Providence, Rhode Islands’ Sasquatch have been turning heads since almost the minute they came onto the scene, combining politics and black humor with patented rockabilly fun and a mischievous streak like few others. With a range of influences, including metal and blues, that shows how an open mind benefits a band’s approach, Sasquatch have become one of the more respected and popular acts in the current scene. If you listen to their recent release Storming The Gates from 2007 and adrenalized tracks like the title tune and “Someone’s Been Telling You Lies”,you’ll hear right away that they deserve the acclaim and more yet to come.

As for New York’s own bastard sons the Arkhams (whose name comes from the writings of horror master H.P. Lovecraft), they have self released a great CD called The Road To Arkham, recorded in Poughkeepsie,NY at the Space and, like Sasquatch, have been playing their asses off everywhere they can with a true and admirable D.I.Y. ethic. These are both undoubtedly two of the best bands on the scene, as evidenced by Sasquatch’s pedigree and bolstered even more by Matt Goldpaugh of The Arkhams recent victory as best upright bassist at last year’s Heavy Rebel Weekender festival in North Carolina. Songs like “Insane” and the title track off The Arhkams debut are sonic gems of attitude, steeped in tradition but also exploring new zones.

If you don’t yet know about either of these bands, get prepared to be seriously psyched (or dismayed that your record collection now seems lame and your girlfriend is going to leave you). Now that you’ve been forewarned, and without further ado, let’s peer into the twisted minds of two of Psychobilly’s evil geniuses as Goldpaugh finds out what makes Dave Sasquatch tick.

MATT GOLDPAUGH: In a nutshell, How did the Sickabillys come to be?

DAVE SASQUATCH: Basically, I started playing a twisted form of metal and blues with a touch of psychedelic until 1995. After that I performed solo until 2001 and decided my sound was to the point where I wanted to form a band again. Now look at what happened!!!

MG: You guys have had some great artwork. Who did most of it?

DS: Fuck Coop and his boring devil girls. I mean he’s good… But, Uncle Pete is the best. He has single-handedly made our band image through his art. See for yourself at: www.skidderdesign.com

MG: What do you think your new year’s resolution will be?

DS: My plans will be what they are every new year: To step ahead at least ten more steps and try not to look back unless it’s to reflect and conquer my faults. Resolution? I’m going to try and cum more each day.

MG: Why rockabilly/psychobilly, a realm of music with scarce politically driven lyrics, as a vehicle for a band with a political message? Have you ever played any other styles? How receptive is the audience to your message?

DS: Why not, motherfucker? I like reverb and hollow body guitars and all my music from the past is really from the past. I have no say in this. I am just a doorway from the other side… and it’s pissed off at the world right now. We need to change our ways or the Earth is going to sneeze us off of it. Something’s wrong here…

MG: So you managed to get up to the top two artists in both the rockabilly and psychobilly genres on the entire MySpace top artist list. How does that feel? These days, it doesn’t seem like people treat anything as official until it's reached the myspace. What are your general thoughts about the myspace phenomenon and how it's worked for you?

DS: Ok, MySpace is E.V.I.L. and I only use it because that’s where everyone is. The days of passing out flyers and licking envelopes are over. As much as I hate today’s shortcuts to thinking… I am just as guilty. I also use a bit of mutiny to get to the bastards that think I’m just like them. Muhahahaaahaha!!!!!!! As far as being in the Top 10 more or less for a long time now: I guess it’s cool to know we are winning some kind of invisible award. But, MySpace is still a bullshit place to herd us all together and make us pick only a hand full of friends to call them our “favorite”. All the while spying on each other. Welcome to 1984 and a half!!!

MG: What are your Influences and from where do you draw your inspiration? (be it musical or non-musical). Are your influences currently any different than they were at the start?

