A Minute with Johnny Witmer from the Stitches (Part Three)

A Minute with Johnny Witmer from the Stitches (Part Three)

JW: 95% of the Stitches songs are about getting fucked up. When we started out we were doing tons of Meth, and drinking Mickey’s 22 oz stingers. After the 12” came out some people started doing heroin, and we moved on to cocaine and imported beer. It was just a natural progression when you get paid.

PM: Was Twelve Imaginary Inches the last thing the Stitches recorded?

JW: No, we have an unreleased 7” in the can. It should be out soon. We also did a total New Wave LP of Stitches songs. Maybe that will come out soon too.

PM: Was there a different approach to recording or music in general when putting out Twelve Imaginary Inches? It seems slower and not new wavey, but it’s leaning in that direction kinda. And it’s certainly not as stripped down as 8 x 12.

JW: Hey, we were locked up in a studio with an unlimited supply of cocaine. Weird stuff happens on that shit.

PM: I read somewhere that Mike Lohrman [the group’s singer] either runs a label or a record store – or maybe both. Does he and are you or the other members of the band involved in music beyond the Stitches?

JW: Mike had a record store for almost 15 years until about 2 years ago. It was hard to make money, and his landlord jacked up his rent. He had to give it up. Mike and I run 10?ors. We had a packaging & distribution deal through TKO, but now we’re just doing it on our own.

PM: How do you feel about dudes selling you singles on eBay for thirty bucks? Is it weird, or do you just not care? I kinda assume all you guys collect records….

JW: I love that our stuff goes for what it does. I collect records, and if I like something that much I don’t mind forking over the dough.

PM: What’s “Unleashed On The 91 East?” I stumbled upon something about a video release on the TKO website – you guys are supposed to be included.

JW: Well, we shot 2 different live shows for a DVD on TKO. We weren’t happy with the footage so it never came out. We will be putting out a DVD Live At Wienerschnitzel. We did a free show in the parking lot of Wienerschnitzel in Santa Ana, CA. Tons of kids throwing hot dogs at each other, with our music as background noise. Look for the DVD this fall.