Mark Latzky - Jugs Interview
What was growing up like for you? When did you first begin playing music and was this something that was relevant in your household? Where would you go to see live concerts and who were some of the first bands you saw?
I grew up in the suburbs of NYC, with lots of music around me. My grandfather played mandolin, my mother piano, and my father loved Jazz. We always went to great shows. I tried to play different instruments, but nothing stuck until the Bass. I just loved music. I learned to play bass from Jimi when they needed a bass player for a bluegrass band. I lived near NYC, so I saw lots of Jazz at all the famous clubs in the city. I also went to Madison Square Garden.
Who left a heavy impression on you in those early days and made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do!’? Did you participate in any groups prior to Juggs? What initially led to forming the group? What were your first impressions of everyone? When and where did the band first get together to rehearse, or jam? What was the chemistry like right off the bat?
First rock shows were Boston at MSG. Saw Foreigner and YES soon after. I didn't think I would be a musician at that point. Just the bluegrass band called The Spaceheaters. It just happened. We were friends at a boarding school in the woods of vermont. It was just so organic, we were friends and had the equipement, and places to play. It was a hit right off. There wasn't much going on at school and so we would play in the cafeteria.
When and where did the band make their live performance debut? What was that experience like? Tell me about writing as well as recording the band’s Lone debut LP “First Batch”. When and where did recording start in ‘81?
It was one of the best things about the school. We would really put on a show with lights and tesla coils. It was always memorable. Jimi had already written songs and then the covers were already part of our set. We recorded in the producers home studio. We drove up everyday from the school for about 1 week.
Can you tell me about those sessions and what that experience was like when creating that album? What was the overall vision for the album? How did the deal with Green Mountain Records come about? Does a horse barn near Vershire School ring a bell?
I was very involved and was so interested to learn the process. There was no particular vision, but kids doing what you would do if you were offered to record an album. The school paid for the complete album. We all lived in a cabin near the many horse barns at the school.
What eventually happened to the band after the record was made? Did you guys continue to play music after Jugs? Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?
Some members continued on to play but by different names. I went to college and joined other bands. I mostly moved from focussing on playing to producing shows and festivals, and now I am managing and producing talent from the Dominican Republic. These are some other great bands I have played in over the years:
Filet O Soul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhDKxMKGoyw
Harry Jingles Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_3JVpqh44A
Scott Forrest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt2gXxr12mk
Thanks, Marc Latzky
