dude, that's cool: an a.r.e. weapons interview

Christian Bauer, Baltimore MD: State your name and rank in the A.R.E. Weapons.

Brain: Private party, reporting for duty.

Waylon Pouncy, Atlanta GA: What is your sign... your gang sign?

Brain: Two thumbs way down.

Richard, Mount Pleasant D.C.: Albert Ayler or Ayler's Angels?

Brain: Army of Ghosts.

Colin Gatewood, Kalamazoo MI: Some songs in the weapons catalogue have multiple versions, do you enjoy going back and reworking them for the sake of it... or is it more than that?

Brain: Just trying to get it right. Each track has it's own story, but most of the stories are dull. We just try to get as awesome as possible. When given the chance there are two unreleased versions that are better than any of the released ones, a really mean street gang and a pretty wicked Saigon disco. Why we keep playin' 'em... I guess we just can't let go.

Frankie LaForce, Gander, Canada: Rate these flicks:

Mean Streets
Brain: Pretty cool.

Switchblade Sisters
Brain: Didn't see it, sounds sexy.

Gangs of New York
Brain: Gay, but that butcher dude was cool.

Johnny Brasil, Asbury Park NJ: So you came up with Rough Trade, billed as the new Suicide, and it appeared that you moved away from the comparison developing towards something grimier with a heavy touch of thrash. How'd it come about?

Brain: Johnny, we're committed to feeling our feelings. Remember, always keep the faith.

Stephan Gorden, Oakland, CA: Where where you and what were you doing when you found out ODB passed away?

Brain: Drinking.

Dana Mac, Pace, FL: When are you coming down to tour the South?

Brain: Soon, very soon. When it happens, you'll know.

Colombia Colombo, Daun, Germany: "Free In the Streets" has been out for over a year now, when is the next album due? Any hints on what to expect?

Brain: The new album, "Keys, Money, Cigarettes" is done and it rules. Available soon from Weapons Music Inc.,whenever we fix our fucking website. It's kind of a rebirth. I feel all new and shit.

Alana Claremont, Marrietta GA: Which is more fun: Sundance or N.Y.'s Fashion Week?

Brain: I never been to Sundance. I don't think I want it. Fashion Week is just fine.

Kim So Wang, Soul, S.Korea: Is there any correlation between A.R.E. Weapons and A.B.C. Weapons (by Gism)?

Brain: I really don't know.

Alito Rawls, Dublin, Ireland: Who is that kid with the razor blade playing Space Invaders on St.
Marks Place?

Brain: His name is Ron. There's no more video games, so he just hangs out reading comic books on the corner.

Jenni LaTonic, Louisville KY: Is Carson Daly Cool?

Brain: That's really not for me to decide.

M.C. Jones, Ft. Walton Beach, FL: From the first Misfits 45, "Cough Cool" or "She?"

Brain: "Cough cool."

Arturo Lind, Somewhere in the Amazon of Brazil: Who wins in a fight: Henry Rollins, or the guy who k.o.'d Danzig?

Brain: Which guy that ko'd zig?

Kellie Gossman, Los Angeles CA: Brain, What are your plans for the day?

Brain: Buy a pack of squares, kill the dog, answer my mail, empty my pail, drink a lot of coffee, stare at the wall, stare at the wall, stare at the wall.

Russ Jones, Brooklyn NY Malcolm Mclaren or John Lydon?

Brain: Fuck 'em both. Johnny Rotten for being Johnny Rotten, Mclaren for those fucking red leather get ups.

interviewed by: christian bauer