Originally published in Verbicide issue #13

In the movie Ghost World, there is a funny scene in which Steve Buscemi’s character, Seymour, goes to a bar with Thora Birch to watch one of his favorite blues legends perform. The old blues man sits stoically and plays some soulful, acoustic ragtime, ignored by nearly everyone in the bar. As it turns out, the legendary guitar player is merely the opening act for another “blues” band — a typical, loud, suburban bunch of obnoxious white guys. As soon as they get on stage, the crowd begins dancing and having a good time. Seymour, disgusted, gets up and leaves.

The band in the movie was obviously supposed to be both ridiculous and horrible (and they pulled it off well). But Seymour’s acerbic reaction is not expressly in response to the poor quality of the music, but to the volume. “I feel like I’m being jabbed in the face!”

I have to wonder, how many purists react in such a way to the Immortal Lee County Killers? Described by some as “a blues purist’s worst nightmare,” the music of the ILCK (or more accurately, the “ILCK3”) is a sonic jab in the face, a frenzied assault of aggressive “blues-punk,” i.e. blues on speed.

But unlike that movie band, there isn’t anything hokey, phony, or ridiculous about this act. The guitar player and lead vocalist of the ILCK, Chetley Weise, is a born-and-bred Southerner who’s about as well versed as they come in traditional blues. On the heels of the breakup of his former group — garage rock stalwarts Quadrajets — Weise set out to form a duo that combined his traditional influences with a punk rock edge. A blues traditionalist’s worst nightmare, perhaps, but a blues-punk/garage rocker’s dream; the real deal in the underground, below the surface of modern rock radio and the White Stripes.

The ILCK are now in their third incarnation with a third member on the organ and a little number “3” at the end of their name. They’re keeping busy touring and finishing up their third full-length record (which will hopefully be released soon), and in a little bit of downtime, I caught up with Weise to discuss not only music, but also some keen reading material and his prowess as a kickboxer — and I also got an inside scoop as to what the hell is really going on down South in those “red states.”

First of all, I just wanted a clarification on the latest name of the Immortal Lee County Killers: are you going by II, III, or have you abandoned the Roman numeral appendages altogether?
After we transited through the third house of Venus, we added an organ player and “III” to our brand. Now we are a trio featuring guitar, organ, and drums, and everyone sings. The numerals denote the incarnation [of ILCK], and this is the third and most definite lineup. With the organ, I believe the band can finally achieve its goal of redefining super-music.

Who is the third Killer, and how long have you all been playing as a trio?
Jeff has been writing, recording, and performing with us for almost eight months, Venus trine Jupiter in the house of the rising sun.

Are you finding that having a third member and perhaps being able to “flesh out” the band’s sound a bit allows you to expand your songwriting capabilities, and even satisfy some creative urges that were limited before?
Definitely. All of the above. He’s created a light show for us, too.

I read from an interview you did with New York Press a couple years ago that you grew up in Memphis, and started going to watch blues performers at a young age. It sounds like you¹ve seen and heard a lot, and certainly know your stuff when it comes to blues, and music in general. My question is, do you ever take any crap from so-called “blues purists” who don’t appreciate your style and sound? How do you respond to detractors?
Those people are historians. I recognize the need for them. Without them, much of what I listen to and take influence from would not have been documented or rediscovered. As far as their opinions of our band, usually what they have to say just reinforces the fact that we are making our own sound and music. Creating our own music is much more important to me than carrying in torch for blues or punk.

Are you living back in your home state of Tennessee again, or are you do you live in Alabama still? What is your local scene like?
I live in Nashville now. Nashville is a fantastic city. Lots of small art galleries, all kinds of music, all sorts of people. The pop, rock ‘n roll, and punk scenes are vibrant and growing.

Though ILCK has a truckload of songs where you guys pretty much just lose your shit, you show a lot of range in your style, from an insane song like “Let’s Get Killed,” to a slower blues tune like “Truth Through Sound,” to a very stripped-down acoustic duet, “Droppin’ M-Fers Like A-Bombs.” Usually, I don’t like to question influences or lyrics, but i also don’t deal much with folks who fall into the “blues-punk” category — so who would you say is the number one musician at the top of your list as models of emulation?
All three of us have different influences — therefore, I will speak for myself. I love John Lee Hooker, T.S. Eliot, William Faulkner, Mc5, The Kinks, John Coltrane, and Bruce Lee.

