interview with
interview and photos by chris beyond, february 2005
In 2005, I was lucky to be able to interview my favorite band in L.A., The Centimeters back in issue #27. They've since been playing fewer shows and most of the members are also in solo or other band projects. So we're interviewed Nora and Creekbird of The Centimeters, and now in 2005 Centimeters co-lead singer Greg Gomberg (aka Max Gomberg) has released his own solo project which is a moody intrumental CD and very different from his work in The Centimeters or even in his first band The Parkas. so I asked him for an interview which you can now read below
C = Chris Beyond (no-fi "interviewer") G = Greg Gomberg (interviewee)
C: So it's been a couple years since I interviewed you with The Centimeters. Since then you've been playing less and less shows. But when you do get shows they are really big shows (Dresden Dolls, The Tractenburg Family Slideshow Players, etc...). You also have a lot of really good songs in The Centimeters that have yet to see a CD release. What's been going on?
G: I became burned out on the idea of satisfying people who were not my friends. My friends were bored of The Centimeters and I agreed and Nora has been doing bigger things for herself. We only play now if there is a substantial dollar amount involved.
C: Do you think you'll create a whole new band project, much like how you went from The Parkas to The Centimeters?
G: Yes. After playing in San Francisco this weekend I was talking with my friends from The Sixteens, The Weegs and Black Ice and they're all playing shows in Europe and I'd like to get another band together and do the same. Something with more energy then projects in the past.
C: So I have this new solo album here by YOU and it's really good. Why so long between solo projects?
G: The last solo album I did was never released so I'm not quite sure how long that's been. I have to write the songs for The Centimeters so it took up some time.
C: Are there any other solo projects you know of from other Centimeters members that haven't put out any solo recordings yet coming out?
G: Ray Day and Creekbird are beautiful songwriters. Creekbird has a new album out but I do not know what it is called at the moment. Ray has a beautiful song that goes " Isn't it sad, but aren't you glad, that there's nothing going on." Has a ring to it? And don't forget Nora Keyes' "Songs To Cry By For The Golden Age Of Nothing", very genuine and beautiful.
C: Not having much of your solo work, are the Greg Gomberg albums normally instrumental like the new one?
G: I only have one other solo album called "Our Photographer" and it is instrumental as well.
C: If you could put any of the songs on the new album on a movie soundtrack, which one and what kind of movie?
G: We'll I made an accompaniment of different movies that will be released on a DVD to shadow along with the songs. The movies are as followed. Come and See, by Klimov... Eight and a half by Fellini.... My best Fiend by Wernor Herzog..... 1984......An Actors Revenge.
C: Eight and a half? So is this kind of like when Queen created a whole new soundtrack for the film Metropolis?
G: Hopefully it's much worse than that. I edited the movie to fit my song where as Queen made music to fit the movie. It's primarily a distraction tactic from people who feel compelled to stare at us while we perform. The movies might change if I decide to perform this music more in the future.
C: I know I've asked you this before and the answer was not really an answer, but have you had to had the opportunity to hold a monkey in the time since the last interview?
G: I don't want to hold one. I want to own one and take it out on leisurely strolls to Wallmart and Kentucky Fried Chicken and help it throw it's own excrement on the establishments. And just basically have a good time.
C: Which religion is right?
G: The one that helps you.
C: Science and logic out the window, If you could pick any planet to live on which one would you prefer and why?
G: Saturn because it looks very spectacular and I don't know anyone who lives there.
C: Do you believe there is life in the White House?
G: If there is death in the White House then there must be life. All politicians are fake. That is their job.
C: What's the best or worst valentines story you have?
G: Believing in something that doesn't exist.
C: What's your favorite song on Jennifer Lopez's new album and why?
G: I don't know her and I don't care to.
C: I rarely ask this kind of "music" question, but who are some of your musical influences and how do you feel that they've influenced you?
G: Minimal Man, Prokoviev, Tuxedo Moon, The Damned, Brian Eno, David Bowie, Clinic, Ted Jr., Mark Dead, Andrew S.A. who thought of it that way, and all of my friends
senses of humor and my trip to Japan and my friend Cary's visions and Kabuki theater. They have influenced me because they don't give a shit what people think about them when they are creating the songs or their so called hearts.
C: How would you describe a perfect day for you?
G: Not working and having Cary sitting on my lap drinking Martinis and talking about Liposuction.
C: Tell me more about Cary.
G: She's a beautiful girl who makes me laugh a lot and who was the inspiration for a couple of songs off the new album.
C: What's your favorite piece of art?
G: The Loved One. A movie.
C: Have you ever gone on any adventures? Tell us about one.
G: No.
C: Couldn't one say that walking down the street is an adventure?
G: Absolutely not.
C: Who are some of your favorite "local" bands?
G: I have to work nights but definitely the New Collapse, Lilli and the Ladies, Solid Eye, Child Pornography, The Sharp Ease, Sons of Damien.
C: Other than the bands you just mentioned, is there something we or our readers should be listening to?
G: William Burroughs lectures on a site called Naropa about the ethics of wishing.
C: How can our No-Fi readers across the world get a hold of your new CD?
G: There should be a website soon but for now just write to runterdarby@yahoo.com
C: Will you be playing many solo shows AND when will we start seeing more Centimeters shows?
G: I just played a solo show on February 20th in San Francisco at the Attic Bar and no show scheduled for The Centimeters as of yet.
C: What are your final words of wisdom for this interview?
G: Seek help wherever you can find it and hopefully it agrees with you.
Greg's self released solo project can be purchased after contacting him via e-mail at runterdarby@yahoo.com and will be playing a few solo shows to support this new project.
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