Now more than ever punks are getting older, growing up a little and having families. Stability and a sense of family make a lot more sense now than it did in our teens. “Live Fast, Die Young” changes to “Live long, multiply and prosper.”                                                  I got a chance to sit down with my favorite Punk Rock parents Dan and Kim (Dan plays bass in Electric Frankenstein while Kim oozes Punk Rock hotness.) to talk about parenting and what happens when the rule breakers start making the rules. Here’s what they had to say. JD

James: You married very young. As a matter of fact your the youngest married couple I know. It seems like the least punk rock thing considering you were in a band, touring around the world and recording. Can you tell me the circumstances that led to your decision?

Kim: I came from a very dysfunctional household. While Dan came from a very loving, family oriented household. There was a lot of stuff going on with my Mom. A lot to deal with. Dan and I had been dating for a while. Dan just said ‚You need to get the hell out of there. Let’s get married. My Mom said “Sure, I don't have to take care of you anymore?”.

James: So you were emancipated?

Kim: All she had to do was sign the papers and that was it.

James: How long was it before you decided to have kids?

Kim: Within four years.

James: Was that something you both wanted from the beginning?

Dan: Yes Definitely.

Kim: We weren't planning on having them yet. About a year prior I had gotten pregnant. We had planned it but we were happy. Sometimes you don't realize what you want until it happens to you. Then I had a miscarriage and that really opened my eyes to how much I wanted children. Then for the next year we worked on it.

James: Have their been times when working and touring with Electric Frankenstein coupled with long periods of separation caused stress within the relationship?

Dan: There definitely have been times, especially when Gabriella was real young.

Kim: When she was ten months old and he went away it was very lonely for me. None of my friends were stay at home Moms.  None of my friends even had kids. So it was just me and the babies for a month. It ‘s very hard to go from being this very social person to being somewhat of a prisoner at home. There are certain benefits to it but there were definitely some adjustments I had to make.

James: It funny but I see two Kim's. The Kim who is this Hardcore Punk Rock chick who we go out with. Better watch out when she had a little too much to drink. Because she just might knock you out. Then there’s the Kim I see at home.The Mom who takes care of three beautiful daughters. This is when I see a completely different personality. How do you balance those two lives?You’re  totally Punk Rock with the tattoos and the skull and cross bones hat. I was curious as to how you’ve  been received at Parent/Teacher meetings and holding your daughters hands while your arms are sleeved in tattoos and your wearing a Germs T-shirt.

Dan: Sometimes I get that look like “Is he kidnapping that child or is it his kid?”  Then once they hear them call me Daddy they breath a sigh of relief. I guess I got used to it. Now I have come to a point where I am a little disappointed if they don't get freaked out. I guess I just find it humorous now since I've gotten so used to it.

Kim: I remember once when I was with Gabriella and I was wearing this little baby doll dress. We were having lunch and this old man was just staring at us and making comments. “ You know I bet that kid windsup with tattoos...just like her Mother”. I just thought “How rude” That in this day and age someone can make comments like that. It just so ridiculous. Now, with them in school I’m more conscience of it. You seethe eyes all around. The thing is I just don't give a fuck.

James: How about music? Do you find yourselves trying to steer you kids in theright direction (I mean the wrong direction) when it comes to what they listen to?

Kim: It just their environment. They like what they hear. They listen to the Ramones. Gabriella likes the Toy Dolls. Gianna likes the girl groups and Social Distortion. Kid stuff like “Mommy's Little Monster”. The Toy Dolls have a song called “Nellie the Elephant”. That's the great thing about Punk Rock. There so much different stuff out there.

James: Okay, you at the mall and one of your daughters turns to you and pulls on your shirt. “Daddy, can you buy me the new Pussycat Dolls CD?”  What your first reaction?

Dan: I might roll my eyes but I not going to discourage her from liking anything. I just got her the soundtrack from ‚High School Musical which I don't really know about. I just know it's big with the kids. My parents were very discouraging and I just don't want to be that way. So whatever they want is okay with me.

James: Can you think of a moment when you just thought to yourself. “This is so not what I was expecting from life.”  made you say to yourself “I am so not a Punk Rock star. I am a Dad?”?

Dan: Taking the kids to school was a humbling experience. When they were younger I wasn't working a full time job. I was doing the music at night so I ended up taking them to preschool and things like that. I am the only man amongst all these soccer moms. That was humbling.

James: Kim, you were teaching at one point. Did you ever get looks from parents and faculty.

Kim: I got it from parents sometimes but they got over it. Once they get to know me they look past everything else. I never really felt that I was being judged. I always felt they were very friendly and down to earth people. but I'm a girl and I think it was a lot easier.

James: Have you instilled any so called Punk Rock Values in your daughters?

Dan: Not to dwell too much on what people think of you. Having a sense of self worth.

Kim: To really go out and do what you want to do. Gianna wants to wear six berets, a bun and a braid in her hair. Just do what you want to do. If it's inappropriate I might say something. Gabriella got in trouble last year in school with the clothing police for having a pair of jeans with rips in them. The principal told her to never wear them in school again. I said ‚Excuse me, you don't tell her what she can't wear. You tell me. I told her she can wear them whenever she wants. There's nothing in the school code that says she can't wear them. There's no rules against it so do what you want to do. If you don't feel comfortable than don't.

Dan: It's one thing if their out of control and getting into fights. Do what you want to do as long as you're not hurting anybody.

James: I had some friends in the Hardcore and Punk scene and they started bringing their kids along with them to shows at what seemed like obscenely young ages. I was wondering what your thoughts were on when is the time to open your child up to that world.

Kim: We were just having a conversation about that. (laughing)

Dan: I've seen a lot of that and it kind of freaked me out. We're trying to find that opening. It's something that can be scary for them. I think Gabriella is at that age now. She's nine now and we're starting to open up to the idea. But I've seen little kids with green mohawks at shows where there's stuff going on. It just freaks me out. So we're trying to figure out what that age is where we can start letting her come to these things.

James: You've been playing Bass for Electric Frankenstein for years now.Is there a second generation coming along? Perhaps a sequel? Can we count on a Mach 2.0 ?

Dan: Maybe but it would most likely be the Brides of Frankenstein. My brother who's in the band has a daughter. I have three daughters. I'm surrounded by women. It's bound to happen. It's like the men in this family have become extinct.

Kim: GIanna will definitely sing. She will not stop singing and she absolutely loves it. She sings all the time and she won't shut up.

James: Any words of wisdom on raising your children in a Punk Rock environment?

Dan: Don't be afraid. Don't hide your punk rockedness to accommodate other people.

Kim: Let your kids be who they want to be. If their not going to do it. Don't do it for them. Respect who they are. My daughter wanted to be a cheerleader. I wasn't exactly thrilled but I took her to every practice. I was there for her. If their happy doing something than that's good.

(Photos and interview by James Damion)