can't Help Falling in
Love a few days later. Then all I had to do was put together a band.
Q. How
do you choose which songs of each to
integrate together?
Nick.....I
deliberately do not listen to Elvis songs. Truth be told, I'm a Pistols
fan and being an American I was raised being force-fed Elvis. I start
by choosing a Pistols song I feel like playing any given day then look
over Elvis' repertoire. I know most of the hits so when I come across a
song that has a similar structure in my head I just work it out.
Q. How initially did the band form? Were you
all in other bands previous?
Nick....Once I came
up with the idea I pitched to my friend and bass player, Mark. He and I
were in the practice of hanging out at his flat in the Mission District
eating Pakistani food and drinking wine and vodka and playing acoustic
guitars. I wasn't a hard sell. Mark know Priscilla, our singer... a
goddamn diva with pipes like I've never before heard. When Mark pitched
him the idea, he was all over it. He's a creative guy and saw the
potential. Lev, our drummer, hits harder than anyone I've seen outside
of Keith Moon. He was in once he heard Priscilla was in.
Q. Were
you all in other bands previous?
Nick……
Former Bands:
Priscilla - Vaccines
Lev: Amazing Embarassonics
Nick: Ghost, Shine On, Race Train, Cinnamon
Razorblades
Mark: Some Greatfuldeadsantacruzhippything
Q. How has punk influenced your
life / lives?
Nick...Punk gave me
a reason to play guitar. I've never had a lesson and don't want one. I
was raised playing Social Distortion, Ramones, Minor Threat, Johnny
Thunders, Sex Pistols, the Damned and the Clash
Q. Which artists do you find inspiring from
past or present?
Nick….old Social Distortion, Ramones, Minor
Threat, Johnny Thunders, Sex Pistols, the Damned and the Clash,
New Green Day, Foxboro Hot Tubs, The Network, Rancid, the Phenomenauts,
Tim Armstrong,
What does punk mean to you?
Nick…It
means great music without the distraction
of technical bullshit. I don't want to need a degree to bang my head.
Q. Where
can people get your stuff?
Nick…Our
MySpace. http://www.myspace.com/sexpresleys
The copyrights for these mashups have been a nightmare. We can't use
our real names because of a lawsuit we're ducking. Just get a hold of
us on MySpace and we'll get you our music.
Q. What
do / did you want to achieve doing
this?
Nick….I want people
to dig what we do. I don't expect to get rich. I just want people to
know
who we are and dig us. I was in LA a few months ago and saw some random
kid with Sex Presley’s written on his jacket. THAT is what I want!
Nick
Pistol
back
to homepage
|
|
