Ginger Sling is the former singer & bassist with Halo Friendlies. Back in around 2004 I spoke to Ginger about her solo career. Since then Ginger has played bass in The Smashing Pumpkins. Ginger left The Smashing Pumpkins in 2010 to spend more time with her family. This interview originally appeared in the zine “Beat Motel” (Issue 3). But I am pleased to be able to stick in online…
Hey Ginger, thanks for taking some time out to answer a few questions for us.
Well, I’ve always dreamed of doing a solo project, but I don’t ever think it was the right time. Since we had time off, I decided it would be a good time to have a go at it.
Let’s start with your solo project, Ginger Sling. How did that come about?
Some of the songs on your record seem quite emotional and heartfelt, are they written from your own personal perspective and experiences?
Yeah, the songs I write are heartfelt. Thanks for saying that. I am trying to express myself with some thought put into it. It’s important to me to be reflective on all types of things, but especially on the things that are important to me personally.
Has it been fun playing the solo shows?
It has been very fun. It was very different not playing with the Halo’s at first, but it’s also kind of like going to a new school. It’s scary, but eventually you adjust and have a good time.
For example how was the acoustic show you did on the Warped tour show?
It was really fun. Challenging, but fun and worth it. I really felt “punk rock” because I was not “punk.” I wasn’t playing exactly what everyone else was, so it felt pretty cool.
Are you missing the rest of the Halo Friendlies on stage?
I love those girls to death, so yes, I do miss them.
Are there any plans for a new Halo Friendlies record in the future? Or perhaps a full Ginger Sling album?
I am currently working on new Ginger Sling material. Hopefully it will see the light of day someday!
How about coming back over to the UK?
Yes, yes, yes! We are coming. Like I said, I miss the girls! Judita and I are coming to the Barfly in London on August 31st. We will be doing some HF acoustic stuff, and also our solo material. It should be a very cool and intimate show.
When you were over here, what town would you say were most into the Halo Friendlies?
Well, that’s tough. Our London show was probably the best, however, I’d have to say Birmingham rocked pretty hard, too.
Did you find many differences between the audiences in the UK to those back in Canada and America?
Yeah, I just really felt that the UK audience was more into music in general, no matter who the band was. I feel like people from the UK in general are more open to all types of music and excited about new music more than people in the states.
Of course you contributed to the Freaky Friday soundtrack. Do you feel this really helped put the Halo Friendlies on the music map?
I think it did. I think if anything, it was a good experience…and hell, I got a gold record out of it with my name on it…That’s good enough for me.
How did this come about? Did they approach you to appear on the soundtrack?
That’s a funny story. I actually met Amir Derak out one night at the Rainbow on Sunset Strip. He was one of the guitar players in that band Orgy. We got to talking and he said that he was working on this movie. I invited him to a HF show and he came. He said that he’d like us to be part of the movie somehow and got us in contact with the right people. So random. So, that’s how it came about. It’s just a little lesson that it’s always good to meet new people when you’re out and about. Be nice.
The video looked like you all had a lot of fun, you got to really glam up, was it as much fun as it looks? Or was it all long days shooting and doing scenes over and over?
I think it’s super exciting when it’s your own video. Being in other videos is the boring part. Judita and I have done a lot of work on videos where we are just in the background, but we are there for like 12-14 hours and it gets so boring!
What inspired you to become a musician?
I think it was probably the appeal of fitting in. I think when you’re young you feel like no one understands and you’re not in the cool crowd and never will be. I think that there’s a sense of feeling like an outcast. Music seems to draw people like that to itself. It’s beyond superficiality and really has something deep to offer. Kinda like how Jesus accepted all the outcasts and social “losers,” so I think music embraces we who are unpopular and different and gives us a purpose and identity.
Are there any female musicians out there that you looked up to when you started out?
Not really, maybe the first bass player from Smashing Pumpkins and the bass player from White Zombie. They were pretty cool.
What one record could you not live without?
Elvis Costello’s “This Year’s Model.”
Apparently the main topic in this issue is going to be straight edge? What’s your take on straight edge?
I think it’s cool, as long as they stick to the main idea, which is to accept and respect people for who they are and what they believe. I’m totally into the idea of being passionate about a way of living and believing, as long as you give others the freedom to believe and live just as passionately as you do, in something else.
I’m sure this interview was just as boring as every other one, but the one thing I’d like to know is what question would you love to be asked in an interview that you haven’t ever been asked and what would your answer be?
What is your favourite food?
Cake!
Thanks very much Ginger.
Mr. T
Thank you!!! See you in August.
Originally printed in Issue 3 of Beat Motel.
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