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Interviewed by Brian Rademacher
Date: March 2nd, 2006
I thought that someone may want to know that our friend Vinnie Chas,
or Vincent Pusateri, passed away the other day. I have been working
with him over the past few years in Vancouver, WA. We don't have the
details of what happened, yet, but heard the bad news yesterday. I
didn't know him really well, but well enough to know that he was a
good man and also a man with many talents. We will miss him. I'm
sure more news about it will come soon.
--Gerald
Hi Vinnie, and welcome to Rockeyez… what have you been up to these days?
Since I’ve gotten out of prison, I’m finalizing my third divorce and currently on step 5 of the 12 step program. I hope to sell the trailer and get a bigger place for my 8 kids. He-he. If you really want to know what I’ve been up to, check out my site at www.vinniechas.com. I have a book development deal in progress.
When you first started in music, what was the name of your first garage band?
One of my first bands was called Sinister with Jerry Cantrell then we formed another one called Raze. I think every town had bands named that.
Did you record any music that was released before Pretty Boy Floyd?
Nothing but demos, a lot of 4 tracks or live stuff, I have plans to make that available to anyone who’ll listen.
Did you take bass lessons?
When we were going into preproduction for “Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz” I took lessons from Steve Bailey (http://www.stevebaileybass.com) He’s an amazing player and friend. Howard Benson, our producer, had introduced us.
Who was the first band you saw in concert?
My first concert was The Knack during the “Get the Knack” tour at the Seattle center.
Did you audition for PBF?
Yes. One day while I was looking for a job in the “Recycler” I saw an ad that read "Producer with 21 Gold and Platinum records looking for ultimate bass player for glam band etc." I called the number and then met up with Aerial Stiles. Aerial introduced me to Steve Summers. Steve then set up a meeting with Kari Kane. We all met and talked and had the same goals, tastes in music and the determination to succeed. We then played/jammed cover tunes and originals and the band was born.
So when the band first started tell us where you practiced and how the first session went?
We got a rehearsal room at Hollywood and Western where we slept, ate and lived rock and roll. Here we got a measure of our talents, then decided to push the boundaries as far as we can. We knew we had a good thing going on.
The band’s first CD “Leather Boyz” was a huge success and there was a big club tour. Do you remember some of the highlights on that tour?
There were too many to list them all. I was able to see the world; every day was a party and we got laid without even trying. I think going to Japan and being treated like The Beatles probably was the most memorable.
How did the band go about getting signed?
Rehearsing during the day and promoting at the clubs/shows at night. We did this 24/7… we placed full page ads in “Bam” and “Rock City News.” Of course, flyering the hell out of Southern California didn’t hurt. It took us eight months working our asses off to get signed.
Were there any songs that were recorded for the first album that were not added?
Only one song from that recording session wasn’t added. That was a cover of “Department of Youth” by Alice Cooper. That song was intended to be on the “Shocker” movie soundtrack. It never made it, but we were credited on it.
Do you keep in touch with any members of PBF?
I speak with Aerial Stiles all the time. I haven’t spoken to any of the other guys in a while.
Do you feel that there is resurgence in glam coming back around in 2006?
I hope not.
With all the controversy over the Aeriel Stiles dilemma that is in the past, do you feel that PBF was a band that was created for profit?
It was very unfortunate what transpired with Aerial. That guy never got the credit that he deserved. PBF was created because we wanted to be the ultimate band. PBF was a band that had everything: a great image, great songs, and great live show. Of course we wanted to profit from doing that.
What are your feelings about Steve Summers at this point?
Steve’s my Bro.
Do you have any regrets being part of the band?
Are you kidding? No regrets at all. I was living the dream that only comes true for some.
Do you plan on recording anything new, or did you give up on music and are focused on something different?
Yes! I’ve been working with Aeriel to release the recordings we did with Robert Wolf. If you loved “LBWET” then you’ll love this one. Right now we are looking for the right distribution deal. I would never give up playing/recording but have stopped trying to make a living doing it. The couch tour no longer interests me.
Tell us what it was like the night after a show with PBF?
The night was black… just sex & drugs and plenty of it. Then looking forward to the next show and doing it all over again.
There is a new line up of PBF touring; do you have any feeling about that?
The current lineup with Steve sharing a backing band? I don’t think you really can call that PBF can you? Then again Steve did tell me once that he "was" Pretty Boy Floyd and that all the girls/fans came just to see him....
What do you do in your spare time?
Normal stuff: working with dyslexic whales, writing, taking my black lab hiking, snow boarding, kayaking.
Vinnie, it was great talking with you. Would you like to say anything in ending?
Enjoy your life. Nothing is endless. Peace.
