T4 PROJECT MEMBERS SPEAK OUT
What was the deciding factor for getting involved?
Trotsky (drums, Subhumans [UK], Citizen Fish): “I love making records with different musicians and different feels of music, and this ticked all the boxes (and stopped SSR ringing me every other day).”
Kristen Patches (vocals, Naked Aggression): “After my late husband and guitarist Phil Suchomel from Naked Aggression died, Shannon, who was a close friend, convinced me to play music again when I thought I never would. When he asked me to sing on the T4 Project, of course I said yes. I love doing music with Shannon; we always have a good time with it and he makes it seem like anything is possible.”
Tony Barber (bass, Buzzcocks): “When I heard how much Trotsky was getting, I thought, ‘I’ll have some of that too. This anarchy stuff’s rolling in cash, ain’t it?’”
What was the experience like?
Spike T. Smith: (drums, The Damned, Morrissey): “It was short (for me at least) but a lot of fun. It was pretty intense, too, in the sense of trying to get so much done in the time we had. Of course, we managed it and even had a little time socially together, so it worked out well.”
Paul Roessler: (keyboards,The Screamers, Nina Hagen Band): “Smooth and easy. I felt really good about what we came up with. On something like this, the idea is all good and well, but what is the actual contribution? Is it just my name or did I come up with something that really added to the music? I’m not a machine, and sometimes there’s just not really room for keyboards…but I really feel like we found some cool parts.”
What surprised you most while working on the T4 Project?
Barber: “The quality of the girls that Saint Ryan kept having bussed in.”
Patches: “I can’t believe he was able to pull it off, getting all sorts of punk rockers to join the project, but if anyone could pull off such a large collaborative project, Shannon is defi nitely the right person for it. It sounds like I’m writing him a letter of recommendation or something, but he has that quality that we all call the golden touch—to be able to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to.”
Saint Ryan said everyone involved put his or her own stamp in the communal effort.
Trotsky: “The tracks I played were within the parameters of SSR’s vision, but obviously every musician has his (on her) own style and expression and that will come through. I chose fi ve tracks from the original demo that I felt I could do most justice to, and knowing Spike’s playing style, I reckoned there were some better suited to his style of playing.”
Smith: “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and tried to bring as much to the table, musically speaking, as I could. In fact, I had too many ideas!”
There have been rumors of upcoming concerts. Will you be there?
Barber: “Only if they have the special pass that gets them past the third level of security to my own dressing room. Logistically, it will be a nightmare. Trying to get all the personal masseurs and trainers into the backstage area will be hard enough.”
Smith: “That would be great if it happens, and if it does, you will see me for sure…of course, that’s if I’m invited.”
Roessler: “Ha! Well, anything is possible! I want a role in the movie!”