THE PEASANTS
by Christer Davidsson, May 2006
Photos by Catherine Carter
Hi Pete! How are you doing? Pete Cassani: I've got a broken rib and can't laugh too hard but other than that I'm doing pretty good. Thanks for asking. I passed out the other night. It's a long story.
You released your latest record "Love Your Enemy" last year. Selling a lot of it?
Yea, we're street performers and we sell most of our records while we're playing on the street. We play all summer in a place called Harvard Square in Cambridge. It's a good place cuz thousands of tourists walk thru there every night. Lot's of Japanese tourists with video cameras. People from all over the world. No cover charge. No Age restrictions.
You also got a video for "Take 'Em Out" on your website. Tell me about that song.
Take 'Em Out was written right before George W Bush was fixing to invade Iraq. I had a bad feeling. I read history and it always repeats itself. It was really pissing me off that this guy who wasn't even elected President of the United States was now gonna invade a country that had nothing to do with anything and alot of people were going to die. All the politicians were lying and whipping the masses into hysteria for war so I wrote Take 'Em Out as my take on what was happening. Unfortunately, I was very accurate and alot of people are dead now.
Your lyrics are often quite political and sarcastic. What are some of the issues you deal with on the latest album?
"Love Your Enemy" is Anti War. No question. I tend to rant against things like ignorance, war, religion in the service of war, the propaganda of war, whipping the masses up to accept a war...etc. Lust, failed relationships, alcoholism, those come up too. I like those themes. I go back to them alot.
Whats your favorite song on the record?
I'd say "Homeland Security" is one of the best grooves and best sounding songs. "Take 'Em Out" kicks alot of ass too hence it's the first track. I'd really be hard pressed to pick a best song. I think this record is my best so far. It's got alot of great songs that I was just lucky to pull out of the air. "I Never Said" is another one. Just came to me out of nowhere and it's a really good song on so many levels.
How is Massachusetts doing musically? Any other bands that you would recommend from your area?
Yea, I like Scissorfight, Ramallah, The Rudds, The Exit, Noble Rot..... I don't go out much these days. I like Peter Pan Speedrock in Holland. Also The Riplets from Rotterdam and Sidekick Bob from The Hague while we're at it.
You are on your way back to Europe again. Do you perfer doing shows overseas or back at home? I like playing full on rock shows with a band and it's easier to do in Europe because we can actually get paid. I've toured all over the USA with The Peasants and Solo and I must say that it's easier to do solo tours in the US.
I Love playing witha band but what can you do. It's impossible for Americans to tour the US w/out alot of tour support (ie Money) and/or no responsibilities and most of the great musicians I know gotta get paid to hit the road. Everyone's got bills.
Is it different to play in the U.S. of A compared to Europe?
Definately. You get treated much better in Europe. They feed you. They pay you. And usually they give you a place to sleep. In the US, especially when you are first starting out, you sleep in the van or on the floor of someone's apt. You eat badly and you're lucky to get $100. out of the club at the end of the night. We've played for nothing so many times. It's cool. It's what you gotta do if you want to do it. I just got tired of dragging a band around to suffer with me. It ain't worth it for them. I can suffer solo. Why put your friends thru that shit?
This will be your sixth european tour. Whats your best memory of playing over here?
Wild At Heart, Berlin, Germany. Great club. Great owners. Great time. Really took care of us too. Put us up in a hostel filled with really hot European girls from all over the place. Love The Hague too. Spent alot of time there. Lotta good friends in The Hague. Looking forward to going to Sweden. Really trying to make that happen. All depends on if we can get some good gigs. We're totally unknown there.
You've been playing shows for over 15 years now. What have you learned from travelling around, playing shows during this time?
You better love it or you're going to hate your life. The going is tough. Very tough and most people quit. If you don't love it, you should quit too. And tell the truth. It's easier to remember.
Blat Records is your own label, right? How come you started a label of you own?
We just needed to put a name on the CD we were selling on the street. Blat was the dumbest thing we could think up. Also we wanted to put out a record. We didn't need any big, scumbag corporation's permission to do it. We just did it ourselves. We've sold thousands of cds on the streets of Boston w/out a real label. And we keep all the money. So that's why. Fuck them!!!
I know you play a lot of shows at Harvard Square in Cambridge. Tell me about that place. How come you do shows in the streets?
I think I already answered this question but I gotta say playing on the street is the best gig I've ever had. Just imagine this. It's summertime. The girls are young and beautiful and prancing by every ten seconds wearing very little and looking hot as hell. You are standing there, playing rock and roll to tourists, locals, college kids, punks, street people, old folks, families w/little kids, everyone basically and it's warm and everyone is psyched. It's the weekend, it's a free show and we are all in it together. In one night, we play to thousands of people.
What bands inspire you?
The Replacements, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, AC/DC, Bad Religion, The Descendents.... how many do you want... I really love Led Zeppelin, Santana, Van Halen but then I'm a guitar player. As far as songwriting, Westerberg of The Replacements, Dylan and Hendrix.
...and the best record of all times would be? Jeez this best of shit is ... well if I had to name something probably Blonde on Blonde or Blood On The Tracks by Dylan for songs. For music, Zeppelin Two. Van Halen One. Hendrix Smash Hits Experience!!! That's probably the best.
So, whats going to happen with The Peasants in the next couple of months?
We're going to play the streets of Boston this summer. Do some gigs and then come to Europe in the Fall. We want to spread the message of Love Your Enemy to all the good people across the pond. We want to let Europe know that not all Americans are Ignorant Warheads.
Anything youd like to add before we say goodbye?
Yes!! If anyone out there has any ideas for shows in Sweden, Germany, Holland or France, pls contact our man Francois at frenchdude@club-internet.fr. Looking forward to playing over there this fall. Good luck w/this new zine!!!
Ok, thats it! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview and Good Luck!