Shane Van Dyke, Dave Klein and Jake Cavaliere in some incendiary gig by The Bomboras. Photo: courtesy Jake Cavaliere
The keys are on fire but behind is not Jerry Lee Lewis. Jake Cavaliere is summoned to talk about The Bomboras and Lords of Altamont, but he has also done his thing with The Sonics and The Fuzztones. He worked with The Cramps and, although the garage has a select list, his name is commented again when you talk about bands like The Witch Doctors, The Untamed Youth, The Go-Nuts or The Finks. Jerry Lee Lewis is not behind the flames, this time Cavaliere is writing his own rock and roll story. Here’s a talk with the musician from Los Angeles.
Lee la entrevista en español aquí
-What did you feel the first time you heard The Rolling Stones?
Haha, hard to say, I was probably 3. My parents would rock the Stones and Beatles often. When I got older (17) it all registered. Hanging around Steve Hill (Witch Drs.) really contributed to my love for the Stones. I go through my phases, but I really love that 67-72 era. It was that time when they really started writing more of their own stuff and experimenting.
-At what age did your first approach to an instrument come?
I think I was 11 or 12, my mom bought me a p-bass copy.
-Who was your inspiration to play the organ?
I was hanging out at a club in San Diego (The Tell Tale Hearts were playing)
A guy named John Agnew asked me if I wanted to play organ in his new band. The next weekend I bought a Farfisa Compact Duo, and a Vox Jaguar.
So now I was a kid with an organ and zero knowledge. Push keys…make sound.
Inspiration?? I thought Bill Calhoun (Tell Tale Hearts) was killer. I liked Allen Price a lot at the time. Jeff Conolly was killer too! That was around 1988.
Since when did you start setting fire to the organ?
We started doing that in The Bomboras around 1993. Jerry Lee Lewis left an impression on me.
-Besides from The Bomboras and Lords of Altamont, what other bands have you had participation in?
Hmm, Eastern Green, The Witch Doctors, The Morlocks, The Untamed Youth, The Go-Nuts, The Fuzztones, The Sonics, The Finks, Lord Hunt & The Missing Finks, The Chelsea Smiles, Black Honey Cult.
-Tell us your story with The Cramps. You toured with them and then you were part of their team. What memories do you have of those days? What can you tell us about its members?
The Cramps are the best! Always had a great time, always jaw dropping performances. I worked with a few different line-ups, and toured with a few. Lux & Ivy were always 100%. They treated me like an equal in the music business. They were always sincerely interested in what I was doing musically. There are definitely great stories, or least great stories to me. Things that may not be exciting to the others. Harry, Chopper, Slim, were always solid. I really enjoyed being a part of the crew or the line-up!
-Tell us about your phase with The Fuzztones, you recorded four albums with them.
Fuzztones were an interesting ride. I was young dumb…
Rudi and the guys taught me discipline, and the drive to be professional.
Most garage/psych bands were projects and weekend warrior type situations.
Fuzztones were out for blood. I think a lot of people knock the Fuzztones because of jealousy.They kicked ass back in the day. I came back to the Fuzztones a couple times…I tried, but it just didn’t seem to click.
Recording with the Fuzztones was like any other band. We were 100% analog, I do remember that.
-You have been in Mexico on several times, how is the experience of performing here with Lords of Altamont, The Sonics and Bomboras?
Mexico is the best! Mexico has the most supportive and exciting audience to be around. I think any band that makes their way south gets a big surprise!
It’s always so great to see everyone time after time.
-All The Lords of Altamont shows in Mexico were via Ernesto Fuzz On and Tere Farfisa, what relationship did you have with them?
They were/are loyal supporters of the scene. They work hard to bring great different bands to Mexico! That is something that is taken for granted in the U.S.
-Have you talked to Ernesto about some upcoming gigs in CDMX for after the pandemic?
Ernesto and I keep in touch. Right now is not the time for shows. There are other things on his mind at the moment. Love to Tere.
-You are part of a different generation to figures like MC5, The Sonics, Fuzztones or The Cramps but somehow they aligned and you have played with them or collaborated with their members, how has it been for you?
