Raymond Pettibon | Interview | Psing Psong Psung releases debut album
Raymond Pettibon is an American artist known for his social critique, punk attitude and DIY philosophy. His album covers for Black Flag and Sonic Youth are some of the most iconic artwork made in the last few decades.
Along his rich career in contemporary art, he also has a new collaborative rock band Psing Psong Psung that includes Ricky Sepulveda (guitars, vocals), Ray Farrell (bass) and Dirk Vanderberg (drums). ‘Only Fan’ is their debut album, out via Org Music. Raymond Pettibon provided the musicians with original lyrics and texts to be set to music. Influences range from Arthur Lee to the band Love, sixties crooners Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, pro-football player/wrestler Wahoo McDaniel, the Bobby Fuller Four to pop celebrity in the 20th Century.
“I had somewhat of an interest in anarchism”
You recently got a new band together. What led to the formation of Psing Psong Psung?
Raymond Pettibon: Actually it’s not a new band, rather it’s a band from many years— decades— ago, reformed around the same lines. After a hibernation, over a still burning fire not yet gone out, as evidenced here. But very much alive— not zombies.
Your debut album, ‘Only Fan’ was released at the end of September. How much time and effort went into it?
A good amount of time and effort went into it, most of that in the past when we first formed. But a new recording.
Can you share some further words about the recording process?
The major part of that was the other members of the band.
I just love how you worked on this project. You wrote the lyrics and texts to be set to music. Was it pretty much a spontaneous process finishing it?
Working with the band— co-writing songs— worked like a charm. Ricky Sepulveda especially has a way with tunes that makes it seem spontaneous, though it may not be.
You sing on two of the tracks. Are those two the closest to your heart?
No. They’re more in my range. If Ricky Sepulveda’s voice befits the song better, then he gets the microphone.
You’re planning to hit the road with the band?
I don’t know. Ray Farrell has brought up the possibility of some LA gigs for a starter. Haven’t thought too much about it, but I’m open to the idea.
It’s always fascinating to hear about influences, so let’s start at the beginning.
A curious amount of the people I knew from early punk had the same primary influences. The Stooges, MC5, Patti Smith, Ramones, The Velvet Underground.
What would be some of the early gigs that you attended and stayed with you forever?
Sunset Strip and environs. The Whiskey, Starwood, Roxy, later the Masque, Hong Kong Cafe, et al. By then not so much arena rock.
The name Black Flag was coined by you, what’s the story behind the name and how did you get the idea to create that legendary four bars logo?
I had somewhat of an interest in anarchism, though don’t let that scare you off. Not card-carrying, or should I say bomb-throwing. The logo is just a concise representation of that in movement. Or of pistons firing.
How did you first get interested in art? What would you say are some of the most important illustrators that shaped your style? Did you enjoy Gilbert Shelton and the likes? What about poster makers such as Rick Griffin?
Gilbert Shelton and Rick Griffin were from an earlier generation, though I knew their work. There are diverse influences from comics, film, drawing, and literature.
… but you had your very own thing when punk rock started… working in a DIY spirit and being part of a local community. Those early years must have felt very creative. How do you look at it from today’s perspective?
I’m up to much the same thing. I never aspired to arrive at a signature style and stay there, or to be part of a certain time or scene. DIY still describes it as much as it did back then.
“So many gigs turned into riots”
Looking back, what would be the craziest gig you were part of?
Too many that one does not stand out. Not sure if that’s a good thing. So many gigs turned into riots.
You created some of the most iconic album artworks, what are some projects you’re most proud of?
The album art is part of the body of my work. As such it doesn’t have a separate place for me. There’s not a complete departure from the rest except for context.
What’s the typical creation process for you?
Working in and with art and literature. Immersed in words and images, pictures and stories take shape.
“As my mind and interest wanders, so goes the work”
Do you work on various things or do you focus on just one particular project?
As my mind and interest wanders, so goes the work.
In what way did William Blake and Goya influence your style?
They both worked in words and images as I do. William Blake’s poetry and visual art can stand on their own, but why should they?
Back to music, I’m sure you’re a vinyl collector. What are some of the most interesting records in your collection? Is there an album that has profoundly affected you more than others?
I have many records but I don’t specialize or look for that certain record. It’s hard for me to pick out favorites, but only because there are so many.
What else currently occupies your life? Tell us about some of the latest/future projects?
For a while it’s been my work on Twitter, which takes DIY to another level. More writing, stories and fiction, than drawings or works on paper. We’ll see where Psing, Psong, Psung takes us— out of the past into the future. I hope so.
Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.
I want to thank you and your readers for your interest. Which, I pray, can be repaid.
Headline photo: Psing Psong Psung | Photo by Mike Watt
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