The Official Website of the FREELANCE VANDALS

Billy Cairns was the most natural musician I've ever played with over the years. He had a sixth sense about how a song should go and even tho' we argued about things like that-- he was always right! One of Billy's jobs in the band was to figure out the endings to songs. I'll always remember whenever we'd be rehersing new songs there would be Billy scratching his head, goin "Hmmmm...I know just how this song should end!" And you know what? He was always right! Cheers Billy...thank you for all of the great music and most of all for your friendship.

I thought you might like to hear a funny Vandals-related story that happened recently (I learned about Billy when I told this story to Tom). I usually have music playing in my office; a couple of weeks ago I put Every Friday in July on repeat so it'd start over and over, and I then forgot about it. I had a meeting in my office that included a woman with absolutely no sense of humor, and one you definitely would not want to tell an off-color joke to if you like your job. During the meeting "Lightning Rod" came on, and during the first "Feels so tight" etc. refrain you could see the look of horror and disgust on her face as she looked at my CD player. I of course carried on as if I hadn't noticed. Unfortunately though as you know there's then the second refrain that gets very loud, so there I was trying to ignore the crescendo about "Lightning Rods, Feels so Tight, Feels so Right, Gonna Feel it All Night," etc. etc. Once again I maintained my poker face as this woman looked at my CD player and me in horror and disgust...something tells me she never went to the RTI on a Sunday afternoon back in the day!... :-)

Cheers,
W. Scott Bradley

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Memorial concert by the Vandals! I was at the Right Track Inn every Sunday!! I miss Billy and I miss the music-- love the RIOT AT THE RIGHT TRACK INN cd-- it really brings me back to those Sunday afternoon shows! All the best, Lola

Playing with Billy was unbelievable! I would literally be sucked right along on a magic carpet ride every time! We were linked on a musical level I've seldom experienced. It was so much fun and so easy...

Billy was a brother to me; his family my second family. No one was ever more fun (or easier) to be with. No one ever had a bigger heart or a better sense of humor. No one ever made me laugh myself sore so many times. No one will ever be more missed...

Mike

The Worlds Greatest Drummer

Bill Cairns - loads of fun! We had many happy adventures and boy did he love the rock n roll! Move over in Heaven, Keith Moon, Billy's there now!
lg

For the better part of 3 decades Bill Cairns was my friend and confidante. Over the years we had our differences, but never too harsh that they would not be overcome by our love for each other. He rocked with the best of them. In my 35 year musical quest for a drummer, Billy was at the top of the list of those precious few I rejoiced in playing with. From a bass player’s perspective, he was the perfect “Power Trio” Drummer… No… "The Perfect Drummer." His straight ahead “ROCK” style was only surpassed by his intense natural timing. I never had to look at him… I knew unquestionably what he was going to play… He played exactly what I was thinking… He played precisely what I was playing…Without a second thought, the sticks fell hard on the skins and with one wonderful flowing motion the drums rang out as if they had finally been tamed into submission by Bill's heavy hand, and they had no choice but to sing. His tragic and untimely passing cuts a painfully deep wound which refuses to heal. He is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.

As the crappy Year of Our Lord 2007 was coming to a close, I was dreading the Christmas season more than usual. (I’ve never been a big fan of “Lights! Cameras! Consume!”) So when Jeanne Cairns expressed a bit of concern that, because of holiday obligations, Billy wouldn’t be having too many visitors on Christmas Eve, I jumped at the chance to hoof it into NYC to see him. I spent a few quiet hours with Jeanne, Carolyn, Amelia and our Bill, leisurely looking through a book about Creem magazine, talking about our favorite (and not so favorite) music and movies, and reminiscing about goofy Long Island landmarks like Tiny Town and Mount Misery. On the way back to the Island, with poor Carolyn frantically trying to maneuver around holiday traffic, I realized I just had the best Christmas Eve ever. Thanks for that B-Man and all the years of happy, hilarious and unforgetttable memories.

