Los Gatos Locos
100% Pure American Psychobilly
This is the interview with Chuck-san of Los Gatos Locos. Los Gatos Locos was formed in 1994 in Seattle. They are 100% Pure American Psychobilly. They are also one of the best Psychobilly band!!
Interview by Tomo on March 3, 1997
T.M. = Tomotake Murakoshi(Tomo)
C = Chuck-san
T.M.- When was the band formed?
C- .The band was formed around 1994, however Yasuo & I are the only original members.
T.M.- How did you come together?
C- I met Yasuo by accident at a local record store. It took us a long time to
find other musician's who were interested in playing authentic Psychobilly, but eventually it just came together.
T.M.- Why Yasuo-san came to the U.S.A.?
C- He had the oppertunity to come for a short time, so he did. But he is kind of stuck with us now. Originally he was a student, now he's a working stiff just
like me.
T.M.- When did you start to listen Rockabilly/Psychobilly?
C- That's hard to say, I grew up listening to country & rockabilly, And I
listened to lots of Oi! punk as a teen. When I first heard the Meteors I
became obssessed with the Psychobilly sound. To me Psycho is all that is left
of rock & roll music, everything else is jst garbage, it's all been done a
million times.
T.M.-Who is your favorite band(s)?
C- I'm not sure.It changes all the time.But alway's the best are The Meteors, Krewmen, Scum Rats, Demented Are Go!, Klingonz. I just love Psychobilly!
T.M.- Who have the most influence on your sound?
C- Well it is difficult to say, we each draw our influences from different
places. Our drummer get's his style from Rev.Horton Heat (who yasuo & I both
cannot stand), Yasuo is influenced by Batmobille, it's a mixture, and with our
new guitarist I think it comes out more like the Scum Rats or the Krewmen
these days.
T.M.-How many materials did you put out so far?
C- So far just a demo and the Juvenile Delinquent 7". We recorded another 7" with a Misfits cover song on it, but the label went bankrupt before it could
be released so maby we'll release it on our own someday.
T.M.- And what's next plan? I heard that you're gonna put out the 1st album from Tombstone and another 7inch.
C- We've just done 2 song's for a Raucous Record's compilation, 2 of our best I think, I'm not sure when it will be released. We are still negotiating with
Tombstone, so we will probably be working on the C.D. very soon. We have also
been invited to play the next Big Rumble in England. Right now we're just
working on new material, and playing gigs.
T.M.- Did you find new guiter player?
C- Yes. His name is Dusty and he is very, very good. Much better than Jesse.
T.M.- Have you play in any other bands before Los Gatos Locos? Did you released anything?
C- We've all been in other band's, but nothing important. Of course Yasuo-san played drums in Tokyo's WoodChuck 91'(very good band).
T.M.- Please tell me about your Hometown? Psychobilly is big in there?
C- Seattle is Hell. Psychobilly is very small here, but it's a very dedicated
scene. Jet Town Psycho Krew Rules O.K!
T.M.- How often do you have gigs? And what sort of audience?
C- We play several times a month. The crowd is of course the Jet Town Krew, and the rest is punks and skinheads. Everone is afraid to enter our pit.
T.M.- What do you think about other American Psychobilly bands?
C- Most of them i do not like at all. i like the Barnyard Ballers from San
Diego & Cosmic Vudu.
T.M.- Do you think that is there any difference between Los Gatos Locos and other American Psychobilly bands? I think Los Gatos Locos' sound is more like European style than others, it still American, though.
C- We are the best American psychobilly band. We sound American because we are, but we sound Psycho also because we are, and the rest are not.
T.M.- It seems that Rockabilly and Psychobilly is getting bigger in the U.S., how do you
think about it?
C- Rockabilly's in the U.S. want to keep there music in the past, it's big but it's going nowhere. Psychobilly is getting much bigger here, but it will take
good promotion to keep everyone into it. We need to put on festivals here and
support it more.
T.M.- What do you want the future to hold Los Gatos Locos?
C- Los Gatos Locos will just keep on going. I would like to get more support in our own country, but I mainly want to be accepted as a great Psychobilly
band instead of a great American Psychobilly band. Whatever happens we will
never stop, the world will love us hate us, but they will respect us, because we
demand it.
T.M.- Can I have some comments for Japanese Psychos(readers)?
C- Continue listening to psychobilly, and never stop. Always remember
WoodChuck 91' will alwa's be the best Japanese psychobilly band. just
kidding. Respect your older friends or die. Spikes & Hornets rule
forever!!!!!!