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This is the Grunts
interview. This is the last interview that was featured in Issue
2 of Big Time Music Trade Magazine published in July of 1997.
GRUNTS
LEFTY : (BART POWERS) VOCALS
JOE SAVOY : GUITAR
MIKE PELLETIER : DRUMS
Mailing address : XX Gage Street, Augusta Me 04330. In care of Grunts International.
BIG TIME : What type of punk is the band?
LEFTY
: We are progressive rock that's more towards scum punk or scum
metal and hardcore. Scum is the deepest, dirtiest, grossest stuff
you can come up with. That includes the lyrics too. From
really slow rock and roll / country beat, to as fast as anything fast
can be played; where you can barely understand the lyrics. It's
mostly government issues that we sing about. Our shortest song is
10 seconds and our longest song is a half hour.
MIKE
: This area stinks for our type of music because they don't give
us any place to play. Punk bands are forced to rent halls,with
each group shelling out $100. and when we do it, we get $25. back
to split up between 3 people.
LEFTY
: Some of the other bands out there are posers. They play
cover alternatives and they want to be something; but it never quite
happened. That's why everybody likes them, because they sound
like everyone else.
MIKE : And they dress like posers.
LEFTY
: Bands do that because they cop out. That is, not put any
effort into making anything of themselves. No go popular, like:
"MTV
yeah, we're really cool.' Go out and play more shows around
different towns. Let the locals get together and enjoy what we
do. Help other bands like us, put on a good show for the $5.00
people pay. Our lyrics are about Government scandals, the downfall of
the whole social system, social class and anything about people.
During the show, it might go from government issue to : "Hey you
out in the crowd." We change it, and they don't even know we're
singing about them. An average of 50-100 people show up for our
shows.
MIKE : Our audiences
age range is 13 to 30. A lot of older people in their 40's - 50's
sometimes see the entertainment going on and love it. There's
always a rent-a-cop at our shows, that costs $50. and they usually
don't disturb the fun at the shows. Bart jumps out into the
audience and has a blast. His microphone has a cord attached to
it, so it makes it more interesting.
JOE
: We're always coming up with new material and make stuff up on
the spot. We could put out a different tape every week, if we had
a 4-track recorder. We could write 20 new songs a day. I'm
all for someone coming out to one of our shows, with a 4-track and
recording it.
LEFTY : We like
to de-program people from the social right. You know the social
right. You know: "The way it's supposed to be in
civilization." We want people to be independent, to think for
themselves, and for personal freedom. We don't like people
telling others, "This is the way it is."
It's like having fun is illegal now for some reason. It's getting
harder and harder. Other bands do their little dance and don't do
much.
MIKE : People should be more open minded, to let bands come in and give their influence.
JOE : Instead of worrying about how they look, they should just have fun.
LEFTY
: Less on image and more on the aspect of entertainment.
There are way too many image bands. Image is the look and sound
that's in trend. Anything that is original and from the heart can
make it. You have to have the right mentality about it, not try
to look good at the same time. Just be yourself, that's
entertainment.
BIG
TIME : If a band wrote to you : "We need an opening
band, but you are not getting paid for the show." Would you play?
GROUP : (Confidently) YES!
MIKE : It's nice to get paid, but we're not worried about not getting paid.
LEFTY : What
ticks me off, is when someone says they are going to pay you, and they
don't, then they pay the other bands.
BIG TIME : Do you think
that if other musicians stop being conformists and accepted punk
musicians more; that Maine could then work towards being a music Mecca?
MIKE : I don't think it will ever, because it has to start off with people having open minds.
LEFTY : It's not just
punk. It needs to be all music groups. They need to get together
without: ( In a snobby voice,) "Well you play this, and we play that,
so we can't have a show together." It's wrong! If all musicians of
different varieties, for example, a country band, did a gig with us, it
would be a great change. It would be fun, because you would go from
country; to so hard. I want to see all bands open up to each other, not
just punk. Until that happens, then nothing will happen. Everyone will
be in their own little sections and groups and stay there. The
ignorance that's been happening needs to stop.
MIKE : What needs to
stop, is musicians letting you play then laughing at you, while you're
performing. I thought everyone was suppose to be coming together, not
becoming a group, taking that one individual, and kicking them out. I
don't think it's right. We are open minded and we are the only punk
band open minded around here.
BIG TIME : Do you think
this music scene would definitely improve more if the punks didn't focus
on partying and focused on playing? Like straight-edge punks?
LEFTY : Yeah, every punk band gets trashed. (Drunk.)
JOE : Except for a few
straight edge bands, but there aren't that many in Maine; because Maine
is like a pit-hole of alcohol and tobacco.
MIKE : A lot of Punk
bands get trashed before, after the show, and all day long. They would
probably make $100. more a month from not drinking, and they would have a
better attitude. Then they all could get together and start and
independent record company, like a co-op food store. Everyone pitch in
and nobody taking charge or ordering others around.
LEFTY : Yeah, Grunts
will do anything, we will give it a chance; like I want to put out a
metal tape. Mike, if he wants a hardcore tape, we'll put out a hardcore
tape. Joe wants a punkabilly and I want to put out an oldies tape,
like the stuff before 1983, we'll do it.
