We arrived at The Regent around 7:45 PM. It was already dark, the kind of autumn night when the time change makes everything feel a bit later than it really is. As we drove past the marquee, the red letters glowed against the building: GBH, October 16. Seeing their name up there made me nervous, not unusual before shooting a band, but this time was different. Tonight, I wasn’t just photographing GBH. I was going to try to interview them, maybe even Colin himself.
The Editors and I had workshopped a short series of questions. We had them ready, and Mr. Green had sent them to my phone. I’d been invited by Jerry Ramone from Post Punk Productions to cover the night and get footage for GBH’s set.
We parked on the third floor of the lot across the street. The stairwell reeked of old piss, cigarettes, and weed smoke. The kind of grimy perfume every downtown parking structure seems to wear. Crossing the street, we checked in and received our media passes. No all-access yet that would come later.
Inside, Knuckleheads were midway through their set chaotic and fun, with boogie-board crowd surfing and Tom grinning at the pit. We decided to grab a beer to take the edge off well, at least I did. Mr. Green and I admired the pit and the band from the balcony as we sipped on Modelos.
Jerry showed up halfway through my beer and asked me to come down with him to get the all-access pass. As the first band ended, I followed him backstage and stood with him in the alley beside the door to the green room, trying to plan our next move. Then this guy opened the door that led to the alley and said hi to Jerry. I turned and asked, “You think they’d be cool if I asked them a few questions?”
We both shrugged neither of us really knew. Then the same guy said, “Just go in there, man. Tell them you want to take a portrait and ask a few questions. Be nice, but be confident. So far they’ve been cool people.”
That was the push I needed. I’ve been shooting bands for a while, so taking portraits wasn’t the issue it was the interview that had me nervous.
I called Julio Zerecero the GRM Co-Founder and told him I was going in. He said, “Just go for it. Do the interview.” My hands were sweating. GBH is one of my favorite bands. I used to skate to school listening to them on my old MP3 player. One of my first punk shirts was a portrait of them with big red letters reading GIVE ME FIRE.
My hand was on the handle of the green room door. I took a deep breath and walked in. I spotted Colin, wearing his classic motorcyclist leather jacket, short but charged blond hair, sitting on the red vinyl couch next to the old wooden piano. I stood in the corner near the fridge with the beer tap, camera in hand, thinking about what to do or say. The moment was here.
That same guy passed me again and said, “Just do it, homie. It’ll all be okay.”
I thanked him for the encouragement and walked toward Collin. He was talking with Fletcher Dragge from Pennywise. My heart was pounding. I saw my moment and asked if I could take a quick portrait and ask a few questions.
He smiled and said, “Yeah, no problem.”
I sat on the floor between Collin and drummer Scott Preece, pulled out my phone, hit record and the interview began.
The Interview
Introductions
Can you state your name?
“My name is Collin from G.B.H.”
Favorite Food
What is your favorite food?
“Cheese sandwich and a packet of blue Doritos.”
Right, the Cool Ranch?
“Yeah! Those Cool Ranch,” he laughs, pointing at Scott. “He’s probably going to say mushrooms… ask him.” (playful tone)
Songs That Help You Relax or Recharge
What song do you turn to when you want to relax or recharge?
“Aaahh… I have 100 songs like that. But I’ll say Chase the Devil by Max Romeo. It’s a reggae song… makes me feel chill.”
Early Inspirations
Who in your childhood first sparked your artistic flame?
“I remember watching an Elvis film when I was little. It was during the day, he was a fisherman, you know, and a diver. During the evenings, he’d sing at a nightclub.
I thought, ‘Wow… I want to do that!’ But I don’t do the diving; I do the singing, yeah! I think it was the one in Hawaii.”
People Who Inspire You
Could you share three people that have inspired you along the way?
“Johnny Cash… mmmmm… Joe Strummer.”
It could be in life too.
“Oh, in life too! Ahhhhh… I can’t think… another musician, Frank Sinatra!”
What Drives Your Art
What drives the purpose of your art?
“The love for music and everything that goes with it touring, recording, doing interviews, meeting people all the time. We go all over the world. We’re very lucky.”
The Feeling of Creating
Can you describe the feeling when you are creating your art?
“You have an idea in your head, a dream and you think it through, then you actually get to do it in life.”
Legacy
When you are gone, how would you like people to remember you?
“As I was. Hopefully with fondness. I won’t be around, so you know… you overthink things like that.”
Advice for New Artists
What guidance would you give to someone just starting in art or music?
“Follow your dreams. Don’t expect it to be easy. If you really, really believe in it, you gotta go for it.”
Childhood Hero
Who was your childhood hero?
“A guy called Tig Perry. He was a motorcycle rider. I used to go watch him race.”
Is that person still your hero?
“Yeah, yes he still is. His name is Tig Perry — T-I-G Perry. He was a motorcycle racer.”
Are you a motorcycle rider?
“Yes, I’ve done it. When I did it, I chose his number, 119. It was such an honor.”
Do you remember the model of your bike?
“Yes, it was an Antig Bike. Tig Perry used to manufacture bikes called Antig Bikes. I bought one on eBay and started racing.”
(He scrolls through his phone.)
“I can show you a photo somewhere… let me just look.”
Returning to L.A.
While you look, can you tell me how it is to come back to L.A.?
“Brilliant! We love L.A. Ross, our bass player, lives here. This might be more important. This is my dad and me.”
Wow, that’s so cool!
“My dad used to build and race motorcycles. His name was Terry, and that’s me when I was five.”
Did you get to ride that bike?
“No, I didn’t get to. I don’t know what he did with it.”
Inspiration After All These Years
What inspires you now after so many years of being a successful band?
“It’s brilliant being in a band. I love it. We’re always inspired because it’s never-ending.”
Memorable Moments & Final Words
What is your most memorable moment?
“More recently, we played in Mexico City. There were five thousand kids there! It was crazy.”
Is there anything else you would like to say?
“Be nice to each other.”
I got up and thanked them for their time, then asked Colin if I could take a portrait of him by the piano. He said, “Yeah, let’s do it.” He stood up straight, looking directly into my 16mm lens. I took three shots one vertical, one horizontal, and one slanted then one last frame of his boots. I thanked him again and told him I couldn’t wait to see the whole band on stage. I was super excited but kept my cool.
I walked down the slanted walkway leading from the green room door out to the alley. Looking up at the night sky, I laughed I couldn’t believe I’d just had that opportunity. I made my way toward the door that led to the back of the stage, pushed it open, and heard Slaughterhouse starting their set. I lifted my camera again and headed straight to the pit. One more band for GBH to go on.
Huge thanks to Colin Abrahall of GBH for his time and energy.
Special thanks to Nothing Less Booking and The Regent Theater for having GBH at Los Angeles and creating such an amazing night.
By ZerGhoul