An Interview With I Am Ghost [10/2007]

When I Am Ghost stopped at NYC, I had the opportunity to corner both Tim and Ron, the guitarist and bassist/singer of the band in, of all places, a bathroom. Not only were they wildly personable and funny, they also officially hold the title of “only band I have ever interviewed in a
bathroom.” We mostly talked about touring and what it’s like being in the new and improved, entirely not Christian I Am Ghost. And blood. Because that’s the kind of guys they are.

This interview was actually done on video, but unfortunately, due to the Knitting Factory having particularly dim bathroom lighting, patrons who need to actually use said rest room, and a lot of noise, in general, the video — as amazing as it could have been — just wasn’t able to be used. Most unfortunately, this transcript will have to do.

pixie: So how is the tour going so far?

Ron: Pretty damned good. Never a dull moment.

Tim: There is always something interesting going on.

pixie: I heard about [tourmates] Strung Out losing their equipment… did they get it back? Is there any word on that?

Tim: No, no.

pixie: I saw something that looked like it might fit their description outside, so I was hoping…

Ron: No, they didn’t. It’s one of the worst things that can happen, besides an accident, for a
band.

Tim: You gotta lock your shit!

pixie: Well, don’t you guys have Lo-Jack or alarms?

Ron: Yeah, yeah, we have an alarm.

Tim: I sleep in the van and get the knife ready.

pixie: So you kill people if they try to take your stuff?

Ron: Without a doubt!

Tim: This is my baby [holding his guitar]

pixie: Official warning: I Am Ghost will kill you if you try to steal their stuff.

[This statement was met with serious nods of approval.]

pixie: So, you guys have gone through some pretty hectic stuff yourselves…

Tim: Yes… it was an interesting summer to say the least. I got crucified last night, actually.

Ron: Yeah, Tim had the stigmata last night, so… we’re busy with stuff like that all the time. [And yes, both his hands had some sort of bloody wounds on them.]

pixie: Being such a Christian band, it’s not surprising that you do…

Ron: No, no, we are not a Christian band.

Tim: No Christianity here.

pixie: Yeah, that was kind of news to me when that started coming out… So, is that a frequent thing for you, the stigmata?

Tim: No, that just happened last night. [As we’re talking, a toilet randomly flushes]

pixie: That was a sign from God.

Ron: We will flush you!

pixie: I’ve never interviewed a band in a bathroom before.

Ron: Well, this is where it all goes down!

pixie: It’s definitely glamorous, this rock star life…

Ron: Well, you know how it is.

pixie: So what’s next for you guys after this tour?

Ron: We are taking a little break, and starting to write the new album. Hopefully, we’ll get it released next summer, maybe?

Tim: So you guys watch out for that shit. It’s gonna ram you in the ass.

Ron: Absolutely.

pixie: You guys are kind of threatening, actually. You might be the most threatening band I have ever interviewed. Ass ramming, murder… we’ve covered a lot.

Ron: Well, you can always go for a little ass ramming…

pixie: You guys are worse than GWAR, I think.

Ron: Oh no, we use real blood on stage. As you can see, sometimes, we end up getting hit in the head and getting four stitches in our heads, just for you guys. [Ron does, in fact, have a scar on his head]

pixie: How did that happen?

Ron: I slammed myself in the head with my bass. And then it was like, “ehhhhh… blood.”

pixie: I don’t think you’re supposed to play it that way, with your head.

Ron: I do.

pixie: I’m so amazed at how the band just picked up, effortlessly. After the lineup change,
you seemed to say, “okay, two people gone? Let’s just get right back out on tour!”

Ron: It was like the perfect storm. I got the call, I flew out and did the audition, and the rest is history. These guys are my brothers now.

Tim: We got it on lockdown, so prepare for the new I Am Ghost.

pixie: You’ve said you’re going to be harder, more psychotic, and horror influenced, no?

Ron: It’s going to be I Am Ghost to the fullest.

pixie: You guys have some very dedicated fans, but what’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done?

Ron: I love the fans that show up with tattoos. I’m like, ‘oh my god man… that shit’s forever, so it’s one of the highest honors. And that’s awesome.”

pixie: What about crazy, like hiding inside your bus, you can’t leave me, crazy?

Tim: We found one under the van one time… and we were all ‘what are you doing under there?!’ And
what do you say? ‘I’m checking the oil?”

pixie: It doesn’t really throw you off at all.

Ron: We love our fans.

Tim: Oh yeah, they’re great.

pixie: You guys actually have a great relationship with the fans, moreso than most bands.

Ron: Well, they’re the reason we’re here. We do it all for them.

pixie: It comes across that you care, and want to be part of their lives.

Note: At this point, a guy comes in to use the bathroom.

Ron [to the guy]: Oh, that will be five bucks for number two, ten bucks for number one… Hey, you
gotta try! We need all the money we can get.

pixie: That’s an odd way to do it… but I have heard hanging out in bathrooms can earn people money, from time to time…

Ron: Yeah, well… there is a certain line we draw.

pixie: Okay, just saying… if it’s really that tough…

Ron: No. Definitely not.

pixie: So what do you guys do between shows?

Tim: Drive. Write music.

pixie: So you’re writing new songs while you’re on the road?

Ron: Every day.

pixie: Do you record it?

Ron: Tim has his little system to record it.

Tim: I’m like a mad scientist, pressing buttons all day! Muahaha!

pixie: So do you have any new songs you’re playing now?

Ron: We have four new songs. We’re not putting them into the set right now, but yes, there are four new songs. If there’s any extra time during soundcheck, we’ll work on them.

pixie: Which, unfortunately, people like me take away from you!

Ron: No, no!

pixie: I’m not going to hold you up anymore since you did stop your soundcheck to talk to me…

Ron: Yep, yep. We have to sound good, tonight is the Knitting Factory — our show with Strung
Out and Evergreen Terrace and that’s about it!

The band went on to do a blistering performance, and I shot some intrepid video of the band rocking the hell out, managing to hold the camera as steady as a 5′2″ person getting shoved into a stage possibly can hold a camera. Enjoy:

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