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Billy I knew that he was ill but was hoping he might recover. I 've been a fan from the late 70's early 80's and see you guys still whenever you get together to play. The one thing that sticks out in my mind about Billy was how he would always go out of his way to say hello to me and my buddies during breaks in a show and that it wasn't just a quick hi, he would spend some time which I thought was great.

My wife and I have enjoyed the music over the years and look forward to any info. that you folks have to shed into our lives. Please alert us to the date of a memorial show for Billy.

Sorry for your loss he was a real great guy.

Rich

I will always remember Billy's Cheshire Cat like smile and his Keith Moon energy. While it is sometimes difficult to recollect my splintered memories of the good ole days with the help of my Vandal CD's, cassettes and a even a 45 they always come in a little clearer. Turn it up! Remember, "Celluloid heroes" and "musicians" never really die. Thank God.

In the beginning he was just a guy I worked for.In the end
he turned out to be one of my best friends....what else can you say.Billy had heart,soul,and the best laugh you could ever want to hear.I just wish (or do I?),that he learned how to tune his own motherf***ing drums. Thanks for all the memories and say hello to Captain Carl (and find out what Miss Yvonne really had under that dress!)

Rich

God, I am blessed to have known Billy. Was there a more loveable man in the land? He was one of those guys that made you feel good when he walked into the room. You knew that in a moment a laugh was about to fill the air. He was a walking ball of positive energy.
We met at U.D. through J.P. Gelinas and friendship grew through gigs at joints called The Monk's Inn, Flanagan's Pub and the friggin' attic in my house. (My current status in the witness protection program prohibits me from revealing any details of those days and nights)
I don't know who had more fun - Billy, or we who got to watch him perform. Sure he played the drums, but he was a PERFORMER. Yeah, J.P. or Diamond Ray would would steal a ray from the spotlight above, but Billy was the backbone and the backbeat and he loved every minute of it. If you are reading this you know what I mean.
His energy was infectious, his smile contagious. Those sweaty bangs and eyes in tune with every unplanned turn the frontmen might throw him. Man, those were some great times.
Billy and Jeanne came out through Dayton a few years back and we went out to a horse farm where we had a broodmare and foal. It was a fun day and I have photos to remember a smiling laughing couple - a tad out of their Long Island life - on their way to an amusement park.
If the world of Rock n' Roll ever opens a theme park they need to name the roller coaster "Billy The Mountain". He took us all along for a great ride.

Beautiful job creating this page, Freelance Vandals! I was a regular face in the crowd, beer in the hand fan when you guys were playing at the Right Track. Many years later I was fortunate to have played in a band with Billy. We were known to many "jokingly" as, "Billy's new band", to a few others as, Fourteen Feet. My thoughts on Billy appear on my website as well as on my myspace page. Please feel free to visit either one or both. Anyway, I am looking forward to presenting the songs that we recorded together in Brooklyn soon. Damn I miss him.

Amy & I miss Billy Cairns very much. For such an incredibly powerful life force, he sure got a bum deal. However his life touched so many and his presence is so strong and near to our hearts that our daily lives do not proceed onward without a vision of Bill in some memory. He truly will always be loved and cherished.

Brief tidbits. How we use to sweat at our gigs. Never saw a band work so hard and sweat so much. Billy worked the hardest and sweats the most. He always would pack a half a dozen shirts, towels and a cooler of liquids (early days - beer, water, etc. later years - water).
I can relate memories of a million experiences on and off the band job that should and one day may be told that Billy always had a major role in.
But for now I just want to peek at some of the songs. Billy was such a great drummer. Just listen to what he did for these songs;
Billy’s favorite drum beats;
Fat Man & Beat Generation

Song that Billy made “FUN”;
Hot BBQ - Billy made this ditty the Party Anthem

Bill’s Drum Solos - short but sweet;
“Feats don’t Fail Me Now”
Barn Yard Boogey - -“ Bud ump ump, bud ump. Bud ump ump, bud ump. Bump, Bump, Scooby doobie doobie doobie….”

