Interview with Paul Mckenzie (23 january 2004)
As for myself,
I couldn't make it to the venue, so Wout (thanks man!) had the kindness to go
and do the interview for us. Following things happened…
"With a few friends I went to a Real Mckenzies show, where I had to do
an interview with the singer of the band. But first I had to pick up a stand
somewhere. It belonged to the band that played before The Real Mckenzies, and
there was also a traffic jam on the way to the venue! So I arrived 20 minutes
too late. But when we arrived the front door was locked, so we went away and
searched something to eat. So after the "Belgium" Fries that we had
eaten we went back to the venue. So back at the venue I met someone who practised
there with his band, he opened the doors, and another person guided me to the
backstage where the band was waiting for me…" Paul McKenzie read the
questions himself and gave the answers. He interviewed himself!!!
A>> Here we are in Belgium, I am Paul MacKenzie and I'm sitting here, and we're just about to go on stage, but first I'm going to do an interview with myself! So, tell me Paul, how long have you've been playing for the Real McKenzies?... Well let's see! The real mckenzies started in 1992 and I came by in the last couple of years. Next question please! Yes! I think I'm ready!
Q>> What
do you think about Belgium?
A>> Mmm. Belgium has a very interesting history. And sometimes when I
think about Belgian history, it reminds me of a lot of brick houses and things
like that! From a professional standpoint the real Mckenzies had nothing but
great times here, even when we had gigs with relative adversity. In terms of
strange booking. We played with black death metal bands and things. And the
black death metal guys ran away and all their girls came in front. So we consider
ourselves pretty successful here.
Q>> Okay,
we have another question to you Paul. Okay! What's the first thing that comes
up in your mind when you hear the word 'Belgium'?
A>> Well personally I've been looking for a waffle shop in Belgium every
time I've been here. The only place where you can get those Belgium waffles
is in the eastern part of America or some places in northern America. I've been
looking for French fries in France and I can't find them. But I heard that the
French fries are actually Belgium fries. I was just some idiot American who
didn't know the difference between France and Belgium. Mmm, well Belgium, we
also have Belgium chocolate factories in Vancouver where we're from. So chocolate
naturally comes to mind as well. And not to mention al the pornography with
animals and young girls comes from here. And so Belgium comes up when I see
that sort of pornography witch is not often. Let me tell you… Well, let's
get of the topic of pornography Paul, and let's get back to the interview…
Q>> Do you
like being on tour in Europe Paul?
A>> To answer that question I think what you have to do is look back at
our activities over the years and see where we've been. Yes of course we like
Europe. We are very well treated and received here [laughing]. Excuse me, the
dudelsack is just stuck over his mowack!
Q>> Another
question: What's the difference between this album and the previous ones?
A>> Well there's a couple of years in between. We've actually got a really
good combination of backing and production and everything. So in terms of production
the latest album is a lot better I think. You know there are still some punk
bands who like the old school mix. So they like the fullback. What I would say,
is our next album will be a mixture of both I think.
Q>> Can you
explain the song Nessie? Or a new song?
A>> Well, nessie is a conglomeration of an old Scottish legend. But underlining
in the lyrics, it means nessie is taking the place of the environment and what's
happening to not only big sea monsters, little sea ducks and animals around
the world. As society knocks down wilderness, they have nowhere to go. So that's
where that song is about. We have also a new song called "The Night The
Lights Went Out In Scotland". And that's a gong that we like to bang quiet
a lot because it's about the English chain and it's just once again reminding
people what has happened to Scotland and why our ancestors found themselves
in northern America.
Q>> How do
you experience living in Canada with Scottish roots?
A>> Well, I have a Scottish pine in my yard and every now and then I dig
it up and tip it over so I can check out my Scottish pine roots. [Laughs]. But
realistically that's just a little bit out of the context. The Scottish roots
are very deeply entrenched in Canada and there are a lot of traditional things
there. Robbie Burns day is still practiced there. Not as a national holiday
but a lot of people are still celebrating Tooth And Nail. Another thing in every
major city in Scotland, there's back in the 20', there was a Robbie Burns organisation
and they put a statue of Robert burns in every major city.
Q>> Are you
looking forward to play a couple of shows in Scotland?
