Updated: 12/03/06

by Kenneth Morton

Introducing Casket Salesmen, a new band featuring ex-members of A Static Lullaby. Tragedy and triumph has resulting in an aural masterpiece from the creative partnership of Phil Pirrone and Nate Lindeman. Sleeping Giants is one of the most adventurous albums of the year, filled with tremendous surprises and musical thrills. We recently sent Phil Pirrone a few inquiries regarding this new entity. Read on for further enlightenment…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Casket Salesmen, and how long the band has been together.
Hello, My name is Phil Pirrone. I play guitar and sing in Casket Salesmen, but I played bass on the record. Casket Salesmen has been together for almost a year now. This November will be our one-year anniversary.

Where did you get the name of the band? Is there any story or concept behind it?
The name is about life. Truly living. Not fearing death or wasting time. America is shallow and we are attempting to help matters by spreading positivity. The name is not meant to be taken literally.

How would you describe your music to a fan of your previous band A Static Lullaby?
It’s driving and punchy. Ambient and spacey. Jammy at times. Gnarly at other times. Its a good time live. It’s good vibes. It has balls and beauty. And its nothing like ASL.

Where did you get the ideas and inspiration for some of the lyrics on the CD?
Life. Coming as close to death as one can come. Literally.

When looking back on the final album you did with A Static Lullaby, what do you think of Faso Latido and the major label experience now?
Faso Latido is a record that had great potential, and it was ruined by dumb ideas, cheesy ideas. Major labels don’t know their noses from their assholes.

How fully recovered are you from the car accident, and what kind of impact did it have on the writing of Casket Salesmen and the decision to ultimately leave ASL?
It had almost everything to do with me leaving ASL. It was like a huge shove out the door. For a long time (about six months to a year) I thought about leaving, but thought, “I love these guys; we’ve been family for so long, we can get through this”. But, after the accident I didn’t care about making their lives work anymore. I had to make MINE work – and NATE’S. Because we’re the same. We’re free.
And I’m fully recovered besides the fact that my ribs are still cracked in some places and my spinal column is still cracked. I broke every rib and my spinal column all the way down the spine, so it’s going to take time. I’m banged up. But, it didn’t kill me...

Do you still keep in touch with Joe and Dan of ASL, and what do you think of the new ASL album?
I talked to Joe a couple weeks ago at a party, but we don’t see or hear from each other on a regular basis. We are both very busy. Joe runs ASL and I run Casket Salesmen and take care of all the bands on Longhair Illuminati, my label. I feel like the new ASL album is the album they had to make to win their fans back. Whether that’s a coincidence or not, they actually did win their fans back, I think. So more power to them. Whether they are totally happy or just doing what they have to, I wish them luck and hope they are happy. I listened to the songs once and it’s not for me. But I think people that like that style of music might enjoy it.

When playing the new material live for the first time, how nervous were you about it?
The whole day I was very anxious, but not that nervous. Loading in I got nervous and then an overwhelming calm came over me. I might be wrong, but I think it was one of the best shows we have ever played. It was a very cleansing experience.

What made you decide to release Casket Salesmen on your own label, and will you be signing other bands as well?
I have two bands on my label now...one is called Mythmaker. The drummer that played on Sleeping Giants is from Mythmaker. His name is Ryan Knights. There’s another band on my label, but I cant talk about them yet, come see us on tour, I’ll have them tell you...

Are there any plans for a Casket Salesmen tour?
Yes. It starts on 11.3 @ The Glass House record store in Pomona, Ca. Were doing a free show, signing, premiering the video for I’ll Buy That For A Dollar and stuff to celebrate the release of the record.... which is Oct. 31.... and then were doing a full US tour from Nov. 14 – Dec. 22

Would you ever consider doing a Casket Salesmen/A Static Lullaby tour?
No, I wouldn’t. Not for a million clams.

What can one expect from a live Casket Salesmen show?
Jamming. Fun. Smiles. Good vibes.

In addition to Casket Salesmen, is either member involved with any other musical projects?
Tons. Nate has his own projects and I have mine and we have about three other projects besides Casket Salesmen that we do together and with other people. Umbrella Tree, which we will be releasing late 2007 through Longhair Illuminati. There’s Weed Team, which will probably see the light of day in 2008 or 2009. Ryan Knights, drummer of Mythmaker and I have a vocal project. Lots of weird noises and beat boxing – and singing and lots of effects and drums. Weird stuff...

Do you have any messages for longtime ASL fans, or for people who might be into checking out the new CD?
Long time ASL fans – Thank you for supporting something I did for such a long time, and in a period of my life where I was searching for something. At times you were the only thing getting me through those rough tours...
Thank you for being there night after night. I hope you can come see my new band play. I’m the same old Phil. For those of you who know me or who have talked to me, you know I’m just a normal guy. I just miss everyone. I haven’t been on the road in over a year. Its gonna be great to get back out there. Hope to see you all there. New potential fans – Don’t judge this band before hearing it.

Casket Salesmen links

Casket Salesmen: Their Official Home Page!
Casket Salesmen on Myspace: Their Official Myspace Page!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

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