Ramones drummer in city for concert

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

It is high time for the Istanbul audience to dip into the real punk rock craze, because former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone is in town.

Powered by Tuborg Gold, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg is taking the stage on April 14 at club Roxy to play the hits of the Ramones and the Misfits, as the band also includes former Misfits member Michael Graves on vocals.

“We’re going to play 32 Ramones classics and some Misfits songs from Michael, which he wrote in his Misfits era. It is going to be a party, a meeting of old and new fans. These songs are too good not to be played and this is the first time I play in Turkey so I’m so excited and I can not wait to see the Turkish audience,” Ramone told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Marky Ramone is best known for the 15 years he spent drumming for legendary New York band the Ramones, which he joined in 1978. Without the slightest intention to slow down, he still continues to tour the world with his band. “Music is my life, my way of living since I was 17 when I started with my first band Dust. I love playing and I feel lucky to be working in something I really love,” he said.

But Ramone finds today’s music scene too corporate. “In the early days record labels gave more times to the bands to improve. But now, if the first album is not an immediate success, they fire you. On the other hand, now we have the Internet which is a great aid to unsigned bands to get exposure and reach people, even if their music is not being played on the radio or on music channels.”

Still, he just feels lucky to be doing what he really loves the most. “If I was not a musician, I wouldn’t have the mind to do another kind of job,” he said.

The concert on April 14 will also be an opportunity to commemorate the late Ramones lead singer Joey Ramone, as it coincides with the 11th year anniversary of his death.