Talk The Talk: Gregg Foreman
Used to be, not a week went by in this dirty olí burg that the Internetz and cellies alike blazed with the exploits of singer/musician/DJ/bon-vivant Gregg Foreman. As the leader of what we can now regard as the seminal Philly modfuck explosion group The Delta 72, Greggers ó aka ìThe Roosterî ó pretty much filled the role of Phillyís own proto-Pete Doherty: If there was a party to be crashed and drugs to be had and ladies to be wooed, The Rooster was on the scene. But you know, those were different times. For the last few years, Foremanís been living a relatively quiet life in Miami, DJing rock and soul at clubs, and plotting his return to the world of recorded music. This weekend, Foremanís back in town, DJing Saturday nightís last-chance bash at Silk City before taking the main stage at PleasureTown at Transit. (Scroll to the end for deetz on how to win free tickets to that last one.)
After the jump, he raps with Sweeney about his life these days, hero worship and what Mark E. Smith says when he wants some-ah hot-ah Rooster-ah love-ah.
Gregg Foreman, as I live and breathe! Thank you for taking the time out to rap. I won’t waste your time: You KNOW every so-and-so in the world wants to know the plotline is of “GREGG FOREMAN IN MIAMI: THE MOVIE,” so spill it.
What aspect of the movie ó career, infamy, romance, astrology ?
I think the whole mise-en-scene. I mean, here is what I know: You’re livin’ in Miami, working as a DJ givin’ those people some much needed rock ‘n’ roll, and you’re just starting to play music again, and, that’s about it. Are you still funky?
Still funky… playing 4 nights a week… Monday is the long-running Back Door Bamby party… ten years running, doing soul/rock/indie, etc. Tuesday is a rowdy rock and roll soul night at Automatic Slim’s (featured on the classic tv show Making Da Band 3).Friday is a party; filthy gorgeous @ glass @ the forge - fetish meets soul and 90’s darkwave …
Right on. Are you happy?
I am.
Got a girl on that arm?
Well… workin’ on it.
Tell us about her. Girls love it when they dudes put ‘em on blast in the press. It’ll be part of your whole romancing.
She is a meditator, looks like Marianne Faithfull …. in the sixties that is. She is from Argentina - leche caliente!
Oh man. You got it bad. Okay, next question: Do you miss anything about Philly?
I miss the built in acceptance the kids have to all music types - here, it’s slow but steady. I mean, in Philadelphia, I can have a set with Hot Chip, then Stones, then Lyn Collins, then the Clash or Jaques DuTronc, etc.
You’re right. When I go to other cities, people seem a lot less mad for it. It makes me sad. So you were saying earlier you just played a show? It’s been a while, no?
My 1st show in almost a year! I have this on project called The Rare Birds, it is guests plus my stuff … I did a show for a mod themed thing where we performed stuff similar to The Delta 72. Last eve, did a live performance with The Hiss and Calla: I did angular blues dance rock with a drum machine… like the James Chance thing w/the JAMC and the Velvets and Stones.
That’s insane. There’s a Philly band called Rare Birds! And my new thing is called Drugbyrds. So many birds. Why do we all love them so, all of a sudden? Birds are so in.
Hmmm, well, mine is copywrited. I wonder when I was out there in the dark ages if I told too many of that name. Well, who ever does better.
Let the smackdown begin! So is there a record happenin’? Mp3s?
I have a tour thing in the works, I am interested in Alan McGee’s label, and Rough Trade’d be amazing. I don’t want to make a record until i find a great label similar to the way Touch & Go did for [The Delta 72].
Poptones?
Yup !
That’s a beautiful record label. He’s one of my heroes for sure.
You and me both!
Alan, come to Philadelphia. This weekend. Unbelievably, this Foreman cat is going to be in town DJing on the main floor at Transit.
I had the opportunity to hang with him a couple times: Once when Delta did a show in Portugal with Prml Scrm and The Fall, and once he was trying to get the Beachwood Sparks.
You played a show in PORTUGAL with PRIMAL SCREAM and THE FALL? You fucking bastard.
I did, Mark E. Smith hit on me as well… he was like, “You look that guy from the Faces.”
Oh no he didn’t!
Hey, remember the review you wrote about one of my first gigs at the Uptight thing: You said something to the effect of ‘great party at the way, way sketchy Club Skyline.
I don’t, but I remember that night. It was so awesome. It kinda changed everything. It was a landmark party, don’t you think?
Man, me, Dave P, Dave Pak, Mike Z… etc.
Kinda makes you sad how Silk City is going out too, huh?
I’ll be spinning there this weekend. I’m in town for that, and this Pleasuretown thing.
Cool! Can’t wait to check the sounds. Can I thank you for sharing this moment?
See you there!
You wanna go to Pleasuretown? Well, Cap’n Freeshit is on the case. Send an email to TIPS [at] PHILEBRITY [dot] COM with “MODFUCK EXPLOSION” in the subject header and you could win one of five pair of tickets! For more info, check PleasureTown.
