THE WAISTCOATS

Stringwrecker: guitar, vocals
Blind Johnny Welder: bass, backing vocals
Jacques: drums, backing vocals

The Waistcoats are a surf/beat band doing both instrumentals and vocal numbers from Groningen (The Netherlands). They’ve released a full length LP/CD, 7inches, and appeared on many compilations. Their influences include The Kinks, Thee Headcoats, and Burt Bacharach. Here’s a short ten questions with Stingwrecker (singer/guitar). Written and interviewed by Keith Xenos. Editor's Note: the pictures on this page were provided by Stringwrecker.

KEITH: HOW DID YOU HOOK UP WITH SIR BALD DIDDLEY AND HIS ALOPECIA LABEL?

STRINGWRECKER: We sent him a demo and he was extremely enthusiastic. He sent us a letter, and then he faxed us and phoned us as well. He is a great guy and he loves surf and garage music. He basically offered to release a Waistcoats LP if we could come up with some decent recordings, which we eventually did.


Stringwrecker, Jacques, Blind Johnny

KEITH: WHY WAS THE LP RE-RELEASED ON CD?

STRINGWRECKER: The first pressing had sold out. Though we prefer vinyl, we don’t mind it is on CD this time. There are many people who just have no record player, we will sell them some CDs hopefully.

KEITH: I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE HUGE BILLY CHILDISH FANS, HOW DID YOU CONVINCE THEE HEADCOATS TO DO A SPLIT SINGLE WITH YOU?

STRINGWRECKER: Well, the single is part of a series of four 7"s. Together they seem to form the soundtrack of a movie about mountain biking. I heard rumors that all the tracks will be released together on a CD which will be released when the movie is ready, but that’s all I know. The Krontjong Devils (you might have heard of them, they’re also from Groningen and have recently put a surf CD out) who contributed a track to an earlier volume gave us the tip.


KEITH: ANY PLANS FOR ANY U.S. SHOWS?

STRINGWRECKER: Yes, we are thinking about some time 1999, but any kind offers from the U.S. will speed the process up.

KEITH: WHAT KIND OF GEAR ARE YOU USING?...I LOVE THAT GUITAR SOUND.

STRINGWRECKER: Ah thanks! I have always wanted to explain that. I have a book called Rock Guitarists, it is from 1974 and it is made up of interviews with famous guitarists taken from the guitar player magazine. It is filled with questions like "what kind of strings do you use on xxx" or "what do you think of the fender yyyy amplifier model zzz." It’s great! So here goes: at shows I use a VOX AC-30, a Fender reverb unit and a Tube screamer. For the beat tracks I just use the Vox, for the garage tracks sometimes the Tube screamer, and the reverb is solely for the surfier instros. In the studio, I use a Fender twin reverb on occasions, but mostly the same gear as live. I use two guitars -- a Fender Telecaster and a Fender Stratocaster, both with Ernie Ball 10 strings.

KEITH: DO YOU DIG ANY CURRENT BANDS?

STRINGWRECKER: Yes. Obviously Thee Headcoats, but also The Kaisers, Ceebee Beaumont, Fortune & Maltese, and the Wildebeests. And I got the Hefners split 10" recently -- it’s great, I’m waiting for their next release.

KEITH: EVER SEEN THE MOVIE, SPINAL TAP? ANY THOUGHTS?

STRINGWRECKER: No, sorry and yes.

KEITH: WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE FOR THE BAND?

STRINGWRECKER: Play more outside Holland, release a second LP.

KEITH: WHAT'S THE STRANGEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED AT A SHOW?

STRINGWRECKER: Our bass player quit the band in the middle of a gig. At the time, I thought that was pretty strange. And this is not exactly a strange happening but more a strange setting for a show: We once played a show at a primary school, we were hired by the progressive headteacher who probably thought that modern music should be a part of the education of the pupils (ages 6-11). We were on after the school play. When we started playing, all these kids started to jump up and down, which was quite funny.

KEITH: WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF THE BAND?

STRINGWRECKER: Fun. And lasting fame maybe.


THE END

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