Photo By Christopher Martin

Iris Berry has been a staple in the the entertainment industry for many years. Besides living in one of the most notorious party pads in Hollywood "Disgraceland" during the 80's .. She has performed in all sorts of bands. Most notable The Ringling Sisters, The Flesheaters and Honk If Yer Horny. Her beautiful face, has shined on the small and big screen with her work as an actress. After her partner Razor decided to depart his position at Punk Hostage Press, Iris has become companies driving force...On September 20th she will be blowing out birthday candles, so I ceased this chance to catch up with Iris for this interview.


IRIS, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST TIME FLIES BY... THE LAST INTERVIEW YOU WERE TELLING US ABOUT THE HURRICANE IN NEW YORK CITY. GIVE US A RUN DOWN ON WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN UP TO SINCE THEN?

Yes, time sure does fly. This Halloween it will be four years since Hurricane Sandy, and it feels like it was whole other life time. A lot has happened since then. I moved back to Hollywood, I’ve been expanding Punk Hostage Press. And I've gotten pretty good on the ukulele…

TELL US HOW THINGS ARE WITH PUNK HOSTAGE?

Punk Hostage Press has taken on a life of it’s own, like any creative process. When we first started PHP we had no idea what would happen. I’m really happy with it. I really love it! I love working with the other writers and being a book maker. Of course we had no idea what we were getting into. We didn’t expect it to explode the way it did. Watching it grow has been really exciting. And really eye opening. There’s been a lot of people, other publishers along the way who have been really generous with their knowledge and time. Wyatt Doyle from New Texture has been a great mentor to me. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center of Los Angeles has also been really good to us. And you Ginger have been really supportive. Thank you so much!

I’ve learned that I always want to surround myself with people who know more than me. It’s the best way to learn, and then to hopefully one day turn around and do the same for others.


DID YOU GO THROUGH ANY MAJOR ISSUES WITH WITH A. RAZOR DEPARTING PUNK HOSTAGE PRESS?

It was a real heartbreak for me, my mother had just passed away, two dear friends had just passed away, and then Razor leaving was the final blow. But it was something Razor had to do for himself. He needed to change everything about his life. He put so much into PHP, and he needed to step away to get a grasp on his own life. He’s an incredible writer and he should be focusing on that. We still talk all the time. I still call him with questions, or we just talk to check in with each other. There is no way I could have done any of this without him. We learned a lot together. And now I’ve restructured it so it works better and I still have time to do my own writing.

I BELIEVE ALL INVOLVED HANDLED THE TRANSITION WELL?

At first a lot of the writers were concerned. They were worried about Razor, as was I, but he and I were talking all the time, so I knew what was going on. I think they were also worried PHP would fold. But now that some time has passed, all involved seem more relaxed. All the writers have been really great and supportive. But PHP isn’t like other publishing companies. It’s less of a business and more of a community. The writers get their books at cost. And what ever they sell they get to keep all of the profits. And what sells on the Internet, the writers get 60 percent and the remaining 40 percent pays for the donated books that go to Jails, institutions, juvenile correctional facilities, homeless and battered women shelters. And also for the events, the website and everything else that it takes to make books. The bottom line is PHP is a literacy program for the underprivileged.


YOU AND A. RAZOR HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A LONG TIME. HOW DID YOU MEET?

David Lee Roth was my boss. He was part owner of this afterhours spot called the Zero Zero Club with Wayzata Camerone and John Pochna, and I bartended there. It was 1983 and Van Halen was playing the US Festival. Dave Lee gave John four backstage passes, and invited me. I drove there with John and his girlfriend and Top Jimmy. Van Halen’s outdoor backstage area was huge. There was about 50 tables, enough food to feed 300 people and a DJ spinning records. But it was completely empty, because everyone was inside wanting to meet Dave Lee and the band. And, well, I didn’t care. They were a metal band and not my thing. So I stayed outside with the DJ eating the food and drinking all the booze. I kept asking the DJ to play, “Little Red Corvette,” by Prince, over and over. He must have played that song at least 40 times. And all we could do was eat and drink and laugh, because we had the whole place to ourselves.

When Razor and I started hanging out as friends in 2006, I told him that story. And he just looked at me and said, “That was you? I was the DJ.” That just blew me away... and that’s how we met.


TELL THE READERS ABOUT SOME OF YOUR NEW RELEASES?

