Posted on May 20, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Isn’t him Funny? Meet John from 1990′s

First time I heard about 1990′s I didn’t even know their name. Still I was twisting and shouting to the rolling hot guitar riff of “You’re supposed to be my friends”, pitching my voice at the top just like the indie-dancefloor were burning right under our feets. Adult boys acting totally insante. That’s what this band was capable of. Years passed, and the guys are back in town with a new album. I had the chance to have a little chatty-chat with their leader John McKeown. That’s what we got.

Mark Zonda: How did the band get born and what’s so special on 1990′s Karaoke and Star Trek TNG besides?

John: The band was born of chance encounters in nightclubs and also a freak meeting at the top of a tree. These things are true. I was kinda sick of making artsy music and when I bumped into Michael I knew I’d found a way OUT. I have no idea about Karaoke except that if you type that word into predictive texting on an English phone you get the word “Japank”. Star Trek is the opposite of our band.

Mark Zonda: “Japank” is a great name for a band!

John: I like it cause it’s a cross between Japan and Spank…two of my favourite…things…

Mark Zonda: Did you know that you’re guilty to have danced our sneakers away with one of your songs for an entire season of indieclubbing? Weren’t you “supposed to be our friend”? What do you have to declare on your defence for having written that hit, and how “you’re supposed to be my friend” came out?

John: I had that riff for a few years but it never seemed to fit the bands I was in at the time. When 1990s arrived it leapt up out of the bag and declared itself READY. Everybody in Glasgow thinks it’s about them. We can never reveal the true star of the song.

Mark Zonda: That is… Johnatan Frakes?

John: Let’s move on…

Mark Zonda: Dealing with stars…. Are Zodiac Signs important. Why?

John: They’re important because they help me when I’m looking for irrational reasons to like or dislike someone. I can be talking with someone at a party all night and they’re really getting on my nerves only to discover they’re a Gemini. Next thing we’re between the sheets and buying wedding rings. I’m an Aquarian and tend to get on with Saggitarians, Geminis and Libras. Almost every girl I ever went out with is one of these. The guys in the band are exactly the kind of signs I don’t get on with. I’m sure it was the same for Big Star and The Beatles and Genesis.

Mark Zonda: Ramones didn’t talked eachothers for 20 years, still they gigged round the World almost every night, I keep on fell in love with Virgins, so I do think that Stars have defenitely something to say. Which bands lighten up your firmament? And what about Aries?

John: I never listen to The Ramones. I find them dull as dishwater. I also have zero interest in virgins. I DO like Aries though. My mum is one. Also Lisa G. (star of Vondelpark). They’re fun people.

Mark Zonda: Lucky me! I’m an Aries too! But let’s talk about your new songs. Which band would you prefer to cover “The Box”, Tom Petty or Sigue Sigue Sputnick?

John: Tom Petty hands down. Fuck Sigue Sigue! I bought their first single but the album was a let-down. Meanwhile, Our Tom completely invents The Strokes with “American Girl”. I’d LOVE to hear Tom doing “The Box”. It’s made for him. In-fact, I’m going to give it to him. Here, Tom, this is yrs. From me. Not from Michael or Dino…NOOOO….from ME. My gift. To you. Yes YOU. Tommmmm.

Mark Zonda: Uh! I’m in di-do-da-troubles! Now you’re gettin me in the position of interviewing Mr. Tom! Favourite american rockstars?

Mark Zonda: Have you guys some kind of nickname? I know nicknames are popoular as inside jockes between bands. Nohel Gallagher use to call Peter “BabyShitFace” for example….

John: Michael gets called “Midnight” cause that’s when he comes alive. Dino gets called “Moose” for reasons of visual identification.  I get called all-sorts I’m sure. most of it derogitory.

1990′s will play at Covo Club in Italy next Saturnday. Let’s hope I wouldn’t get myself a name!

1990′s – “Local Science”

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