WHITEKAPS

The Whitekaps have thrilled crowds for many a day with a great blend of punk and whacked humor.  I had a chance to catch up with the Huntington Beach band recently.  Techie-Surfer-Guitar-Guy Rich Paul fills me in on what's up with the band.

Interview by Michael Cornelius

What's up with the Whitekaps lately?  What is your world domination plan?

Our drummer, Dean Briggs (dean@whitekaps.com) is moving to Hawaii!!  So, we are now looking for a new drummer.  Dean's younger brother Dennis plays, so we are hoping he will join.

What is the surfer to skater ratio for the band?

Glenn:   Surf/Skate
Dean:    Surf/Skate
Rich:     Skate
KC:       Skate

Why do the cops in HB suck so much?

Cops in HB suck because they are board.  They spend lots of time working out and ten get all bent out of shape because they have no one to beat up.  Testosterone levels rise, and small incidents turn into major ordeals . . . Blaine (friend) was arrested for cutting a fart ! !

Is it hard to find good venues or shows?

We don't have enough time to play all the good venues and shows we are offered . . . since this isn't a full time thing, we end up having to turn down many great opportunitites.

Have you ever gotten booted from a venue?

We've been banned from venues in the past . . . but we've lasted longer than the venues who have banned us.

Has all the extreme sports hype on the media hurt or helped the scene?

It's helped a lot! ! !  Our scene's music is being used in videos and TV as a direct result of the popularity of extreme sports.

Was playing on the Warped tour hype or bogus?

Playing the Warp tour (originally Board in LA/OC) was one of the best gigs we ever were invited to play.  A good time and lots of good people.

Describe your typical fan.

Kids looking for fun.

Have you gotten a lot of hairy armpit fans because of the song "Hairy Mary"?

TOTALLY . . . there have been some classic emails . . . here's one:

-----Original Message-----

From: Mr H

SentWednesday, September
15, 1999 7:30 PM

To: whitekaps.com

SubjectHairy Mary
Hello Whitekaps.
First let me say thank you
for writing "Hairy Mary". I don't know

of any other songs about
women who do not shave their underarms.

While searching the internet
recently for "female underarm hair" I

came across your page for
"Endless Bummer" where it says there is a song about girls with hairy pits.
I searched for this album, heard some sample clips and without hesitation
ordered it online from CD connection. The CD arrived safely today and is
being played continuously, especially the song "Hairy Mary".  I have
a website which is devoted to the natural unshaved female underarm. 
Something which I admire very much.


I would like to make the
visitors to my site aware of your band.  It would be really great
if you allowed me to re-print the lyrics to "Hairy Mary" and even upload
the song to my site so that the thousand or so visitors from all over the
world who visit my site can enjoy this song. I know they will like it as
I have.
I will place a link to your
site on my page and will probably offer the

CD for sale as an associate
for Amazon or CDnow or whoever. I'm sure it would result in some new sales.
Please let me know if this
is ok for me to do and maybe you could

tell me why you wrote this
song. Whose idea was was it? What or who was your inspiration?
Anything you can tell me
about "Hairy Mary" would be fantastic.
Thanks you,

If you could have a half hour Whitekaps TV show what would you put on it?

A bunch of girls drinking.

Since 90% of the music industry is controlled by 4 giant multinational corporations how can you reach a wide audience without licking their boots like all thoses so called punk bands on the charts?

Simple.  Tour.  If you can't tour, you cannot reach a wide audience.

Do you think the internet has the power to make a band outside the mainstream?

There is so much crap on the internet, the only way to "make a band" would be to have one of those "4 giant multinational corporations" spend a bunch of $$$ on internet advertising.

Shamelessly plug your latest release.

Our latest release is unreleased.  We have two songs recorded.  If anyone wants to have them on CD, have them contact rich@whitekaps.com . . . 

Any shout-outs or final thoughts?

Is my cock big enough, is my brain small enough, for you to make me a star?