Exclusive Interview: Night Shift With Ginger Coyote

The bold and beautiful Ginger Coyote, editor of Punk Globe magazine and lead singer of White Trash Debutantes, asked and answered.

Tell me about your childhood. Where were you born? At what age did you become interested in music? Who were some of your early influences?
My life was pretty much of a haze until I moved to San Francisco, CA. I lived in SF for well over half my life so I consider it my hometown. I was born in Iowa. I have always been into music since early childhood. I loved Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Cher, Cass Elliot, Led Zeppelin, Mott The Hoople, Queen, NY Dolls, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Siouxsie, Nina Hagen, X, Jayne County, Blondie, Jim Carroll, Joe Jackson, Bebe Buell, The Clash, Operation Ivy, Courtney Love, The Contractions, Motorhead, DOA, DK’s, Vktms, L7, Amy Winehouse, Exploited, UK Subs, the list is endless…

The Sex Pistols and Siouxsie introduced me to punk. What are your thoughts on these bands and their influences on modern-day punk music both globally and in the US?
I love the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie. In the early 80’s [Siouxsie] came to SF to visit her friend Kay and I loved her so much. We got along so well. She always sends her love with people we both know. Sioux was so much fun. We went horseback riding and she was FABULOUS in her in full Siouxsie glory. She held nothing back at 9AM. Pure genius. [In regards to modern-day punk], music recycles itself. I think Leonard (Graves Phillips) from The Dickies said it best: “Remember when Green Day were the Ramones and Rancid was called the Clash.”

“Remember when Green Day were the Ramones and Rancid was called the Clash.”

How did you finally break into the industry?
I started [publishing] Punk Globe in 1978 and had that in print [until] 1988. So that was a total of 120 issues. I then formed White Trash Debutantes and primarily dedicated my time to playing and recording shows with the band. Then in 2005, Tammy and others convinced me to do Punk Globe online. Although that takes a lot of my time, I [do] get a chance to play shows with White Trash Debutantes, but not nearly [as much as] I did from 1989-2004. We averaged 6-10 shows a month.

Tell me more about Punk Globe.
Punk Globe takes a lot of energy on a monthly basis and I would like to give a shout out to Sharla Cartner (Australia) who is the Webmistress, Marc Floyd (Canada) who designs the wonderful covers and the writers who are from all over the world: Dod, Martin Jones, Rotten and Lisa Booth in England, Sharla Cartner and Alicia Bee in Australia, actress Pauley Perrette, Josie Cotton, Tyler Vile, Kathy Peck, Dark Diva, Kim Friederich, Pamela Torres, Rebecca Wilson, Timm Carney, Jim Luccio and Miss O in the USA, Ozgur Cokyuce in Turkey, Rabind Rawks in Jakarta, Mikael Richards in France. In Canada we have Gerry Jenn Wilson, Sober Jake Jack Off, Karla McCleod, Wendy Thirteen and Marc Floyd. Punk Globe is free for all and can be found at www.punkglobe.com.

What are your proudest accomplishments?
With the White Trash Debutantes it is so many things! Being on The Jerry Springer Show, touring with the Ramones, Dread Zeppelin and the Lunachicks. Being in the movie “Tweek City“. Inviting Tonya Harding to join the band and all the press that gathered. Touring Japan. Being in so many books and magazines world wide. Punk Globe sponsoring Dirkfest with Kathy Peck and the H.E.A.R. Foundation at http://www.hearnet.com. It was a celebration of the late Dirk Dirksen’s life. Being in the DVD version of “American Hardcore“.

Another great moment in my career was writing a passage in the Danielle Steel book “His Bright Light”. Danielle’s son Nick was a big fan of White Trash Debutantes and a friendship developed between him and I. He suffered from Depression and Danielle did all in her power to provide him the best of care. “His Bright Light” chronicles Nick’s triumphs and ultimate downfall with his illness. I am very proud to have been asked by Danielle to contribute to the book.

What are you currently working on?
The new issue of Punk Globe, Looking for shows for White Trash Debutantes, the trials and tribulations of life and of course LEARNING THE FACTS OF LIFE!!!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully around doing the same as now with dignity and still fucking rawking!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Never become someone you are not. Be true to who you are. Fuck ‘em if they don’t like it! Never become a Republikkkan and please watch Kathy Griffin daily for your laughs for the day. She is my FAVORITE comedienne at this time, but I do [also] love Tracey Ullman, Lily Tomlin, Julie Brown, Rosie O’ Donnell, Joy Behar and Judy Tenuta!! Comedy keeps you young!!

Tagged as: Ginger Coyote, Punk Globe, Punk Rock