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Punch Rock Magazine
Gas Station Bathrooms is the New Teen Scene
Funeral for the Teenage Disaster’s Mike Pavlikovsky talks about new album.
By Irene Wolinski
Mike Pavlikovsky, lead singer and guitarist of Funeral for the Teenage Disaster, sits down to talk with me in his San Francisco apartment about the band’s new album, Gas Station Bathrooms, which hit stores June 7th, 1987.
IW: How have you been, Mr. Pavlikovsky? With the release of a new album, and all?
MP: Call me Mike. I’ve been doing pretty well, all things considered. It’s only been a week and I’ve done like a million interviews. [he chuckles]
IW: People have said you feel relieved that the album is finally out, is this true?
MP: Yeah actually. Some songs I’ve had finished since high school.
IW: Really? Any songs in particular?
MP: Well there’s the title track for starters. I wrote that one when I was 15.
IW: I see. There has been some speculation about that song, who it’s about and why it’s the title track. Care to explain?
MP: You know my manager asked me the same thing. [he laughs] He was really on my ass, all “I swear to God Mike, if this is about another random girl you met at the bar!” All I could tell him was that she sure wasn’t random.
IW: The song is about a woman then? One you’re close to?
MP: Yeah, my best friend since 9th grade if you can believe it.
IW: She doesn’t happen to play bass does she?
MP: Oh God no! GSB isn’t about Car! She’d kill me if that song was about her.
IW: Oh! I apologize, it’s just that you and Ms. Maldonado seem close.
MP: We are, but she’s basically my sister. No, GSB is about someone I can pretty much confirm none of my fans have heard of.
IW: And why is that?
MP: Because she’s a kindergarten teacher.
IW: A kindergarten teacher?
MP: Yup! Shaping the minds of tomorrow.
IW: Is she aware that GSB was written for her?
MP: The whole albums for her, but honestly I don’t know, I’m not sure if she’s heard it yet.
IW: The whole album is for her?
MP: [long pause] I think the interview should be over now.