A>> We always look forward to play in Scotland. And I think that the rest
of the band would agree with me, correct Dan? That's our trip! They let us in!
It's really nice to be a national hero there. I'm a star in many ways! It's
cool! That's great!
Q>> What's
the reaction of the people in Scotland on your music / band?
A>> It's funny the way these questions follow one another. I like it!
When we first played the driver was German. The guy who owned the club hated
Germans and didn't want him in the club. So there was that going on. Then the
people didn't know what to think, and the first part of the set I think a lot
of them was set up and thinking we were taking the piss out of them or so. But
at the end of the set everybody had a very good idea where we're coming from.
And they where thrilled and they took us to the boozcan. And they treated us
as family. So we always had a pretty good reaction in Scotland. But there's
always the nick nock you know , there's always the guy who doesn't get it. That's
with everything, you can't be liked by everyone, so you go with the positive
instead of let the negative stick in your gut.
Q>> What's
the difference between Scottish and Canadian culture?
A>> There's a lot of similarities. Here's a similarity that Scottish people
had neighbours to the south who are in the US coalition. And Canadian people
have neighbours to the south who are the US coalition. So there's a big thing
that we share. When Scots emigrated, a lot of them went to Canada and as you
know the Irish went to America. So I would say that there are a lot similarities,
you can get along quiet well, you can understand everybody there. A lot of people
go and say: "what is that person just saying?". Kurt and I are trying
to instruct interrupters there. Because of the fact that Kurt and I have parents
that are directly from them. Yes, and you know there are a lot of things and
expressions, like we have the whole 9 yards. Which means, yes,… we talk
about everything. That comes from the 9 yard. That used to be wrapped around
and thrown over the shoulder and stuff. And then there's another one. You know
where "okay" comes from? The international term of affirmative comes
from the Scottish workers. Agree with it and they say "Akai". And
it went to "okay" and it translates perfectly. Okay let's go to the
next question!…[someone interrupts] O yes, and the toilet was invented
by Thomas A. Crouper. So you can have a comfortable poop.
Q>> Is it
true the life quality in Canada is one of the highest (if not the highest) of
the world? Or is it just an illusion?
A>> If you count that we don't have a decent health care and there is
no dental plans in our extraordinary expensive country and there are hundreds
or probably thousands of heroine addicts that the government is doing nothing
for… And in my opinion what's happening is the teater touter". And
the "teater touter" is that they are putting more money into enforcing
wise and putting people in jail rather than on the other side helping with social
services and things like that. They should be regularly available. A rich country
like Canada should have good education, good medical and good health care at
least, at very least. But it's not happening because we have monkeys behind
the desks.
Q>> Is it
true Canadian people are kind of serious and well organised? Or is it just a
cliché?
A>> I find the Canadian people to be kind of spineless. They are so polite
that they let the government run them over them rather than revolt. Don't get
me wrong. There are some people at the doors with some great things. But mostly
Canadians are people who don't care a lot about stuff. They rather talk about
hockey than about politics.
Q>> What's
the cliché image of a Canadian?
A>> Well you are looking at them. This is what we are working on. And
it seems it's working out. As a matter of fact, as you would see, this evening
there would be probably a group of young people with long wide skirts and long
t-shirts and weird haircuts and boots. They call themselves speed rockers and
we are directly responsible for this style. And that is a Canadian image. Another
Canadian image that was stolen from us by Kurt Cobain is the Grunge look. That
is a Canadian look. And it's still happening and people don't know it's grunge.
That's just the way they look. It's so true.
Q>> Why do
Americans make fun of Canadians? Is it mutual?
A>> Well Americans make fun of Canadians because when people are jealous
of other people they are tend to go to these extremes and Canada is so rich
of natural resources with a limited population compared to America which is
200 million there where Canada has got 35 million people. I think it's they're
looking at us northern country as "lower". And of course there is
no better country like America, if you know what I mean [Talking with a big
American accent]. So yes, and there are also a few Canadian comedians who try
to make these clichés like take for example "Strange rule with the
Mckenzie Brothers". Did you ever see them? No? Oh you should! It's really
funny! It's a great film. The reality of it is, the Canadians are not so much
well organised. Let's say they're being governmentalised. When it's come down
having your shit together and educate, the Canadians are much more polite. And
I know it's not mutual. [Laughter!] This mutual thing is for another part of
the question! I don't think it's mutual at all! But we are lucky enough when
we tour America. We hang around with punk rockers, people like ourselves. We
don't necessarily have to deal with negative elements and there's a lot of it,
believe me. Sometimes you just have to deal with it and it's always ugly!
