Kevin Haskins from Bauhaus
I was sixteen and big into alternative music. That’s not what it was called then and I’m not sure it even had a specific name. I know that we did, though, because we were often reminded of it; we were the freaks. My first concert was Love and Rockets opening for the Cure on their Disintegration tour. A handful of friends and I piled into a car, road tripping for hours until we reached our mecca – a field filled with ten thousand other freaks waiting to see our idols.
Years later I got pretty lucky, because I got to tour with Bauhaus when they first performed for their Resurrection tour in ’98. The way I heard it – a local Los Angeles promoter convinced the band to do one show, which quickly turned into 6 sold out nights in a row. Unfortunately I joined the tour toward the tail end, but what a great time it was!
To see them live was much more impressive then I expected. Great bands are always better on stage than their records and that was certainly the case for them. That was also true for many of my childhood friends who were there when I arrived, because nearly everyone one of them worshiped at the altar of Bela Lugosi’s Dead.
I can’t tell you what Kevin technically did on that tour and I can’t even give you a synopsis or systematic breakdown of his playing. I was too swept up in the awe of being on tour with them and I even secretly sent one of their assistants to find me memorabilia to be signed. I can tell you, however, how he left me feeling. Being a bit of a prog-rock nerd, I didn’t expect much from a drummer in an alternative band, but I was wrong. He drove that Bauhaus like it mattered. And he plays one of my favorite 16th note patterns. Pretty damn cool. Those are things I don’t see much of in music anymore, let alone in drummers. Most music right now has an almost cult-like predisposition to the past. That’s fancy talk for no one is innovating. Needless to say, I was impressed with Kevin and super stoked that he was willing to do this interview.
Without further ado, Kevin Haskins.
Q: What is your favorite sandwich and who makes the best one?
K.H. Avocado sandwich from The Trails Café in Los Angeles. The brown bread is thick, but not dry. They use a whole fresh large avocado and sprinkle vegan bacon bits on it…So delicious!
Q: What is your favorite meal your mom makes?
K.H. Well, when I was a kid she made chicken and veggies wrapped in tin foil and baked in the oven. I wouldn’t eat it now as I don’t eat meat…sorry Mum!
Q: How did you meet your best friend?
K.H. At a PiL (Public Image Ltd.) gig in Los Angeles during the Tones On Tail tour. We’ve been married now for thirty years!
Q: When or how did you find what you wanted to do?
K.H. When I saw David Bowie on Top Of The Pops performing Starman. As with many people, it changed my life. I was glued to the screen. His charisma was astonishing! And his androgynous sexual orientation was fascinating to me. It also helped that my Dad was hurling insults at him! And again a few years later on seeing The Clash and The Sex Pistols at The 100 Club. I wanted to be in the same line of business!
Q: How did you pursue it?
K.H. I practiced hard, and was fueled with determination. I also had the good fortune of finding my band mates… I eventually got there.
Q: Did you have a mentor/mentors in pursuing it? Who were they and what did they do for you?
K.H. Aside from my drum teachers, Keith Cumberpatch and Max Abrahams, my mentors would be a long list of artists including The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Stones, Velvet Underground, T Rex, The Faces, Iggy Pop, Lee Scratch Perry, Mikey Dread, Tapper Zukie, David Bowie, The Clash, The Ramones, The Damned, Joy Division, The Banshees, and many more. The list is far too long.
Q: What do you dream of doing or are you doing it? If so, then what is the goal?
K.H. I am living my dream and I feel blessed every day. The goal is to continue spending time with family, making music, and writing books.
Q: What would your 15 year old self say to you now?
K.H. Well…you didn’t do so bad did you?!
Q: If life were a person what would you say?
K.H. At times you are so evil and heinous to some people and so gracious and charming to others. What’s up with that?
Q: If you were in charge of the world and you have no restrictions, real or imagined, what is the one thing you would give it?
K.H. Abundant love, compassion, and empathy. That’s three, but I guess real unconditional love contains all. It would end all war and suffering.
Q: Has morality disintegrated to the point that we now need Yelp for people?
K.H. No, that would be awful.
Q: How is society getting things right?
K.H. The parts that are getting it right are not interested in money, greed, narcissism, and power. They employ empathy, compassion, respect, and love.
Q: What do people need in order to see each other as equals?
K.H. Respect, love, empathy, and compassion.
Q: Do we still need religion?
K.H. Religion would not be necessary in my utopia.
Q: Do you have hope for the future?
K.H. When I watch and listen to my children and their friends, I do.
Q: Hot topic of the week: This is an open discussion. Could be Gay marriage or Confederate flag, Donald Trump, for example
K.H. I’m so tempted, but I’ve learned to avoid discussing such things in venues like this.
Q: What are three things that work for you: For example, I can’t find a good razor. Because of a near unbridled need for massive profits I find that many products don’t live up their advertising. What works for you?
K.H. The following:
Beauty Lift High Nose Electric nose lift
Size: 7.0 (W) x 5.0 (D) X 7.5 (H) cm
Made in Japan
No manual (it’s in Japanese)
Genuine, not Chinese one
Sleep at Work Stickers:
To help prevent getting caught sleeping (and subsequent unemployment) are these eyeball stickers. You simply stick them on your eyelids and sleep away.
Metal Detecting Sandals:
These are the sandals that can detect metal while you walk, allowing you to find buried artifacts while strolling on the beach. A copper coil built into the right sandal is powered via a battery pack that straps to your calf.
The Noodle Splash Face Guard Mask:
The inventor of the Noodle Eater’s Hair Guard claims that it serves in preserving the very expensive coiffure of those who like to have a snack just before leaving for a very formal party or meeting.
