Nils Forever, lead Singer for of the Seattle rock band The Greatest Hits, talks about the new album, upcoming tour, and shocking prisoner abuse he witnessed while inside King County Jail

interview by Guitar Doug of the Insurgents

“I remember looking at a grate on the ground while I was sitting in the police van. I could see blood draining into it. I’ve seen some fucked up shit happen to people while they are locked up or being transferred inside King County Jail.”

The Seattle Rock group the Greatest Hits was formed only in 2006. In that brief time they have landed many prestigious gigs including opening for the legendary rock group The New York Dolls. A glam band straight out of a 1970’s rock magazine, the Greatest has built an instant following around the rock clubs of Seattle. This is simply because they are easily one of the most entertaining live bands in town. Due to the over the top glam look of The Greatest Hits, Seattle magazines and photographers are lining up to publish pictures of the band in print and online.
 
This has been a double-edged sword for a band full of talented songwriters who want to be taken seriously as musicians. In the case of The Greatest Hits, what you see is what you get. It is totally real and is not a show or a gimmick to draw attention. The group dresses, eats, breaths and lives Rock n Roll twenty- four hours a day, seven days a week. They are constantly out on the town and partying like The Rolling Stones at bars like the Lava Lounge, or taking in rock shows at the Funhouse, El Corazon or any place else a major show is happening. When they are not partying, they are writing songs, rehearsing, booking more shows, and on the phone talking up the band with anyone in a position to further them.
 
On June 16th the Greatest Hits will release their debut CD called For a Good Time Call.  Some of the songs written for the album are straight out of the radio hit single handbook. Three gems in particular are For Our hearts, Hangover City and Spanish fly. Those three songs are the most radio friendly and went over brilliantly with audiences at the several Greatest Hits shows I have attended.
 
Nils, who is the lead singer of the band, is quick to point out  “We are the best looking band in Seattle and have the songs to back it up.” This is probably a true statement and a cocky attitude never hurt anyone in the world of Rock n Roll. This fact, and the sudden meteoric rise of the band, annoys a few well-known local rock musicians whom I have spoken with recently. They attribute the bands success to looks alone.  I disagree with them and generally write it off as jealousy.
 
The only thing The Greatest Hits needs at this point is time on the road hashing out the songs and tightening up as a group. Again, the band was just formed from scratch in 2006.  Currently, The Greatest Hits are writing songs faster than they can realistically even rehearse them. The nationwide tour that begins this month is exactly what this band needs. They will return home as a road tested major force in the Seattle rock music scene by summer's end.
 
All the members of the Greatest Hits are veterans from other well-known Seattle rock bands such as Poxy, Betty X, Rabid Dogs, Texylvania, and Motorpussy. The fact that they currently have well known Seattle rock bands opening for them, and are booked solid on a nationwide summer tour before even releasing an album is impressive.
 
I have wanted to interview The Greatest Hits for some time now. Luckily, the timing is such that I am able to do so just as the new record is being released on June 16th and the US Tour is starting.  I wanted to cover the album and the tour but also dig into the lead singers background, to find out if there is anything more to Nils than flashy clothes and fancy haircuts. The creative and colorful hairstyles have become the bands calling card.
 
Everyone knows Nils is one of the most likeable rockers in town, but few know some of the frightening experiences he has witnessed in his life.  He has had his fair share of brushes with the law as have many Seattle Rockers. Along with an update about the record and tour, Nils now discloses one particular brush with the cops that turned very ugly inside the walls of King County Jail.
 
The Greatest Hits consists of the following members Nils Forever: singer/songwriter, Herb: lead guitar/songwriter, Ricky Dynamite: bass, Whiskey Ginger: rhythm guitar, Roman: drums. This is an interview with Nils of the Greatest Hits done the first week of June 2007.
 
Tell me about the frightening experience you had while inside King County Jail.
I was arrested when I was 17 years old for allegedly assaulting a police officer. It happened while I was at a show in Pioneer Square. The police were really fucking with us and we just fought back. The cops then threw me into a van full of people who had been arrested, but none of them were from the show.
 