I’m really excited about our upcoming releases. We’re just finishing up a book by Michael Marcus called, Number One Son. The cover is his mug shot from when he was much younger, which pretty much says it all. This is Michael’s first book, but definitely not his last. He’s an incredibly talented and prolific writer who has this way of writing about the darkest of situations, that you probably wouldn’t want to live through. And yet, still have you laughing hysterically from cover to cover.

After Michael’s book, we’ll be publishing Dennis Cruz, his second book on PHP titled, The Beast Is We. Dennis is the perfect example of what I look for in a Punk Hostage Press writer. His writing grabs you by the throat and makes you reevaluate your whole life, from the page and the stage. Calling Dennis Cruz a great poet, which he is, doesn’t begin to do him justice. His writing is deep, dark, funny, heartbreaking, and romantic all at once. And if you get the chance to see him live, do it. Dennis Cruz doesn’t just stand on stage and read his words, he channels them. And chances are you’ll walk away knowing you just saw something that you’ll never forget.

After Dennis Cruz, Punk Hostage Press will be putting out, putting out, “Lobotomy.” by Pleasant Gehman and Theresa Kereakes, a compilation that will include issues of the original “Lobotomy” The Brainless Magazine founded in Hollywood, during spring 1978 by a teenage Pleasant Gehman. The Xeroxed fanzine became notorious in the Hollywood punk scene from it’s very first issue. Chief photographer Theresa Kereakes-also then a teenager-took countless onstage and backstage photos of The Cramps, The Ramones, Blondie, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and The Germs, Go-Go’s and many more and for Lobotomy. Nearly four decades later, they’ve become some of the most-recognized and iconic images of the early punk scene. “Lobotomy” was known for it’s irreverent “Mad Magazine” sense of humor, the salacious gossip column “Dirty Dishes” which featured blow-by-blow accounts of gigs at the legendary Masque and debauched parties, as well as the candid, outrageous- and usually drunken- interviews with everyone from The Damned, The Clash, The Cramps, X, The Mumps, The Go-Go’s, director David Lynch and numerous others. This book will also include current writings by Pleasant Gehman about that time, and unpublished, never seen before, photographs by Theresa Kereakes taken at live shows, and during drunken and wasted interviews.

TELL US ABOUT PUBLISHING VICKIE HAMILTON'S BOOK.

I didn’t publish Vicky’s book. I was going to, but Vicky decided to publish it herself. And I encouraged her to do so. PHP wasn’t the right publishing company for her. And the bigger publishers would have never let her have the control she had by self-publishing. I helped her format the book and worked on a few of the chapters with her. Because I was so busy with PHP, I couldn’t devote the time she needed. It worked out for the best. She had her own layout person, and got the perfect editor, Katherine Turman. Vicky put that book together all on her own. And she published it her way. She knew what she wanted and she did an amazing job. She knocked it out of the park. I’m really proud of her. And of course, just when her book was finished, what happens? The one thing that everyone in the world thought would never happen. Guns N’ Roses gets back together to do a world tour. The timing was perfect!


VICKIE NOT ONLY TELLS US ABOUT MANAGING GUNS AND ROSES BUT ALSO THE SEXISM IN THE INDUSTRY AM I RIGHT?

Oh yeah, Vicky tells it like it was. And it was a free for all, no sexual harassment laws. It was like the Wild, Wild, West. But I don’t want to spoil anything. It’s all there in the book.

ARE YOU PERSONALLY WORKING ON A NEW RELEASE?

Yes, a couple. I’m working on a book called L.A. RIVER LULLABY, which I’m super excited about, and a second edition of The Daughters of Bastards, because it was one of our first books, it sadly got rushed. So it’s getting reedited and another story or two. Both of them should be finished by the end of the year.


MAYBE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE OF HURRICANE SANDY?

Great idea Ginger, I’m seriously thinking about it. Let’s put it this way. I warned Violet not to have me come to New York, because every time I go there something catastrophic happens. I’ve been there four times now and it’s always insane. So I’m thinking a book about my tumultuous relationship with New York, starting with Sandy and going backwards. The minute the hurricane hit, and Con Edison blew up and all the power went out, I turned on both of our coalminer headlamps, looked her square in the face and said, “I told you so.” Somehow we were able to laugh….

YOU NO LONGER HAVE YOUR OFFICES IN THE VALLEY. TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOVE?

