I’ve been racking my brain figuring out how to explain the sound, the visual, the package of Gil Mantera’s Party Dream. Aside from saying the band is comprised of two brothers – Gil Mantera and Ultimate Donny – further description is borderline impossible. The Party Dream has to be seen to be believed (as you might’ve noticed from this post) therefore; I recommend you watch these YouTube videos, determine for yourself, and enjoy the interview with Gil Mantera.
First of all, congratulations for being nominated as the best underground band of the year on SPIN.
Gil Mantera: Wow, that's cool. I didn't know that yet, but that's a nice surprise.
I’m excited to be asking the great Gil Mantera drinking questions – so let’s get right into it. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
GM: Well, I think beer would have to be it. Nothing wild, just a nice beer like Pilsner Urquell or Stella or Becks. I tried straight whiskey for a tour, but I've come back to beer because it seems to work best with my architecture. It's a more controllable kind of drunk.
Although I’ve got a feeling your liver might be invincible, is there any alcohol that has ruined you in the past and you absolutely refuse to touch now?
GM: There's a Croatian moonshine, I think it's called ‘Loza’, that really did me in when I was 17. I had been drinking all day at a 4th of July party and at the end of the night, being the young buck hanging with the older cool dudes, decided to chug this highly potent shit and shortly thereafter, I was fucked.
Who is a better drinker, you or Ultimate Donny?
GM: That's interesting... I don't know. I guess me. We both have tamed it down over the years, but he was the last one to overdo it.
What is the most funny, insane, wild, crazy, or otherwise drinking story you can think of – as a band – that you feel like sharing?
GM: Well, crazy things happen when you get crazy assholes drunk. We were on tour and had a long drive from Florida to DC with a couple days in between. Our good buddies in Grand Buffet were playing in Atlanta on one of the days we had to drive, so we were able to catch up with them as it was on our way. They rocked a show and then we went to a party afterwards, got hammered and on our way to the next thing, Ultimate Donny pissed on Lord Grunge's, of Grand Buffet, naked ass... by request. Our friend Mor shouted, "Grunge, did you feel it?" That was pretty amazing.
I think that qualifies as one of the most insane stories ever told. Where is the strangest place you’ve ever waken up after a night of boozing?
GM: I don't blackout, so I'm aware of most everything going on even super drunk, but sometimes a sleeping situation is so raw that you need to be fucked up to deal with it. I slept on a rolled-up carpet rough side out with no pillow or blanket in an artist loft after our sleeping hook-up dude ditched out on us for some pussy. Understandable, but it sucked. This happened in Atlanta as well.
If I were to make an alcoholic beverage called the “Party Dream” or “Gil Mantera’s Party Dream” how would I make one; what would the ingredients be?
GM: It should be kinda like a Boilermaker: beer and a shot of a close friend's piss.
Interesting…so, you guys are well-known for your live shows, where have you played your most rowdy or memorable show?
GM:Cleveland seems to be the most consistently rowdy. Nothing stands out in particular, but people have got cut with glass, lost their shoes, kicked out, punched and so on. Some dude tried to fuck with me in Columbus very early on, so I got him in a half-nelson and wrestled him to the ground. Nothing much happened after that.
I would expect as much. Are you going back to SXSW this year?
GM: I don't think so. It's fun and all, but we don't have a new record to promote yet and we're trying to not play so much until a new record is done.
Speaking of a new record, what does 2007 hold in store for Gil Mantera’s Party Dream?
GM: I'm doing a solo show of cover songs coming up soon. That's for fun though. I think we're just gonna work on a new album and tour again. That's what bands do. I might start a band with Tony from Zombi if we can work that in with our schedules, but I don't want to jinx it. He's a phenomenal musician and we just started to talk about it.
Very cool. Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?
GM: No, I really hate New Year's altogether. Well, let's be honest, I'm already magnificent. No need for resolutions in the first place.
Well, that about does it. Are there any other more fun stories, tales, words of wisdom, imparting gifts you’d like to share before we conclude?
GM: Don't expect the unexpected. You can only pick yourself up upon falling down. Resist everything but temptation.
And finally, which are better: ninjas, pirates, or Vikings?
GM: True ninjas rarely make mistakes, but if they do and come out alive, they must destroy themselves for the sake of honoring their master and the ninja code. That's pretty fucking cool, man. Now if I could only get my ex-wife on the same page, I'd be smooth sailing!
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For music, pictures, videos, and more, more, more, visit the Gil Mantera link below:
I was raised by bears. In a bear den. When I was old enough I went out on my own, peed on some rocks, and called that place my turf. I eat things and hibernate. Life's been swell.
1 comments:
That video has the most trucker hats per square footage I've seen since 2001.
Go, go, Florida!
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