Q&A with original Psi Com bassist Rich Evac

[helicine]

Thanks to Jay, we've got a chance for a Q&A with Psi Com's original bassist Rich Evac to get some more info about the early days of Psi Com.

So we're working on some questions of our own, but I wanted to post this here to give you all a chance to come up with ones we may not think of. So feel free to post your question suggestions below and we'll use as many as we can.

[hydro]

this is so rad!! cant wait!!

[Mike]

I've got a bunch of questions.
I know big surprise.

I guess I'll start at the beginning and try and post my questions in some kind of chronological order.

1.) When did Afterimage break-up and Psi-Com form?

2.) Who was in the band when you first formed?

3 A.) According to an interview with No Mag's Bruce Kalberg (issue # 12) when Psi-Com first started the band existed under the names F-Com, and The Sherpas. When did the band settle on Psi-Com and who were the members of the band when this change took place?

3 B.) When to the best of your knowledge did the No Mag interview take place?

The complete No Mag interview can be found here: http://forums.janesaddiction.org/viewto ... f=36&t=435

[Mike]

4.) When exactly did Perry Farrell enter the fray?

5 A.) If you can remember, what was the first show he did with the band and was he only playing percussion?

5 B.) When exactly did Perry take over on vocals? Do you know which show was his first on vocals?

6.) I'm sure you're aware of Perry's reputation (real or imagined) with the bass players he's worked with over the years. What was your relationship with Perry like? How did the two of you get along? Do you think you worked together well?

[Mike]

7.) I know this may seem tedious but for the purpose of updating our Tour Dates section can you tell me to the best of your knowledge all the personal changes of the band? Examples: first shows for certain members, your last show with the band, etc?

8.) I think it's criminal but most casual fans of the band are only aware of the E.P. the band put out in 1985 after you'd left the band. I for one really enjoy the music on Worktape 1 and Hopeful is probably my favorite track by the band. Are there any plans to ever re release these songs? Perhaps on CD someday?

9.) The lyric sheet that came with the Worktape 1 cassette features on it's borders what fans have come to affectionately refer to as "The Dancing Corpse". This image was later reused on the 1985 E.P.. Where did this image come from and who thought it would be a good idea to use a picture of a dead person on the cassette art?

[helicine]

We can probably nail down a more solid release date for Worktape 1 - if nothing else a month.

[Mike]

10 A.) Besides the three excellent tracks on Worktape 1 there are another three songs by the band that enjoy a rather dubious existence on various bootlegs. They are 14th Floor, Cat a.k.a. In The Holly Grove, and Karuna a.k.a. Finger Puppets. All three can be found with and without vocals. What can you tell me about these three songs? When were they recorded? Who was in the band when the were recorded? Lastly, is there any chance these songs will ever get any type of official release?

10 B.) What are the correct titles for these songs Cat a.k.a. In The Holly Grove, and Karuna a.k.a. Finger Puppets?

11.) Are there any other unreleased Psi-Com songs from your time in the band perhaps sitting in a vault somewhere rotting away? If so what are the names of the songs and can I somehow hear them?

[Mike]

12 A.) Besides Worktape 1 and the three songs I mentioned in my previous question I've come across some rather interesting releases that either include Psi-Com songs or are possibly a questionable Psi-Com release. What can you tell me about the bands participation in the L.A. Mantra 11 release? The bands song Psi-Com Theme is included on it.



12 B.) Another release I ran across is called This Is Religion. The song Hopeful is included in this limited edition various artists cassette. Is there anything you can tell me about this release?

Please see the following link: http://forums.janesaddiction.org/viewto ... f=1&t=1120

12 C.) Back in 2004 a Psi-Com twelve inch appeared on the market. Side one includes the three tracks from Worktape 1 and side two has the three songs I previously asked you about 14th Floor, Cat a.k.a. In The Holly Grove, and Karuna a.k.a. Finger Puppets. The art for this release seems very nice and it almost makes me think it's legit or that someone connected with the band had something to do with it. I know what they say about assuming but I assume this is a bootleg release of sorts. Am I correct to assume this? If so how do you feel about your art / music being used in this way?

I will have Erik send all the pictures and scans of this release to Jay who can hopefully pass them along to Rich so he can check it out. One reason I'm fairly certain it's a bootleg is it lists Rich as playing drums and Aaron as playing bass.



In the meantime there's a copy of this vinyl for sale on ebay as I type.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PSI-work-rec-LP-jan ... 20baf1f981

[Mike]

13.) What is your favorite Psi-Com song either released or unreleased?

14.) What is your favorite memory from your time in the band?

15.) Do you have a favorite show that you guys played? If so why is it a favorite?

16.) Why did you leave Psi-Com?

17.) What have you been up to in the 25 plus years since you left Psi-Com? Have you been involved in any other bands?

[Mike]

18.) The Viva Los Angeles album / CD liner notes contain a nice write up about Psi-Com. (see photos below) In the liner notes it states the following: "Their production was limited to WORKTAPE 1 (3 track cassette) and PSI-COM (Mohini Rec. 1985, 5 track 12" LP), plus a live tape including some studio tracks from 83/84." What if anything can you tell me about the live tape including some studio tracks from 83/84? Did this really happen? If so what show are the live tracks taken from and what are the studio tracks included on this release?