COMMANDER CODY
Formed in 1967, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen were adept at stripped-down basic rock & roll, R&B, and gritty country-rock.
Commander Cody's country-rock rocked harder than the Eagles or Poco -- essentially, the group was a bar band. Much like English pub rock bands like Brinsley Schwarz and Ducks Deluxe, Commander Cody resisted the overblown and bombastic trends of early-'70s rock, preferring a basic, no-frills approach.
Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen never had the impact of the British pub rockers, yet their straightforward energy gave their records a distinguishing drive; they could play country, western swing, rockabilly, and R&B, and it all sounded convincing.
Jim: What's the difference between Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, and the Commander Cody Band?
Cody: The Lost Planet Airmen name is supposed to be used only for the original band and Commander Cody Band is supposed to be what I call my 3-4 piece bar bands etc. Today I can't keep the promoters from using the Lost Planet Airmen name on advertising any more so I have given up.The correct name of my current band is the EAST COAST AIRMEN.
Jim: You have a new DVD Audio release, "From The Front Row (Live)", and King Biscuit Entertainment has released a classic live performance on CD. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Cody: They have not sent me a copy and I can't remember what the original was like.
Get me a copy and I'll comment. I make no dough from this.
Jim: Any plans for a new studio CD anytime soon?
Cody: I am making a CD as we speak for release next year.
Jim: Most all of the classic (established artists), are on independant record labels today. How is dealng with the independants different from dealing with the major labels?
Cody: Indies you do the production and they pay you back production costs from the first sales, then you have a percentage agreement on the rest of the sales, majors do all the accounting themselves and cover budgets and costs.
Jim: I remember seeing you once on the old (or should I say classic?) T.V. series "Police Woman", starring, Angie Dickinson. How did that come about, and have you done any acting since?
Cody: I didn't act on Police Woman I just sat there. Buffalo Bruce had a couple of lines I think.
Jim: There's a massive tape/CDR trading community going on nowadays. How do you feel about your fans taping your live shows to trade?
Cody: Taping and trading, yes, it's cool.
Jim: All musicians have silly road stories to tell. Do you have one you can share with us?
Cody: No thanx, there is no statute of limitations on piracy.
(Editor's note: Ha,Ha,Ha, good answer)
Jim: Are there any other styles of music that you haven't done that you'd like to do?
Cody: No, not really.
Jim: Do you think the younger generation is starting to discover and appreciate the music of established artists like CC&HLPA? Also, are you seeing many younger fans at your shows?
Cody: Yes, there are a lot of 20-30 year old folks at our shows. The music is cross generational
and everybody loves good rock and roll.
Jim: What do you like to do in your spare time when your not busy touring or recording?
Cody: I play with my computer and airplane photos.
Jim: Who are some artists you enjoy listening to?
Cody: Julia Lee and her Wiseguys, Count Basie, jazz radio late night pri broadcasts,
Fats Domino/Dave Edmunds.
Jim: What are some of your favorite cities or venues to play?
Cody: NYC-London-Chicago,
The pubs in London are great, New York City is my home so thats great.
Jim: I always thought "Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen", was a great name for a band. How did you come up with it?
Cody: Commando Cody was 'sky marshall of the universe' in 3 movies, 'Lost Planet Airmen', 'Radar Men From The Moon', 'Zombies From The Stratosphere' . He wore a black leather jacket with a rocket on the back great for grafx -my brotrher started doing cartoons right away.
Jim: Last question. If you were a concert promoter putting together a Rock Festival, with Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen headlining, what other (4) bands would you include on the bill?
Cody: Felix 's Rascals, Lovin' Spoonful, Canned Heat, and Big Brother & The Holding Company.
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