MY INTERVIEW WITH CJ RAMONE: PART 2 JANUARY 1998

Jari-Pekka:
1.LG's debut album came out, what you think about it and can you say your own favourites of it.

CJ RAMONE:
LG's first album is really our first songs we've ever written. I think we did a good job in the studio trying to capture the live energy. I like the heavier tracks like Dead Man's Curve, Carve Your Name, and Go Again.

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Jari-Pekka:
2.What you thinked about this signing happening in New York and that 6 Ramone member was together in publicity.

CJ RAMONE:
I liked getting together with the rest of the Ramones for the autograph signing in NYC. Especially because Dee Dee and Tommy were there. It was really packed and we got a chance to say goodbye to alot of our NY fans.

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Jari-Pekka:
3.You became to the daddy. How life is changed and what are your feelings to be father. It's first kid from Ramones members.

CJ RAMONE:
Things haven't changed much since my son was born. I'm just a lot busier and I get no sleep! I love it though, and wanted to do it a long time ago but needed a girl to do it with!

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Jari-Pekka:
4.CD and video came finally out. It's over year of Ramones retirement. Which had your own favourite happenings on last concert.

CJ RAMONE:
The best part of the final show was playing next to Lemmy and hanging with Donita Sparks from L7.

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Jari-Pekka:
5.Why you didn't been on last Remains gig (probably child's born was reason)

CJ RAMONE:
I don't play with the Remains any more because LG is so busy. In fact we will be in Europe and Scandinavia In May and June. We'll post the dates at our website as soon as we have them. Hope to see you there!

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MY INTERVIEW WITH CJ RAMONE: PART 1: SEPTEMBER 1997

Jari-Pekka:
1.What are your future plans with Los Gusanos and in general? And where are you living now.

CJ RAMONE:
Since the Ramones retired I have been living in Long Island, New York where I grew up. My girlfriend moved in with me from Hawaii and we are expecting a baby in November. Los Gusanos will be touring the eastcoast of the US in late October with a great band called the Independents. We also hope to record a new cd in November- December.

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Jari-Pekka:
2.What The Remains is doing and what did you like of it?

CJ RAMONE:
I did a few shows with Dee Dee, his wife Barbara and Marky, under the name the Remains. Dee Dee was always my favorite Ramone so I couldn't pass up the chance to play with my idol. It was just for fun and I don't think we will do it again.

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Jari-Pekka:
3.How did you meet Los Gusanos members and how did you become the member.

CJ RAMONE:
Me and the rest of Los Gusanos played on the same scene on Long Island. "Dirty" Ed Lynch has been playing bars since he was 13. "Big John" Chadwick is married to my sister and Bo "Lefty" Matheson has been playing the scene as long as I have. We've known eachother a long time.

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Jari-Pekka:
4.Could you say some words about Ramones members when you played?

CJ RAMONE:
Playing with the Ramones was a dream come true. It wasn't always great though. I took a lot of shit from the fans in the begining, but Johnny always told me not to let it get to me. He really helped me out. I guess I learned a lot from all 3 of those guys. Some good, some bad. People ask if i'm still friends with them. I never was. They were my boss'. I didn't hang out with them. I would go back home after a tour and see the same friends I had before I was in the Ramones. I hate to say it but the one thing I learned from them was you can't trust anyone in the music business.

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Jari-Pekka:
5.Could you analyse with your own words Ramones records when you played.

CJ RAMONE:
The first cd I did with the Ramones was "Loco Live". Probably the worst Ramones record ever unfortunately. It wasn't our fault though. We we're forced to work with a producer who had no idea of what the Ramones should sound like. Besides that Marky went into the studio and overdubbed all of his hi-hat and cymbal tracks and stayed in the studio during the mixing to make sure his drum tracks wre louder than everything else. "Mondo Bizarro" was next. I think it was a good record. Other than "She Talks to Rainbows" it was pretty strong." Acid Eaters" was next. Should've been an EP. The songs that were good rocked. The bad ones really sucked. "Adios Amigos" was a weak farewell record. By that time things had gotten bad between the band and no one cared.

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Jari-Pekka:
6.Say some best/good experiences about your Ramones career? Was hard to come and replace Dee Dee?

CJ RAMONE:
I've got some great memories from my eight years as a Ramone. Playing on stage with Lemmy, Robbie Krieger of the Doors, getting on stage with Soungarden on the Lollapalooza tour to do "Ty Cobb" with them, my first show ever in Leicester, England, meeting Timothy Leary, travelling the world and seeing so many different cultures. There are too many to list.

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Jari-Pekka:
7.What did you think about Johnny's total retirement? That he didn't want to play anything or do any musical?

CJ RAMONE:
Don't count Johnny out. I've heard rumors he may do a record!

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Jari-Pekka:
8.Have you any memory of festival gigs in Nummirock or other gigs in Finland?

CJ RAMONE:
I remember Nummirock well because I hadn't slept in a few days. I drank alot of alcohol and met a really pretty girl but she didn't like me. I asked her to have my baby and she slapped my face.

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Jari-Pekka:
9.My good friend Sipe is playing in the most popular Finnish rock/punk band called Apulanta, he wanted to ask and I thought to ask: How do you feel that you and the whole Ramones is the most honest and best model to the young bands and to the legendary Ramones copy bands like Ne Luumäet.

CJ RAMONE:
It's good to hear many bands in Finland are influenced by the Ramones. We tried to stay true to our fans and not many bands do.

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Jari-Pekka:
10.What you want to say to my homepage readers?

CJ RAMONE:
I'd like to say thanks to all the Ramones fans in Finland and the rest of the world. You are definately the most loyal, fun, and craziest bunch any band could ever hope to have as their audience. GABBA-GABBA HEY!!!!!

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(TAKE IT CJ, because I can't say never enough thanks to you, but endless THANKS)