Gargamel: We started out as a side project of several bands (Mood Skin, Cluj, Ippolito Principle). All those bands eventually broke up and Gargamel! survived. The name came into existence when a local band named Azrael wanted us to open for them and we needed a name. We remembered Azrael was the bad cat from the Smurfs cartoon. And who was Azrael's master? The evil wizard GARGAMEL! We started out as a masked band just to let people know what was about to happen onstage wasn't normal. Now our faces are frightening enough! Matt "Boy Howdy" was the original bassist, replaced by Les "Crazy Hector" Stover. Our original guitarist, Darin "Skyjak" Bridges was replaced by Ray "El Diablo Guapo" Rivera, who was replaced by our current and longest surviving guitarist, Ryan "Professor Knuckles" Dailey. Wayne "Servobeonic Man" Larsen was tricked into joining in 1997 when the band wanted some Simpson samples interjected between songs for a birthday gig local talk radio host Drew Garabo was having (Simpsons trivia was a regular part of his radio show). Drew and the band thought Servo's sampling fit into their unique style and they've been trying to keep him from quitting ever since.

Q: How would you describe Gargamel's sound?

Gagamel: Psychotic. We feel like love, smell like hate, and taste like wonder.

Q: How many albums has Gargamel! released and what are your favorite songs?

Gargamel: We have 3 studio albums: Revulva (1997), Touch My Fun (2000), and The New Tenderness (2003). We also have 2 limited release live albums, Live Bootleg (1999) and Garga-live! (2005), plus a remix CD, What's That Smell? Gargamel! (2005) Favorite songs? Hmmm... We all have different opinions on that which would take too long to put into words.

Q: Where can readers go to sample your music and purchase it?

Gargamel: They can go to: cdbaby.com/gargamel3 or myspace.com/gargamel or gargamel.net.

Q: When is the live DVD going to come out?

Gargamel: Probably never, but hopefully soon!

Q: Where are you recording the new album, how will it be different, and when and where will it be available?

Gargamel: We'll be recording in the same studio we recorded Touch My Fun and The New Tenderness: Dave Schweitzer's home studio (birthplace of albums from Junkie Rush, Terri Binion, Florganism, Shak Nasti, and Mohave). This album will be bigger, better, with more robust flavor and true chewing satisfaction! If Revulva was the beginning, Touch My Fun the middle, and The New Tenderness the end, then this is definitely the next logical step. What that step is we have no idea, but you can tell us what that is when you hear it.

Q: Where do you see Gargamel! Five (5) years from now?

Gargamel: Rockin' the old folks' home tour circuit.

Q: Why do you think it's so difficult for Orlando bands to have their music played on Orlando radio stations?

Gargamel: For us it's a matter of not having a "rock radio" sound.

Q: Gargamel! has obtained a cult like following in Orlando and throughout the state of Florida, what do you think are some of the major mistakes newer bands make that keep them from obtaining a following like Gargamel! has?

Gargamel: Taking themselves too seriously, booking gigs before they're ready, and doing something that everyone else is doing. That shit gets old quick.

Q: Gargamel! has one of the best website I've ever seen, who designed your site?

Gargamel: Thanks! Conceptually, the band came up with the bedroom idea, and Strain from the band Five Billion Dead brought it to life.

Q: Why is it most bands have embraced the Internet as both a marketing and promotional tool but most of the nightclubs down here in Florida have not?

Gargamel: Bands are trying to reach fans in more than one city/state and clubs are just trying to reach people in their own market. They're probably easier to reach using local radio/newspaper advertising.

Q: How important do you think online publications like Florida Entertainment Scene are in helping to promote bands such as Gargamel?

Gargamel: Very important, if they have a calendar people can get to easily to plan their weekend. And interviews with/website links to the artists on the calendar help too!

Q: If you could pick any three (3) bands/musicians to play a show with Gargamel! who would you pick and where would your dream concert be?

Gargamel: Morbid Angel, James Taylor, and Rip Taylor onstage at the same time in Hell.

Q: Can you tell us about some of your more memorable shows?

Gargamel: Opening for GWAR at the House of Blues in Orlando a few years ago was awesome because their fans always rip on the opening act and we were able to win the crowd over about halfway through our set. Then we got to hang out with GWAR after the show! We had a hilarious time sponsoring a pool party for the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta where we were basically suckered into paying lots of money to have tons of R&B fans walk around in the rain drinking booze we paid for while our music blasted out of a shitty PA system. It's bad enough bands have to play those stupid conferences for free. They are only making money for the clubs and giving free vacations to the industry reps. For the bands, it's a giveaway show to (hopefully) have lots of new people show up to see you. If you're lucky enough to get a good time slot at one of the "featured" venues it can be a worthwhile cause. Other memorable moments ... Playing the side stage at Earthday Birthday 10 and stealing a ton of people away from whoever was playing the main stage at the time (well worth the sunburn!), opening for the Genitorturers years ago in Orlando and playing before the doors were even open, and wasting 6 months of our time dealing with a South Florida-based management company culminating in a showdown at a West Palm Beach gig where Mandaddy literally had to run down Clematis St. to get away from a very coked-out talent scout. Good times!

Q: If you weren't musicians what would you be?

Mandaddy: Pirate. Servo: Female Asian Singer. Crazy Hector: Tattoo Prevention Model. Webb: Ruler of the Lost City of Atlantis. Professor Knuckles: Napoleon Dynamite.

Q: Do you have anything to say to people who read this Interview?

Gargamel: Please let us get our love on you. Let us touch you in all your inappropriate places. When you listen to us it is as if you are IN us. And you'll never want to get out.

Gargamel! is from Orlando, FL and play shows throughout the state of Florida on a regular basis. For more band information visit the official Gargamel! website.

Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2005 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.