Photo by Gary and Pierre Silva

An Interview with Purr Machine - August, 2003
by Monica Richards/The Mercyground

Where did the name Purr Machine come from?
Betsy: People can read whatever they want into the name, and have, but it came from my obsession with cats.
It's been a while since your last release. Can you tell us about the new CD you're working on? What should your fans expect from it, and how is it different from Ging-Ging? When will it be released?
Kevin: More of the same, no just joking, a progression and more evolved sound. We have a lot of guest players and talents involved on this recording and that has definitely expanded the sound.
You both have come from two very well known bands, though stylistically incredibly different. How have they compared to Purr Machine, as a whole? How have you evolved since then (personally and musically?) What have you learned from these other projects? Kevin, you are known for playing in the seminal Death Rock band, Kommunity FK and Betsy, you sang for the legendary Caterwaul - Can you describe what it was like for you back then? How has the scene changed from then to now?
Kevin: I think just like anything in life, you grow and you expand and learn from them, I don't think there's much similarity between our old bands, the way we write is completely different, totally different personalities and talents involved, although our trademark sounds are there, we have expanded on that to work with what we do now. As far as the scene, I don't think it changes much, it's still as exciting as it ever was.
Betsy: There are always new elements to the music scene, but it seems that things also go in a circle and that's pretty cool.
How do you describe the music of Purr Machine, sound-wise?
Kevin: Electronic, atmospheric, noise, melodic, dark pop...or something like that. It's really hard to put it in categories, we do what we do with not much thought to how it will turn out to be honest. I know it sounds just like "flying by the seat of your pants" but we pretty much fly by the seat of our pants!
What is Purr Machine trying to communicate in its lyrics?
Betsy: I rarely try to be preachy, I mainly get inspired by the music, also by things I see or feel, whether it be by people, relationships, animals, emotional feelings, all that. Life in general. I am sure all that is conveyed in my lyrics.
Does one work on the music more or is it completely collaborative?
Betsy: Kevin usually comes up with a musical idea, then I come in with a vocal idea, and then we build on that. It's not always that way, but most commonly that is what happens.
You have some very special guests on your new CD. Can you tell us about them, who they are and how they got involved with your music?
There's Chris Vrenna from Tweaker, and he played amazing drums on some of the songs and William Faith from Faith and the Muse played guitar on one song, Alex Gordon from the Deadmen played guitar on a couple of songs, Kirk Hellie who played guitar on the first album played on a couple of songs on this album. Statik from Collide did drum programming on one song. With all these people lending their talents, it's still the Purr Machine sound only we got so lucky to get all of these great players to contribute. We are fortunate to have such very talented friends.
What is currently inspiring for you for the new CD?
Kevin: I don't think we're inspired by a whole concept for a cd, it's a collection of songs that we come up with, so that cd is a reflection of all those collective inspirations.
What are your earlier influences, and what are you listening to now?
Kevin: That one's hard, influences, Bowie, Killing Joke, Joy Division, Stranglers, Cure, Cheap Trick, and so many more, anything and everything. What I'm listening to this week? The new Dandy Worhols cd, The Burning Season by Faith and the Muse, Some Kind of Strange by Collide, Death in Vegas.
Betsy: My influences, Led Zeppelin, Sisters, Cocteau Twins, and what I have in common with Kevin is we both believe it or not are hardcore Cheap Trick fans from way back. I also am getting into Dandy Worhols and all of the above.
You both started doing music in the 80's, and there is a very big "Retro 80's" wave happening in current music. How do you feel about it?
Kevin: Just fine! I thought that was a real creative time, yes there was complete crap songs by crap bands, but there in general it was more of a time of experimentation, and not so cookie cutter crap like a lot of radio stuff now.
Betsy: I agree, I can't even turn on the radio, I will turn it to the classic station just to hear something tolerable.
You also both made well-known videos back then; what's it like to catch one of your own videos on VH1 Classic (or be told that they're playing them)?
Kevin: it's totally cool. The Kommunity FK video "Something inside of me has died" is a great looking video.
Betsy: I get really excited, but I have yet to have the pleasure of actually see one air. Someone always calls me and says that they are playing a Caterwaul video on tv, but I have never gotten to the tv in time. It's a rush to see it when it's actually on air. It's just not the same if you put a video in of it!
I know you both love animals and rescue as many as you can. Were you always this way? How did this become such a big part of your life?
Betsy: I was raised in a family of animal-lovers, my mom was president of the Arizona SPCA for a while, so the whole family became volunteers. I just can't help it, I love animals, and some would agree that it's a sickness, but I want to do all I can to help those who need care. I am definitely a member of the CCL (Crazy Cat Lady) Club.
Kevin: Who says I like animals? Just joking. It's just one of those things, you try to help animals and people who are less fortunate than you, and who can't take care of themselves, it just comes naturally.......Brother can you spare a dime?

Chinese Portrait (for Betsy)
If you were...
A colour
pink
An animal
hummingbird
A planet
venus
A song
You can't hear things Growing
A flower
morning glory
A mythological character
I would like to be a siren, and make the boats crash.
A book
When Marnie was There
A movie
Barry Lyndon
A season
Spring
A city
New York

Bernard Pivot's questionnaire (for Kevin)
What is your favorite word?
Monkey
What is your least favorite word?
typically
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
life
What turns you off?
people who hate
What is your favorite curse word?
aahh hellll
shit fuck motherfucker
What sound or noise do you love?
the sound of vacuum cleaners
What sound or noise do you hate?
alarm clocks
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
proctology
What profession would you not like to do?
ok.... proctology
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Heaven is now

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An article on Purr Machine

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