- 07-28-10
- who is Caddy?
Caddy is the one-man powerpoptacular music sensation, Tomas Dahl. Best known for his work in such bands as The Yum Yums, Wonderfools, and Turbonegro, Tomas bombarded Toproom Studio like a Norwegian Dave Grohl affinite to lay down his "angular, gutsy, guitar-fueled melodies and full-bodied harmonies", playing every instrument, singing every single note, and even producing the album himself. Born from such endurance and master craftsmanship comes the fourteen-song "catchy as chlamydia" son-of-Brian-Wilson baby, "Electric Hero". The sounds of summer have never felt so soothing nor have they entangled themselves within your amygdala to keep you feeling warm all winter long. Turn off your television set. put on your headphones. this is music for everyone!
Stream the entire album here: http://dinerjunkie.bandcamp.com/album/electric-hero-2
Then preorder the CD (with download code now!) from our store.
This record should be in everyone's collection. The songs in everyone's ears. The melodies in everyone's brain.
Caddy is.
Spread the word!
-mike
(If you're preordering Caddy "Electric Hero" or Not On Tour "S/T" and would like your download code sent to an e-mail address other than the one listed in your PayPal account, please specify in the "add instructions to seller" section at checkout.)
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- 07-16-10
- from Insubordination Fest Zine '10
Joe Queer—Torch Carrier
by mike "last" cammarata
some years ago, i was at a Pink Lincolns show my
friend's band was opening, when I spotted one baseball-
hatted punk rock legend, Joe Queer, standing in front of
me at the back of the club. i didn't want to bother him or
have this turn into another "Pete Crimpshrine Incident"
(too long to delve into, but due to a very awkward fan-
boy moment involving Pete and my pal, all star-struckedness
hence has become known as the aforementioned), but I
politely introduced myself and told him if he ever needed
a second guitar, I could play faster than anybody . . .
or some such silliness. to my surprise, Joe said he had
heard The Last Chucks through Phillip Hill and instead of
a brief introduction, we ended up talking about all things
rock and roll out in the parking lot. that conversation
has since carried over onto the old big beat orange couch
in Joe's apartment, by way of scattered telephone sessions
from the road and even into the control room at Sonic
Iguana Studios. pretty cool for a guy who literally grew up
listening to "Grow Up" and staring at Queers posters on the
wall.
anyway, I recently sat down and attempted to come up
with a coherent set of questions that hadn't been asked
of the man one million times already and are hopefully
interesting enough for you to read at the end of your
drunk. I'm sure the interview would have been better in
person or over the phone, but this was thrown together in a
day and I can't remember where I put my handheld recorder.
enjoy.
i know you and Joey Ramone talked some and i remember you
saying he was still really into rock and roll. i guess
that's kinda how i see you. it seems like no matter where
our conversations start, we always end up talking about
some band or great tune or something. i don't even know
what my question is really . . . i think all of us wanna
hear about Joey. give me a story about him as one of us.
Yeah he was a great guy. Really down to earth. I realized
after a while what got him out of bed in the morning was a
great song and trying to write another one. It wasn't about
how much money he had or how famous he was or any of that.
He was a fan too. I remember him telling me he had just
spoken to Iggy Pop the night before. He still got a kick
out of it.
i'm sure this has been asked before, but what was the song-
writing process like with him and Ben Weasel on "I Wanna Be
Happy"?
It was an old idea I'd gotten from Joey years before. Way
back in the day Joey had wanted to cover Love Love Love.
I remember we did talk to their lawyer about it but then
Johnny didn't want to do it. Joe was pissed. It got pretty
close to them doing it though. Joey sent us a song they
had sitting around that Johnny didn't want to use called
Slug. At that time no one knew the song as it hadn't been
released. We'd play it at The Rat in Boston and say it was
by The Ramones and no one believed us as there weren't any
unreleased Ramones' songs out there. Anyway at the end of
the cassette tape with Slug on it was Joey working on some
songs with an acoustic and that's where I Wanna Be Happy
came from. I was hanging out at Ben's one afternoon and we
banged it together in about 10 minutes. Pretty cool song.
i found something on the internet that said i played
keyboard with you guys and Marky Ramone in China. i think
it was on the Chinese Government's website or something
weird like that. we both know that didn't happen, but what
were those shows like?