DS: I actually have always listened to the early shit that inspired me while still and always searching for my new favorite sound/band. You want examples? Sure. Slayer, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Hank Williams, Sr., Muddy Waters, Mr. Bungle, Reverend Horton Heat (Sub Pop Releases), Motley Crue, Howlin’ Wolf, Judas Priest (Pre-78), The Doors, Billy Childish and Thee Headcoats, The Beatles, Obituary, Simon and Garfunkel. I am really getting into Demented Are Go! lately. I also can’t forget to mention Count Basie and Louis Prima.

MG: While on tour, do you ever get to go to other shows that you're not playing?

DS: I try to. It’s really hard since we’re always on tour or playing every fuckin' weekend in between tours. All the bands I want to see or check out are playing in different cities while we’re some place else. The only and best time is to just share the stage with bands and talk to them before and after the gig.

MG: With your frenzied touring (and relentless off-tour playing out) schedule, do you have time for anything else?

DS: I touch myself a lot. I also watch tons of movies. Mostly horror, foreign and bizarre exploitation flicks. Did I mention I like my girlfriends boobs?

MG: That’s good! How has the road changed…not construction, I mean, since you started, and how has it changed you?

DS: I almost don’t remember the old me. I use to sit and dream about travel. Now I dream about sitting on my couch and watching a movie while turning my eyes red. Hint hint, cough, pass, repeat circle.

MG: Your stage show has been quite over the top and intense at times, so please tell us more about what you do and why, and how you keep it up night after night.

DS: I don’t really know what the hell I’m doing. I guess I’m bashing myself while performing in order to defeat my low self esteem and to knock down a few of my own and the crowd’s demons that chase us every minute of our lives. I don’t do drugs to stay awake. I try to empty my mental and physical tank each performance. Otherwise I’d be a fake and where is the redemption in that?!?!? I’m climbing up that Golden Ladder.

MG: I'm sure that the last few years are full of stories, but any especially hilarious anecdotes/mishaps that really stand out?

DS: Hilarious? This is not fun. It’s a mission and I’m going to complete it. We do have fun on the road (sometimes). I am not just doing this for joy or fame. I am doing this because I have to. A voice told me to go on auto-pilot and there is no turning back. It is in control now… Not I.

MG: Speaking of hilarious mishaps, are you at liberty to speak about your run-in with the SS?

DS: I love my Government. They never lie. This war in Iraq is not bullshit… SHIT, they brainwashed me in there during the interview. I don’t remember anything. Just shut the fuck up and consume… FUCK THAT!!! IT’S ALL BULLSHIT AND WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!! THEY ARE USUING US A LAB RATS AND WE AREN’T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!! That is until now. We will prevail and build a new city of hope that is filled with TRUTH. I HATE what society has become. I will NOT shut up. They ALWAYS lie and they don’t care about us. I can keep going with an angry rant or a confusing sarcasm… which do YOU want to hear???

MG: How did that affect you and your music?

DS: I tried to not let it effect me and I tried to harness it for inspirational purposes. It kinda fucked me up. I will win in the end though. We all will if we remain true. I am scared and look over my shoulder more now… even while I’m sleeping. Those bastards!!!

MG: What’s the toughest obstacle ever overcome, personally or band-related?

DS: The Secret Service interview is a big one for me. The touring has gotten easier yet will never be easy. Going through 5 drummers without ever canceling a gig was an obstacle to say the least. We will never quit. What doesn’t kill us will make us stronger and the world of Rock’n’Roll will be that much closer to being saved.

MG: Do you have a favorite/ least favorite song (of your own, that is) ?

DS: I like and live all of them. Do I have to pick one? Uhhh, I feel “Road Is Callin” and “Apocalyptic Lipped” the most.

MG: What’s the most embarrassing CD/Record/etc. in your collection?

DS: Nothing to me. To you or someone else it would be, Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

MG: What keeps you motivated when faced with the worst?

DS: The hope that I see in the eyes and words of fans/friends.

MG: You got any parting words of wisdom?

DS: No matter what someone tells you, if your gut feels it is right, then do it. Don’t listen to your brain. Listen to your heart. I live by a quote that my Dad taught me a longtime ago: “Treat people how you want to be treated and never throw the first punch… unless you really have to.” We are all the future of rock’n’roll. Do something about it.