THE WARLOCKS at Bootleg March 7 Photo by: Eric Curtis
The Warlocks and Dead Meadow play a psychedelic double header at the Bootleg Theater on March 7.
Forming in the late 90s, The Warlocks have released numerous albums and toured extensively on their own and with the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Raveonettes, and Interpol, among others.
The OC Concert Guide caught up with founding member, Bobby Hecksher, to talk about playing live, the continuing psychedelic movement, and skulls.
OCCG: In some ways The Warlocks are one of the forerunners of the current psychedelic explosion. What do you think about the sheer number of psychedelic bands that are out now? (Black Angels, Dead Meadow, Wooden Ships, etc.). What is it about this type of music that seems to have touched so many people worldwide?
BH: I’m flattered that people think that we had something to do with all this. I also feel we are definitely one of the weirder psychedelic bands. Our records are not exactly catchy and we look at songs like art pieces rather than hits.
I went and saw Tame Impala at the Shrine Auditorium. That place holds like 3000 people right? I remember thinking wow this movement is huge! The sheer number? Well if it’s good its good right?
To me it’s stream of consciousness, free form thinking, art form, and experimental, hypnotizing, creative music. Politically, it can stand for something or not. It’s influenced by drugs yes but, that doesn’t mean we are all drug addicts or anything. We just used it to “see” another way. I think psychedelic has so many meanings and is a big enough umbrella that there are many paths bands can explore. Maybe that has something to do with it.
OCCG: Who is currently in the band and what do they play?
BH: Bobby Hecksher (guitar/vocals), John Christian Rees (guitar), Earl V. Miller (guitar), Christopher DiPino (bass), and George Serrano (drums).
OCCG: What was it like to play with The Sisters of Mercy? Do you have any interesting stories?
BH: The Sisters Of Mercy were one of the more interesting bands I’ve toured with. They did everything pretty much opposite of most rock bands. The stage volume was SO low that their footsteps running back and forth in choreographed rock moves (another weird thing) was LOUDER than the Marshall stacks on stage!
They used this ancient drum machine (called Doctor Avalanche) that was literally still in a1980s DOS refrigerator like computer console. Amazing! I have nothing but good things to say about Andrew & The Sisters. He always puts on a great show. Definitely a highlight until we ran out of money.
It was costing us more to play with them than we were making! We needed additional staff to help with 15-minute changeovers (they would check right up to our stage time!) and cancelled the last two shows. Andrew was pissed! Oops!
OCCG: There seems to be an affinity with skulls – “Skull Worship”, “Heavy Deavy Skull Lover”, there’s a skull on the cover of “Phoenix”, etc. What’s up with that?
BH: Haha. Aww. It’s sort of tongue and cheek. We’re not all skull crazy or anything.
OCCG: Do you get butterflies before you hit the stage?
BH: I suffer from anxiety, so yeah, I still get nervous. The band is huge in Europe and France and some of those shows are intimidating. Some people can do it so easily. It’s hard for me. I’ve definitely fucked up some shows because of getting frozen.
OCCG: What’s your favorite guitar to play and why?
BH: Well I go through phases I guess. I used Vox guitars for a while. The problem is that they sound amazing but play like shit. Nothing more annoying than fiddling around with gear and making everyone wait!
I switched to a Gretsch. Great guitars but you have to use a lot of EQs, boosts and tricks to make them sound full. I’m working with this new guitar company called Pure Salem to come up with a new model. It’s called the Trip Tone and so far it works & looks great. puresalemguitars.com
OCCG: “Skull Worship” is the most current album by The Warlocks. Are you working on new material? Where are you in the process?
BH: I feel it’s [Skull Worship] a little dark now but a completion of style: “Heavy Deavy Skull Lover”, “The Mirror Explodes”, and “Skull Worship” are all loosely connected. I can finally move on. I have a lot of stuff written but I’m waiting to flush them out with the band.
OCCG: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
BH: YES! WE WANT YOUR BRAIN! HAH Kidding! LOL. That’s our new T-shirt!
Yes, take time to mend those fucked up relationships. You’ll be glad you did.
Oh, and thanks for listening to our music. Please donate and support your favorite bands. With all of the downloading it’s really hard for bands. So go support! thewarlocks.bandcamp.com