Scrit: We’ve had the opportunity to do this a number of times now and it has always been a pleasure. The most recent interview was maybe 18 or 20 months ago and, as usual, you’ve had quite a few stokes in the fire. So let’s have a look at them…
There was some real “complexity” bringing Endangered Languages, The Perfect Rat album, out. It almost went without a vocalist did it not?
Gary: Yeah that recording was my first introduction into scheduling different artists, and it was a juggling act. At first, it was done live with Mario, Greg Ginn, Bill Stinson, and I. The idea was to bring Jack Brewer in later to do his thing. That’s where it headed into uncharted waters. Between the schedule of the studio and overdubs it got to be more hassle than it was worth. I brought
Tony Atherton (Bazooka) into play some horn as a safety net in the last hour. Eventually I pulled it off and everyone got to play on it. It was a learning experience if anything.
Scrit: Dark Tooth Encounter’s story…
Gary: In the middle of Ten East’s The Robot’s Guide to Freedom, there were a few days where we had some spare time. I started experimenting with drums through loop pedals and overdrive pedals, octive pedals with reverse guitars, and reverse bass lines in the studio, Greg had a really cool 80’s keyboard laying around so I used that as well for an airplane sound sample on “Hyper Air” and a sci-fi guitar sound on “Radio Bleed.” Anything lying around we tried. Mike Sheer and I decided to lay down some stuff and see how it went. We brought Bill Stinson in and Ten East was put on hold while we completed Dark Tooth Encounter. It came out of nowhere and was unexpected, but was the most fun I ever had doing a recording. The rule was "there are no rules.” When I was doing it I felt like I left my body for a week. Mario and Scott Reeder added additional guitars and bass on “Weeping Pines” and guitars on “Engine Drone.”
Scrit: You decided you had more Ten East material in you. Could it easily have been under a new project name, as you have many single-album projects, or did it undeniably feel like Ten East songs?
Gary: It had the Ten East feel so we called it Ten East. We have more material
still unreleased with Bryan Giles on guitar. Currently Ten East and Fatso Jetson are doing a split release. Ten East will be using some material intended for The Robot’s Guide to Freedom as well as newer songs. This time around it’s going to be myself, Billy Cordell, Bill Stinson, Bryan Giles (the line-up that toured Australia) and Eugene Robinson on vocals. He sings for Oxbow. I used to listen to his old band Whipping Boy when I was a kid. Very cool style of singing.
Scrit: What has happened to the Echo Friendly Approach project?
Gary: Echo Friendly Approach was supposed to be a more Yawning Man- sounding thing. It’s now under the name Waterways with Billy Cordell, Wendy Rae Fowler, Tony Tornay and I... so far. It was Echo Friendly Approach
but I changed the name. I might change it back. I will see what Billy, Wendy, and Tony say when the recording is finished.
Scrit: Some good jams and discussions with Scott Reeder led to his working on Dark Tooth with you, and a commitment to future collaborations?
Gary: We have talked about it, but we are both so busy. Hopefully we can set a date and make some time and just do it. Scott is such a great musician. He just sang on a song for a Yawning Sons album due out real soon, as did Mario and Wendy.
Scrit: A new one on the horizon is called Waterways. What can you tell us about it?
Gary: Waterways is the one project I really want to start. It’s going to have Billy Cordell, Wendy Rae Fowler and I, so far.
Scrit: Of course people love to know Yawning Man news, myself included. Big Scenic Nowhere was to be the latest release - is it still in a holding pattern with no specific timetable?
Gary: Yeah. We always talk about it. But everyone involved are in other bands and tours. Maybe when everything mellows out we can get in the studio this year. My wish is to have Mario, Billy, Larry, Alfredo and I on it. Just everyone
together kicking out some cool music.
Scrit: I am a broken record on this one - but what of The Birth of Sol Music and the impatient, drooling masses?
Gary: We have the CDs with the old songs on them transferred from the old tapes. It’s just a matter of us getting the art and booklet ready. Alfredo and Mario have a lot of old photos we still need to go through as well as ghetto blaster recordings from backyard parties.
Scrit: Seems like Australia’s Lexicon Devil Records have been a great fit for you…
Gary: Dave Lang has been really cool and helpful.
Scrit: Do you think they will acquire the rights to The Perfect Rat album as well? That’s your only remaining project still handled by (Spain’s) Alone Records?
Gary: Who knows. One day I would like to get it back and re-master it and add some other tracks. I am sure if I asked Miguel he would be cool with it.
Scrit: You came back from Australia with Ten East not long ago. Was that your first time there? Tell us a bit about playing in the land far from here…
Gary: My first time over. Really awesome place. Had a vibe similar to California with its beaches and desolate areas. Everyone was really cool. Played with some great bands as well. Beaches was an all-girl band from Melbourne. Blew me away. Reminded me of that early SST sound meets Early B-52s... As well Hotel City Wrecking Traders. Cool duo. Ben is a kick-ass drummer. Really intense to watch.
Scrit: You’re already locked in for 2009 dates there again, no?
Gary: Supposedly towards the end of the year some festivals are in the works.
Scrit: In the name of what is right and fair, given the volume of projects from which to choose, we can expect a SoCal gig soon please?
Gary: Funny you mention that. I just got a message from a booker here in Santa Monica wanting to book some shows. Most likely in the next few months.
Scrit: Was “Alloy Pop” your first movie-song appearance?
Gary: “Alloy Pop” was my second. Yawning Man had a couple songs in a Dave Markey film. I think they were “Paseo Lindo” and “Catamaran.” But “Alloy Pop” was in a film called High Society: A Pot Boiler with the great actor Erik Davies, whom I feel should have been nominated for an award. No seriously. Erik has been a good friend who has helped me out a lot with various things.
Scrit: Well damn brother, thanks for the plug and support! As always, I sincerely appreciate your time and thought. Sounds like another banner year ahead for your numerous projects. The So-Cal locals and I look forward to some Santa Monica gigs if they can happen (I truly hope). And in the meantime, best of luck with all of it.
Gary: Cool. See you later…
