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T!KATZ
INTERVIEW WITH GINGER COYLE
By Brynna Yentz
Photos by Sylvia Hagar
Make-up by Micheline Pierre
From the October 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine
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The T!Katz are a band with a catchy sound and energetic
personas to match. With their new single “3AM”
dropping soon, it’s only a matter of time before they
score a massive following. Joining the Universal/Motown
family and being the first hip hop/pop band signed to The
INC, formerly Murder Inc., the T!Katz hope to bring their
1980s influenced sound to you with a shot of Jack Daniels to
chase.
T!Katz vocalist, Ginger Coyle, has the voice and talent
to backup her vivacious personality and killer looks. She’s
sassy and we like it. She also has some sweet tattoos, which
we like even more.
For PRICK readers who are being introduced to
you for the first time: who are you, where did
you come from and what are you doing now?
Ginger Coyle is the name that appears on my driver's license.
I've been called Gin, Ging, G-Co, G.C. Deville, Ginga Turtle,
Shitty-Bear, The Ging, and Miss Coyle if you're nasty. I hail
from New Jersey and currently stomp around Atlanta with
my band, the T!Katz. The T! stands for thunder! We are a six-piece,
but not original recipe...extra crispy! Band members are
Ginger and o8o on vocals, Jon on guitar, Mel on keys, Jive on
bass and Juno bangin' the drums.
The T!Katz began as the Thunderkatz; when o8o named
the group he was looking for something iconic to ‘80s pop
culture. After we signed, the labels wanted to make sure we didn't get the pants
sued off of us. Even though the name was spelled with a ‘k’ and a ‘z,’ it still sounded
like the cartoon, so we had to change the name but still keep it similar. That's
how T!Katz was born.
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What’s your take on being the only girl in the band?
Being the only girl in the band rules! I was quite a tomboy when I was growing up
on the farm in New Jersey. My older brother showed me the ropes to building
forts, ramps and blowing shit up. When I joined the band in 2006 not everyone
wanted a girl in the band but once they realized I wasn't a typical chick, they let
that go. I can hang with the boys, and I prefer to!
Tell us about the T!Katz blog (www.thethunderkatz.blogspot.com) as it has an eclectic mix of information on it as opposed to being purely band-centric. Have you looked into having Nike officially sponsor the blog?
I must say, I am not the one to take credit for the blog site. That would be all Juno! He really mixes it up with his Nike of the week, T!katz news and let's not forget to mention his random posts on new technology, gadgets and even politics. I contributed with one episode of the "g-spot video blog" but I have yet to do a follow-up—video editing is a pain in the ass! We aren't sponsored by Nike yet, but I know it's something the label is looking into for us. Jack Daniels Sponsored us for a couple shows though (see useless facts below).
In 2006, you blogged on your MySpace about “Useless Ginger Facts,” one of my favorite being that you had reoccurring dreams about hanging out with Rod Stewart. Do you still have those dreams two years later?
Rod and I go way back. It all started back in 2003 when I had many dreams of meeting Rod at a cigar bar and shootin' the shit. Three years later I dreamed that I met him at a casino in Atlantic City where he recognized me from the cigar bar. I haven't had any dreams since then, however I did name my Mazda 626 "Rod." Yeah, Rod Stewart’s like a million years old, and I sure as hell wouldn't wanna see him in one of those spandex leotards he used to rock, but I still heart him, shhhhhhhh!
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Okay. If you were to blog about “Useless T!Katz Facts” what would you include on
the list?
A few useless T!Katz facts:
1. T!Katz started out playing at the original CBGB's in NYC.
2. In the summer of 2006, the T!Katz were banned from not just the venue we played, but the city
of Asbury Park, N.J. (home of the boss) after an unfortunate event where a beer was poured into
a stage monitor during a kick ass show. Oops.
3. Lil' Jon crowned T!Katz the winner of the 2006 BMI Urban Showcase in ATL. yay-yuh!
4. MTV recently featured o8o and me on episode four of “Buckle Down or Bottoms Up” of the
show From G's to Gents.