Loudest songs;
Lightning Rod - Takes first prize. Billy’s Cymbals, highest Decibel level ever recorded real pain to ears and head. Ringing in the ears was altogether common
Dreaming of the Snake - Wow - Billy Cairns at his finest.
So Tough, So Loose & The Island is Alive - Hold on to your hats when Billy screamed “One… Two…One, Two, Three, Four……”

Fastest Songs;
Billy always determined the songs speed. Tempo was all important. As the songs evolved from their conception to maturity through club performances and repetition, the tempos progressed from andante to allegro and ultimately to presto. When I listen to old tapes and cds, I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Some of the speeds are so fast that to play at that level is almost humanly impossible. But Billy got us to do it his way. I shudder when I remember the speed of say a “Miami Man” or a “California Sun/Summertime Blues” show ender. He played them so fast that we could barely sing the words.

I miss the Freelance Vandals, I miss playing with you! I’ll treasure the times we had.
There will be more forthcoming.

I'll never forget all those amazing shows I was lucky enough to attend during the summers of my youth ('80s). I recall catching the Vandals shows at the Right Track Inn, Heckles & Jeckles, and Phinneas T's. Billy was surely one hell of a drummer and always poured his heart & soul into his music. I recall one summer when he visited me in Florida while I was attending college. We all went to the Tampa Jai Lai for an evening of entertainment and hit big on a Quinella! Man, what a fantastic night.Here is a toast to you Billy. God bless you.

In my short time as a freelance vandal, I learned more about playing bass from Billy's right foot that I had in the decade before or then I have in the decades since.

jj

I had gone to see The Mighty Young Fish. Fell in love with the song Juliette. Added it to my set list for this acoustic gig I'd been doing at The Smithville Cafe. We started doing a full band jam there and I invited Billy to come down and play. To my surprise he walked through the door to play the gig. After (ahem) a few cocktails we got ready to play. As we got up to play I got over my nervousness and said to him, "You know I do a version of Juliette, as a waltz". He turned and look at me with a hard stare and said, "I don't do waltz's". Over the years I had the honor of becoming Billy's friend and we played many times together. And although Juliette was a staple in the set list, we never dared do it as a waltz. God Bless Billy and God bless his family.

I was sort of a late comer to the Vandals. I was in a record store in Huntington one day and it was early 80s when New wave was what was being played on the radio. Being more into roots, country, blues, southern and funk etc I heard a cool tune playing over the speakers in the store. I still can't remember which song but it was REAL rock and roll and I bought the Album on the spot having heard of the vandals but never seeing them live.

Boy did life suck as it quickly became part of my turntable.. . . I literally didn't take it off for months. Carry My Love and Shirley probably being my faves.. . . . .but the record we sort of a "farewell". . . and I had missed my shot to see them. . . .

A few years later there were some reunion gigs at RTI, and I tried to make as many as I could. Rarely have I had goosebumps while watching "bar bands", but The vandals never failed. . . . .

I also saw Billy in some other bands and can't claim to be a
friend or to even have known him but he was the type of guy you just knew you would like. Always smiling and a beast on the drums. . . .I am seriously bummed in reading of his passing. . . .the best to his family and although I travel a TON for work I will do all I can to make any reunion or benefit gigs as I will never forget the nights seeing the vandals live. . .

The best way I can describe the vandals is as one of the tightest bands I have ever seen, having seen reunion gigs where they hadn't played together in years,. . . . .but at the same time they were one of the loosest bands I have ever seen. . . .they always seemed to have a blast at a vandals gig. . . . and so did I. . . .

Today is Billy's Birthday...

It's one of those days that can ambush me with a flood of emotion, butI thought I'd take a minute now to try to express some appreciation for everyone involved in Billyfest - all the musicians,especially The Vandals, Fourteen Feet - and all the "Vandalettes"...everyone back-stage - and in front...The Union Park Cafe for all they did for us - and also RS Jones and The Bayou for sending over some great food.

It's no mystery why he was so loved - he loved all of you too. So for Billy, myself and Amelia - Thank You!

