Mike Lewis

Interview

Mike was the singer/rhythm guitarist for both For Love Not Lisa and Puller. He now owns Zambooie.com and the Nashville Clothing Company. – Interview by Clint

CM: Your song “Slip Slide Melting” has passages that move between Mixolydian and Locrian modes. This reminds me of Krokus and Armored Saint. Were they big influences on you?
ML: Oh yeah, and Anvil, Death, Accept, Rainbow and your Mom!! Actually it was a Smashing Pumpkins rip off. Miles and I were really into Gish when we wrote that song. Billy Corgan demanded royalties from the Crow movie for stealing his mojo.

CM: For Love Not Lisa or Puller – Which one was better and why?
ML: That’s a hard one to answer…I have a lot of regrets from the FLNL days – firing managers, hiring producers, etc. We made every mistake in the book, but Puller never really took off and at times was harder. I think I would have to boil it down to the records. FLNL‘s – “Information Superdriveway” is the record I’m most proud of, from everything we did in the studio to working with Steven Haigler and I even did the artwork for the record. Puller’s – “Closer than You Think” is a close second. I poured a lot of myself lyrically into that record. It was when I was going through a divorce and I spilled my guts between the Chug, Chug’s.

CM: We’ve known each other for a long time now – would it be fair to say I’m the coolest person you know?
ML: Not the coolest, but by far the most interesting. I think the night we got drunk at the Grammy’s after party and chased people around and threw donuts at the B52′s was the best night EVER!!!

CM: I know you were a huge U2 fan – are you bummed they suck now?
ML: Hell yeah I am! That last record SUCKED my ass. Tiffany took me to see them for my birthday and I will say this, Bono is in crazy shape. He ran all the way across the outside round, which was from the endzone to the 50 yard line and then started singing.

CM: I’ve heard stories of secret video tapes from when Ace Frehley recorded “Rocket Ride” with FLNL. Any chance those will show up on youtube?
ML: I don’t know. The camera it was shot on is so old I would have to find someone to transfer it for me, but I still have that tape and all the early touring tapes. The bigger story is Ace asked to play with us in New York and we turned him down! Yes, that’s right, we are retarded.

CM: You had a Les Paul back in the day that was missing a pick up, and it only had 5 tuning pegs. Was that a signature model that Gibson made for you?
ML: Yes, they called me up and said, “Mike since you have gone to the next level in “rhythm guitar playing” and you have sold up to 100+ records we want to present you with this broken guitar.”

CM: Do you think Radiohead is a cool as everyone says they are?
ML: I like Radiohead but they lost me after “OK Computer.” They started to get to that level of pooping in the studio, recording it with a drum machine and calling it art, so all the swoopy haired shoe-gazers could swoon. But damn it, “Fake Plastic Trees” is such a good song.

CM: Your last record was kind of a departure from your earlier albums. Did you do that because the earlier ones were not very good?.
ML: The last Puller record was just Geoff and myself because we had pissed off or fired everyone else, but I think there are a few good songs on it! Ok…two songs.

CM: All kidding aside – I know you are very active with charities for Africa and Haiti. Do you want to tell people how they can help/donate?
ML: Yes, there are a couple of ways. First, people can sign up to be a Mocha Club member at https://www.mochaclub.org (I have been to Africa twice with their people and it was amazing). Secondly, for both Haiti and Africa people can buy our T-shirts at www.thisshirtchangeslives.com ($5.00 from every shirt sold goes to schools in Africa). I have also been going to Haiti since the earthquake to help feed a displacement camp of 600 people who have been surviving on small donations and people like me who can go and help out.

CM: What obscure or under appreciated bands would you recommend people check out?
Molly McGuire
Giant’s Chair
Barkmarket
Shiner
Fireside

Mike’s Top 5

• Fugazi – Self Titled

  

  Fugazi

• U2 – Unforgettable Fire

  

  The Unforgettable Fire (Remastered) – U2

• The Clash – London Calling

  

  London Calling – The Clash

• The Beatles – Revolver

  

  Revolver (Remastered)

• Afghan Whigs – Black Love

  

  Black Love – The Afghan Whigs