I had the haircut I guess, haha. But really I have been extremely lucky to be aligned with the greats! I hope I can continue the track record. Working with The Cramps was great. Lux and Ivy are the real deal. But also good people. I really appreciate the time I spent with them. I miss them a lot.
Working with The Sonics is a child dream come true. In fact I never expected to have the opportunity to be a part of the band. I have performed with the original line-up…it was great! I have performed with multiple variations of the band, that was great too! Freddie Dennis is a legend! That man is talented, funny, and a screamer! Dusty Watson, says it all! Hits like caveman and floats like a feather!
I could go on for hours about these guys. Guitar legend Evan Foster, a long time friend. Doesn’t mess around, play those parts period correct! You can count on the Sonics sound with Evan,love that dude! And of course Rob Lind, the original member of the Sonics. Rob is so fun to be around, when he starts to tell stories about the Sonics it’s almost as if he is reliving those moments at 17 years old with his best friend Gerry! I can’t get enough of it.
It’s funny, some people like to voice negative opinions about some of the new guys being in the Sonics. It hurts sometimes,but for myself I am doing my best and NOT stepping out of the Sonics sound. I try to do my job exactly the way Gerry did back in the day. I am not trying to impress anyone or show off, I want the original band to be proud, I want Gerry to feel good I am doing my job to the letter. I want Rob Lind to keep rocking as long as he wants too. If Rob wants to play with us, let him enjoy his band and fans! The other option is NOTHING!
-Michael Davis has played the bass on The Altamont Sin, how did an MC5 come to the band and what was it like to record an album and give shows with him?
Mad Dog was married to our manager Angela Davis. Spencer Robinson was leaving the band and Micheal offered to join. I’m sure it was hard on him for sure. MC5 was making a huge comeback around this time. Going from MC5 to Lords must have felt weird. Either way Micheal was solid! He worked, he rehearsed, he contributed to songwriting, and he slayed! I think our punk rock attitude was a little exhausting for Micheal.
Looking back I wish we utilized Micheal better with his writing and experience. I think I could have been more “in tune” with Mike at the time. We did have lots of fun together. I love Micheal and miss him.
Micheal also produced a Lord’s song for Mojo Magazine. This was our first encounter of directly working with him. He had great ideas, and pulled no punches.
-2022 marks the 20th anniversary of To Hell With The Lords Of Altamont, any plans for the anniversary of your debut album?
I didn’t even realize. I don’t have plans for much at the moment. It’s been hard to do anything with a pandemic.
-Four years has passed since the last release of Lords of Altamont, what has happened to the band since then?
We wrote and recorded a new album soon to be released Juy 9th? We toured Europe extensively. We had several tours canceled due to the obvious issues with the world presently. We had a couple guest guitarists Ron (from Devil’s Blood), and Sander Bus (from Death Alley & Splinter). We shot a video 100% on an iPhone while in quarantine for the pandemic.
-This year they return to Heavy Psych Sounds with Tune In, Turn On, Electrify!, How was the process to release a new album in times of pandemic?
It sucked, what a pain in the ass! We did it all remotely back and forth from The Netherlands to Los Angeles. It was a lot of frustrating work, but we got it done. With technology it seems you can achieve anything with recording. But music needs that personal touch and interaction.
-What is the lineup for this new album?
Dani, Rob, Barry. And guest guitar Johnny DeVilla
-Does Paul Roessler produce again? Is there a sound as powerful as that of The ‘Wild Sounds Of The Lords Of Altamont’ on this new album?
Yes, Paul worked with us. And so did Silvia “Chernosyl” in Utrecht NL . Hope it sounds powerful to everyone. We like it!
-When did you start tattooing?
I did my first tattoo in 1993 or 94. I didn’t get into a shop until 1998/99
-What was the first tattoo you did?
Ace of spades on myself. Second was a Sailor Jerry pinup.
-Tattoos and rock and roll, is there really no other way?
Haha yes! Everything I do leads back to rock n roll or tattooing.
I have tried other things and works out ok I guess, but what else is there?
It keeps me alive…somehow it validates me in my head.
