During my stay in Paris, I got the chance to meet with Alien S. Pagan, Romeo, Little Spigaou and Pandi, their newly decided drummer. We met in the back of Piano Vache, Paris' haven for punks, goths, and all flavor of rock'n'roll music aficionados since 1977. Also the place where the band really started. With a table full of beers and a lot of Parisian deathrockers cavorting in the background on a Wednesday night when Manic Depression records holds its weekly postpunk/batcave lounge, we proceeded with our impromptu interview.
So, how did Cemetary Girlz begin?
ASP: One afternoon I was drunk with smoke friends, and we weren't doing anything, so we tried to record something. I wrote the lyrics, put them into English, and I put the song on MySpace, and I started getting a lot of emails from people. I moved from Lyons to Paris and try to find musicians and start a real band. Originally it started as a joke, not a real band, just a funny afternoon with friends.
Who did you find?
ASP: At first it was Manu from Camp Z. Then one week later, I met Romeo, here in the Piano Vache. We made the first gig with Manu and Romeo, and then Manu had a daughter so he had to quit Cemetary Girlz. Then, again at Piano Vache I met little Spigaou and asked if he wanted to play the guitar. We tried him out and he became the new guitarist.
LS: I began to play two years ago, and all the Cemetary Girlz met each other here, in the Piano Vache. Everything starts here.
Is that the way this place is? Or just for you guys? Do you think there's a lot of bands meeting and forming from here?
ASP: We're certainly not the only ones who like to come here every week for a drink! We like this place very much. We also did our photos for the new CD "Smoke My Brain" here.
Were there other bands before Cemetary Girlz?
ASP: I have played with a band in nice. But only making music with toys. And I used to play keyboards, but only at home.
LS: I came from Marseilles, and after coming to Paris, I was going every Wednesday to Piano Vache and after a few weeks, Alien S. Pagan proposed to me to be in the band, so that's how the story really begins.
How does playing in Germany compare to playing in France?
ASP: When we played in Freiburg, it felt like playing the Batcave club in the 80s. It was great, a big club, great music, and all dressed up. The atmosphere was great; it was very oldschool! I drank too much and got in a coma! I had the night of my life!
LS: And it was also one of our best performances! Everybody was very happy. It was wonderful! It was a real pleasure to play in Freiburg.
Where else have you played?
ASP: The first time out of Paris was in Madrid, Spain, and then we played MisFest in Blackpool UK. After that was Drop Dead Festival in Lisboa. Now we have organized a tour to promote the new album, and the first show was in Freiburg. It also includes Paris and Berlin, then in Leipzig.
What's Next?
ASP: We try to make concerts in cities in the USA, everywhere! The moneys not important, just as long as we don't lose it, of course!
Do you have any expectations of the American scene vs. the European scene?
ASP: We just want to meet people from everywhere, all around the world. I just want to do the things I like in my life, but it would be nice to do it in the USA!
What other bands have you played with?
CG: Eyaculation Post Mortem, Eternal Fall are good friends of ours. We've played three times already with them, in Madrid, here in Paris and in Berlin. We would love to play with Joy Disaster.
What is the most bizarre thing that's happened to the band so far?
ASP: The song 'Broken Teeth'… We call this song Broken Teeth because I broke my tooth on the microphone in the Studio. Then, after I sent the song to my friend, she broke her tooth while listening to it. Another friend broke their teeth at the show, and I've broken more teeth playing the song live. So. Watch out for breaking teeth.
Like the ring Virus
ASP: A Malediction!
LS: When we played in Freiburg, Mr. Romeo proposed to us to play a song, something between electro and batcave. But I had never heard this song. I told him that, and he said, "We are going to play this song."
"You will find something".
"OK…"
So, I took my Zippo, put it on the string and I did some psychedelic sounds with my guitar. I didn't imagine anyone would like it, it was totally spontaneous, but it came out really good and everyone liked it. Now we've added it to our regular set. It's a mix between psychedelic and elegant with some more effects and delay.
How often do you practice together?
CG: Every week? We try every week. Because now we have a drummer. The songs will have a new dimension now that we have added a real drummer. We have to be ready in three or four weeks, for Leipzig.
How long did it take to record the album?
LS: In one week, but over 6 months time, due to everyone's schedules, and we wanted to spend a lot of time on the mix.
Do you have new songs you are working on?
ASP: Yes, every time we go into the studio we try to play some new songs, through improvisation, like in Freiburg.
What is the most important development in the band since the beginning?
CG: Getting to play the Drop Dead festival after being such a new band. We only played one concert, and suddenly we get this opportunity. We got a great response from being included, and a really good party as well! It wasn't our best concert, though.
What do you do different?
LS: I like when we communicate on stage with the music and create these improvisations. There's a great feeling between the band. When people are listening to the album, they come to see the show; I don't think they should hear the exact same thing as on the album. It should be unique. And with our new drummer it should be easier!
OK, you win $10,000,000 in cash. And you find out that in one week, aliens will destroy the planet. What do you do with the money?
ASP: I invite all the bands to play a death party and tell everyone to come. That's how it felt in Freiburg, like the best night of my life. I think everyone should have a night like that, with no fighting, just friends, fun and drinking and music!
So, by now we're all a bit drunk. What do you guys drink?
ASP: I love Vodka! But I don't drink it anymore, since Freiburg.
LS: Because he was too drunk in Freiburg, I don't think he'll drink vodka anymore!
ASP: Well ok, in Berlin I drank vodka. But not a whole bottle again! Maybe in two months ill forget I don't drink that much vodka. In Freiburg I was in a coma and bleeding too, and thinking … "Ratcave and death-cock". I think that will be a new Cemetary Girlz song. Vodka and Blood!
LS: I drink rum, Cassis, and beer.
ASP: At rehearsal we drink. You can't come unless you bring a bottle of wine or beer!
LS: We drink a little bit.
