INTERVIEW with THE MYSTERIOUS TAPEMAN

 1. Who are the men behind the MYSTERIOUS TAPE MAN ?

The Mysterious Tape Man is the Mysterious Tape Man but on his first album 'Born to Die' two other mutants sprang from his forehead and elbow - they are Bass Man (from the forehead) and Bongo (from the elbow). Bass man was able to play the meanest groovin double bass out and Bongo whacked the shit out of kit like no livin soul.

2. Why is the TAPE MAN so mysterious ? Any background story ?

I was a film director here in New Zealand. I made New Zealands' first Werewolf film and first she-wolf film and bunch of other shorts. While I was making "I was a Teengae Rebel" there was an accident on location shoot at a stormy surf beach on the south coast of the North Island. I was tangled in a mess of video stock that had spread across the surf and then struck by lightning which fused the tape to my skin.

3. How do you get in the right mood for a TAPE MAN show ? Any favourite alcohol or other starters ?

I like beer and tequila but I also really like whiskey on ice. I usually start a Tape Man show by performing an ancient secret ritual that has been passed down to me by gods of the sea. I say a prayer and then party like it's my last show ever.

4. Ferrit or Chrome Dioxid tapes ?

Anything magnetic.

5. Mono or Stereo ?

I like both. Mono is good when you can't be fucked with the recording as much as partying and stereo is good for psychedelic effects.

6. A surfband from New Zealand is something most of the listeners in europe never heard of before. How is the scene there ? Any cool bands ? Cool spots, bands or radiostations ?

Surf is pretty rare in New Zealand although there has always been a handful here. A lot of the more experimental artists have been through a surf band at one point. The kind of surf music you find here is more of the wilder, psychedlic kind. At the moment there is pretty much only about three groups maybe playin surf although alot of the garage and experimentalists reference surf in their work. The best bands in New Zealand for me at the moment are Pro Drag (garage rock 'n' roll/surf), The Chandeliers (experimental surf), Slim Chants (country), Knife Fight (Soul, garage), Cortina (disco metal), The Raskolnikovs (Gothic folk), Boss Christ (Monster-Billy one man band), The Bloody Souls (garage rock'n'roll), Slavetrader (Heavy Metal), Golden Axe (shitty electro)... Most bands I like just party heaps better than others - I don't really like the really tight, cheesy rock 'n' rollers so much. I like to see a little magic goin on and bands that have a good time - don't take themselves too seriously. 

9. Does too much rehersal damage the songs ?

Yeah too much does but if you practice partying it always helps.

10. What are the future plans of THE MYSTERIOUS TAPE MAN ?

I've got my first 7" comin out in nov/dec with my tour of New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia. I am also touring my new CD "Live at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior". I would love to tour Europe in a beautiful 50's cadillac and down to Spain... I am working on my secong full-length album now.

11. Have you released some of your stuff on tape or CD ?

My first album 'Born to Die' was on tape only. My record label Stink Magnetic Tapes has been releasing tapes, Cds and records since 1998. The record label has some amazing stuff on it. I have released a four song CD called "Four hits from the band made of Tape" and just recently released my new CD "Live at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior'.

For more information about Tapeman Releases and other stuff check this links:
Tapeman website | KATO Records
also check out the Tapeman track "ASTEROID" on 7inch comp Lost at sea 2

© 3rd Eye Surfer Zine  - Fuzznsurf Records, 2007