Q>> Even
in "Southpark" they make fun of Canadians… What do you think
of this cartoon?
A>> Well, personally, I don't watch Southpark, although I enjoy it, certainly
the film. The topics are really played quiet funny. I think it gives a good
view of what is really going on.
Q>> What's
a typical joke you make one of another?
A>> We bug each other a long time, in a good way. But are you talking
in the band, or in Canada? In Canada? Okay… How do you get 500 Canadians
- this is a polite joke - out of the pool? [claps in hands and says] "All
right now, everybody out of the pool…." That' s a Canadian Joke. And
yes we always make fun of each other!
Q>> Can you
tell me something about the Scottish influences in the music?
A>> Yes, Robert Burns is a major influence. Another guy called Andy Stuart.
He's an old Scottish. We are doing a Harry London song he recorded in 1927.
He was quite popular then. Back then Scottish music was really huge, really
popular. And so you can always find the old 78' and something like that with
little pieces of gold. And this is amazing. We are doing a Robbie Burns song
on our latest album. It's an old Scottish song. So let's say, what we are doing
is taking the classic influences. Of course the Scottish influences in the band
is called AC/DC, with Kurt definitely who influenced us and the band! Everybody
interested in the real Mc Kenzies should check out these bands as well.
Q>> What
are your general musical influences?
A>> We have all separte one's! I can sit here for 2 hours discussing this
question, it's such a diverse influence. But it seems to be working.
Q>> Do you
guys have jobs besides your music career, or did you have to give them up?
A>> Yes. [Laughter] Yes we did. And in between 2 tours, touring and scratching
and whatever we can survive until the next tour. Personally I have been lucky
to get involved with a fine window washing company called "A space window
washing gears" which has not a lot of skyscrapers and so I get into about
40 stores. It's a good job. It's amazing, I can go off the plane and go to work
the next day if I want to! The other jobs: our drummer Mike is a computer technician.
Kurt Robertson is a professional painter. We have a beauty store… But we've
given ourselves to touring! We don't want jobs! We're touring a lot these days!
Q>> What
do you think of football?
A>> Well let me tell you my friend. I'm so busy that I haven't got the
chance to follow it. I can tell you I like St Pauli, and the Celtics. Those
are the two real mckenzies choice.
Q>> Do you
like any other sports?
A>> The bass player likes baseball, the guitar player skateboarding. Paul
the guitar player likes hockey… My favourite sport: a number of Sheeps
and a shepherd, and his boarder collie, and he whistles at her and she does
all those things. It's spectacular. That's my favourite sport …oh yeah,
and table pooling. That's awesome.
Q>> What
about your spare time? What do you do then?
A>> We don't have any spare time! We sleep! [Laughter] We sleep as much
as we possibly can! And we have beers! See? We have beers!
Q>> What's
about the funniest thing you've been through with the band?
A>> Funny things happen every day! Here's a funny story : in Seattle,
well, we stopped at this place, and all the boys ate the chicken. I said: "don't
eat the chicken you guys it looks bad", but they all ate the chicken. So
here we are on stage and dirty Kurt pukes at the audience because he ate the
chicken. And everywhere else… And maybe Kurt puked at the audience and
then the bass player took a little piece of chicken from Kurt pukes and he puked
on my back and that made me puke on the audience as well. [Laughter] It was
a chain reaction vomit!
Q>> What's
your biggest dream/fantasy?
A>> World domination of course [Laughter]! And being able to play a lot!
Q>> Any last
words? Something for our readers to know?
A>> We want the thousand punk rockers to keep up the good work and keep
up good support and be good and come down to our shows and have a good time
and drink a lot of beers! We really appreciate that everybody comes down to
the shows and with them Belgium punk rockers there would be no Belgium punk
rock. Thank you very much! This was Paul McKenzie from the Real McKenzies.
Thanks a lot to Fat Wreck (Europe) for arranging this interview, and thanks a lot to you Wout for doing this interview! You rule!
YVES