I was really excited and sad at the same time. I made some really close friends out there, and I miss having them so close. But so happy to be back here where I belong. Life is so much easier. I was in Woodland Hills to take care of my mom, literally right after I moved, she passed away.


I CAN ONLY IMAGINE BEING CENTERED IN HOLLYWOOD HAS MADE IT SO MUCH EASIER. AM I RIGHT?

Yes, I’m closer to all of my long time, close friends. Everything is a short Uber ride away. So much easier. I’ve always been in love with Hollywood and Los Angeles, and it’s history before I was born. Living there during the beginning of punk rock and running wild through the streets of Hollywood. I’ll always love it here. Although I’m really sad about the 6th Street Bridge being demolished. It was so beautiful, and it was famous. It was in so many classic films. It should have it’s own IMDB page. And the one their putting in it’s place is so cold and ugly looking to me. . It has no soul, Raymond Chandler is probably rolling over in his grave.

I do notice a lot of changes. And I’m aware of future changes I hear and fear, about the Sunset Strip. Corporate America is moving in with big Hotels. We can’t stop the gentrification. It’s heartbreaking. Los Angeles is no longer a place where starving musicians, actors, writers and artists can afford to live and thrive here. Those days are over. That’s why keeping it’s history intact is so important.

HAS PUNK HOSTAGE PRESS BEEN DOING ANY READINGS LATELY?

Yes, last April Punk Hostage Press joined forces with University of Hell Press out of Portland Oregon. We had it at Lethal Amounts Gallery, they were so good to us! Featuring PHP writers; Jack Grisham, Pleasant Gehman, Dennis Cruz, Hollie Hardy, Michael Marcus, and Alexandra Naughton. Along with University of Hell writers; Eve Connell, Greg Gerding, Christine Rice, and A.M. O'malley. It was an off site event for the AWP Conference and Bookfair. It was the perfect union. And coming this November 13th, Punk Hostage Press will be celebrating the 7th anniversary of Susan Hayden’s Library Girl at the Ruskin Group Theatre. Susan has been a huge support of Punk Hostage Press since the beginning. This will be our 4th year celebrating with Susan the success of Library Girl! At this point It’s become a tradition. Susan Hayden plays an important role in the Los Angeles Literary community and she’s been a huge support to Punk Hostage Press since the beginning. She’s helped so many countless others. And now, I’m excited to say, it’s her turn. Punk Hostage will be publishing her book the beginning of 2017. She’s an incredibly powerful writer.


TELL US ABOUT "DISGRACELAND?"

Where do I begin? At Disgraceland we had the time of our lives. Every punk band that came from out of town stayed there. When the clubs closed at 2 am, like clockwork, there would be a knock on our front door at 2:20 am. And there would be about 40 to 50 people, wasted and screaming, “the party isn’t over!!!” That was the beauty about Disgraceland, the party never had to end, and if it did, it was because we were doing a show, or going to rehearsals, or parties at other peoples houses. Everyone from The Cramps, The Ramones, Blondie, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, The Germs, the Go-Go’s, X, The Blasters, REM, GNR, X, Tex and The Horseheads, Leee Childers, The Beastie Boys, Fang, Tales of Terror, Thelonious Monster, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Tony Alva, Skatemaster Tate, Social Distorition. And the list goes on, all of these people I named either lived there, stayed there and ended up living there, or stopped by and ended up staying a few days longer than they expected. It was that kind of place. It was like Vegas without the slot machines, no clocks, no sense of time, or even what day it was?. Never a dull moment. And even when the cops came to the door, they knew us on a first name basis. They’d say, “Iris, Pleasant, can you girls please lower the music?” Not even bothering to search the place. Thank God!


YOU AND PLEASANT GEHMAN WERE HAVING ISSUES. TELL US ABOUT THAT?

The filmmakers were really nice people, they were lovely. But we started having communication issues. And because they didn’t live through that time period, they couldn’t really grasp what really went on at Disgraceland. They probably thought we were running around in Mohawks, bondage pants and Doc Martins listening to GBH and Sham 69, 24/7. Which is fine, but that’s not the whole picture. On any given day you could walk into Disgraceland and we would be playing, “Super Freak,” by Rick James, 50 times over. Or we’d be listening to Spike Jones, and also the Nip Drivers and the Vandals and all of our friends, as well.

