The Interpreters

The Interpreters were a Power pop band formed in Philadelphia in 1996. They were composed of singer/bassist Herschel Gaer, guitarist Patsy (Paul) Palladino and drummer Branko Jakominich.

History

The band was formed in 1996, and signed with Volcano/ Freeworld Entertainment, releasing their first EP, "In Rememberance[sic] of That Fine, Fine Evening", in 1997. The recording was produced by Shel Talmy and Eric Erlandson the guitarist of Hole.^[1][2] Later that year, the band released the full length album "Back In The U.S.S.A." on Freeworld/ BMG.

Following Freeworld's demise, a revised version of the record that included the newer track Shout was released on RCA Records in 1998. Seeking to capitalize on their new lease on life, the band performed at that year's Reading Festival.^[3][4]

Gaer continued, relocating to New York, and in a widely misunderstood turn, performed at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, despite claiming not to be Republicans. ^[5] As dipicted in the documentary film, The Last Party, The Interpreters were invited to perform by Donovan Lietch, as part of the ongoing political project started by Robert Downey, and later continued by Robert Downey, Jr and Phillip Seymor Hoffman. ^[6] The film doesn't make it clear why Gaer and company perform, but the resulting confusion the move created added to the bands' demise. Their appearance was harshly criticized and lampooned by Jello Biafra on his album Become the Media.^[7] The band suffered derision from the convention appearance, which combined with inactivity, line up changes and the loss of momentum due to the legal morass surrounding the collapse of Freeworld Entertainment and the records' re-release on RCA, who all but ignored its existence, led to the eventual breakup of the once promising band.

References