Bob: Sats and I met the Loudmouths because they had covered "Kill Yourself" on a single. As I got to know them a bit, it just seemed right. They were familiar with the songs and had the perfect attitude. I knew we had to be careful with using the name "The Lewd" since it was only Sats and I. We didn't want to cheat anyone into thinking it was a full-on reunion. Once I thought up the LEWDmouths I talked to Beth about it, and they liked the idea too. I spent a couple months getting together with Dulcinea and Beth to teach them the songs before we started playing with Sats and the Loudmouth drummer, Pete.

Sats: Pete and I used to run into each other at a cafe on weekday mornings. This was before we knew each other. Talking with Dulcinea and Pete, we feel like it was a little mystical, almost pre-destined for us to do this.

Beth Loudmouth: Bob contacted us via email cause he heard we did a cover of "Kill Yourself". Crazy thing is, that it ends up he lives a block away from me, and I've lived on this street for like 8 years! Hell, we coulda both been sitting in the laundrymat or passed each other in the grocery store and I never woulda known it was Bob from the Lewd!! When Bob approached us with the idea to back up him and Sats, we were all totally into it. If I'd known when I was 19 that I was gonna get to do this, I woulda shit my pants. I was a college radio dj for years and played the hell outta the "American Wino" LP.

2. How hot are the Lewdmouths gigs? How many have you done so far and any idea how many will follow?

Bob: We've done two shows as the Lewdmouths and at this point I think we are done. The Loudmouths have worked really hard for months now, giving much of their band time over to The Lewd. They do need to get back to work on their own band.

Sats: Although there is nothing more planned I've really grown to love the Loudmouths. I hope we can continue to work together, I'd carry equipment for them if they asked! It seems like so many people are disappointed that this collaboration has no future plans. We've had overwhelming response indicating that we should play the occasional "special event".

Beth: Our first show was insane. Gave me a real rush. We played to a huge crowd that was way out of control, everyone was singing along, beers were flying. The energy in the room was something that I haven't felt very often! It's the kinda thing that even if we played a few more shows, I doubt we could recreate.

3. How did people react to the Lewdmouths?

Bob: Much better than we expected. We were completely unprepared for the reaction, especially at our first show. It was packed to the rafters with people, both old and young, who knew all the words and clearly were happy to see us. Probably 90% had never been to a Lewd show before, and they weren't about to waste the opportunity to go nuts.

Sats: Hot, frantic and sweaty!

Beth: Like I said, it was out of control! Lots of broken beer bottles and bruises for everyone the next day.

4. The Lewd had numerous line-up changes. What were the reasons for this constant coming and going?

Sats: All these line-up changes took place so long ago I can't really remember the reasons. Looking back I do realize that they were all a blessing, leading up to the "American Wino" line-up. We were a fairly established group yet we always had that energy and excitement that's there when new people are in the band. It's not that the earlier line-ups were any less important, the success of the Lewd was built on the backs of the Seattle members. It's hard to keep a 4 way marriage together for any length of time and a band is just like being married.

5. What happened to its members after The Lewd split up? Are you still aware of each other's ongoings?

Bob: Over the years I kept in touch with Blobbo but lost track of everyone else. Now we are all in contact, all except Chris Reece, the drummer on American Wino. We lost him after he left Social Distortion.

Sats: We've considered spreading ugly rumors about Chris in the hopes that someone will pass it along to him and he might come out of the woodwork to bitchslap us one. If anyone has contact with him...we have money for you Chris.

Beth: But Bob, what about Olga?? You still talk to her!

Bob: Well, since the cd came out I have been in touch with all of the former members that I can locate. I've been keeping Olga up to date with what The Lewd is doing these days and I recently helped her get the Complete Discography bootleg. She's pleased that Sats and I have been working with not one but two raging punk babes. She was also knocked out by Beth's "Pineapple Princess" alter ego, they seem to share a love for the ukelele and the island goddess.

6. The Lewd are often referred to as being one of the '77 classics. How proud are you of that?

Sats: I'm so proud of what the Lewd accomplished and how well we have weathered the years that I could piss down my leg! It is kind of strange to hear the words "classic" and "icon" but I'm not complaining. Of every thing I've done in my life creatively, theatre, film, directing etc, the Lewd will always be my finest hour.

Beth: I'm glad these reissues have come out of Lewd stuff, cause I know a lot of the kids never heard them. Get your asses to the record store and check them out if you haven't!!

