The Goddamn Rattlesnake

Fueled with whiskey, clad in flannel, and clutching a banjo, The Goddamn Rattlesnake will make you wish you had a knife and a woman to love.  And if you do, have a knife and a women, then you'll be stomping your foot right along to his lonesome, uplifting country ballads and shanty songs.



How did it all begin? Have you been playing long, or did you just one day start strumming on the gee-tar, write a poem, and think, that would go well together?


Well. It all started when my old band (the infamous AMANDA NOA) fizzled out in the summer of 2004. although it was quite an amazing part of my life, it also allowed me to realize just how hard/expensive/shitty it can be to truck your gear around and find practice space and such in new york city. So I decided I was gonna try something a little more simple. Something I could do by myself and not have to spend excessive amounts of time and money getting it done. I have always been a country/blues fan for years prior but never actually thought i would ever be playing it. When started writing songs on my acoustic the country thing just kinda came out naturally. And since I can't sing worth a damn so i had very few options.

It seems like theres been a recent country/blues/bluegrass revival am I wrong?

You are not wrong. But I would not call it revival. It is more of an awareness. That shit never went away.

What kind of gigs are you playing these days?

We have been playing some pretty stellar shows lately. Great people. Everything from kitchens to loft parties to backrooms in bars to genuine bonafide venues that you can buy tickets on the internet for.

You give away your CDs, have free downloads on the internet, play free gigs, is this a sign of our technological times or simply a result of having a fan-base of broke-ass suckers?

I barely make any money working full time so how can I expect to be making any money having a good time and playing some sweet jams. I guess it is just easier. If we were to hold out on shows and wait until some one wanted to put our record out than we would never have shows and no one would ever hear us so they would have no reason to put out our record. This way we play shows all the time and people listen and spread our music around and all is great.

Who is this Mr. Poor Boy Johnson and whats your relation?

I started playing with Poor Boy after his brother told me we were making similar music and maybe we should collaborate. We basically back each other up. we do not write songs together but we make music together. I think we sound pretty good. we each play solo every once and awhile but for the most part it is the two of us along with Crozier The Destroyer (guitar god and mandolin magician) and Handsome John (drum pro).

Most of your songs deal with spiteful/delicious women. Tell us about those women.

Ha. This is one of those questions that you knew could quite possibly get me in trouble. I guess most of my songs are about pretty ladies. some are about ladies I know/knew. Some are about ladies I will never know. some are nice and sweet. some are cruel and evil. But all are pretty.

Are you a lover or a fighter?

Well. I have probably won more hearts than fights. But when I do kickass or break my heart it's a pretty outstanding performance by all parties involved.

Your most memorable gig to date?

Probably the ones that I can barely remember. People tell me those were the best.

Initially your show was just you and Poor Boy. Then Croizer got in the mix. And lately, you have a drummer in the band. Whats next?

I am pretty happy with what we got going on. Everyone works so well together. I think we gotta pretty nice vibe going on with the four of us. Now I think we are just gonna have to tour the shit outta this country.

Lets play a little either/or shall we?  Shot of whiskey or a punch in the face?

Shot of whiskey post face punch.

Shot of whiskey or a loose woman?

The whiskey usually opens the door for the loose women. So whiskey.

Shot of whiskey or a punch in the face from a loose woman?

The women usually end up punching me in the face anyway. So whiskey.

Downloads

All Day Long Song.mp3
Constantine.mp3
Foggy River Roll.mp3

Website

http://www.myspace.com/thegoddamnrattlesnake

Photos

Ed Zipco

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