For more than a year — give or take a few Fourth Street Live appearances — the Velcro Pygmies have been absent from the Louisville scene. Pygmie fans used to count on monthly performances at Phoenix Hill to transport them back to the days of big hair, tight jeans and rockin’ music. Now fans have been forced to scatter like cockroaches when a light is flipped to podunk clubs in Evansville, Ind., and Huntsville, Ala. You see, word spread down south faster than herpes at a whorehouse about this highly entertaining group who salute everything that ’80s hair metal stood for — screeching guitar solos, hot chicks and non-stop partying. And ever since, this full-time road-band has been lighting up the south with non-stop weekend performances. From Atlanta to Houston, they’ve been on a party train bound for hedonism — and, sadly, Louisville was not a stop.
Well, that’s not entirely true, says frontman Cameron Flener. “The honest reason why the Pygmies have been absent from Louisville is economics. As the band’s popularity grew, our value went up considerably. Phoenix Hill wasn’t willing to pay the going rate for the band, and as a result wasn’t added to the schedule. The band loves playing the Hill, but the reality of dollars and cents didn’t make it viable.”
Makes sense. But the good news is: A deal was finally reached, and on Saturday, the Pygmies will be back on stage at the Hill.
If you haven’t seen them in a while, you’ll notice major changes in the band’s lineup. Cam and drummer Chris Eddins are still on board, but two new players — “Delicious” on the lead guitar and “Johnny Depp” on bass — have brought the group to a whole new level of glam. Here are five important questions Cam answered faster than it takes Aquanet to dry.
LEO: If you were Mayor, what would you do to help promote people like you in this city?
CF: I would connect with the movers and shakers in the entertainment business and invite them to Louisville for a showcase of our talent. Music, film, art, etc. Louisville is a well-kept secret, and that is a shame.
LEO: Which Louisville musician needs to get more attention?
CF: I am going to date myself here, but I feel like danny flanigan is the most deserving musician Louisville has ever had. He should be a superstar.
LEO: If music were food, what kind would yours be?
CF: Cotton candy. We never claim that the Pygmie sound is substantive. It’s designed to be fun, and addictive.
LEO: Tell me about one of your favorite works of art aside from your medium.
CF: David Lynch movies. A thousand people will see it a thousand different ways.
LEO: What do you want to say that you know you shouldn’t?
CF: Musicians take themselves too seriously. They need to realize that what they have to say ISN’T going to change the world. Lighten up. This whole business is smoke and mirrors, NOT who’s the best. Oh, yeah, I love watching “American Idol,” but hate everything it stands for.
This article appears in February 7, 2006.