Freakout U.S.A: First of all, I understand you've got a new album coming out?
Peter Zaremba: No, we don't have a new album coming out. We've got a new album recorded. That's two different things in the career of the Fleshtones. Remember, our first album that we recorded took 12 years to come out on vinyl. Though we have recorded a new record, with Peter Buck producing, and we think it's very, very, very good and very different. A different mood for the Fleshtones.
Freakout: Can you describe some of the selections, perhaps, on the record? What can we expect?
Peter: It's a bit more ... upbeat, yet a bit depressing. A bit more mystical, and less horns. More just the Fleshtones. The reason Peter did this record was we had this body of songs and we said, you know, "Who could do this record?" We said, "Well, Peter could do it." And he gladly did it.
Freakout: Describe, if you can, a typical day in the life of a Fleshtone.
Peter: Well, I can't describe a typical day, because we never have a typical day. Today we woke up very early at our manager's parents' home in La Jolla, a very beautiful place, ate some cross buns because it was the last day of Lent and Easter Sunday, jumped in the car, fell asleep, drove for about two hours, went to Mexicali Mexico for our Easter dinner with Chop Suey, and then high-balled it right here and played a show, and we're lucky enough to be staying in the same place we're playing. Every day's different, really. Every day for the Fleshtones is like being in an Elvis movie.
Freakout: What's your reaction to the news that you're being inducted into the Freakout U.S.A. Rock and Roll Garage of Fame now, the first band that didn't break up 25 years ago to be inducted?
Peter: I think it's only right. I think it's only right, and it's about time that we got that type of recognition, because we haven't broken up. And why haven't we broken up? Because we enjoy what we're doing. And, quite honestly, we're good. We're good at what we do. And not just that, it's fun! What we do is fun. And people should enjoy what we do. And they do! I'm very proud to be in the Freakout U.S.A. Garage of Fame, but I belong. I do believe I belong, and I think it's only right! I think it's about time.
Freakout: OK, could you describe the ...
[At this point our friend Susan Byrnes approaches Peter]: There's a party across the street and you're invited ...
Peter: Your hands are so cold! Why?
Susan: Because I have poor circulation and Laryngitis.
Peter: That's terrible! You know what, if you did the Jerk more, I think it would improve your circulation immensely.
Freakout: How would you describe, in a nutshell, the Fleshtones' philosophy?
Peter: The Fleshtones' philosophy is that you should believe in things. And the things you believe in you shouldn't deny, and you should bring them to other people, and do it in a strong way, and always try to enjoy every day that you live.
Postscript: That was years ago. Peter brings us up to the minute in a recent postcard: "We've been keeping ourselves busy. We did an LP with Steve Albini called Laboratory of Sound. What's the word on that Garageshock or whatever that festival is in the Northwest that has all the garage-type groups at it? How come they don't ask us?" Yeah, how come? Mr. Zaremba also mentions recent work re-mixing Finland's own 22-Pistepirkko, writing for Fizz, and waxing a cut on the CCR tribute A Song For Everyone called "Cross-Tie Walker." Please purchase Laboratory of Sound, as it is a solid soul sender smash!