Palm Ghosts are no strangers to New Noise, and given the amount of coverage we’ve devoted to our favorite bad-boy post-punk group over the years, they should be no stranger to you either. Most recently, we premiered the Nashville trio’s new video for “When We Were Young and Life Was Beautiful.” It was a copious amount of coverage, indeed, but in anticipation of the December 6 release of their EP, Decoder.
The short-player is even more impressive because it’s the fourth one Palm Ghosts issued in 2024. Moreover, that same day marked the release of Facades, a double-album compiling all 20 songs from the four EPs into one tidy package. Like other Palm Ghosts releases, it was issued jointly by Poptek Records and Sweet Cheetah Records.
While we here at New Noise believe we’ve done a commendable job keeping up with Palm Ghosts’ steady stream of releases, we felt it was time to switch gears and politely pry into their personal lives via our ongoing Pet Sounds series. Joseph Lekkas, happily obliged, regaling us with details and stories aplenty of his clan of critters.
So, how many pets do you have, and what are their breeds, ages and names?
Three, all of the mini dachshunds. Charlie is 8. Mousey is 8 or 9 (a rescue). Simon is 3.
How did each pet enter your life?
Charlie and Simon came to us from breeders. Mousey was a rescue dog that we got from the Tennessee Dachshund Rescue.
What inspired each of you to organize and operate benefit events specifically for dachshunds? The more info the merrier because that sounds like a very original form of volunteering.
We wanted to do a benefit for Tennessee Dachshund Rescue, a local organization that does wonderful work to re-home dogs, in part due to getting Mousey from them and how professional they were about placing dogs and their tireless work in the community rescuing and re-homing dogs.
Joseph, are your dachshunds related to each other?
No, but we call them brothers.
Which of your pets is most protective of each of you, and why do you think that is?
They are all little maniacs when someone approaches the door or comes near the house. The breed is known to be great watch dogs.
Are any of the pets territorial, or do they get along harmoniously?
Charlie, the oldest, was a little tough on Simon, the youngest, when he came into our house, but now they are best buds. Charlie was always good with Mousey, probably because he’s super frazzled and nervous from his life before us.
What’s the funniest interaction you’ve witnessed one of your pets having with another pet?
Charlie stalks Mousey like a tiger when he tries to come up the ramp to the bed and then pounces on him. The exchange makes us laugh every time. They are a super funny breed.
Which pets are the biggest cuddlers?
All of them are super cuddlers.
Was there a time when, perhaps if you were going through a struggle of some kind, you valued your pets’ concern and affection for you more than ever?
During the pandemic, Charlie was a life-saver for me. My wife had to work the entire time because she is an essential worker, so Charlie was by buddy and by my side all day, every day.
What kind of trouble have each of the pets gotten into?
Dachshunds? No trouble at all!!! (sarcasm)
What advice would you offer someone who is considering to acquire more than one pet?
Have the money for their healthcare and the time for them. They require SO much time and attention. And if you don’t treat them like family and want an outside dog, don’t bother getting one. Dogs need more than that!
But don’t get it twisted: They will always give you more than you can ever give to them; that’s why they are the best!
Go to Palm Ghosts’ slick website for lots more on the band, including tour dates, videos, and beyond. Snag music on Palm Ghosts’ Bandcamp page.
Photos courtesy of Palm Ghosts.
