Mad Mulligans is a new really good punk/streetpunkgroup which really want to talk about themselves, so read and enjoy….may 2021.

Johnny Kray - Vocals/Guitar

Wynn Skism - Vocals/Bass

Albee Damned - Vocals/Guitar

Rich O’Brien Vocals/Drums

Please tell me a little bit history of the group? 

Rich O’Brien - Albee kept bugging me to record vocals over his damn casio recordings so I did. He buried most of em but left a couple of my ill Bathory screams in there. Now he wants me to drum but I want everyone to know that Albee gets full credit for drums on the recording hahaha

Albee Damned - It started out with 2 songs I had in my head...I recorded them and wrote the lyrics...then I sent them out to everyone I knew for some anthem style vocals..This was right at the time of the lockdown..When we weren´t able to go to the studio with our regular bands we just kept recording...I have an electronic drumset in the house so i recorded all the drums for the first release...Rich hates them and abuses me for it...He hurts my feelings and sometimes I cry at night....He´s gonna have to put his money where his mouth is and show us what hes got for the next one

Johnny Kray - The 1st Covid lockdown put me home for months. I set up a small recording set up in the bedroom and started writing and recording. Albee had some tracks he needed backup vocals for and then started sending some incomplete stuff. Then we got to work finishing them up. The ep started taking form. Albee did most of the leg work, mixing and bashing away on his Casio keyboard drum set. And there you go.

Albee - I sent songs out to dozens of friends and got back from about 11 people..these guys contributed most, and I figured why not  form a band from this..Everyone that submitted vocals is credited in the band, but us 4 are the actual line-up now

Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone? You´re a lot of people? Earlier bands? Other bands on the side?

Albee - We're a bunch of old brooklyn bastids...we range from late 40s to early 50s..we got older but we never grew up...I´m a union plumber in my real life...Wynn does bridge and tunnel maintenance..Rich does office shit.. I´m not sure he wants anything out there for public view so I'll leave it at that...Johnny works in the music industry

Rich- “Office shit” yeah, that works fine. White collar, 1-2-3-4! I’ve always only played music “on the side”. The pay is too low and I’ve got a big mortgage. My longest running side is the same band I first did in 1992. We have the same following as then… well less now in fact because they’re all are aging out and passing away. (Don’t tell the other guys but I’m secretly just along for the ride to poach some of their fans.)

Wynn – like most I need a job to pay the bills, but I’d much prefer to make a living in music or art, but it’s difficult enough just to get them to be self-sustaining much less profitable..

I can hear much different influences but mostly punk and oi music? Favorites from the past? 

Rich - Yes, they’re all from the past.

Johnny - Too many to list really.

Albee - When I was a kid I took some guitar lessons...the guy started showing me nothing but scales and some other bullshit the first 2 times I went...the third time I showed up, I brought the first clash album...I said show me how to play this...we went through about 6 songs that day...as I was leaving he asked..same time next week?..I says, nah...I got everything I need to know now

  Mad Mulligans  are you satisfied with the name? How did it came up? What is a Mulligan?

You weren’t afraid that some other band would be named like this? Which is the best bandname you know? 

Albee - Mad Mulligans is something that just popped in my head one day..I checked the internet and it looked clear enough for me so we decided to use it...Mulligan is not just a surname, here in the states we use it as a term for a do over, which fits exactly what we are doing...Mad has a double meaning of pissed off or crazy, which both can suit each of us as well.

..as far as the name, it flows well and I’m pretty sure we all like it...Some other great band names i can think of were Endangered Feces and Barney Rubble and the Cunt Stubble

Rich - Barney Rubble and the Cunt Stubble is definitely my #1. No Place To Piss – really would wish I came up with that one. The Dry Heaves is also really good. Darkside NYC is the name that has cost me the most.

What´s the best thing with playing live? Do you miss it now in covid-times? Or are you so new group that you haven´t had the chance to play live yet?

Rich - My favorite part about playing live is when someone else sets up my gear and the beer is cold and provided in ample quantities. But I’ve also been known to sneak a cooler in the merch bins in a pinch.

Albee - The best part of live shows are the friends for decades that we only get to see at venues...Also looking out and seeing everyone singing the songs back to you is an experience that still gives us the chills...You put all your soul and energy into creating these songs...The acceptance and appreciation is vindicating of all the pain and emotion of them.

..We haven’t gotten to play out yet due to NYC restrictions but that will change for us

And where is best to play? And the worst place? Have you booked any gigs yet?

Rich - I’ve played some real dumps that turned out to be great gigs and then had a miserable fucking time at so-called “real venues” that everyone else thought was awesome, so who even knows anymore, haha

Johnny - Bars and small clubs are usually fun. If they have enough sound gear for the place. CBGB's was obviously the best. Was home for us. We knew everyone that worked there, and the sound was the best in the world. No shit.

