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Ghost Canyon

'BAG' 'BAG'

'Dude, Trust Me ... It's In The BAG!'

If Beck and Bob Dylan had a baby boy, and raised him spoon-fed on toxic waste, they would name him BAG!

Every once in a while an artist comes along that breaks the mold, an artist who fails to fit into today's cookie cutter world, an artist unwavering in his fierce commitment to creativity and unyielding in his refusal to compromise. That artist is BAG. An extraordinary collection of quirky and twisted musical tomfoolery, BAG's self-titled debut is the inaugural release on KISS founder Gene Simmons' recently activated Simmons Records/Sanctuary imprint.

Immensely versatile, BAG's debut release is a consummate tour de force effecting a collision of playful musical hi-jinx, idiosyncratic lyrics and trippy grooves. "BAG is a one man band," says Gene Simmons. "He writes his own songs. Sings them. Lead vocals and background vocals. Plays all the instruments. Produces, Mixes and in almost all ways, seems to have avoided the pitfalls of being in a band. Chances are this 'band' won't break up because of internal conflict. This one may actually stay together."

Chatting recently with the mysterious artist only known as BAG, I first wondered why the time was now right to unleash this album on the general public? "We had to wait for Pluto and Virgo to line-up perfectly in Uranus!"

Was it always to be self-titled, or did it have a working title along the way? "From the beginning there was nothing but BAG."

With the lead single being 'I Can't Stand Your Face' and other tracks such as 'I Hate Your Face,' it begs the question: Who are you referring to?! "Actually the second song is also called 'I Hate You Baby' and boy ... there¹s a long list of people who inspired these songs! Mostly, though, it's about the people who are so worried about looking good but they're really paper thin as a result. They actually achieve the opposite result ­... they become ugly!"

And, while we're on the subject of revealing things, why the bag over the head in the first place?! Have we something to hide? "Actually, you asked the question well, 'Have WE something to hide?' Well, yes, we all have something to hide!"

Growing up, what was life like as a child, going to school with a bag on your head? Did you get teased?! "It's because I got teased that I put the bag on!"

As your expression chances on the front of the bags with each passing moment, just how many bags do you go through per week? "My bag is wash and wear!"

So, how lucky are you that you have now become the first signing to Gene Simmons' re-launched record label?! "I never stopped writing. Eventually something had to give. I hit the jackpot when Gene dug my stuff."

Tell me more about The Mole Hole! "The Mole Hole is one of my recording studios. It's horrible - pitch black! Very dank and moldy because it's in an ancient basement. It¹s diminutive in size, but for some strange reason ­I like it. I can write there. It¹s like going back to the womb."

What cheesy '80s song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "It would be 'When Doves Cry' by Prince. Doesn't get any groovier!"

If there were just 3 words that described BAG, what would they be? "Take nothing seriously!"

Will BAG one day be finally unveiled to his adoring public?! "Do you mean naked? Hmmm, you'll need a wide angle to capture most of it!"

And anyway, what does 'BAG' stand for?! "Boy And Girl, Bad And Good, Beelzebub and God, Brainy And Gorgeous .......!"

Lastly, if you were asked to record a single for charity, and had to choose 3 other musicians to aid you in the project, who would they be, what instruments would they play, and what would the name of the new song be?! "Lou Reed, Chris Cornell and Peter Gabriel. No instruments. Only us four singing a song called 'What Have We Done'."

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED bag by, well, er ... BAG (with Runners-Up prizes of BAG's brand new CD), just answer this easy question: With Gene Simmons being such a fan of BAG's, please name the band that Gene was in BEFORE Kiss!?

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win an AUTOGRAPHED bag signed by BAG or a copy of his new CD! Just send us an e:mail here before September 23rd with your answer and the subject title 'BAG STUFF' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

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