7. What do you consider to be the most worthful Lewd achievement?

Bob: Somehow the lyrics that Sats wrote managed to capture the alienation many younger punks felt. Having no connection with the rest of the world, your hometown and school, even your family. That's what we were about, desperate living in an unfriendly world. Songs like Cold N Numb, Dressed In Black, Polluted Brain, even Mobile Home....these are real people with real problems. So many punk bands sang about overthrowing the government and nuclear war, well, the government is still here and Reagan did not blow us up. Sats captured the reality of our lives.

Sats: This interview.

8. What's the weirdest or wildest situation you've come across with The Lewd?

Bob: Hmmm, chaos, riots, police, jealous musicians, and evil club owners? Nope, it was sex with punk girls.

9. Did you re-issue all The Lewd stuff on "Kill Yourself...Again" to eliminate the Lewd bootlegs?

Bob: No, not at all. Obviously that has happened though, why get a bootleg when you can get more songs with better sound for the price of a cd? Our name was kept alive by the bootleggers so it helped us quite a bit.

10. Were you pleased with The Lewd's appearance on different bootleg comps? Do you own some of them?

Bob: Yes, I'm happy with it for the same reason. The newest generation of punks know our songs. I buy all the bootlegs I can find. I have the various Lewd boots and KBD #3 but have been unable to find any of the other comps.

11. How did you get into punk? What attracted you to it?

Bob: For me it was the Dead Boys, I saw them and knew exactly what I needed to do.

Sats: Well, you have to realize the state of rock music in those days. Rock & Roll was dreary, then POW! Punk rock up your ass! The Ramones, the Pistols. Punk re-wrote the book on rock & roll, then it threw away the fucking book! It was refreshing and exciting again.

12. How do you look back on your early punk days? Which things do you still recall vividly?

Bob: It turns out that this is a tough question, my memory isn't perfect and so much happened in the space of a few years. I'm just lucky to have been a part of it.

Sats: I guess that goes for me too, that something came around I could get so honestly behind.

13. Do you see any differences between the punk scene back then and now?

Bob: At first I thought it was sort of stupid to still have what's called a "punk scene". I've changed my mind after looking and listening. It turns out there are a lot of good bands and kids trying to keep things going. I think one of the major things missing are the underground celebrities who kind of kept things focused and moving forward. The bands and kids are out there, they just have no scene infrastructure to work in.

Sats: As I observe it today I feel it IS the same, the faces have changed, that's all. The other day I heard a song on one of the "new rock" radio stations. Lyrics about hearing voices, going insane, being a freak..it was a re-write of "Polluted Brain"! I wrote that 18 years ago! This new generation has the same experiences, but they don't have the same feeling of community. Punk was always the fringe elements, the deep thinkers, many inspired individuals and of course, the trendy fad followers. Now that the punk sound has been sucked up into the mainstream all you have left are the followers. It's to be expected, and it's up to todays punks to do something about it.

14. The last few years there's been a renewed attention for the early punk bands. How do you feel about that?

Bob: I think it's great, you have to know a bit of history in order to expand on it. There are so many good forgotten bands. Keep digging, it's worth the trouble.

Sats: Iit's pretty cool, and there were tons of groups that were good. If they didn't get some obscure record out then there is no documentation, so they become lost in the search for the bands that did record. I do think much of the interest is generated because todays fans look at our old bands and consider our music their music.

15. Any final Lewd(mouths) comments to close things off?

Bob: Yes, the Loudmouths. They worked their asses off for The Lewd, and if Sats and I continue as The Lewd it will be because of them. At this point they have contributed so much they can be considered Lewd-members as important as any of us. We can't thank them enough.

Sats: It's true, Pete, Beth and Dulcinea did such a great job. I've been as excited about these two Lewdmouths shows as I was in the Lewd. I've gained three new friends and that's what it's all about. New friends, interesting people, great music.

Beth: I just want to say that playing with Bob and Sats was amazing, Bob is very patient and a great guitar teacher! While Bob still plays music in other bands (blues and psychedelic) I think Sats' lyrics rule and his voice is fucking great -- I wish I could still hear him sing with a band! The ultimate thing to me would be to see a real full on LEWD reuninon, I want to see Olga up there on stage! She was always one of my favorites.

Interviewed by Burkhard Jaerisch for Flex Magazine. This interview was later reprinted in the 8/98 issue of MRR.

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