Utter Trash--Coffin Lids

Dig This!

An interview with Coffin Mike of The Coffin Lids

By Bob Ignizio

The Coffin Lids play the Beachland Tavern on Friday, June 11th. Tickets are $8.00 and The New Wave is opening. Show starts at 9pm.

The Coffin Lids have been compared favorably to The Sonics and The Mummies, so I when I saw they were coming to Cleveland I had to find out more. The band, who hail from Boston, Massachusetts, are just getting ready for their first extended tour in support of thier Bomp! Records release 'Rock and Roll'. For more info, I turned to vocalist/guitarist Coffin Mike, who graciously answered my questions via email.

Utter Trash: How and when did The Coffin Lids get together, who's in the band, and what does everyone do?
Coffin Mike: The coffin lids started as a side project about 2 years ago. I was playing in my rockabilly/psychobilly band the Speed Devils at the time. The members are Coffin Mike - vocals and guitar, Coffin Jaye – bass, Coffin Mikey – guitar, and Coffin Damian – skins.

UT: Do you consider yourselves a “horror rock” band?
CM: Admittedly, I'm a big horror fan. But besides the name and couple of songs about zombies and vampires, I wouldn't classify us as a horror band. We are just a bunch of guys in jeans and t-shirts playing rock and roll.

UT: People are currently buzzing about the "garage rock revival". Little Steven has his syndicated radio show, The Hives did well with their last album, etc. What's your take on all this hype?
CM: If listening to bands like the Hives or the White Stripes can eventually get someone listening to The Sonics, Mummies, Swingin' Neckbreakers or the Coffin Lids, I'm cool with that. It’s those that think that the Hives, Strokes, etc. are the end all of garage rock that may need a little schoolin'.

UT: Do you consider yourselves garage rock purists, trying to capture as faithfully as possible the sound of your influences, or do you want to add something new to the mix? What do you think sets you apart from other neo-garage rockers?
CM: I don't try to think in those terms. If you want to put a label on our music like garage rock or garage punk, that's fine. It's just rock and roll to me.

UT: How often do you do out of state gigs? Will your upcoming show at The Beachland be your first trip to Cleveland?
CM: We've played regionally in the New England, NY, and PA areas. This is our first tour that will get out for any length of time(2 weeks) in support of the record. We are doing an extensive states tour in July that will get us out to the west coast and back, and then in Sept. we are going out to Vegas to play The Rockaround. This is our first trip to the lovely city of Cleveland.

UT: According to Bomp!'s website, you guys were listening to The Mummies "since you wuz babies." What do you think about that band re-releasing their stuff on CD? I know some fans have viewed it as a "sell-out".
CM: The Mummies are the greatest band ever. They can do whatever the fuck they want!

UT: Speaking of Bomp!, what made you decide to go with them as your label?
CM: Bomp! is probably one of the most innovative labels of our time. When Greg Shaw hears you, compares you to the Sonics and the Mummies, and offers you a record deal, you don't turn it down.

UT: Where would you like the Coffin Lids to be in a few years?
CM: Jail or a mental Institution.

UT: Anything else you want to comment on that I didn't ask about?
CM: Go to shows, buy records, drink a lot, and Rock and Roll!!