Pretty Boy Floyd guitarist Kristy “Krash” Majors talks to LRI about Leather Boys, Electric Toys and much more
Kristy Krash Majors knows his band’s always been an underdog, the dirty little sister of the hard rock community. The guitarist for Pretty Boy Floyd, the guy behind their debut video/single “Rock and Roll (Is Gonna Set The Night on Fire) admits that his band may be on a lot of people’s “Guilty Pleasures” list. I’m not guilty about shit, I love the band and have since they reset the glam clock in 1989 with their now notorious debut, Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz. They were signed by MCA, made the cover of KERRANG in the U.K., toured Japan and lived the rock and roll life only to get dropped by their label, reform and do it all over again. They are raw, glam, nasty, in your face and more persistent than a cockroach with herpes. Read on….
Q: You guys just got back from a tour in Europe. The scene there in Sweden is unreal for sleaze/rock type bands. Are you guys considered elder statesmen there, cultural icons?
A: The scene is good but it’s nothing like the Sunset Strip days! . Not even close! . There are some great bands coming out of the Scandinavia market and I like them all . I think in Europe we are more like cult stars, the album has a cult status for sure over there. .
Q: Is it true that the scene is a true movement in that the fans are totally engaged and ready to rock? Is that what’s wrong here, the fans aren’t as invested?
A: They’re ready to rock in every part of the world you just have to give them a reason!!. Bald guys in t shirts and jeans don’t inspire anyone . Give the crowd what they came to see, a real rock n roll show and no one will be disappointed!!! Kiss, Alice Cooper , Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and bands like that GET IT!!
Q:Part of what we wanna do with our interviews is dispel as many myths as possible. We may not be able to cover them all in regards to PBF….but we’ll try. Is it true that Kim Fowley (Runaways mentor) was at one point working with the band, what was the extent of it and did he suggest the name as your Wikipedia page states?
A: Maybe 20% of what you read on Wikipedia or the net is true . I’ve said it before and in past interviews that Kim Fowley did suggest the band name to us but that’s about as far it went .
Q: You guys reportedly had lots of mishaps while recording your debut. What led to those issues or caused them and is there any truth to these rumors of struggle or outside players/writers?
A: There WERE no outside players or writers. . The only struggles we had were fighting with each other, the label and the producer because the record wasn’t coming out the way we wanted it to. The 4 of us were stuck in the middle of Pennsylvania recording it with NOTHING to do. . We were using rented equipment and nothing we used sounded like us . It was a horrible mistake to use Howard Benson (producer) and MCA records.
Q: I have loved the band from day one when I first heard Rock N Roll (is gonna set the night on fire). I took a lot of shit for liking the band, but all these years later I still maintain that you were highly underrated as a good time rock and roll band. Is it funny to you that a band like Ugly Kid Joe made light of you guys but here you are all these years later playing gigs far bigger than you ever played in 89/90?
A: Thank you !! . I think we are a guilty pleasure to many people. We are still young and have a lot to offer the world in the years to come . We are just getting started! .
Q: I know you’ve been asked this far too many times but for those unaware or those who think you’re just making excuses or playing the blame game……What were some of the changes being made at your label when you were being signed, what if anything did they know about marketing rock and what led to you guys deciding to go with MCA (music cemetery of America)? They clearly fucked up a chance to market an album with at least 4 singles.
A: It was a disaster no doubt!! I’m just thankful that after all these years that record has become a cult favorite around the world . Soooo….maybe it was a blessing in disguise. .
Q: To those who might be new to the band it may be confusing to look at your discography, theres a lot there. What stuff did you have 100% involvement in and what stuff are you most proud of that has the PBF logo on it?
A: To be honest, our debut Leather Boyz With Electric Toys is the only album that matters as of right now (the band plays it in it’s entirety live!) but will be putting out new albums over the next few years that will rival our debut album…stay tuned. .
Q: There was a point where you and Steve were not on the greatest terms and the band carried on without you and it wasn’t quite the same. What led to you actually fighting him in front of cameras and how did things iron out to the point they’re at now?
A: Well….Yeah it’s true that we fight all the time but that’s what brothers of 20 years do . you fight , you make up , you fight again and so on .
Q: You have worked in the biz behind the scenes with some VERY big acts and people in general probably have no clue. You have your own clothing line. You have made a series of self released solo recordings. Are all of those things fulfilling to you in their own way or does it pale in comparison to playing a live gig in front of thousands with PBF?
A: I do what I want and what I love. It’s not for money or success it’s for the love of the game, so to say. If anyone wants to check out my personal stuff its all on kristymajors.com
Q: You guys and Tuff were a couple of the last gasps of the MTV wave before things changed and sleazy rock fell out of fashion. You’re a Ramones fan and a native New Yorker, did you see the rebirth of the punk sound or style coming in the bands that sprouted up in the nineties?
A: Niche and lifestyle music always has a way of reaching its’ fans. I don’t think what came after 1991 was exactly punk but it was raw and real. People latched onto to it as did I. . I think its time for a change! .
Q: . People are so fickle and they forget that its all rock and roll. They want things to fit a category. Things didn’t seem to be so regimented back in the 70s or early 80s. Bands like Kiss and the Ramones both just rocked regardless of image or lack thereof. You could see Angel or Pink Floyd who both were very visual but had totally different styles of music. Or Cheap Trick or Priest would play back to back on the same station. It’s depressing but have people’s musical palettes degenerated or is it me?
A: I love all music for what it is but I DO have to say that the music scene right now with a few exceptions is pretty bleak .
Q: Do you think Pretty Boy Floyd has another amazing set of songs to record…..something to put next to LBWET or alongside some of the best stuff from some of the newer bands like Last Vegas, Hardcore Superstar or those bands?
A: Oh yeah!!!! It’s a SELF TITLED album of all new songs…it’s done, it’s great and it’s getting released early 2012!!! Keep up with us on our website prettyboyfloydband.com and Facebook pages….
Q: Thanks for talking with us Kristy we have always been big fans and have one last question. The band has a lyrical theme that has become an identifiable signature. The topic of Rock and roll, freedom and most importantly setting the sky and night on fire. This lyrical content is part of what makes you guys tick….That said, If the band all went down in a plane crash and were buried in a single tomb in L.A. what should the inscription on the stone read?
A: PRETTY BOY FLOYD ….FUCKED THE WORLD AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT
http://www.prettyboyfloydband.com
Category: Interviews
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