Originally published in Verbicide issue #11

Hellcat Records’ Tiger Army fell on hard times at the beginning of 2003. In March, drummer Fred Hell suffered gunshot wounds as the result of a break-in while at a friend’s apartment. Singer and guitarist Nick13, along with bassist Geoff Kresge, decided to put the band on hold. Miraculously, Fred Hell made a recovery and joined the band in time for a fall tour of America and Canada with Rancid.

2004 has started off better for the California psychobilly act; they are currently headlining a “Punks vs. Psychos” tour, and have recently finished recording their third full length, Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise, out June 29th.

Nick13, via email on tour, discusses the new album, American psychobilly, and his preference of tigers.

How is the new album coming along?
Really well, we’ve just finished up. It was a long haul in the studio, but it was worth it. I think it’s the best thing we’ve done by far…it’s 13 tracks, it’s called III: Ghost Tigers Rise, and it’ll be out on June 29 on Hellcat Records. There’s also a limited edition vinyl-only picture disc 10″ EP called the Ghost Tigers EP, that’s in stores June 8. It’s three songs from the record and a Morrissey cover that won’t be on the album.

How does the new material differ from the last two albums?
I’d say it’s a continuation of the last two albums — it harkens back to our earlier stuff in some ways, but it also moves forward a bit. Either way, it very much has the Tiger Army sound. Sonically, it’s by far the best sounding record, I’m really happy with the tones and the mixes. Some of the stuff has a bit of an ‘80s element — sometimes ‘80s British psychobilly, sometimes ‘80s dark-pop stuff like the Smiths, the Cure, Depeche Mode…

What are the habits of Tiger Army in the studio? Do you record live?
We track the drums live with all of us playing, then we take it from there with each instrument.

Are you still writing all of the songs?
I’m still writing everything. I bounced more stuff off the band this time when it came to arrangements for certain tracks but the actual writing is still me.

When did you start playing a Gretsch and what made you want to start?
I got my first Gretsch in 1992. There’s just something about the sound of a Gretsch that just can’t be duplicated, it’s perfect for our music. I like Fender guitars as well, but my main guitar could never be anything but a Gretsch. I’ve always loved the sound, whether it was Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy or Poison Ivy.

You describe Tiger Army as “American Psychobilly,” i.e. putting an American twist on the original psycho acts. Is this something that you did consciously or did it just happen?
Well, the British/European psychobilly bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s were obviously an inspiration and an influence, but psychobilly has always been about breaking the rules to some extent. There were a number of important bands, starting with the Meteors, who broke with whatever was happening in the scene at the time and went in their own unique direction. This was the approach of all the bands I really liked, so I figured it should be our own. Rather than simply imitate, as most of the second- or third-rate American or European bands have done, we decided to do an American take on European psychobilly, one that’s true to the spirit of the music, but also reflects all the music that’s influenced us growing up in the USA that probably wasn’t an influence for European acts. Whether it’s the Germs or Roy Orbison, it’s all in there.

Are you a bigger fan of the Siberian tiger or the Bengal tiger?
I guess I’m partial to the Bengal, I like the shorter hair. We’re not really an “issue” band but things are becoming harder and harder for tigers in the wild, they’re endangered. I’d encourage anyone who’s interested in such things to find out more and help if you can.

What was it like touring with Rancid?
One of the best tours we’ve done for sure. The Rancid guys are almost like family at this point, and to go on tour with a larger band that plays great music and are good friends was a great experience.

What was it like lending your voice for Live Freaky! Die Freaky!? What was your character like?
My part isn’t huge, I’m a newscaster-type guy, but I’m glad to have been a part of it. Basically, my friend John Roecker, the film’s creator, asked me to do it and I was like, “great!” I recorded my part in a studio that was set-up on the bus at an AFI show in Orange County.

Have you seen the finished product?
I haven’t seen it, don’t know a whole lot about it, other than it’s a stop-motion puppet movie based on the Manson Family that’s guaranteed to offend. I’m down with all of that.

I noticed you have an interest in Edgar Allen Poe. Have any other authors influenced your songwriting?
Prose has definitely been a much bigger lyrical influence for me than that of other songwriters. Besides Poe, the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Yukio Mishima, and John Fante come to mind.

Have you found anything good on eBay lately?
I haven’t had much time for that lately, although I did find a couple of really cool guitar pedals towards the beginning of our recording in the fall, one of which I wound up using on the record.

Is there still a DVD in the works?
That’s kind of on hold for the time being. We were hoping to do a DVD-EP that would come out in time for the Rancid tour last year, but there wasn’t time with the recording of the new album. I love DVDs, and we definitely want to release one in the future. We’ll be making another video for the new album so that can be on it as well when a DVD is eventually released.

How did you enjoy directing the music videos? Do you ever make any other movies, horror shorts, or anything?
Directing the videos for “Cupid’s Victim” and “Incorporeal” were both great experience for me, I learned so much and I’m proud of them both. For the low budgets we had to work with I think they look great, and the video for “Cupid’s Victim” was played several times on MTV2 which is especially cool considering it was made on such a shoestring budget. I’ve never directed anything other than Tiger Army stuff and although it would be fun, music is my focus. I enjoyed working on both videos, but ultimately I’ve decided it’s too stressful to direct and perform at the same time, it’s a lot of work. I’m looking forward to handing off the reins to an outside director for the next one. I feel more comfortable doing that now that we have two clips that totally represent the aesthetic of the band.

Who are some of your favorite horror directors?
I don’t know that any of them would be considered “horror” directors, but my favorite directors who deal in “dark” themes (as well as my favorite directors in general) are Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorcese, and David Lynch.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in Tiger Army?
Probably some or all of the following: author, serial killer, dead, or in jail.

I live in Boston so I’m always curious about how bands enjoy playing here.
We’ve only played in Boston proper twice. The last time (with Rancid) was my favorite, good crowd. I’ll tell you one thing I don’t enjoy about Boston is the goddamned one way streets that all go in random directions, thus making it impossible to get to the venue or leave the city after playing. Other than that, it seems like a cool place. We’ve got a lot of friends from Boston bands.

Are you looking forward to the Punks vs. Psychos tour? Who put that together?
We’ve done about the first week of the second Punks vs. Psychos as I write this. It’s been a great tour so far and I’m really happy to be out on the road playing live after spending the whole year cooped up in the studio. The concept was originally Lars Frederiksen’s, and the tour is kind of a cooperative thing between our booking agency and Hellcat.

Thanks for your time Nick13, hope to see you in New England soon…any last words?
I’d just like to thank everyone for their support, 2003 was a tough year but we’re back! We’ll be coming through New England on the Warped Tour this summer so maybe we’ll see some of you there. We’re really proud of the new album, check it out on June 29! For more information on the new record, tours, MP3s, whatever, check out: www.tigerarmy.com. Tiger Army Never Die!