Great. The New York Dolls and Nine Inch Nails were there
too. I got to talk to Syl Sylvain about Atlanta where we
both live of course. Very down to earth guy and funny. The
show over there was interesting. Rock and roll is new to
them so they don't know what the fuck they're doing. The
stage crew was all college kids that didn't know anything.
You could've sold tickets to the stage crew working in
between bands. It was hilarious. One girl would be crying
in the corner-two guys would be arguing on where to put the
mic stand. Clueless. I was talking to the guitar tech for
NIN who knew The Queers-we were both cracking up. He said
it was weird to see people onstage at one of their shows
cause usually they didn't allow anyone else up. I remember
seeing Trent Reznor walking thru the crowd as I was playing
the one note solo on I Wanna Be Sedated. No one even knew
who he was over there. It was strange too in that for the
first 75 yards in front of the stage there were a bunch of
chairs set up for the VIP's. Then a fence with a bunch of
cops in front of it and that was for all the regular people
and really the true fans. It was my first time there and
definitely fun to check out. We subsequently went back and
did one small tour there. It's a weird country. We stayed
in some really crappy hotels and it was always cold and
grey out. Really depressing but for the fact we knew we
were going home after about 7 days. Still it was great to
say we went.
not too long ago we had a conversation about him and Dusty
Watson. i think people, especially in bands, need to hear
what the difference is between a drummer that can play
alright and knows the songs and shit and someone like those
guys.
Those guys are in a different league than other drummers
and it isn't just raw talent. It's the way they operate
around shows and tours. They're all business when it comes
to the drum sets and playing the shows. We went to Palermo
with Marky for a one off show in the middle of that tour
with him in Europe. We had to borrow gear as the crew was
driving our stuff from Barcelona to Rome. So we borrowed
this really crappy gear from one of the opening bands. My
God the drum set was in pitiful shape. It was about 110 in
the shade and not a breath of air. Horrible. Marky stayed
out there in the sun for about 2 hours at least tuning the
drums-changing heads-taking the bottom heads off the toms
to see if they sounded better-putting them back on. Mind
you I wouldn't even have soundchecked. When we went onstage
that night we sounded like a million bucks and that piece
of crap drumset sounded awesome. And this was just a little
show in front of 400 kids in Palermo. Marky and Dusty are
the same in that they approach the show the same whether
it's 20,000 or 400 kids.
so after all the years you've spent on the road and in
studios, who would you say is the best-all-around musician
you've had the pleasure of working with? besides myself, of
course.
Eh there's a lot of them. JJ Rassler is great. Ben Weasel's
a great songwriter. Lisa Marr and I have written some great
stuff. Dusty on drums is just awesome. Wimpy and I wrote
some great songs and we were really clicking back in the
early days. I can't really single out one person.
seems crazy, but it's been four years already since Munki
Brain. so, any plans on getting back in the studio? and
since i already know the answer, when will i get to hear
some demos and what can the good people expect out of the
new album?
Yeah we're heading in within a month and doing a new album.
Not sure how it'll come out. I wanna do a harder edged
album but we'll see what happens. Kind of excited to do it.
not to get into some big debate or anything, but what are
your views on vinyl, versus cd, versus digital, in this day
and age of music dying?
Well digital has killed the labels unfortunately. Bands
aren't getting paid like they used to. A lot of big bands
are all pro free digital downloads and shit but they're
already rich and make tons of dough at shows so it's not
taking any food off their table like it is with small bands
like us. I think digital has cheapened music and it's
become sort of 'throwaway' now. It's all quick and easy.
I used to love buying new albums when I was growing up.
Just that smell and the artwork-you'd be really excited
to listen to the album and learn a little bit about life.
That's the way the early days of punk were too. When you
saw the DK's or Black Flag you felt like you were at some
really awesome social scene that was making a change. The
crowd was more important than the bands really.
i personally feel like The Queers are the proud torch
carriers of The Ramones' good name. i mean, Screeching
Weasel too, but Ben's kinda just getting back into the
game, whereas you've been trudging through the field at a
constant and consistent. is there a band out there that
has the potential to take the reigns and lead us all into
battle?
