Interview- TAV FALCO

Tav Falco's Panther Burns draws from the rich tapestry of Memphis music culture. they have been a big part of the revitalization of the good underground musical history of the region. They have been around in several forms since 1979 and are one of the finest at mixing rock, raw blues & soul with delightful results. (...and that ain't all they mix).

[Yes, Panther Burns are the ditch diggers in American music. The Last Steam Engine Train Left on the Tracks that don't Do Nothing But Run & Blow. We sprung from the legend of the PANTHER BURN Plantation just off Highway 61 near Greenville, Mississippi, where around the fin de siecle last, a renegade, indigenous Panther was run into a cane break by disgruntled farmers and the cane was set afire to rid themselves of this cunning & unruly creature.]

You've always managed to surround yourself with some real prime players over the years. Who currently plays in your band?

[Red West - on bass since 1983.
Peter Dark - new guitarist.
Douglas Hodges - cousin of the gifted musical Hodges family in Memphis.]

Are you listening to other people's music at all?

[Most recently Re-emersed in magic of John Fahey, who just died.]

Is there anything that you hear that you find interesting amongst those that could well be influenced by you?

[Well, there are groups which shall remain nameless (other than a lush tune called, "Real Cool Trash", recorded by the Dum Dum Boys on the French Riviera)... because the influence that is perceived is usually not represented in what I hear manifested by them and which is heavy on the hard rock edge. Sheer noise & cacophony alone does not capture essential nature of PANTHER BURNS which can be expressed in symbols from cults of antiquity:

The MASK... The PINE CONE... The PANTHER... and OPHIDIAN: the lore of snakes.]

What do you think about the recent wider spread phenomenon of American roots music?

[... spreading like cow manure.]

People must come to you for guidance and input. Have you produced or helped record any other bands or musicians

[Kruppleschlag in Osterreich, VeeJays in Germany, HellCats in Memphis, & EricAmerica]

During the 80's you were regularly releasing material, then it has been our perception up north that until Panther Phobia releases had been sporadic. Is this unfounded? What has transpired exactly?

[Sporadic yes, yet more obscure release between the 2-western continents than is often reflected in discographies. There is the Unapproachable PANTHER BURNS Club site on yahoo with a discography displayed. (Catch this site before the club master flips out & deletes it again). Record labels have to be very clever in promoting fringe artists in order to justify their investment.]

How did you hook up with In The Red?

[Our booking agent brought the label to a gig in LA. It is operated by visionaries.]

What keeps you busy when you are not doing music? Other projects on the go?

[We make films.]

Why should people come to see you?

[To get their Ashes Hauled.]

What can Ottawa expect on April 9th?

[A Hully Gully & a Howling Good Time.]

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