After the release of CJ Ramone's new album - "The Holy Spell", Dan Volohov got the chance to speak with CJ about the new record and the old days, about details of his work and punk rock, about Ramones and new records.
Punk Globe: Recently, you released your new album “The Holy Spell”. Wonderful record, I think! But for those “Punk Globe” readers who haven’t heard it yet – how can you describe this album ?
CJ: It is a fun record but also very intimate. I’m very proud of it.
Punk Globe: You released your last album “American Beauty” two years ago. So how did everything come about for “The Holy Spell” ?
CJ: The Holy Spell... was written in about 2 weeks. 13 songs at my home 4 in the studio and 3 covers. 20 songs all together. It started with “Blue Skies.”
Punk Globe: I found the record quite interesting from point of view of the things you united on “The Holy Spell”. For example the whole punk-rock-kind-of-mood and probably the most interesting song on the record - “Hands Of Mine”. Speaking about this song what is it about ?
CJ: “Hands of Mine” is the story of my life through my hands. All the things I’ve done, touched, held, and earned from when I was a child. I’ve always been fascinated by hands. They are the tools of our will.
Punk Globe: I can't but notice that there are lots of love motives in your songs. For example in "One High One Low". Are you romantic yourself ?
CJ: Yes.
Punk Globe: For most of the listeners you’re well known for being a true-punk-rocker. Have you thought about recording an acoustic album?
CJ: That will be my next record. There are things I have to say that are better expressed with music that allows subtle emotions to shine through.
Punk Globe: How would you describe the record you'd like to record ?
CJ: As I said, a quieter record will be next. But I promised myself I’d do a metal record as that is where my musical journey started.
Punk Globe: Most musicians get through a certain evolution during their career. They change their methods of work. How do you think, in what way your ways of work on songs\principles changed during these years ?
CJ: I always work the same. I don’t reinvent myself with each new record. I try to be honest and let people know how I feel with my lyrics and music. Connecting with people is important to me. Not to win fans, but to find people who experience life like I do.
Punk Globe: And can you say that you learnt and discovered some new things on “The Holy Spell” ? Or maybe some new sides of your artistic personality ?
CJ: I found I am a much better singer than I thought. I also learned my songwriting has really improved and writing songs is how I process the good and bad in my life.
Punk Globe: When you start writing a song, what do you think about ? Is it a chord or a line ? Or something abstract ? Some kind of conceptual idea that lies on the basis of the whole record ?
CJ: It could be any of those things. I am always watching and listening for inspiration.
Punk Globe: After the breakup of Ramones you worked for some time with Los Gusanos and Bad Chopper. But then you were a solo-artist and how can you describe that period of your life ?
CJ: I had a really hard couple of years. A lot of emotion was inside of me and I needed to find a way to make some peace with it. So I started writing the songs that became Reconquista. It was my statement that I was taking my life back from those difficult times.
Punk Globe: This year “Mondo Bizarro” celebrates 27 years. How do you remember the working process on that album ?
CJ: We rehearsed for about 2 weeks with Daniel Rey and Ed Stasium doing pre-production so by the time we got to into the studio we all knew our parts pretty well. Ed liked to record multiple drum tracks then piece them all together. Back then that meant cutting the tape with a razor and splicing it all together. It was just me and Marky during drum tracks. Johnny played each song once for the guitar guide tracks. When the drum tracks were done I recorded my bass tracks. Finished them in a couple hours and didn’t go back until I had to do vocals which I finished quickly. Working with Ed was awesome. He’s a legend.
Punk Globe: During that time period some of these songs were among the first you sang on. So what do you think about them nowadays ?
CJ: I think “MAIN MAN” and “STRENGTH TO ENDURE” are two of the best songs from my time with the band. DeeDee was one of the greatest songwriters.
Punk Globe: During that era your creativity was probably one of most influential on me! I still remember my feelings watching videos for “Poison Heart” and “Spider Man” songs. So looking back at those days, of your work on that record, what was the most memorable ?
CJ: When Johnny told me I would sing those songs.
Punk Globe: Andhere is the last question. What do you think about punk-rock nowadays ? Is he still alive ?
CJ: As long as there are kids who don’t fit in and want to do things their own way, there will be Punk.
