Interview with Tony Lestat of Wreckage

Julie: I thought that we could talk about Wreckage Music a little, could you tell me more about Wreckage Productions?

Tony: It was started in 1994 as a company to release the first WRECKAGE CD. The line of compilations that followed was a result of the 20TH Anniversary Tribute To THE DAMNED that I put together. I enjoyed doing it so much, I decided to make WRECKAGE PRODUCTIONS a full time situation. Everything just fell (or stumbled screaming!) into place from there.

Julie: How has your long history with music been a help to the music you make now with Wreckage?

Tony: Only in that the bands I knew and loved (such as THE DAMNED) inspired me to make music in the first place.

Julie: At this time, is your CD only available at the Internet site?

Tony: Officially it is. Some stores around Los Angeles are carrying it and it's also available from OUTBURN magazine. In England you can get it direct from Nightbreed Records. I'm working on distribution for the U.S. though...

Julie: I like how your music is a mix of industrial elements with gothic sensibility though out Bad Vibes. Why do you think these 2 are winning combinations for Wreckage?

We feel comfortable with the combination. WRECKAGE has always fused different sounds with "goth" in the past, but this is the first version of the band to bring in a major electronic element.

Julie: What would be a good dictionary description for Wreckage?

Tony: WRECKAGE: An exercise in pulling teeth and the promotion of prematurely graying hair...!

Julie: Why do so many people like to compare you to a band similar to the sounds of Screams for Tina? Do you like this idea or not?

Tony: Actually, very few people compare us this way. One person did years ago, but his review has been pasted onto website descriptions of the band ever since! So it only seems that way... No, I don't like it as the two bands sound nothing like each other.

Julie: What kinds of imagery does Wreckage carry out to the scene?

Tony:Whatever people choose to see. We don't promote any imagery, but people insist on seeing us in all kinds of ways. It's all subconscious, which is what was intended from the beginning!

Julie: You have been on many Cleopatra Records compilations, what effect has this played on your success?

Tony: Quite a lot. Cleopatra has given us great exposure over the years and the fact that they generally distribute my compilations helps too.

Julie: How are Wreckage Productions and Cleopatra Records connected?

Tony: They are not connected. They just distribute my compilations.

Julie: I like the opening track Psycho Drive, I liked the guitars on how they created a think atmosphere and than how those sinister Electro beats were thrown in. How does this song set the mood for the CD, and do you feel this is much different from the other songs on this CD?

Tony: I think it's a good opener for the album. It was originally written as an Inst rumental track, but we felt it worked better with lyrics. I don't think it's especially different from the rest of the CD, but it let's you know from the beginning that this is not "your father's" WRECKAGE (a joking reference to my age of 116 years!)

Julie: How did you hook up with William Faith on Bad Vibes? Will you be working with him again? How has this experience been beneficial?

William co-wrote some of the tracks in their demo form back in 1995 and also played on them. It made sense to use some of the existing tracks when doing the album, so he ended up as a "guest" musician. Since he co-founded the band with me back in the late 1980s, it was fun to have him involved, albeit in an indirect way. I hope to work with him separately from WRECKAGE one day on an old abandoned project of ours, that we've talked about resurrecting, called THE BLACK MASQUE.

Julie: I liked how the lyrics were printed up in the CD jacket almost like a story, How did you come up with the layout of this?

Tony: I didn't. My artist Clarissa Daracan did...

Julie: How long was Bad Vibes in the works?

Tony: Seemed like thirty years, but was actually closer to three. Julie: What does Bad Vibes signify for yourself as an individual?

Tony: My state of mind at the time the songs were written. Angry, yet hopeful. Bitter, but forgiving. Rebirth...

Julie: How did you attempt the remixes of Kitten With a Whip and Sister Night?

Tony: I didn't. They were done by Dusty Jones, our guitarist and programmer (who did a great job I think!).

Julie: What makes Crippled and Evil Thoughts some of the interesting songs on this CD?

Tony: Since you are the one who finds them more interesting, ask yourself that question! Self analysis is good for the soul. Lyrically I think - or at least hope - that there is something in my (often very personal) words that connects with the listeners "inner world". Either that or I'm just full of crap....

Julie: What is Wreckage currently working on for the summer and perhaps into the fall 2000?

Tony: We are recording a new track for my EDGAR ALLEN POE tribute "Songs Of Terror" and will be playing a couple of shows later in the year. We don't play out very much anymore, so that should be fun. We are so busy out side of WRECKAGE that we don't get to work together as much as I would like. Personally I am compiling the above CD and also Vol. 2. of my David Bowie tribute "Dark Vision". Dusty and I are also co-producing another IMMORTALIS AMOR track for the POE CD.

Julie: Any additional information you would like to add about Wreckage?

Tony: Yes, but far more than the short attention span world that we live in would be able to handle! Actually, more than I could handle right now! Check out the website though, it's cool! (www.wreckageinfo.homepage.com)

Julie: Thanks TONY

Tony: Thank you Julie...