You mentioned some writers, and I noted on your website that you have a section called “Read,” filled with links to recommended reading material and the statement, “ILCK loves to read.” As Verbicide is a literary-heavy mag, I was wondering if you’d like to mention any favorite writers or books — and perhaps how literature, poetry, and the written word in general influences your music.
Reading William Faulkner is like living in the South (psychologically). His moods and presentation are amazing. Of course, poetry helps with my lyrics; I’ve taken lines directly from William Carlos Williams, Bill Shakespeare, Eliot, Dylan Thomas. I’ve also taken lines from my favorite sci-fi author, Alfred Bester. Listening to music can inspire and teach music. Reading good literature can inspire and teach good words. Regardless, my favorite pastime is reading poetry or listening to music; I usually can’t do both at the same time. On a broader level, I am a proponent of “art is art.” All art works and inspires in the same manner, meaning this: Faulkner is the same as MC5 is the same as Eliot is the same as Hooker is the same as Bruce Lee (martial arts). The difference is the specific medium chosen, but in general, all is art. My two cents on a subject sometimes is a mouthful. Lawdy.

Going back to the as-of-yet-unreleased song “Droppin’ M-Fers Like A-Bombs” — it’s blatantly written about Bush, and, from your standpoint, is from the point of view of someone who is rather pacifist, per your statements from your interview with Nada Mucho in may of 2003. What is it like, being from and living in the South, having any such liberal opinions in a red state? Are things as bad down there as they seem from up here in New England [this question following the very recent news about restricted abortions in Alabama]?
Politically and morally, the South is lost. We’re speaking “in the general” here, of course. Many Southerners drive large trucks and own guns and seem tough as nails, but are so damn scared of change and foreign ideas. Put a gay man in front of one of these people and you’ll see the Southerner break down in terror. I think that’s the problem in most of the red states. Fear drives the animal kingdom into two reactions: fight or flight. Unfortunately, fight seems to be the more common reaction from humans. On the positive side, there are many more people like me than you might think. Don’t forget the Civil Rights Movement started in Montgomery, Alabama, and of course, Al Gore came from Tennessee. Most Southerners are good people once their fear is eliminated. I sense there is a revolution coming in America. It’s a different kind of revolution from those in the past. It’s going be based around people like you and I talking it out with people like them and helping them realize they do not have to be afraid.

Are your views influenced at all by your involvement in martial arts — specifically, the credo of self-restraint? What types of martial arts are you involved in exactly?
Okay, I am now impressed by your research. I specialize in Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but I consider myself a Jeet Kune Do person. Bruce Lee founded Jeet Kune Do. He revolutionized culture in China as he did it. And as many know, the credo for Jeet Kune Do reads “no limit as limit,” and “adapt what is useful, discard what is not.” I think that credo can be applied to all art and personal exploration. Martial arts has had a profound influence on me. I could not play rock ‘n roll today without martial arts. Martial arts keeps me in check both mentally and health-wise. Creativity and hard work are definitely rewarded in my training — without creativity and hard work, I would get my ass kicked constantly, because I train with contact. Personally, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu challenges me to no end. I have never been a fighter at heart. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is changing my physique and my mind into something sharper and more subtle; and to answer your question, yes, martial arts teaches restraint in three ways: if a person goes all out in a fight without some restraint, they’ll probably lose against anyone with experience (a good martial artist flows); if a person becomes too violent while training in a dojo, they will be checked and taught a lesson quickly by a better fighter; and, finally, all good martial artists usually realize their training and knowledge should not be wasted on hurting people without very good reason.

So are the ILCK keeping busy touring these days, perhaps testing out new material?
We’re doing some weekend and short tours. Our planets are still in transit. We have a new record recorded, but we have to find the appropriate label to help us.

Are you leaving Estrus?
We’re exploring other possibilities other than Estrus. There is no bad blood between ourselves and Estrus at all — just time to try something new.

Counting the time you logged in Quadrajets, just how long’ve you been working Crider and the Estrus gang?
A long time. Crider is great…

I see that on February 18 (which will be over and gone by the time this mag hits newsstands) you’re booked to play in Atlanta with Peelander-Z. If you haven’t played with them or seen them before, you are in for a treat. Those guys are bizarre and one of the best live bands ever. Prepare for human bowling and giant drumsticks.
I keep hearing about this band! I can’t wait to see them.

Any closing thought you’d like to tack on here?
ILCK3 loves you.