Matt: You've got a new disc called 'Hitsburg Revisited'. This record is in a line of three, first 'Fleshtones Favorites', then 'Hitsburg USA' and now this one. Can you tell us the whole story?

Ken: Well it's definitely a line of records. We've all been recording onto four track and it's a definite period of the Fleshtones. We don't know what the next one is going to be or where it's going to come from. But our whole recording with these records started when we wanted to do one record which was the original 'Hitsburg', called 'Fleshtones Favorites' initially, just for fun. No record companies, no anything.

Matt: It was for fans only.

Ken: For fans only and for us, just to get away from big studios and record companies and to play cover songs. And we've had so much fun doing it and everyone liked the results so much we've continued with this idea of exploring four track recording.

Peter: And also I think it shows another face of The Fleshtones as the world's greatest entertainers.

Matt: On this record and a few previous ones you've put the voice on one side and the instruments on the other. What's the idea?

Ken: The idea is definitely mostly Peter's and it's super stereophonic sound. We had one reviewer say one good thing about it was that you get three different records in one. You can listen to it panned to the left, to the right or in the centre.

Peter: Try it at home.

Matt: The two previous records are covers. When can we expect a brand new Fleshtones' record?

Peter: Do you have 'More Thank Skin Deep'? That's not covers.

Matt: Yes, but maybe you have more projects.

Peter: As soon as we return to New York I think we're going to begin our new album project but we cannot tell the title. It will be totally original.

Ken: And top secret. Peter won't even tell me what it's called.

Matt: You've been recording a lot at Compactor Studio in New York. You seem to have found a home?

Ken: Yeah, without a doubt that is our home. The last three records we've been doing down there and that was Peter's discovery really through his friendship with Paul Johnson.

Peter: A guy who I do a lot of bad jobs with. These include removal man, a fire systems expert, plumber, caterer, waiter and also janitor. Paul built a studio called Compactor and the guy is a bit of a genius. He's not just a genius with a plumbing wrench and a broom but he's also a genius of sound.

Matt: You also seem to have found a good label. Are you still on Telstar?

Peter: Yes. Actually this record is coming out on Telstar and again in Europe on Epitaph so we're happy with that.

Matt: There's an Internet site dedicated to The Fleshtones called The Fleshtones Hall of Fame. Who had the idea?

Ken: That's Steve Coleman out of London, England. He's our resident Fleshtones' computer whizz and basically he dragged The Fleshtones kicking and screaming in the 20th Century. He had the idea to put a web site together and we said: "Fine, what's a web site?" So yes, we do have our web site and it has proved invaluable as far as getting in touch with people who want to see us, posting shows and hearing from people who e-mail the site.

Matt: So you're really a part of it and it's not just something external to the band?

Ken: We're really a part of it and it's important as far as getting in touch with people and letting them know where we're going to be. It's been great, really wonderful, and I encourage everyone to visit and contact us.

Peter: I just want to say about Steve Coleman that he's obsessed with The Fleshtones to, I think, a very unhealthy degree. He's also obsessed with a famous French singer of Belgium origin, not Johnny Hallyday, not only is he obsessed with this singer but he looks almost like him.

Matt: OK, The Dictators have reformed and are back.

Ken: They are back and better than ever. We had the opportunity to play with them last New Year's Eve and they are working on an album right now and it should be finished in the next ten years or so.

Peter: I've heard some of the songs and I have to say that I'm impressed.

Ken: I've heard the singles, 'Who Will Save Rock'n'Roll' and 'I'm Right', and both songs are phenomenal.

Matt: What else, The Full Time Men who include Keith Streng and Ken Fox…

Peter: I will speak for them, they're working on some new material now and I heard it and I have to say I'm very impressed.

Matt: Finally, can you tell the story about the song 'Living Legends'?

Ken: The basic story is that when I joined The Fleshtones it was initially for just one tour because Andy Shernoff was not available. But Keith had the feeling that it would work out and I was not interested in touring the 'Powerstance' record if I had no involvement whatsoever. The other Fleshtones were kind enough to understand that and said: "Why don't we put one of your bass lines on one of the songs." The rest as they is has been a line of shooting ourselves in the foot ever since!

Peter: I remember it more that Andy, who had recorded the whole album, basically was not funky enough to play this one song.

Matt: The Fleshtones must go and eat now so thank you very much for coming. Just to mention that The Fleshtones will be playing tonight at The Bikini and the concert starts around nine o'clock.

Peter: Three big groups for one small price.

Matt: OK, thank you for coming in.