Tav Falco talks to Harry Pye
Tav Falco is an American-born musical performer, performance artist, actor, filmmaker, and photographer. He has led the psychedelic rock-and-roll group Tav Falco’s Panther Burns (named after a plantation in Mississippi) since 1979. Falco’s music has been described as "Ramshackle, raw, unholy and utterly amazing" his famous fans include; Fat White Family and Primal Scream.
Harry Pye: May I ask you some questions for Le Document?
Tav Falco: Pourquoi pas?
Do you have any fave sculptures or paintings?
Lots. I am into small bronzes by Hagenauer of Vienna.
How are you coping with Lock Down? Is it hard to find things to smile about?
Lock down has an amusing side to it ... if you like laughing to yourself.
Do you have happy memories of working with Alex Chilton?
None.
Do you have any happy memories connected to working with The Cramps?
Harry, these are not happy people in the conventional sense.
What do you think of Tennyson's famous line, “‘Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.”
I've often pondered that platitudinous conceit from Tennyson, but have not come to the end of it.
Have you written any new lyrics during the lock down?
Presently we are recording remotely, Club Car Zodiac, a mini-EP that will be released in June on Record Store Day by ORG Music in Los Angeles. One of the tracks on the e.p. is entitled, “Strange Tango” ...
When you left me for the 2nd time,
I knew it could never be forever
those forgotten crepuscules sublime
Parisian nights we danced together
When we dare by night to meet again
two figures dancing by the Seine
Behind the black net veil I remember
your eyes burning dark as embers
Rain is falling on the Champs Elyssée,
dance me to the river, oh strange ballet,
A stiletto is hiding in your purse
a knife I know is meant for me
Our love was magic, yet a curse
Oh, ma chère set me free
from our obsession we call a life
from this strange dance with a knife.
When we dare by night to meet again
two figures dancing by the Seine
Eyes burning dark as fiery embers
behind the black net veil I remember
Rain is falling on the Champs Elyssée,
dance me to the river, oh strange ballet,
Rain is falling on the Champs Elyssée,
Rain is falling on this strange ballet ...
(Am, Em, Am, Em, C, Em, F, E7, Am)
Great lyrics. Who are your song writing heroes?
I have no heroes ... too existential for heroes.
Do you like Paris, is it a city that has a place in your heart?
Paris has no heart, nor do I.
Are you recording with the same musicians you were recently touring with?
Yes, my band from Rome that you saw. We are recording this EP together, Club Car Zodiac.
Are you at your happiest on stage? Is the man we see on stage the real you?
The person you see on stage is certainly the real me. As for happiest, shall we rather say, exhilarated?
You’ve played live in a lot of different places. Do you like the people you meet or do you find yourself saying, “La mamma dei cretini è sempre incinta”?
Harry, I'm just glad to get out of most places alive ... or half alive.
What’s the best album you’ve recorded?
Of course, the most recent, Cabaret Of Daggers has a good feeling. Panther Phobia, I can live without.
What next in store for Tav Falco?
Finish editing my movie, The Urania Trilogy. Trying not to think too far beyond that.
Are you good in the kitchen? Do you have any specialty dishes?
Lately I am slow cooking fresh fish stew.
My final question is what makes you laugh? Are there any jokes or comedy films that never fail to crack you up?
As Muhammad Ali said, There are no jokes. The truth is the funniest joke of all.