At the end of the day, it worked out for the best. Because Pleasant and I wanted and needed creative control, it’s our lives, our artistic property as well as our intellectual property, and we can’t just hand that over and say do what you want. There was too much going on for them not to need our input. There’s no way they could have pieced it together without our input. And I understand there’s a lot of work involved for the documentary makers, along with expenses. So all the more reason for them to get it right.

Literally, the day we made the announcement on Facebook, we got several offers. We’re speaking to someone currently whose work we really respect. So we will see. Pleasant and I also want to get the Disgraceland book put together. So we’ve got a lot of really cool options and projects on our plates right now. We’re both pretty happy about it all.

SO, WILL "TOOTIE RAMZEY" FROM THE FACTS OF LIFE (KIM FIELDS) AND CHARLENE TILTON BE IN YOUR PROMINENT IN YOUR AND PLEASANT'S PROJECT?

Let’s hope so!!! They were there!


NOW, KIM FIELDS ATTENDED THE SAME ACTING CLASS AS YOU AND SHE CAME OVER TO "DISGRACELAND" WITH YOU AFTER CHARLENE HAD MOVED OUT RIGHT? OH HOW I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN THAT ENCOUNTER. TELL US ABOUT THAT?

She came to pick me up for class, and she had never been there before. Ginger, she should have won an Oscar for hiding her horror, upon walking in. She kept a smile on her face, but it wasn’t moving. Just this stiff, what the fuck have I walked into, kind of look on her face. And she wouldn’t go past the living room. She walked in and took one look at our Christmas tree still up in June. Mr. T. written in Kotex on the wall covered in a red substance resembling blood. Elvis Presley on our mantle with an Alice Cooper make-over. Records and beer cans everywhere, with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke permeating the air, and she could not wait to get out. When we got in the car, she did not say a word. And she never offered to pick me up for class again.

KIM IS CURRENTLY IN THE THE CAST FOR THE REAL HOUSEWIFE'S OF ATLANTA. I AM SURE SHE IS GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR EXPOSING HER TO "DISGRACELAND" WHEN YOU DID TO PREPARE HER FOR THAT SHOW.

I’d like to think so…


ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT SHAMELESS COMING BACK NEXT ON SHOWTIME NEXT MONTH?

Hell yes!!! I’m counting the days. I tried watching the British version. But it just doesn’t do it for me. The American version has a sex appeal that I’m not getting from the British cast. Plus I can’t understand a word they say.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH CHLOE WEBB WHO IS MONICA GALLAGHER ON THE SHOW. HAS SHE MENTIONED ANY PLANS FOR A RETURN TO THE SHOW? LETS KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED ON MICKEY AND SAMMI GETTING RELEASED FROM THE JOINT.

Chloe did say some things, but I can’t repeat it. I gave her my word and a pinky swear. And if anyone would know about Mickey coming back, I would think it would be you? Any Mickey sightings lately? I’m pretty sure we’re gonna be pleased. Now only if we could bring Peggy back from the dead, all would be perfect. She was amazing! “All my life I waited for that phone call, he’s not your son.” But it never came!!!


TELL US WHAT IS IN THE WORKS FOR YOU AND PUNK HOSTAGE PRESS FOR THE REST OF 2016?

Well I’m booked up until the end of 2018. But unless I get a manuscript, I’m not leaking any names or info. But I will say this, there’s a lot of great writers that I’m excited about. Jack Grisham from TSOL, his book on PHP, “Code Blue” was made into a film and I heard that it’s pretty much finished. I’m looking forward to seeing that. I’ve got a few writers who are writing books that are possibly becoming films. Again, I can’t say anything yet. Gotta honor the pinky swear. Also I’m planning our 5th Birthday party in January. Most likely Saturday the 14th. It’s going to be a huge bash. I’ll keep you all posted!

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERNET ADDRESSES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE READERS?

https://www.punkhostagepress.com
https://www.instagram.com/punkhostage/
https://www.instagram.com/irisberry5/
https://www.facebook.com/punkhostage/
https://twitter.com/PunkHostage


DESCRIBE YOURSELF WITH THREE WORDS?

Noir Cinephile, Bookworm

ANY LAST WORDS FOR PUNK GLOBE READERS?

If you want to get even, get even with the people who have helped you…
This interview has been fueled by donuts, heath bars and coffee…
LONG LIVE PUNK GLOBE!!!