Music > Interviews

The Ramonas

23/02/16

The Ramones! One of the most influential and cool as fuck bands of all time, no? We might not get to see them play in their heyday, but we do have The Ramonas, an all-woman tribute band who tour the world recreating the magic of those heady hairy days of punk rock. They’ll be playing all your fave Ramones songs and giving it some serious welly at all new The Owl Sanctuary this month. I spoke to Rohn and Margy from the band to find out how The Ramonas came together and whether they’ve ever had a Real Ramone in their audience.

When did your love for the Ramones begin?

Rohn: I personally got into punk and new wave through my dad. He was into a lot of that era of music growing up through the 70s. However it wasn't until I joined The Ramonas and started listening to all of the less well known songs I really started to appreciate their music.

Margy: The Ramones were one of those bands I’d always heard around, but I wasn't aware of who they actually were. I got more into punk rock culture and the music in my early 20's, then a few years later joined The Ramonas.

What is it about their music, their style and vibe that you are so passionate about?

Cloey: It’s the energy that give on stage with the live shows, the fact that they didn’t really have a ‘style’ and that they were just themselves.

Margy: For me, it just sounds and feels like an honest human experience that's relatable. What they wrote about isn't trying to be anything they weren't; it's raw and has guts.

What sort of other bands were you all in before this one?

Cloey: We have all been in various bands from punk bands, blues bands, rock bands and we are all still in other bands currently. We are also working on our own songs together so watch this space...

Margy: The ethos of punk rock's always been something I’ve been drawn to. I'm still into anything with a good beat and connectability. It doesn't have to be exclusively punk rock...I love The Descendants to Rihanna depending on where I’m at and how I’m feeling.

How did you all find each other? I know you’ve had some line up changes over the years.

Cloey: We were all approached by a mutual friend of ours that started the band in 2004. We all joined the band at slightly different times but then stuck as the same line up for years before getting our new guitarist in 2014.

Margy: Yeah, and I guess line up changes are just a part of life, people come and go from time to time, but that's part of the beauty of The Ramonas.. After meeting through our mutual friend, the four of us decided to commit to the legacy The Ramones left behind, and well, we just enjoy making music together!

The Ramonas started back in 2004; did you imagine at that point that you’d be still touring and creating a career from the band?

Cloey: Not at all, we all still do it now because it is so much fun and we love the music. I think the reason we are still playing shows is a testament to the music itself. It’s so fantastic that people still love and want to hear the Ramones’ music, especially live.

Margy: I think at some point everything starts with a dream, a creative imagination to do something, and be something. We've just kept going with it ‘cos we believe in it and enjoy it. So it's pretty gratifying to be where we are now yep!

Which Ramones songs are your favourites and why?

Rohn: My personal favourite is Bonzo goes to Bitburg (My brain Is Hanging Upside Down). It's actually the first song I heard by The Ramones and I think that's why it'll always be a favourite.

Margy: Oh, there're different favourites at different times! I love seeing the crowd go crazy in different cities to different songs. I like their song Something To Do, which we'll be doing on this next tour in March, it's got a great riff and sentiment. Then I like rock and roll classics like Suzy Is A Headbanger cos it's pure fun.

Have you ever met any members of the actual Ramones? Have they ever seen you play and if so were you mega nervous?

Cloey: Yes, we played a show with Richie Ramone in 2011 in London which was exciting. He is a really nice guy and we have kept in touch since. We visited him in LA last year too and been to his UK shows when he has been over recently. In fact, his current bass player Clare originally started The Ramonas in 2004. It’s a small world! I also met CJ Ramone in December after his gig in London. Again, he was a really nice guy.  

Margy: Ha, yeah so I guess between us we've seen Richie, Marky, CJ and DeeDee play. Our crew saw the real deal in various configurations, several times. I was a little nervous about playing for Richie, but that was just ‘cos I was comparing myself rather than embracing my own interpretation of the Ramones’ music. It's a real honour to have those guys support us.

The Ramonas play at The Owl Sanctuary on 6th March. Tickets at a very reasonable £6 are available from theowlsanctuary.net