Skinny Bones

The Gonedaddys

By Cary Doll
(SugarBuzz NYC/CT)

SugarBuzz Magazine

Skinny Bones is the voice for NYC’s The Gonedaddys . He also plays guitar with them. Their newest release is “Shot My TV”. Skinny is a singer who has had the opportunity to play and record and tour with some big name Old School Punk people. Skinny Bones recently took time out of his schedule to answer some questions with Cary Doll.

Who was the first punk veteran you worked with? What was it like working with them?

Dee Dee Ramone was my first, ...man that sounds strange! He was great to work with as a songwriter, but when we had to function as a band it was difficult. He would get this look in his eyes and you just knew that all hell was going to break loose. He might have been bi- polar, because just as quickly he would chill out and be happy and funny.

Does songwriting come naturally to you? Do you write the lyrics, the music or both?

It comes when it wants to. I've learned not to force it. But it always seems to come at the worst times. Like when my girlfriend wants to go to sleep, or she just cooked a meal. It almost wants to cause trouble. You just have to drop everything and go with it. Try to get it on tape ‘cause it will evade you when you want to remember it. You might find me hunched in a corner at 5 am trying to sing really quietly into my own answering machine that I called with my cellphone. Pretty weird stuff! Most of the time, I write everything. But I do like to write with other people to get different flavors.

What do you like most about performing?

I like doing silly shit like goofing off, and making people laugh, and then rocking them. It’s fun to switch people’s gears, especially a big crowd. Like Mr. Ratboy says" you're either rocking or waiting to rock".

Who do you most admire in music?

The old Blues guys who got ripped off, but kept doing it so long that it came back around to them. That's a big part of 'making it'. In music, you just gotta keep doing what you do until people come around.

Who are your biggest music influences?

I like 50’s rock Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, The Ronettes also the early Kinks.

What would you do differently if you could??

I don't really think about that, 'cause I can’t.

Why are you called "Skinny Bones"??

When I lived in Upper Manhattan near Harlem, some of the old dudes on the street used to call me that. In the 8o’s everyone had a funny punk rock name. That one just stuck.

Do you care whether you make it ‘big’ or not??

No, it’s the wrong kinda music to play if you wanna make it big. The Ramones never made it big. While they were alive they never got a gold record, except when Skid Row covered "Psychotherapy". But to be remembered after you’re dead is always nice.

Do you like touring and what has been the best touring experience you can recall?

Yes, they have all been fun. The worst part is coming home. The best tour was opening for the Sex Pistols in South America. The crowds really go nuts! And there are kids who make their own band t-shirts with magic markers. They are wildly excited about punk rock.

How did you hook up with Nicotine Records?

Nicotine’s A&R guy, Thomaxe Goze saw me playing in a bar in N.Y. and told me I should do a record for them with The Gonedaddys. We recorded a full length album titled "Shot My TV". It has a bonus track "Nothing is Innocent" which I co-wrote with Dee Dee Ramone. Goze really made the whole thing happen. It’s out now, and people can get it from www.nicotinerecords.com. Next, we are working on a European tour in June 2010.

Tell us something about Skinny Bones that might surprise us!

I lost the use of my arm for a year due to nerve tumors. I couldn't play guitar at all. But it came back, the nerves rerouted themselves. I had to learn guitar all over again. I am fine now.

www.myspace.com/thegonedaddys

www.myspace.com/nicotinerecords

www.nicotinerecords.com

SugarBuzz Magazine