Monday May 5, 2003		SPECIAL EDITION * 25¢

Interview With a Paco Representative

Well it's been just over three years now since Witchazel played their final show, leaving us all without the patented Witchazel groove! Yes, the local Lexington night clubs seem a bit quieter and tamer these days. From time to time I break out my copy of Bonescraper, the EP Witchazel released as the band crumbled into oblivian. It is bittersweet in that I relish in the groove yet it always reminds me of the time I realized the band would never play a show again.

All was not lost, though. Many local acts survived Witchazel and many new acts have popped up since, keeping the scene interesting. Still I miss the unique sound that Witchazel brought to the stage. Lately I have been picking up some buzz on my radar. It is rumored that the two inventors of the patented Witchazel groove (Dave Ryles and Paco) have both been moving new projects, respectively, to the studio. Dave has been spearheading a band over the past few months. It is reported to be named GasHog, but that could not be independently confirmed, nor could I confirm any members in the line-up. It is known however that Dave and Company have already begun recording. Deatails are sketchy as to what form the final recording will take. I have been told though that when I hear it, my thirst for that "Bone Crunching Groove" will definately be satisfied.

As far as what Paco has been up to, I caught up with Chuck Moore of "Well Bourbon Entertainment", Paco's most recent managment representative. He was not willing to lay it all out but, he did provide me with some interesting info.

HVT: So what has Paco been up to for the past three years?

CM: Well he was crushed with the disbanding of Witchazel and quickly fell into a world of cheap beer, and classic rock variety bands. Some of us in the industry caught up with him at a North Carolina show where he was playing Garth Brooks covers and drinking PBR. It was very hard to watch and even harder to listen to. We quickly organized an intervention party where we force fed him Budweiser and made him listen to old Sabbath CD's. It wasn't long before the redness returned to his eyes and that pale yellow tint came back over his skin.

HVT: Is it true that he was in talks with several bands?

CM: Yes, we got him in negotiations with several prominent acts, but none of them measured up (in his mind) to where he had already been (Witchazel), and he refused to take any offers seriously.

HVT: So what are his plans now?

CM: Paco has started a new project from scratch. He has a new album written, and is now in the process of handpicking band members to record and tour.

HVT: What is the name of this project and what does the new material sound like?

CM: The band is named Terminal Gravity. It is a continuation of where Witchazel left off. Well almost. It would be impossible to continue on with the Witchazel sound without Dave and his half stack, but I did hear some of the tracks and they definately have a unique quality to them. They are very melodic simple grooves deriving their heaviness from prominent and gut wrenching bass. The sound is very raw and very true! Some tracks contain sounds that could only come from the warped composing of Paco.

HVT: When can we expect a release and a supporting tour?

CM: TerminalGravity is still in the proccess of securing a line-up, so recording has not yet begun. Paco hopes to have a single released by October and a full length album and tour dates by the end of the year.

HVT: I have heard that Paco will be taking on lead vocals in the new band. Is this true?

CM: That's a very interesting question. I assure you that the answer is just as interesting.

~Butch McGillicutty~