Interview: The Deadly Vibes

Stripped down, reved up, beer drinkin' R&R comes to the PRC

Get loud, get down, get up, get drunk, get fucked.

Who are The Deadly Vibes? How long have you been a band? Do you have day jobs?

Jay Copps Guitar / Vox, J.D. Long Guitar / Backing Vox, J.T. Long Drums.

We've been playing as the Vibes going on 2 years now. We played together in another band called THE DAYMAKERS for about three years (J.T. on Bass , Jay on Drums, and J.D. on Guitar / Vox). We sang our own songs in Mandarin Chinese. Yea, we all got day jobs but wished we didn't!!!

What's the rawk scene in Taiwan like? Would you call it thriving? Do Taiwanese audiences get into the shows? Are there a lot of young bands?

The scene in Taiwan is small. It's definitely not thriving, but it does have its moments. There are a lot of young bands who just don't get the whole rock & roll thing and they tend to be really boring on stage. So it's great when ya see bands rock'n out and doing their thing!!

What is your most memorable show? Why? What is the craziest thing you've had thrown at you?

We tend to cause a bit of shit when we play so there have been a few great rock & roll moments, like when we played in Korea. By the second night the word was out that we really like people to get involved, so people started throwing empty beer cans and stuff. Then some people went outside and brought snowballs into the club and started thrown 'em at us!!! It was wicked!!! How many bands can say they had a snowball fight in a club?

Who would win in a fight: Keith Richards or Johnny Cash?

They wouldn't fight! They would hangout and talk about all the crazy shit they've done and Johnny Cash would just keep looking at Keith Richards, shakin' his head saying, I can't believe you're not dead yet!!

What was touring Korea like?

Playing in Korea was really fun! It was our first tour. We met a lot of great people and rocked out! We learned a lot and are definitely better prepared for China!!

China isn't letting the Olympic Torch go through Taiwan. How will this factor into your shows? Are you healing the riff or deepening the wound?

We are bringing our own torch, its called rock 'n' roll baby! And we plan to burn down every city we play!!!

What can audiences in China expect from The Deadly Vibes and what are you expecting from Chinese audiences?

The audiences in China can expect a lot of sweat and good time R&R. When we play it's from the heart and the hips. We love to entertain and encourage everyone to let loose and have fun!! We hope the audiences will feel our DEADLY VIBES and rock out with us!! Scream, dance, throw shit, what ever just enjoy the rock& roll moment!!!

Is there any particular city in China you are looking forward to visiting?

We are looking forward to playing every city.

Who's got the better strut: Iggy Pop or Jon Spencer?

Iggy Pop has got the better freakout strut, but Jon Spencer does better splits in leather pants!!!!

How was recording your CD? What are you bringing back to the studio at the end of the summer? How can people get a hold of your discs?

We recorded everything ourselves. J.T. did all the button pushing on his eight track recorder, then we had it mastered in Montreal, Canada. We made the recording quickly with the intention of using it mostly for promotion. The next recording we wanna try to capture our live energy and bring more of our R&R out. People can get the disc at any of our shows.

Who is more certifiable: GG Allin or Hasil Adkins?

GG Allin was one fucked up guy!!! Whereas Hasil Adkins was just a cool trailer park hick!!

The Deadly Vibes in Shanghai:

June 9 @ Eno (Afternoon Show)

June 9 @ Yuyintang's Garage Rock Night (Evening show)