Interview with MONKEY from The Adicts!

The Adicts have FINALLY released their new album, All the Young Droogs today.  ATYD is their 10th studio album, and it has arrived just in time for the band’s 35th anniversary.

For any droog newbies out there, The Adicts are an extremely influential upbeat punk rock band who got their start in the 70s (which you should be able to deduce, since I’ve just told you this is their 35th anniversary).  By some accident of fate, I got the chance to have some quick words with Adicts singer Keith “Monkey” Warren, and now you get the chance to read them!  Have at it. And be sure to check out The Adicts’ tour dates below the interview.

Vinyl Mag:  Your ACO-inspired stage makeup (among other things) has always set you apart from other punk bands.  Was it a situation where you were looking for a way to be different or were you simply inspired?

Keith Warren: It’s both.  We wanted be set apart from the cookie-cutter punk look, and were inspired by ACO, but there’s no make up in the movie- or the book- so it’s a fusion of fiction.

VM: Is it the book or the movie that inspired you the most?  Are there any other works that you relate to as much as ACO?  Before deciding on ACO, were there any other characters, etc. that you considered?

KW: As above, it’s both.  Imagery from the movie, attitude and language from the book.  We like George Orwell, Aldus Huxley, etc. and cartoons, circus, funfairs…a little bit of everything.

VM: All the Young Droogs is decidedly different from your previous releases (while still managing to be undeniably Adicts).  What are some of the new styles/influences on this album?

KW: It’s just us- no conscious influence…maybe some subconscious, but we just do what we do with no agenda.  We have a design build plan, let’s see what we get.

VM: What is the theme/message of ATYD?

M: Same as always- let’s have a good time.

VM: Tell me about your project on Pledgemusic.com.

KW: It’s cool- a nice way for mutual involvement, access to the band…it’s just the same as selling merch at gigs, but more personalized.

VM: You are the “longest running punk band with its original members.”  How did you do it?  Do you have any advice for bands that are just starting out?

KW: Find guys you love and can work with, and be prepared for an argument or two.

VM: You have been making music and playing for so long and been to so many places.  Do you still love it just as much, or has it become more of a job to you? 

KW: We love it; we have other day jobs that are not so much fun.

VM: Do you have a favorite place to play?  Is there anywhere that you haven’t played that you have always wanted to?

KW: We are liking South America right now, but our Brazil shows just got canceled, so sorry about that you guys down there- we were ready to do it, but it got pulled for reasons beyond our control and beyond our understanding.

VM: What can fans look forward to on the upcoming tour?

KW: No Brazil obviously, but the usual rage of fun.

VM: What’s next for The Adicts after this album hits and the tour is finished?

KW: We’ll be millionaires and retire or, more likely, just stay poor and keep on rocking.

 

The Adicts U.S. Tour Dates (w/Brothers of Brazil):

Sep 6 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Sep 7 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Sep 8 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
Sep 9 – San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brewing Company
Sep 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
Sep 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
Sep 13 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Sep 15 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
Sep 16 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
Sep 18 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
Sep 19 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Sep 20 – Jacksonville, FL – The Pit
Sep 21 – Tampa, FL – State Theatre
Sep 22 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room

The Adicts Brazil Tour Dates (w/Brothers of Brazil):

Sep 27 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Cine Joia
Sep 28 – Porto Alegra, Brazil – Bar Opiniao
Sep 29 – Curitiba, Brazil – Masterhall