The Infestation Continues Billy Borgioli on The Varmints new CD
by Chris Parcellin
Billy Borgioli is a busy man. His band the Varmints have just released a new CD "Assorted Varmints 1989-1997 (Endoras Box Records)." And he has an exhibit of his artwork on display at Cambridge's Zeitgeist Gallery (see below, for more details) starting on Friday, October 11th.

Borgioli has a long history as a Boston rocker beginning with his tenure as lead guitarist in the Real Kids during the late-'70s when the band generated a lot of buzz as a fixture at the Rat as well as CBGB's in New York City. Former New York Dolls and Ramones patron Marty Thau snapped them up for his fledgling label Red Star Records and they recorded their eponymously-titled debut which featured searing guitar interplay between Borgioli and vocalist/songwriter John Felice.

Borgioli next hooked-up with Baby's Arm vet Frank Rowe to form the Classic Ruins who did some recording for Boston's Ace of Heart's label and also achieved quite a bit of notoriety around town for their tough, garagey sound--as well as Rowe's witty, self-deprecating lyrics.

In the '80s, Borgioli formed the Varmints where he acted as frontman and chief songwriter (sometimes joined by Rowe) and really got the chance to shine. Ten of the thirteen tracks from "Assorted Varmints" are studio recordings and the remaining three are from live appearances on local radio. The CD continues Borgioli's tradition of blasting out gritty, no-nonsense rock'n'roll with a lot of heart.

In recent years, after a brief appearance in the reunited Real Kids, he has had to battle back from a bout with lymphoma, and is now sound as a pound. With his career as an artist and musician gearing-up again, this seemed like a good time to fire some questions his way.

What made you decide to release the Varmints CD at this time?
We had the DATS. There was a lot of work put into them and I felt they were worth hearing. Also The Varmints had not had a full length recording out or a recording on CD. It ended up being an interesting project because with the tracks that were chosen, many of the people who had played in the band over the years were represented.

The tracks on "Assorted Varmints" are split between live and studio recordings. What can you tell us about the songs you picked for this CD?
We had only chosen 10 studio cuts and we wanted to add some tracks and felt the live stuff,although not the best in sound quality, showed the true sound of The Varmints.

Did you go for a pretty much live sound in the studio?
We wanted the studio stuff to sound like a good performance in a club with a good sound system.

What made you decide to form the Varmints in the first place? Did you feel like you didn't get enough input in the Classic Ruins?
I had a lot of songs and Frank Rowe had a lot of songs. So we had enough material for two bands.

You've worked a lot with Frank Rowe over the years. What does he bring to the Varmints sound?
He has an excellent style of guitar playing. A lot of times, Frank plays creatively off the rhythm that I play--playing counter-rhythms to what I'm playing on guitar.

What are your favorite songs on the CD?
Everybody myself included seems to really like "Ain't No Good". Initially I didn't want "Pay Dirt" on the CD, but Jeff Carroll,the mastering guy and Endora's Box,the record company wanted it on. I think I was a bit tired of it at first because it was one of my older songs, but now I'm glad it's on there. It was performed, produced,and mastered well. I like "Dreamin'" cos it's very different from the rest. "The Hard Way" I also like. It's another one that a lot of people told me that they liked. So I thought it would be a strong opener. The band played well and it comes across powerfully.

Is the band going to do any gigs to support the CD?
I was playing with a shortlived band called Stinkhorn with Josh Bloomer of Suspect Device on drums and Marky Mayhem on bass. Now I'm trying to put together another bunch of Varmints to promote the CD and play and record many other songs I have.

You, of course, played guitar on that classic Red Star album by the Real Kids. What do you think of it twenty-five years later?
It still sounds great. It stands the test of time. When it was produced, the band made sure that it came across like the Real Kids live on a good night with no mistakes. One of the reasons why we went with a small label-Marty Thau's Red Star-was so we could have total creative control.

Are you taking part in Cheryl-Eagan-Donovan's Real Kids documentary "All Kindsa Girls?" How do you feel about it?
I'm not really sure what "All Kindsa Girls" is about, but I was interviewed at my apartment. People seeing me in the film will definitely not recognize me as the long haired guy from the first Real Kids album cover as I just completed 12 weeks of chemo for lymphoma which is remission thank God. As for what I think about the film, I think it will be interesting, but in my opinion it's about 25 years too late!

You've been playing in local clubs for, I'm guessing, close to thirty years. What keeps you going?
Writing and playing rock 'n' roll is what I do. I can't just stop doing what I do.

What do you think of the current wave of garage-type bands like the White Stripes, the Hives, etc?
I don't listen to a lot of other peoples'music. I just work on my own songs. But my girlfriend,Nancy Neon played me the White Stripes, The Strokes,and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. There's an element of the Velvet Underground,who I like in a lot of these new garage bands. But I prefer music that's louder and wilder like The Stooges or The Ramones.

What's next for you?
I have an exhibit of my paintings at a local Boston area gallery,The Zeitgeist. Currently, I'm trying to reform the Varmints because I have a stockpile of songs that I think are worth hearing live and recorded. I'll record another full length CD in about 6 months to a year and will be doing some guest appearances with the Classic Ruins at Bompfests( a garage fest put on by Nancy Neon,Michael Lynch of the Lynchpins,and Mike Fornatale of the Red Coats) in Boston and NYC.

What's your message for America's youth?
As Eddie And The Hot Rods sang "Do anything you wanna do!",musically that is and keep playing and listening to rock 'n' roll preferably the new Varmints CD.
Neon Productions presents
BILLY BORGIOLI'S PREMIER ART EXHIBIT TITLED "THIRTEEN"
At the Zeitgeist Gallery
1353 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (near Inman Square)
Gallery phone: (617) 876-6060
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13
Reception Sunday, October 13 4pm-8pm
To order The Varmints "Assorted Varmints 1989-1997" CD:
Send 12 dollars (check or money order made payable to Nancy Foster)
c/o Billy Borgioli at 5 Oak St. West, Apt. #1605, Boston, MA 02116
© 2002 Chris Parcellin & D-Filed, All rights reserved.
Thanks to Joe Harvard and The Boston Rock Storybook for use of some of the above photos.
Learn more about Billy's career at Boston Rock Storybook:
Real Kids
Classic Ruins