Albee - Yeah..CBs was the place...I took one of the bartenders home over 20 years ago and I´m still waiting for her to leave

How is to play this sort of music in USA right now?  Which types of bands do you have concerts together with?  Is mostly punkbands?

Rich - At our level, we just kind of do what we want and when we want. There are no career aspirations for this kind of thing. This shit is easy as fuck for me to play, so I can have a bit of fun with it. My other band is overly complicated and often taxing.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Albee - Traditional oi/punk

Rich - casio-core albee-tdown krayceedeecee

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?  Have that changed through the years?

Rich - Everything changes all the time, doesn’t it? And not usually for the best – mostly it’s the opposite. But “punk” – for me – needs to have a some direct lineage to The Ramones and The Sex Pistols and The Stooges… or it isn’t. I never dressed like anything so that part never really made any difference to me.

Which song/album or group was it who took you into punk/hardcore?

Johnny - Guess it was the Misfits that first got me towards punk. Later the Business, Slaughter and the dogs, the Adicts. first big hardcore record for me was probably Age Of Quarrel by the Cro-Mags. Breakdowns demo was huge for me as well. 1st Sick of it All album

Albee - It would be hard to pinpoint because it was a sort of progression from Kiss in the 70s to Maiden then Metallica to SOD...in the mid 80s I personally lost interest in all metal as it became over produced, goofy hair metal..I found myself listening to NYHC radio shows at college stations and borrowing GBH and Exploited albums

Rich - The Clash “London Calling” in 1982. I meant to buy the one with the hot song on the radio at the time but it turned out not to be on there. I was a bit annoyed at first haha, but when I ended up getting “Combat Rock”, I thought “London Calling” was definitely better. Still an all-time fave. Don’t remember my actual first hardcore record, but I did get S.O.D. when it came out in ’85, and got all the Combat Core and Profile stuff (Cro-Mags, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front)  – and that was ’86. My first real paying job was in ’87 so that’s when I really went to town buying tons of records. D.R.I. was another early favorite. I’d like to actually thank Danny Lilker’s t-shirt collection for giving me my initial start, haha

Wynn – While I had be listening to the populars like Ramones, Sex Pistols, Misfits, when I heard the Damned and Then Stiff Little fingers on “the Peel Sessions” I was hooked. Damned Damned Damned really got me into punk… The Damned album of course, not to get confused with Albee

What shall a young guy do today to shock their parents as the way we did when we were young? They have already seen everything ;-)?

Rich - Kids would need to start chopping off limbs. Growing horns. Getting forked tongue extensions like lizards. What about big glass windows in their foreheads so you could watch their dendrites and blood vessels pulsate? If we can imagine it, some day someone is going to try it.

Albee - If my kids wanted to shock me they´d have to become bankers or lawyers...Those little bastards are as misfit as I ever was

How is it to live in USA right now? Politically?  Fascists?  Now then Trump is gone?

Rich - We live in Brooklyn, NYC. We aren’t responsible for the rest of the country. It may as well be a different part of the world. It’s only very recently that politics has become such a frequent topic of discussion. Some people feel you need to mirror their exact opinions or it’s an immediate argument or debate. I’ve got zero interest in any of that. Let’s argue over what band put out the shittiest second LP or something instead…

Albee - And that´s that

Is there any good bands from USA right now?  Is the punkscene/oiscene/hardcorescene big? How is it in your hometown?

Albee - Oi isn´t as predominant in the NYC scene as it once was and that’s a disappointment...We used to run side by side with the punk scene but this isn’t the case anymore…i’d love to start seeing punks and skins together at shows again.

What do you know about Sweden?  Have you been here sometime?

Rich - Never been, but might be going to Finland next year.

Have you heard any good bands from Sweden?

Rich - I love old school Swedish punk and metal. Anti-Cimex, Totalitär, Mob 47, Shitlickers. All that crusty d-beat shit from the 80s. Also used to jam a lot of early death and black metal. That stuff still rules. Unleashed, Entombed, Dawn, Dissection, etc. Don’t really know any oi! from Sweden specifically.

Johnny - Love Asta Kask

Your lyrics, who does them and what influences you?  And your songs how do you do them? Is there any one in the group which comes up with a song or do you do them in the rehearsalroom?

Albee - We all play multiple instruments on the EP...and we all sing lead vocals on it...I laid down the drum tracks only because it was convenient at the time of lockdown, but Rich is the actual drummer...We all contribute to the songs equally...since we formed and recorded during covid lockdown, the first songs were written and recorded remotely.

Rich - This guy’s lying. Albee did everything. He just wants to rope us in to his shenanigans.

Is there any subject that you never will write anything about?  Or isn´t anything sacred?

Rich - I will never write a song about unity.

