Panama first started playing together in the summer of 1997. The initial line-up featured Mike Lenert - guitar, Mark Zepp - bass, Kara Lafty - drums, and Graham - guitar. This is the group who recorded the forthcoming album, untitled as of this "press" time. The album was ready to be pressed at the time of this interview, and should most likely be available by the summer or sooner. When Mike Lenert left Philadelphia to go to graduate school in Montana, the band has seen a few changes... after a few months' hiatus (during which Graham worked on the mixing of the upcoming record release) the band evolved into the current line-up with: John (drums) & Brenda (bass) - both formerly of Caterpillar, and Graham. These musicians have been playing as a trio since Christmas 1998. The first live performance which featured this line-up was at Khyber Pass on March 20th. Panama may add a 2nd guitarist sometime in the future, but for now they're a trio. Now we begin our interview with Graham... Groove Lingo: How would you describe your music? Panama: Rock/Pop with contemporary lyrics. GL: You sing in a somewhat whiny voice for some of your songs... (Don't worry, it's not annoying, just different) Does that come naturally or do you do it to be a smartass or for effect? Panama: I'd say my voice is naturally a bit whiney or nasal. I don't purposefully adjust it for various songs- if it sounds different from one song to the next it has more to do with the chords or key of the song. I suppose the tone of my voice may be somewhat influenced by the theme or feeling expressed in the song. GL: I noticed that one of your songs called "She was only 2" - had some very disturbing imagery. Can you elaborate more on this one? The song really stood out in my mind. And not just because it was one of the few whose title you actually named. Panama: "She Was Only 2" is actually about lost opportunity. "2" stands for hours, not years. I used to preface a performance of that song with an "I'm not a pedophile" disclaimer but no one ever seemed to be listening to the words. So the plot line of the song centers around time poorly spent with the wrong person. "Why did you see her?, Why did you?, Why did you see her instead of the ballgame? She was only 2 - Stop staring, Stop suffering, She was only 2." At the same time, now that everyone thinks the song is about a 2-year-old girl, I can't help but think about the concept of a 2-year-old that etches an impression (a non-sexual one) in the minds of those she encounters. So when I sing it I'm usually thinking about both possibilities. GL:Do you (graham) do most of the songwriting? What do you typically write songs about? (Your philosophy, how the lyrics fit the music, etc.) Panama: I write the songs. The folks I play with normally write their parts once I've shown them the chords/patterns. My lyrics tend to cover mundane things - events or creations that I associate with the present time. I feel like people should be less afraid to talk about regular stuff that effects their lives - like a radio program or a particular town in New Jersey or a shopping mall. I write music and lyrics somewhat separately- most often the music comes first- but before I write music I may choose a subject matter that the lyrics will ultimately draw upon. Panama: Subject matter has included: Melting Glaciers: "lots of ice-rock, melting slowly- my glacier girl. Polished silt flows, glacial milk-grey, glacier girl, it's geology, my river ice" (click song title for download). Philadelphia: "Philadelphia, Pa - still the capital in a way, Philadelphia, PA, never should have lost the A's" "Philadelphia has no skyscrapers, I am only 10 years old" Baseball Strikes: "No joy in Mudville today, the owners and players meet on Monday, no joy in Mudville today, cracker jacks evoke dismay. I never saw Casey at the bat, that story's not a matter of fact, I've seen the two caps in this game, the new one tries to end its fame.." The Martian Lander: "What's that by the Martian Lander? Is it a rock or a candy bar wrapper? What will we do if it is the latter? What's that in the labs at NASA? Is it a rock or some anti-matter? You look forlorn but it don't matter.." Blood Disorders: "She'd get real shy and the she'd say to me: without my platelets I will bleed. She'd get real cute and then she'd say to me: without my platelets." The Future: "Maybe George Orwell, Aldous Huxley? Could they envision the onset of SUV's?" "one child per-family it's the international standard. 3 cell phones per household, is the minimum." GL:Who are your influences (both locally & in a broader sense)? Panama: I love music. It's hard to pinpoint influences, but I've really enjoyed playing with all the Panama folks. I've learned a lot about song writing - they've all helped me to craft better songs. . A lot of the local acts I enjoy are not necessarily bands that directly influence my music- so it's hard to give local influences. In the broader sense, I grew up listening to whatever my mom and dad had on the phonograph. They were pretty into ELO, the Velvets, Pink Floyd, Peter Frampton, and a lot of Jazz and classical music. I guess they were hippies - we had a yellow VW Beetle that attracted bees. I think I've heard so much music both consciously and subconsciously (as a 5 year old kid) that it's all seeped inside me. GL: How did you get hooked up with playing with Brenda and John from Caterpillar? Panama: We've known each other for a few years. My former band (Meringue) used to play shows in Philly with Caterpillar. I met John and Brenda while attending Swarthmore College. They were playing a Caterpillar show on campus with Meringue. More recently Caterpillar and Panama (1st lineup) shared Mike Lenert, so John and Brenda were familiar with Panama. When Mike moved to Montana he kept in touch with both the Panama and the Caterpillar folks. He saw that I wasn't playing anymore and heard that John and Brenda were looking to play. GL: Who do you dream about playing with? why? Panama: I've been very fortunate to play with some of Philly's truly talented musicians. Everyone in Panama is great to play with. I can't say there are any musicians that I'd dream of playing with - there are a few that I'd like to meet: Tom Waits, Arthur H., Gang of Four, Andy Partridge (XTC), perhaps others. GL: How can Panama and the other bands and musicians involved in the city "keep it real" and not get discouraged about being in the shadow of New York? Panama: I love Philadelphia. It's a great city with a lot to offer - it's also really inexpensive when compared to Boston, NYC, SanFran. I also love NYC, but have never felt as though I live in its shadow. I've lived in both towns and prefer Philly. Philly is an easier city to play in. It's less cutthroat - there are a lot of folks just playing - not simply hoping they'll get signed (although I'm sure there are Delaware Avenue bands in search of that sort of thing). I think Philly bands should go play the occasional show in NYC - but be proud of this town. Team Spirit. GL: What was your best musical experience Panama: My best musical experience is a tie between a Swarthmore College show (where the floor felt like it was going to collapse from the sheer craziness of people in attendance) and an on-air performance that Panama did at WMBR in Boston (MIT's station). In both cases the music came out right and the feel from the audience (or perceived audience in radio) was fueling the performance. GL: What can we expect from future months from you? Panama: The CD should be out soon. I'm hoping to do a limited run of LP's as well. I'd like to record some of the newer material that we've been playing. Perhaps a 7-inch will follow the CD this fall? I expect we'll be playing in places like DC, Boston and NYC this summer to promote the record and make Philadelphia proud of us. More shows around town. I'd love to play out west or overseas sometime- but that's more of a dream than a reality. GL: How did you pick the name Panama? Panama: I've visited Panama a few times and like the sound of the word. It's fun to say. I also like the multitude of questions that the country raises vis a vis the canal, American political/military presence, Teddy Roosevelt, fire ants, the jungle, the union of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, plantains, big ships, the 1999 changeover, movies for 3 bucks and Panama beer. [As an aside- although many have asked, there is no Van Halen connection going on.] Listen to Glacier Girl: click here download the mp3 You can reach Panama by e-mail at gram_vantage@hotmail.com Back to the Features Page! | Groove Lingo home list of all bands with reviews | band links | local music resources | my Phillymusic.com column | Phillymusic.com take the spring survey | about me All graphics and text on this page copyright 2000, Tricia Gdowik (trishy@netreach.net) & Panama. Background map of Panama courtesy of Library of Congress site (modified by Trishy) Last update: 1/18/2000