Arguably the first punk band ever, The Ramones have etched themselves into the very fabric of Rock 'n Roll history. Starting in 1974, they supposedly played 2,263 concerts over their 22 year history. Founded by lead singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone, the band cycled through a total of eight different members through it's tenure.
In 2009 the band's legacy has come full circle, from the Reagan-baiting Bonzo Goes To Bitburg
to President Obama stocking their punk rock odes in the White House library. Their longest-serving drummer Marky Ramone - who joined the band in 1978 - is still beating brats and getting mobbed with his tribute act Blitzkrieg. They come to Australia in April. Andrew Tijs caught up with him to talk about their legacy, the pros and cons of touring a "tribute" act, and the infamous tensions that drove the band.
Sadly I didn’t see the Ramones play the BDO in 1994, but I heard that there were no breaks, no chatting, just song after song. Is Blitzkrieg the same?
Yeah, no talk, no bullshit, just play. People, in the end, just want to hear the songs. That’s what it’s all about, just hearing the music.
You have ex-Misfit Michale Graves singing in Blitzkrieg, so it’s not all Ramones songs?
It’s only Ramones songs. Thirty two Ramones songs. He doesn’t want to do Misfits songs. Neither do I. My intention is to do a really blitzed out Ramones set.
You continuing the legacy is a boon for people who want to hear the songs live, but are there Ramones fans saying “Let it be, man”?
I could see a lot of people saying that about every band in the world. I don’t call it the Ramones, I just play the songs. I could never compete with the Ramones. But believe me, the places we’ve played, the reaction from one-to-ten is a nine and a half or ten. I have no reason to bullshit, but there’s something about this group that combines the Ramones with the new century in one. The guitar player can do the overdubs on the albums that John wouldn’t or couldn’t play live. It’s an interesting thing. I think Ramones fans will like the fact that they moved into the new century with me.
You’re all having fun in Blitzkrieg but it wasn’t that way in the Ramones. Do you think you would’ve been so creative without the conflict?
Who knows? That’s a question that really doesn’t have an answer. Who knows what they would’ve written had they got along. What would that kind of Ramones be? There’s nothing to compare it to so what we have is what it is.
There must’ve been better and worse times though.
The arguments between Johnny and Joey were in other rooms, in separate situations. It wasn’t like they were always screaming at each other in front of everyone. Me and Dee Dee knew that they should make up and stop all the nonsense but it never happened. It continued to the end. I was the only Ramone to visit Joey in the hospital before he died. John said ‘Why should I visit anyone in the hospital if I didn’t like them?’ I thought that was kinda cold. I said, ‘John, you can’t think that way, you gotta let the stupid things go.’ And unfortunately he passed away as well.
The Ramones - 'Blitzkrieg Bop' live @ Studio Hamburg
You were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002, but I assume you all knew the impact of the band before then.
We never expected to be in the Hall Of Fame. We got a call and were told that we were the first punk band in there. We were very grateful because we were amongst good company – Elvis Presley, The Stones, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who , all these great bands. These are people we like so we were thrilled.
Can you even be impressed by anyone you meet? I mean, you were in the Ramones!
Of course. A lot of my heroes are dead, unfortunately. But there are a lot of people I like that I have a rapport with; who I can talk to about music and things. Like Lemmy from Motorhead, or Earl Slick from David Bowie’s band, Debbie Harry from Blondie, Carmine Appice who started that heavy drumming thing in the ‘70s.
You’ve got a fan in Barack Obama, I hear. Ramones albums are in the White House library.
That’s what I hear. My take on it is, the library in the White House has Ramones albums there and they were pulled out. I don’t know who listens to the music there, but he’s the president.
What can you tell us about the DVD you’ve been working on, The Job That Ate My Brain?
It’s about my life and the music industry: rare footage of me as a baby and playing in my first band and talking about auditioning for the [New York] Dolls and hanging out with Wayne Jayne County and then Richard Hell and the Voidoids, making Rock And Roll High School and the 1,700 shows as I knew them. There’s about 50 interviews from people: Dave Grohl, Slash, Ozzy, Steve Tyler, Debbie Harry, Tommy Ramone. It’s the story up until now.
You’re still working really hard.
It’s a good feeling. If the body lets you continue and doesn’t complain, why not.
Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg - 'Rockaway Beach' Live in Serbia, 2008
MARKY RAMONE'S BLITZKRIEG - AUSTRALIAN TOUR APRIL 2009
Wed April 8th - The Corner, Melbourne VIC
Tickets available at Melb-Corner Box Office or phone bookings on (03) 9427 9198
www.cornerhotel.com
Thur April 9th - Manning Bar, Sydney NSW
Manning Road, The University of Sydney
www.ticketek.com.au or ph 132 849 or
www.moshtix.com.au &
www.custommade.com.au
Sat April 11th - Capitol Theatre, Perth WA
www.heatseeker.com.au
Mon April 13th - The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide SA
Tickets available through Moshtix Ph 1300 438 849 or
www.moshtix.com.au
The Gov Ph (03) 8340 0744 or
www.thegov.com.au
Venue*Tix Ph (03) 8225 8888 or
www.venuetix.com.au
Tue April 14th - Step Inn, Brisbane QLD
186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
www.oztix.com.au & phonecharge 1300 762 545.
www.myspace.com/markyramone