What happened when you got to King County Jail?
\When I got to the Jail, the cops opened the door of the police van. One of those arrested who was probably high on drugs, jumped out of the van and lunged towards a cop. I couldn't see what was happening, but everyone in the van could hear the police just beating the crap out of this guy. I remember looking at a grate on the ground while I was sitting in the police van. I saw blood draining into it. I've seen some fucked up shit happen to people while they are locked up or being transferred inside King County Jail.
 
Were you afraid you and the others were going to be beaten?
Yes, because I could hear the cops bragging to each other about what they'd done. They started threatening us by saying that it would happen to us if we “wanted to step up”.  It was as if they were encouraging us.
 
Why would the cops beat you when under the law were still presumed innocent of committing any crime?
Cops are just like that. They will taunt you because they want you to act out. It’s as if they need to take out their own aggressions on you. I’m not saying all cops are like that, but the ones I’ve dealt with in certain situations like protests are.
 
The Greatest Hits are playing some pretty prestigious gigs considering it’s fairly new band.  What would you say to those who claim The Greatest Hit’s instant popularity is based on looks and fashion?
I would ask them to be more positive about Rock and Roll. I would ask them to listen to the music and criticize that rather than the image of the band. I'm more into hearing what people have to say about our music rather than our style of dress.
 
Why is the image of the band so important to you?
A lot of bands these days are incomplete in my opinion. There are two parts to a band, which are image and music. They are both equally important. A band might have great songs but no style. Other times, they may have style but don’t have the music to back it up.
 
When exactly did the Greatest Hits first begin playing shows?
We played our first show in 2006. Since then, we have played shows with The New York Dolls, Faster Pussycat, The Briefs, Holy Ghost Revival, Boss Martians, Nice Boys, Soda Pop Kids, Casualties, and many more. We even flew to New York City earlier this year and played the Radio Heartbeat Power Pop Festival.
 
What was it like opening for the New York Dolls?
The gig was great! We opened the show and were given a twenty-minute set. The crowd roared while we were on stage. We were also on stage with some go go dancers The New York Dolls had brought with them. Unfortunately, We didn't get to meet The New York Dolls because security was so tight. The Dolls rocked the house that night anyway.
 
What do you think of the newest New York Dolls album
\It’s the best comeback album ever recorded. Especially considering it’s a band that has been gone for 30 years. Please, don’t give me that "No Johnny Thunders" complaint either. For the first time ever at a show, I was yelling out requests for the new songs over old ones.
 
Tell me about the summers tour that begins mid June just as the new CD is being released.
\We’re going on a summer long tour of the United States to promote our new CD that comes out June 16th. We have 24 confirmed dates so far and concerts in most major cities from LA to Boston.
  
You were eager to play my June 3rd benefit concert for Ballard’s homeless called Guitar Doug’s Rock and Roll Sunday held at the Funhouse. Why?
Seattle treats it's homeless problem like they do everything else. They ignore the problem or make matters worse with different laws and ordinances about sleeping in parks or even sitting on sidewalks. I remember when the authorities used to fuck with organizations like Food not Bombs who gave out food to people in need. I never understood why anyone thought it was so wrong to help people.
 
How do you feel about homeless people who panhandle?
As long as people don't degrade me for not giving them what I don't have myself, they really don't bother me. It's only the ones that won't leave you alone, and make you feel guilty for not giving. That really irritates me, but then again those political clipboard carrying people are even more annoying. Anyone who has never had to sleep outside in the cold or feel there is no future should really stop and wonder what it feels like to be homeless.
 
What would you like to say to the legions of fans that show up over and over at your shows and sing along to every song?
Our thanks go out to them. We have the best fans of any band out there. The ones who support us the most are true music lovers. They know and have respect for the history. 

Thanks for coming in Nils and I will see you when you get back from the tour.
Thanks a lot Guitar Doug and The Seattle Sinner. It's people like you who give me hope and faith for future of rock n roll.