5. Our bass player, Jive, has reached the eighth dimension and is currently in search of the ninth.
6.We have been known to team up with Jack Daniels for shows.
The people want to know, what’s the 411 on your tattoos?
My tats are a work-in-progress right now. I guess we'll go in order from first to last.When I turned
18 I was eager to go out and get tramp-stamped with a Japanese koi, which really just turned out
to look like a tiny gold fish swimming out of my ass crack. It's not pictured for a reason. The swallows
on the top of my back were done by Mike at A Lasting Image in Orlando, Fla. They read "No
Compromise, No Regret.” My memories of Orlando are, um..."blurry" to say the least. That particular
parlor was set on fire and burned to the ground.
The tiny prison-style music note was jabbed into my right hip by way of a sewing needle and
India ink one wasted evening courtesy of alcohol and boredom. That one is not pictured for a reason,
too. Now for the real work: my right arm
was done by Josh Brewer at Tru Blu Tatu in
Bristol, Pa. The top of my forearm has an old
microphone with "Weapon of Choice" in cursive.
The underside is a pin-up girl that my
grandmother drew back in the ‘40s. She
passed away years ago, so when I discovered
the drawing I had to get it worked into my
sleeve before I packed up to move down
south. Eric Thrice at Liberty Tattoo in ATL did
my left arm. When T!Katz signed last summer
I got the anchor to stay grounded and prepare
for the storm ahead.The rope in the anchor is
shaped like a treble clef and there's a lightning
bolt at the very top to rep the T!Katz. The
banner reads "Hold Fast" for a dear ol' sailor,
Slifko, back in Jersey—he got a “Hold Fast”
anchor with my name in the base of his. On my last visit to
Liberty, Eric garnished my shoulder with some of his signature
roses. Mister Thrice is also responsible for (drummer)
Juno's "Hendrix" piece and Jon's hand tattoos. Jon also has
a sick chest piece that reads, "Whatever doesn't kill me,
makes me stronger" by Trevor (aka Troublez) at Marked
Tattoo in the ATL.Troublez also did o8o’s work. He has a
couple random stars; one behind his ear and one on his
arm. He recently added the letter 's' to his left ring finger
that reps his wife.
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What are some of your favorite tattoo styles?
I am in love with traditional-style work, hands down! Sailor
Jerry is so classic and simple to me. His delicious spiced
navy rum will get you where you need to go, and most likely
sprout a couple hairs on your chest if you drink enough!
What tattoos do you see yourself getting in
the future and who do you want to be tattooed
by?
I want Eric to finish my left arm for me. I absolutely adore
his style and use of vibrant colors. I think the next tattoo
for me is my long-awaited mermaid with a boom box on
her shoulder. Also a Super 8 Motel logo. I had a little too
much to drink last summer on the Midwest tour and, long
story short, woke up in the wrong state! I had to take a
taxi from Iowa back to the Super 8 in Nebraska! That tattoo
will remind me to be more careful. As for the band, I
know Jon was looking to get Corey Davis at City of Ink,
also in the ATL, to do his stomach next.
Alright, time for shameless self-promotion:
describe the new album, what the future holds
(tours, etc.) and how people can get to know
you and your music better.
Being a group that is heavily influenced by the sounds and
pop culture of the 1980s, our title for the new album is 19
hundred 80 sumthin. It will feature songs reminiscent of The
Police, early Madonna, and even Prince. To find us in
Atlanta, your best bet is to check the local paper; we usually
throw shows at the Masquerade or the Drunken
Unicorn/MJQ on a monthly basis. Our single "3AM" is currently
being bumped at a club near you and is also available
on Rhythmic and Pop Radio Stations in the United States.
If you haven't heard it yet, request that issssh! Hit us up if
you want to book us or team up for a show. Also, Rod, if
you're out there, I love you.
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