CYNTHIA ROSE: REAL TIME HOT TIPS

THE RAMONES ON THEIR LAST CD, AND RETIREMENT

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CR: What about the new album - also the last?

Johnny: We wanted to go in the studio and just play the songs. Not having to do overdubs. Not to bring in little things that aren't Ramones, like rinky-dink guitars and keyboards and those kinda things. I wanted every song to sound like we could go right out there and play it live and it would sound just like that.

Joey: We wanted it to be 100% Ramones.

CJ: This record isns't as polished as others I've worked on. All the songs were recorded live except for the vocals.

Marky: We're really happy to see the punk movement at the level it is today. But it never went away: we were always there.

What about the lineup of songs?

Joey: They all move me.

Johnny: There are no songs I hate, which is a good thing. There are usually a few.

One song, "I Don't Want To Grow Up", was written by Tom Waits.

Joey: Yeah, that was exciting conceptually. This is a great one and I think we really turned it into ours. I think he'd be pleased with the job we did.

I Don't Want To Grow Up (165k)

There is also a Johnny Thunders song, "I Love You", by the late J. Genzale (Thunders' actual name).

Joey: Yeah, we did it for a tribute album. And the money went to his estate, for his kids. He was a major influence: he was in the New York Dolls, Heartbreakers and so on. He was one of a kind.

Johnny: Johnny had a good image, but most of the time he was incoherent...I was pleased with the way that song came out. Because I thought we would ruin it.

I Love You (185k)

What about Dee Dee? He wrote a whole lot of stuff on the album.

CJ: Dee Dee seems to be getting a lot off his chest.

Joey: Dee Dee lives in Amsterdam most of the time. It's OK for him, with the relaxed situation about drugs and so on. He had a ot of imvolvement on this record: I think of him as a Ramone-at-large...I can relate to Dee Dee in certain ways, because some of his songs are very universal. He brings in a definite element of decadence.

Johnny: I like Dee Dee. He's a nut.

What about the future for you, individually?

Johnny: We're the best at what we do...thanks to all our fans. They've made my life great. Our record stands. I'm gonna do nothin'. I only ever had two ambitions: play in a rock band and do nothin'.

Joey: I think people finally recognise the Ramones as the conceivers and origin of punk rock. It's encouraging and amusing. One time, radio producers used to tell us, "Gee if you only sounded more like the Doobie Brothers". Now, everyone tries to sound like The Ramones. We still have our worldwide tour. We'll scour the planet. Adios amigos! Play it loud!

CJ: I have my band Los Gusanos.

Marky: I'm gonna start up another band.

Meanwhile, fans can contemplate these meaningful lyrics:

Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
So don't be sad, cause I'll be there
Don't be sad at all

Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
So don't be sad, cause I'll be there
Don't be sad at all

Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
Life's a gas, Life's a gas, Life's a gas, a gas, oh yeah
So don't be sad, cause I'll be there
Don't be sad at all

Hey ho: Don't go!

Ramones to retire

Cramps still Twisting

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