Interview with The Launderettes, 10 June 2003

NB - Tell me about the band - who are the members, how did you start, did you play in some other bands before?
L - There's been some changes in the line up. The line up now is:
Lucy Gone Wayward (me)-vocals, Vicky Vicious-bass guitar, Candy Cadillac-lead guitar, Dandy Brandy-organ, Bambi Bazooka-drums.
The band was started by me and Bambi in a garage. After a while we decided to go from punk to garage.
The others also play in a band called The Rebelettes (sixties girl group and soul). Vicky plays in a third band, the Bronco Busters.

NB - Jimmy The Greek, your guitar player, is he really a Greek? Did you meet him in Norway?
L - Jimmy is Greek. He came to Norway because of a Norwegian girl. He left the band this winter, to concentrate on family and education priorities. We're still great friends, and he helps out carrying equipment at gigs, and makes these fabulous Greek meals from time to time.

NB - Why Launderettes for band name?
L - Looks pretty. Sounds exotic (to Norwegians anyway), but is really down to earth.

NB - Your music is not really pure garage punk, there is a strong rockabilly/surf influence. What do you listen to mostly?
L - We have diverse tastes in music. I listen mostly to soul, beat, garage, punk, reggae....I don't really listen much to rockabilly or surf. Jimmy did, though.

NB - Who writes the songs and lyrics - they are really great!?
L - Thank you!! Making songs is a collective process for us. Usually one of us has an idea for a melody. Maybe just a line. Then we work on it together. After a while I usually bring it home and make a singing melody and lyrics.

NB - Tell me about your other releases and how I can get them, I only have "Shaken and Disturbed" LP.
L - Check out our webpage: http://www.launderettes.no
Most of the old stuff is out of print. What's still available, you should be able to get hold of at our record label/shop: http://www.bigdipper.no/

NB - I think that The Launderettes are not typical girl punk band. It looks like 'being girl' is not that important to you, you're just rockin and rollin.That's what I like - so tell me if I'm right and what you think about that and other girl (girl fronted) bands?
L - So girls can't rock, you think? Rocking and "girling" are not contradictory, I think. And being a girl is important. I have never been a boy. But there a many ways of being a girl or a boy.... I like a lot of girl bands and boy bands too.

NB - From that video on your website I could guess that you like beer. What is your favorite beer?
L - Very difficult question....If I have to choose I pick Frydenlund Bayer and Red Stripe.

NB - How was your Las Vegas Shakedown gig?
L - I don't know, really. We weren't there. There was some mishap with the booking. But we would probably have been fabulous.

NB - What are your plans for future? Any new releases, tours?
L - We have an EP out now, and a new video. We're hoping to release a LP in October. Meanwhile we're going to have loads of fun touring, making new songs and recording.

NB - You played in Belgium. Any chance that I'll be able to see you in Holland?
L - We were actually supposed to go to Holland on our Belgium tour, but unfortunately it didn't work out. Hopefully we'll see you soon!