Politic and music, does it goes hand in hand?  Which is your most political song?  Is it important to get out your opinions in music?

Albee - Ihe most political song we have is probably Bricks and batteries..it’s about taking to the streets and overthrowing an oppressive regime..I’m a union construction worker and have been involved in a lot of rallys through the streets of NYC..one particular one got ugly…

...Remember, bricks are for up close damage, but batteries are better for distance

Rich - I personally avoid politics usually, because it is so polarizing and that’s not the point of making music. I do reference lots of things for sarcasm, satire and humor. Preaching is so boring also. Tell a story. Rhyme some shit that makes someone say “oh shit”! Be entertaining.

Best political band/artist?

Johnny - I guess The Restarts would be my choice for best polital punk band going. But really I just see them as one of the best Punk bands in the world right now, political or otherwise.

Rich - It’s not a category I’m particularly familiar with. I’m sure I listen to a million bands that sing political themes. Dead Kennedys did it in a hilarious satirical way. Discharge spawned a thousand anti-war bands. The Pistols took the piss out of society in general. I never went for bands because their opinions or politics resonated with me. Many definitely don’t. My Ipod may even be on a watchlist or two, haha

Do you think that music(lyrics and so on) can change anyones life, I mean people who listens to music? Any example?

Wynn - I do think that music has an effect on people's lives, whether it brings back old memories, reflects your feelings or just makes you want to jump around and break things. But, contrary to what many politicians and "spiritual leaders" say,  it's very rare that music causes someone to go down a bad road. Usually kids select music that represents what they are feeling at the moment and I think often it helps knowing someone else understands how they are feeling, even if it is just some guy screaming in a song.

Johnny - For sure it can change lives. For lots of people in the world, and definitely for punk/hardcore people, I think music is hugely important. It's motivational, or just plain energy charging.

Rich - Music kept me out of jail and/or the grave. True story. I read accounts every so often where someone will be in a really dark place and a particular band or album will just speak to them and help them out of there. That’s pretty huge. For me, the music became more of a cultural thing to the point where I don’t even go to watch bands so much as to catch up with people.

Albee -I think punk inspired and enabled me to be a become a bigger asshole

Your favorite recordcover alltime?  Who does your recordcovers?  And do you have any good recordstores in your hometown?

Rich - Iron Maiden’s first 5 string of LPs – no one ever touched them artwise. You went every year to see what was gonna happen to Eddie, haha. In NYC, Generation Records is still kicking. 210 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012. 00-1-212-254-1100. (Yes, that’s exactly how you’d call from Sweden!) Great store owned by and run by fans of what we do. Great selections of metal, hardcore, punk, oi!, rock. A good used section. T-shirts. If you’re ever in NYC this would be a must. They also do tons of mail-order and any time one of us old fucks gets into financial difficulties, they’d be the ones who unload the rare records for us.

Johnny - What Rich just said!!

Is it important to get out physical records of your stuff? Why or why not? Vinyl, CD, cassette, what do you prefer if you could choose whatever?  Would it feel the same to only release a record digitally?

Rich - Digital only exists in your imagination. At least press a small run or why even bother calling it an album. Come on. Who cares if only 100 or 1,000 are gonna get sold? Put up or why should anyone else ever bother?

Wynn - There's just something great about the tactile feel of a physical disc, the cover art, opening it up, looking through the liner notes, reading the lyrics, and vinyl was even better, pulling out the sleeve, looking at the album where the song breaks were. Plus on an Vinyl and especially a cassette you really had to listen to the whole album, you couldn't just skip to the next song. A lot of songs that I love are ones that grew on me.

Albee - I don´t think you can call it an album if it´s not on a physical release...even a demo tape has more clout to me than a bandcamp only release

Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during your career and under some gig? With this band or any other band you have been to?

Rich - Most of my gigs have been funny. I once drank Wild Irish Rose and puked a little bit right on the mic just before a bunch of people grabbed it to sing along. I was just like “whooops”.

Albee - I was playing with the Krays at The house of blues in Boston and wearing my 20 year old oxbloods...the soles are so flat they flew out from under me and I busted my ass in front of about 2000 people...

..The next day we were back in brooklyn and after a jump I landed on a beer can and busted my ass again

Wynn - We were about to hop in a van to get to a show when I decided to take a piss before going. When I got out of the toilet, the room was empty and I found myself locked in (you needed the key to lock and unlock the door, from the inside as well at this hotel).

I tried calling and texting everybody on the phone but no one answered. I looked out the hotel window to see the rest of the guys downstairs looking around confused (apparently wondering where I am). I had to shout out the window to get their attention to come back up and let me out. Bassists get no respect

How does your audience look like? Which people do you miss on your concerts? Ages? Which is the biggest band you ever have played together with?