I don't really get too excited by any new bands out there.
It's such a different time than when we started on Lookout.
Back then your peers were Screeching Weasel-MTX and Green
Day. It made us pick our game up believe me. I don't really
think any bands now could have run with that crowd and
hung in there. They all would've been considered second
rate. I mean even The Smugglers who weren't that well known
were putting out great stuff. The Hi Fives. Man I remember
seeing some of those shows and it was just incredible. Now
I don't really get too excited by some Ramonesy ripoff band
that does all downstrokes and thinks that's all it is. They
never hit any balls outta the park and you can't tell one
song from the other. Kids are so lame nowadays that they
accept that crap. Kind of sad. Back in the old days kids
had integrity.
lately, i've been playing Scrabble with Ben Weasel on my
iPhone. i tried to get an interesting question from him for
this interview, but he didn't have anything. do you think
that's a sign of weakness and that i'll probably beat him
for the fourth time?
Ha that's great. I'm so psyched to see Ben playing shows
again. I never thought he would and it really helps the
whole pop punk scene. Plus those guys basically quit before
they got to reap the benefits of all those great albums
and songs. So it's great to see them get their due. We're
playing with them soon and I can't wait to see them once
again. Shit we did a New Year's Eve show in my basement one
year-musta been like 91 going into 92. It was in NH. We had
a blast.
oh yeah, Holden (my three year-old son) wanted me to ask
you: "what are the names of all the 50 states?" and "what
kind of vehicle do you drive? like a fire truck or
something?"
I drive a van and the names of all 50 states escapes me at
the moment. At any rate we shall see everyone at the Fest
once again. We're going to play all poppy songs and stuff
we don't usually play. Should be fun times!!
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- 06-28-10
- Not on Tour
What happens when four cool kids from the center of Israel come together in a clash of energy, raw emotion, and pure heart for what they're making? Sixteen punk rock songs that will remind you why you got into this stuff in the first place! There's already been a pretty decent buzz around this record in our pop punk rock community, and trust me, it's about to explode. I've been digging these tunes for over a year now, and I ain't stopping. "DON'T TOUCH MY STUFF" is probably one of the catchiest songs ever written. Like Descendents, Gorilla Biscuits, Minor Threat, but wishing a female would belt it out? Have I got the band for you, NOT ON TOUR. Don't believe me? Listen to the entire album, and then go preorder the CD for only $10, which includes a download code now, so you can have all your digital needs met. Just make sure to give me the e-mail you want your code sent to, in the "add instructions to seller" at checkout.
Dig it! Then buy, buy, buy! You won't be sorry.
-mike
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- 05-26-10
- Exclusive Last Chucks Song
I made a Bandcamp page for the last chucks. That site is all the rage these days . . . or something. In honor of our newest internet marketing venue, I put up an unreleased song called "spider". It will be on the new full length, coming out ___________. Hope you like it.
Get it here.
-mike
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- 12-13-09
- HELP PHILLIP HILL!
For the next week, when you buy anything in the diner junkie store, all the proceeds will go to Phillip Hill's medical fund.
My longtime friend and bandmate on The Queers' "Munki Brain", Phillip Hill (Teen Idols, Screeching Weasel, Common Rider, The Independents, etc.), was recently assaulted by four men while attempting to save a woman from their attack. He suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung among other things and had to be hospitalized for a few days. As you can imagine, paying medical bills on a musician's salary ain't no walk in the park, and bands and studios don't exactly offer medical insurance.
If you know Phil, then you know he's a hell of a guy, and if you don't, no sweat. You're getting something for your generous donation. So please come on down to www.dinerjunkie.com, buy some stuff and lend a hand to one of punk rock's finest talents.
thanks.
-mike "last" cammarata
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- 12-08-09
- The holiday sale is . . . ON!
This season we bring you the entire diner junkie store at a reduced price. Also, buy any 3 cds/t-shirts (including distro items) and get a free copy of V/A "Open 24 Hours" (featuring The Queers, Parasites, Pink Lincolns, The Steinways and many more). How can you beat that? Get some cool stuff for your friends and keep the comp for yourself. Or do the opposite and you've got a free stocking stuffer. We know money's tight this time of year, so come on down to www.dinerjunkie.com and pick up your presents on the cheap.
stuff.