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NAM SOD 14.59
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SOM TUM / PAPAYA SALAD 6.25
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BEVERAGES
HOT TEA 1
COFFEE 2
JUICE 2
HOMEMADE THAI
ICED TEA OR COFFEE 3.79
SODA 2.49
SOUP
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Tofu, Vegetables, Chicken or Shrimp:
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Tofu, Vegetables, Chicken or Shrimp:
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HOUSE SOUP 15.69
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STIR FRY
Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice | Additional Sides Available
Vegetarian/vegan-friendly, please inquire with your server.
Lunch prices come with soup du jour and one (1) Thai spring roll
Tofu or Vegetables: 13.95
BASIL STIR FRY
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PEANUT STIR FRY
Roasted peanuts, onions, carrots,
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GARLIC & PEPPER
Choice of protein, sautéed until fragrant,
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MIXED VEGETABLES STIR FRY
Assorted vegetables, fragrant garlic, chicken
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TRADITIONAL CURRY
Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice
Additional Sides Available | All Gluten-Free
Lunch prices come with soup du jour and one (1) Thai spring roll
Tofu or Vegetables: 13.95
RED CURRY
Coconut milk base, green beans, bamboo shoots,
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FRIED RICE
Vegetarian / vegan friendly, please inquire with your server.
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Tofu or Vegetables: 12.49
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Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice | Additional Sides Available
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WOON SEN PAD THAI 13
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SHANGHAI NOODLES 15
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VOLCANO CHICKEN OR TOFU 13
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PA RAM LONGSONG 13
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CHICKEN OR TOFU LEMONGRASS 12
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AVOCADO CURRY
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Shrimp & Chicken | Tofu 14
CRISPY PAD THAI 13
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PAD KA RIE 12
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TRIPLE DELIGHT 13
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MANGO FISH 16
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NY STRIP STEAK 19
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NOODLES
Vegetarian/vegan friendly, please inquire with your server.
Lunch prices come with soup du jour and one (1) Thai spring roll.
Tofu or Vegetables: 13.55
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Rice noodles, assorted vegetables, basil, bean sprouts, scallions and sweet and spicy chili sauce.
PAD THAI
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THAI LOMEIN
Egg noodles, scrambled egg and assorted vegetables.
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Northern Thailand favorite.
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13.55
PAD SEE-EW
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CRAZY NOODLE
Wide rice noodles, pepper puree, stir fried egg and assorted vegetables in a spice oyster sauce.
LAD NAR
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PEANUT NOODLE
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Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice | Additional Sides Available
GINGER DUCK 23.99
Deboned duck, onions, mushrooms, ginger, scallions and bell peppers in a ginger sauce.
RED CURRY DUCK 23.99
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SWEET & SOUR DUCK 23.99
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SPICY DUCK 23.99
Deboned duck, basil, bell peppers, mushrooms, scallions and onions in a spicy chili sauce.
FISH
Steamed or Fried | Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice
Additional Sides Available | Lunch 10 - Dinner 15
GARLIC FISH
Tilapia, broccoli, peas, carrots in a garlic sauce.
SPICY CHILI FISH
Tilapia, bell peppers and basil in a spicy tamarind sauce.
SWEET & SOUR FISH
Tilapia, pineapple, onions, scallions, bell peppers, cucumbers and tomato in a sweet & sour sauce.
GINGER FISH
Tilapia, onions, scallions, ginger, bell peppers and mushrooms in a ginger sauce.
CHOO CHEE FISH
Tilapia, bell peppers, peas, carrots, choo chee curry, and coconut milk.
SPECIALTIES FROM THE SEA
Comes with Jasmine White Rice or Brown Rice | Additional Sides Available
THAI CUISINE SHRIMP 14.59
Ten (10) shrimp, flash fried, house combo sauce and a bed of vegetables.
SPICY SHRIMP 14.59
Ten (10) shrimp, flash fried, sautéed bell peppers, peas, carrots and basil in a spicy tamarind sauce.
ORANGE SHRIMP 14.59
Ten (10) shrimp, flash fried, orange sauce and a bed of vegetables.
GARLIC SEAFOOD 15.69
Shrimp, scallops, and squid, garlic sauce and a bed of vegetables.
Steamed shrimp, scallops, fish, mussels and chicken with snow peas, onions, peas, carrots, and basil leaves in red curry.
LEMONGRASS SEAFOOD 16.69
Shrimp, scallops, squid, onions, scallions, red pepper puree, mushrooms, lemongrass and bell peppers in a spicy chili sauce.
SPICY SEAFOOD 16.69
Tilapia, shrimp, squid and scallops flash fried, bell peppers, peas, carrots and basil in a spicy tamarind sauce.
SHRIMP LOVE SCALLOPS 15.69
Shrimp and scallops sauteed with fresh ginger, garlic, onions,
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SEAFOOD COMBO 16.69
Shrimp, scallops, squid, sautéed with mixed vegetables and fresh ginger in a brown sauce.
SIDES
STICKY RICE 3.95
When available.
STEAMED GREEN BEANS
OR VEGETABLES 3.95
EXTRA DIPPING SAUCE 1
STEAMED RICE NOODLES 2
EXTRA WHITE OR BROWN RICE 2
STEAMED BROCCOLI 3.95
EXTRA PROTEIN
Shrimp, Scallop Squid 3 | Tofu, Chicken, Beef, Pork 2