Rich - My audience looks like they’d rather be somewhere else. Which people do I miss? Most of them! The ones who didn’t make it! Haha

Albee - Being in The Krays a few times gave me some great oppurtunities..but the biggest I ever did with them, was the St Patricks Day run with Dropkick Murphys in Boston..that´s the show I busted my ass at

Please rank your five favoriterecords, five favoriteconcerts and five most important things in life?

Rich - I can’t rank like that. I’ll instead just name some personal landmarks. AC/DC – Back In Black. The Doors – Strange Days. The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers. Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales. Oh, I’ve got to say something punk now right? Or else!  The early NYHC compilation “NY Thrash” is one not many people speak on but has so many great unsung bands. Lately I’ve been revisiting Cock Sparrer “Shock Troops” on car rides and I’m always down for the early Discharge and Venom singles.

First, last and most expensive record ever bought? And which is the most embarrassing record in your collection?

Rich - I once paid $40 for a Rest In Pieces 7” at Bleecker Bobs. This was back in 1990. It’s probably worth hundreds now.

My most embarrassing record is definitely The Krays doing disco hits. What was Jon thinking? Hahahaha It’s so good he returned to punk.

Johnny - I was going for a Disco Mickey Mouse feel. That was a monumental record for me as a kid! But going back to punk was the better move for me, creatively speaking!!  I paid $50 years ago for Slaughter and the Dogs - Do It Dog Style. Also paid $50 for Witchfinder General - Death Penalty. I have no regrets.

Albee - My first was probably Destroyer by Kiss...the last were some punkboot compilation CDs put out last year..I never cared about having original pressed albums so I dont think I ever spent more than 20 bucks on an record...i´d rather buy beer

Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews?

Rich - This might be the most excitement I’ve had answering questions in a long time. These are actually really good!

Albee – It´s a pain in the ass doing these by yourself, but when you got these knobs to banter with, it makes it more fun

Johnny - Interviews are great.

Do you care about reviews? Which is the most peculiar you ever had, with this band or any other band you have been to?

Rich - I only read the favorable ones. Albee sends the bad ones to Jon to make sure he doesn’t get too cocky.

Johnny - It does keep me humble!

Albee – I´m waiting for a bad review...those are the best ones..you can´t laugh at good reviews...but the bad ones are talked about among us for years

Which bands do people compare you to, is it boring that people compare you to other bands or is it understandable?

Albee - We are being compared to early British oi bands such as Blitz, Sham 69, the Business, etc...But those are names we associated ourselves with to describe the band...Everyone that described us since seems to agree

Rich - Wait until I start incorporating blast parts, heh heh

Albee - You been blasting us with IPA farts for years

If you could choose five bands from the past and the history and nowadays and both dead and living bands to have a concert together with your band. Which five have you been chosen?

Rich - The Rolling Stones, The Clash, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Motörhead , The Ramones and the Bad Brains. This would be a world tour naturally and we would go on right in the middle.

Johnny - From bands that are gone, I'd say Motorhead, Thin Lizzy, The Ruts (with Malcolm Owen), The Kinks.

Is music a good way to get out frustration and become a nicer person outside the music?

Rich - This is quite possible hahaha. Without this kind of outlet I may be writing this with a small pencil on a metal desk wearing stupid flipflops listening to guards yell instead of tapping on a fancy phone with a cold drink on my porch.

Wynn - I'd probably really be a huge jerk if I didn't have music as an outlet, instead of just a curmudgeon

Which is the most odd question you ever have got in an interview?(Except this one)

Rich - Something about penises; I left that one out.

Albee - Thats because you´re a big prick

Which is the question you want to have but you never get. Please ask it and answer it?

Rich - Version 1 – Q: “Hey would you like us to hook you up with a full beer endorsement?” A: “Yes please.”

Version 2 – Q: “And beer?” A: “And beer”

Futureplans for the band?

Albee - This band is gonna go where it wants to...It´s set up to be its own element...No one member is more important than another...None of us are tied down to the band and anyone can come in and be a part of it

Rich - Wherever Albee is willing to drive me, I’ll come along. I would say there should be some limits on “anyone” being a part of it. Careful there, Albee. Axe may wanna do a duet.

For yourself?

Albee - As of now my only plans are to keep breathing and playing music

Rich - Retire while I’m still young enough to enjoy it. Be financially set. Finish organizing all my CD-Rs and digitizing all my tapes. This might actually not occur in my lifetime.

Wisdomword?

Rich - Don’t waste your time. Make plans and keep them. Save a percent of your money and let it build up so you have something to fall back on when you’re old and decrepit. Don’t smoke; It’ll kill you too fast.

Albee - You can´t have a morning pint if you wait till lunchtime

Something to add?

Rich - What 36 wasn’t quite enough?

Wynn - 6+7