Darren Johns of Crazy Arm in interview
We just had an interview with Darren Johns (vocals / guitars) of Crazy Arm. They have a fantastic new album out on Xtra Mile Recordings!
How are you doing? I'm hanging in there, thanks, despite the never-ending anxiety. I was the same before Covid, to be honest, but now there's the added layer of social disconnection. It feels like I'm on auto-pilot most of the time. If I think too much about things, I start to question the point of my existence. Although, it's just been announced that the UK may be back to normal by mid-June, so there's light at the end of this hellish tunnel.
The world is on fire. What particularly annoys you right now the most? Where to start? The cops, the neo-Nazis, the neo-liberals and the super-rich. The hypocrisy and collusion of Western governments in the face of war crimes in Yemen and Syria. The abuse of human rights in Myanmar, China and the middle east. The global mistreatment of, and cruelty towards, refugees and migrants. The insanity of Brexit and the Tory scum who instigated it – how a huge, complex socio-economic decision was left in the hands of a manipulated and misinformed population is something I'll never come to terms with.
What reaction to the new album have you been most excited about so far? Critically-speaking, Classic Rock magazine describing the album as “Staggeringly ambitious” was right up there. But the reaction from fans and friends has been amazing, and a big relief. We didn't know what kind of world we were releasing this album into, or whether anyone gave a shit about us any more. Of course, releasing a new record during a global pandemic is probably one of the dumbest ideas we've ever had, but we just couldn't delay it any longer.
You have a special relationship with Eastern Europe and Larry And His Flask, don't you? With LAHF absolutely. They're lovely people, the best band to tour with and they have amazing songs. We struck up a great relationship with them over the years and I miss them dearly. A couple of them have formed a new band called Thirsty Work, which carries the Larry flame. Do we have a special relationship with Eastern Europe? I wasn't aware! We've had great times in the Czech Republic, especially playing Mighty Sounds Fest, but we've only toured other Eastern European countries once, which was pretty eventful. I'd love to go back and play/see more of the Balkans, along with the Ukraine and Russia.
Who are your favourite bands at the moment? I'm currently listening to Mogwai, Constantines, Propagandhi, Lana Del Rey, Elder, Murder By Death, The War On Drugs, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Wipers, Fucked Up, Weyes Blood, Woven Hand, X, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Ted Leo and Hot Snakes. That's my cycling and night-walking music.
Which acts from the UK should we check out? I'm totally out of touch, especially after the last 12 months. But I recommend Bob Vylan, Harker, The Skints, Commoners Choir, Waco, Petrol Girls, The Human Project, Sam Russo, Skinny Lister, Muncie Girls, Bad Breeding... And there's my other band, Tripper, who I play bass for. We made an album with Mike Watt recently which should be out this year, zombie apocalypse notwithstanding.
What has been your funniest tour experience so far? Not funny, but the oddest experience was when we unwittingly drove someone's pet cat from London to our hometown Plymouth (370km) when it had become trapped on our van's engine, clinging to the battery. I only noticed when I decided to check the water level about ten miles from home. Her owner took a train down the next day and picked her up. The poor kitty was in shock for a very long time but lived to purr the tale.
What's your favourite Against Me! song? 'Borne On The FM Waves Of The Heart'. Love it. New Wave was the album that got me into the band. They were promoting White Crosses when we toured with them in 2011 so I've got a soft spot for 'I Was A Teenage Anarchist', despite being a quinquagenarian anarchist. I understand the sentiment.
What comes to your mind when you think about Germany? Amazing little anarcho/punk pubs like the Cobra Bar and Onkel Otto in Hamburg; venues that were once Nazi fortresses; Gunnar Christiansen and Gunner Records, who put out our first two albums in Europe; the lovely Digger Barnes; Cornelius in Mainz; Eva Roelen and Berlin; playing an awesome wedding near Oldenburg; Heidelberg and Villa Nachttanz; Riez Festival; Robert Kasel in Koblenz; Blauer Engel in Lubeck; unbearable 40 degree summer heat; crazy, hilly autobahns; weighing food in service stations; endless plates of kartoffelsalat. So many brilliant memories. I just hope we get to do it all over again.
