Marky Ramone awaits new 'Rock 'N' Roll High School' 30th anniversary DVD release

One of the all-time great rock 'n' roll and disgruntled youth movies, Rock 'N' Roll High School, will be released by Shout! Factory in a 30th anniversary special edition DVD on Tuesday--with Blu-Ray version to follow one week later.

The musical comedy was produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featured The Ramones--and has remained a cult classic since its 1979 release.

The plot involves the tyrannical high school administration of fictional Vince Lombardi High School in Los Angeles, where the kids are united in grooving to the sounds of The Ramones--whose pioneering punk rock album Ramones was only three years old when the film came out.

"I can't wait to see it again because of the enhanced quality of the Blu-Ray format--especially the live show we did at The Roxy," says Marky Ramone, the only surviving Ramone appearing in the film, referring to a Ramones concert that is central to its plot. "I did a new interview for it--obviously being the only member of the group from the movie left, unfortunately. And there are other interviews with people and it should be outrageous."

Besides Marky Ramone's new interview, bonus DVD material includes new interviews with Arkush, Corman, Joe Dante (the film's co-writer with Arkush) and actress Dey Young. Also included are audio outtakes from the Roxy concert.

"We were very flattered when we were picked to do the movie because we were fans of Roger Corman, and everybody who worked on it with us was wholeheartedly into making it--even though it only cost $200,000," continues Ramone, who as Marc Bell had played drums in another historic New York punk band, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, before replacing original Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone in 1978. "The lack of finance is probably why it was a joy to make and such a charming movie--and why it's held up so long."

Ramone recalls filming at a rundown high school in Watts, and dancing with the other Ramones to their classic "I Just Want To Have Something To Do" at 7 a.m. outside The Roxy.

"Everything smelt like eggs and bacon and people going to work were looking at us like we were aliens who just landed!" he says, also remembering the long waits between scenes--especially his one "big" spoken part to the high school teacher played by Paul Bartel: "Gee, that was a good one, Mr. McGree!"

"I was disappointed that I didn't win an Academy Award!" deadpans Ramone.

As for the continued appeal of the movie, Rock 'N' Roll High School "really captured a time that is identifiable to the punk movement and the scene and The Ramones," says Ramone, "and it's an innocent movie, even at the end when they blow up the school--though I'm not saying it's a good idea to blow up your school if you fail your grades! Just that in the end there are great teachers and bad teachers, great principals and bad principals."

Ramone says he regularly gets emails from fans hoping he'll attend their Rock 'N' Roll High School viewing parties.

"These are 14, 15-year-olds who send photos and they're all dressed like [lead character played by P.J. Soles] Riff Randell, and their boyfriends are looking Ramone-ish--so it doesn't end," he says. "Of course I can't go, but I thank them for feeling strong about the movie. And I go to countries like Japan where they have Rock 'N' Roll High School gatherings and act out scenes."

Ramone waxes reflective on the The Ramones' immortality, despite the fact that lead singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone are sadly departed.

"Time has proven the longevity of The Ramones, which is due to our songs' lyrical content, the way we looked, the fact that we looked like a band and were a band that was easily identifiable," says Ramone. "There will never be a band like The Ramones again, and a lot of historical curiosity seekers see what they were about in the movie."

He notes that Tommy Ramone now plays stringed instruments in bluegrass duo Uncle Monk. But Marky Ramone keeps The Ramones' flame alive via Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg, a band fronted by former Misfits lead singer Michale Graves, which plays a 32-song Ramones "standards" set including "Blitzkrieg Bop," "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" and "Rock 'N' Roll High School."

"Somebody has to keep this music alive, and if I'm able to do it and my body allows, I will do it," says Ramone, who turns 54 in July. "I'm the last one left, and I can’t say no to all these kids and grownups who want me to do it--and not just in America but in Europe, Japan, Beijing, Dubai."

The band is heading to Europe to tour, then returning for summer shows in the States.

"Parents bring their kids and vice-versa, and we bridge the generation gap and keep the legacy alive," says Ramone. "Those songs are too good not to be played, and John, Joey and Dee Dee would be very happy to see it continue in good taste and a quality presentation."

Meanwhile, Ramone recently released an instructional DVD, Marky Ramone--Punk Rock Drumming His Way for Beginners, while enjoying his fifth year as host of Sirius Satellite Radio's Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg program. And to top it off, he's marketing Marky Ramone’s Brooklyn’s Own Pasta Sauce.

"My grandfather was head chef at The Copacabana and 21 Club and I used to watch him cook, so I said, 'Let me try it,' and my sauce tastes similar to Rao's!" he says. "It's a goof, but it's really on the menu at Chef Daniel Boulud's DBGB's Kitchen and Bar, which is in the Bowery and plays on the CBGB's name."

CBGB's, the history books say, was the legendary Bowery punk rock club where The Ramones, soon to star in Rock 'N' Roll High School, got their start.

(The Examiner wrote the first book on The Ramones, The Ramones--An American Band.)

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