The "1" is a sacred concept. You never had to go searching for the "1" when Billy Cairns was in attendance. Billy was "The 1" in living, breathing, sweating, stick-flingin'
incarnate form. What hit me the hardest about Billy leaving us was that it was so damned untimely, and Billy NEVER did anything out of time.

Early in my tenure with the Vandals, I learned, courtesy of (to the best of my recollection) a #3 stick directed at my scalp, that one did not ever, under any circumstances, begin a song until Billy was damned good and ready to give the count.On my "Life Lessons" list, this went straight into the top 5. To paraphrase Quint, "Billy drives the boat, Chief." And when Billy drove the song, life was a beautiful thing.

In Mrs. Cairns' basement, I found it was about more than just the music...I had fortuitously stumbled into the whole Vandals entourage, of which Billy and his home and his incredible family were already installed as the beating roiling epicenter.It was just a rockin' dance party with Billy providing the backbeats.Getting thrown into the eye of the Cairns maelstrom was more fun than what's legal in most of the contigous 48 states.

My friend, Billy. The "1". Forever and always. Slam on that snare and show 'em how it's done, Billy.

St. Peter as a greeter
Said it's nice to meet ya
Says he's got a band
And ask if you can
Put them sticks in your hand

Cause we got a gig
A party for Mr. Big
And you are the man
We've always been a fan

We've watched from afar
And we know just who you are
With that second line beat
and just the right amount of heat

So when clouds start to thunder
They'll be no need to wonder
Cause with Billy keepin' time
That band will truly be devine

Happy Birthday Billy and may God bless you and your family always.

Love,
Johnny B.

Happy Birthday Brother. Miss ya like hell..........

Wow, Johnny Big Dog already said it all.
Your beat goes on - in our hearts.

Happy Birthday Billy! Love Ya as always. Do you really want to see the Metallica show? I'll wear my sweater if you wear yours.

I smile when I think of Billy...So, I think of him often
Steve

President Obama!
Earlier today I was afraid of how I would handle it if we lost another election - how I could stand it without Billy to lean on - I hadn't considered how hard this is to not have him here for the good news.I'm so reilieved and proud of my country! But I miss how thrilled I know Billy would be. Just needed to vent that, I guess.
I hope everyone is well, I'm very proud of us all -as I know Billy is.
Love, Jeanne

One of the first things I thought of when Obama won the election was the great big smile that would have been dancing across Billy's face. Ahhhhhh.......

Hey everyone,

I too spent many a rowdy Sunday at the RTI enjoying the band. I'm sorry about Billy's passing. May God bless him and his family and friends of which I am sure there are many. I was just telling a friend online about the awesome memories provided by The Freelance Vandals in the wild days of my youth and was sharing some of the fun song lyrics with him. Then I got to wondering if the Right Track Inn even existed anymore and by the power of GOOGLE found this website. Right Track Inn and Freelance Vandals go hand-in-hand. I've really enjoyed spending time on this site (and not just because I was sick of working) and will return to it again when I don't have my computer speakers on "mute."

Now if I can just get my Vandals CD back from my ex-husband I'll be a happy camper.

Thanks for the memories.

<3 PattyO

I was saddened to hear of Bill's passing.I moved away 25 years ago and checked out the site for the 1st time. Bill was a big part of a very special band. My fondest memory of Bill was 30 years ago I was working at the Music Box and Bill was my only customer at 3 am. We were listening to WLIR and 'New York Girl" came on for the 1st time. The both of us went nuts and we celebrated into the late hours. God bless to a very special person.

I was a part of the regular crowd at "The Music Box" back in the day,and yes I had a "GET VANDALIZED" bumper sticker on my 69 Gran Prix,and have some very fond memories of those days.I was saddened to here of Billy's passing.What I remember the most though,were the end of the nights when the band was breaking down all the band members would bring some equipment out to the truck BUT they had to pass the bar every time...soooo they all got to enjoy a drink or two or three with the straglers at the bar.More often then not I was always one of the straglers.And yes I always left "smellin like a brewery".That was the time we got spend some quality time with the guy's.Bill was always smiling and sweatin and genuine.He will be remembered always.