-mike cammarata
Various Artists "Open 24 Hours" cd $4
The Last Chucks "Zombie High" cd $5
Diner Junkie "Cup & Bones" t-shirt $6
The Last Chucks "Typewriter & Bluebird" t-shirt $9.50
and all the stickers and buttons are $.50
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- 07-17-09
- hey,
"OPEN 24 HOURS" (featuring The Queers, Pink Lincolns, The Travoltas, Parasites, and many more fine punk rock bands) is finally back from the press, and our waitress will be with you shortly to take your order. It's been a long road getting this album into your sweet little stereos, with a lot of Kerouacian pitstops, neon thought blindness, and coffee mad/beer stricken nights, but the official release date is set for July 21st, and we will be extending the special preorder price of $5 for an additional week, through Tuesday, July 28th. My suggestion: Grab the change out of your car, and head on over to our store to pick up one of these babies while you can still get it for less than a vente mocha soy chai one sugar dash of cinamon ripoff. And while you're there, check out the rest of our store and distro for more great menu items, and our links page will point you in the right direction to all twenty-two of the bands that were so kind as to lend a song to our comp.
from the backbooth.
-mike
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- 07-01-09
- hey,
I'd like to introduce you all to Norway's finest, Caddy. There are two songs up on the diner junkie myspace page www.myspace.com/dinerjunkierecords: "Turn Up The Radio" and "Electric Hero".
Here's a brief description of the band:
"Bryan Adams and Paul Stanley writing songs together in Brian Wilson's house??! . . . Yes please!!! Caddy is the one-man band project of Tomas Dahl. Dahl has played in powerpop bands such as The Yum Yums and Wonderfools and is now playing drums for deathpunk rockers Turbonegro. Even though he's busy touring and playing with Turbonegro, he finds time to worship his one true love . . . powerpop! Caddy started out just as a project because he wanted to get in the studio all by himself and record some songs. The songs became so good he decided to do a full album. He's written all the songs, played every instrument, sung all the harmonies and produced the album himself. He has gotten a lot of radioplay in Norway and has actually done some shows live with it, even though Caddy was never supposed to be a 'band'. He gathered some friends and did a smalll tour in Japan and has played shows in Norway and even the IPO (International Pop Overthrow) Festival in Liverpool at the legendary Cavern. Here you have some of the greatest, sparkling and energetic powerpop songs written in many, many years. Forget about Good Charlotte, The Jonas Brothers and the so-called powerpop bands in 2009. This is what it's all about. Brilliant pop sense, beautiful harmonies, catchy as chlamydia choruses and lots of energy!"
Doesn't that sound like something you need to hear? Well, it is. Trust me. This is some of the best music I've come across in a very very long time, so please go listen to the songs and get as excited as I am for the full length. And let us know what you think. We appreciate your feedback.
thanks.
-mike
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- 06-26-09
- I'm adding a distro section to my label, so if any of you bands out there are interested in sending us your album/s for inclusion . . . it will be by consignment (meaning I tack on a slight markup from what you want for them and then pay you, when people buy your records) (ex. if you want $8 per album, I'd sell it for $10) and I'll take 6 copies of each album (cd format only: must be a real manufactured cd. no burned cds or self-made albums) you'd like to send. One copy will be a promotional copy for us to listen to.
Please include an invoice (written on a piece of paper is fine) of what you ship, how much you want for each unit sold, where you want checks sent and who to make the checks out to. I can also pay you via paypal, if that works better.
thanks.
-mike
diner_junkie@hotmail.com
diner junkie records
p.o. box 1716
buford, ga 30515
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- 06-16-09
- hey,
I'm getting the "OPEN 24 HOURS" cds back from the press in a couple of weeks, but until then I'm accepting pre-orders for this wonderful collection (featuring such fine acts as The Queers, Parasites, The Steinways, Short Attention, Pink Lincolns, etc.) for only $5! You don't wanna miss out on this!
"OPEN 24 HOURS" and all of our other merch is available in our store.
stuff.
-mike
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