Howdy Jason! Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me, although you are very busy at the moment. I am aware that people know exactly who you are, but you might want to introduce yourself in your own words.

Thank you for even having an interest in wanting me to be a part of this. Hmm. Well I believe you when people say they know me. I go by many names. I’ve been around for a long, long year. I was ‘round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain. There are pictures. Search online and you’ll see me at work way back then. Seriously do a search and you’ll see me.

I will do, I promise! 🙂

My real (well name birth name) is Jason Ramer. But the lovely fans/friends from Ghost know me by Billy Vanilla or Sasquatch. Hell. I’ve been called many names and pretty much respond to most. Even Asshole many a time.

 I have earned the title of Merch Overlord in my times traveling through time. Always slinging the Swag to all the species of the universe. We all love music as it’s the universal language.

It definitely is! Can you reveal how it happened that you work for Ghost?

Well. I work for a merch company based in London. My boss called me while I was on tour with Mastodon and said I’m heading out with “Ghost” after the tour was done. I laughed and said “Who is that?” I asked if there would be some paranormal activity as I was down for that. After we both laughed, I said ok and really never heard of them so called a friend who works with Metal Hammer in London and she said I was a “Fucking idiot” but that I would enjoy them. That’s how it happened. Well. That’s as much as I’m willing to say.

That is more than fine and I really appreciate your explanations.

You have been around for quite a long time. How long have you been supporting Ghost on their tours?

I started back in 2012/2013. I was with another band and when we crossed paths on festivals and parties. I was helping out as our company has a butt ton of groups we work with and I help when asked for other bands. Plus, I had a friend or 2 already with Ghost so we were always intermingling in some demonic orgy kind of way.

That sounds like a lot of fun. 🙂

I know that you organize the merchandise booth, guard the glass coffins (at least when the veneration of relics still existed), calm excited fans before M&Gs (me) and take care for cute dogs like lovely Tami during the concerts.  Do you have more responsibilities?

HAHA. That is one of the funniest things people think about me with the coffins and M&G. That is actually run by Nik back in the day then Shane. We were like the 3 stooges and never far apart from each other. We always helped each other out.

When Nik came to work with merch Shane ran the MnG’s and relics I would tag along and fuck with him when he spoke to people so I could get him to get embarrassed or mess something up. I’d ask fans to speak Navajo to him as I would tell them words in Navajo (Shane is part Navajo Indian) but I think they didn’t cause they thought I was saying something bad. Never was.

But yes. I handled all the merch for the tour, making sure the people selling had all the inventory needed, displayed the right way, wore Ghost stuff, and always was around to help out. I also controlled the semi (lori) truck with keeping everything itemized and stocked on the tour with the main office each day. Handled all the monies from the night. Providing bank info and all VAT’s needed for each country. I never take cash from a show. Bank that shit. I am also an accountant so that comes in handy on tour.

Let’s face it. Merch pays for everything as no band can operate nowadays just on record sales. Every band needs a good merch person, and merch, who is very quick on their feet with any/and all situations that pop up. And they all do. Support the bands you love please. Especially if you wanna see my sexy ass around HAHA.

I can’t miss that. I will place an order in the official Ghost Shop immediately. 😉

What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you like less?

The best. I get to see so many great friends and wonderful cities and countries that I now can walk around and know where I am going. I love getting lost to find my way back to the hotel. Over the years with Ghost, I have made so many wonderful friends and had many a great time with them. It truly makes my day when I see a familiar face and lifts my mood instantly. XOXO

The worst. Well honestly each day is about 16-18 hrs. long and that takes a toll on you mentally and physically after a few months on tour. But the bunks in the tour busses are literally the size of a coffin (for most haha) so I am not a fan of them because I’m 2.03m tall and don’t fit. Only a couple bus companies have a couple bunks that I can fit in. 

Honestly, when you saw the Cardinal Copia Plushie, what was your first thought?  🙂

We a have an office in LA and I was there looking at all the merch for the tour and I laughed and said Mr. Potato Head is gonna be pissed! HAHAH. But when the actual item came in on the first show in Riverside California. I was with The Cardinal and we talked about them for a few minutes. But that is a private conversation.

It is totally understandable that you cannot talk about every detail. I am absolutely grateful for the little insights you give us. I am so curious: What is it like to be on tour for months? Do you have any tricks to make travelling more pleasant?

Well I wish a tour was months. This last one was almost 18 months. There were breaks in between but I would head right back out with other bands and then back to Ghost when we started back up again. But I love it.

I use to get through by massive amounts of cocaine, drugs, and booze. Numb the pain and try to remember things the following year. But nowadays I know how to enjoy my private time away from the crew and band members. You have to find that serenity in the mouth of madness each day.  

For me. I fell back in love with disappearing into the city we were in and hunting for obscure things like rare books and antique stores (I LOVE THEM) always have. But I enjoy history of a city and will just walk around and just see where I end up.

That helps on long ass tours. You just have to step away and take a breath and not find the pub that all the crew are at getting hammered.

I am happy to hear you find a good way to stay in balance during an exhausting tour. Have you supported other bands on tours and which ones?

Many Many Many bands: Here are a few of them but I quite counting as after so many years I really like sticking with one band.

Rolling Stones, Madonna, Sting, Rob Zombie, Metallica, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Wu Tang, U2, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Karnivool, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, TSO, Alice in Chains, Motorhead (XOXO), Roger Waters, HIM, Mastodon, and many more.

That is really impressive! What do you do when you are not on tour? Do you have any hobbies? I saw you like cycling?

Hobbies: I do have a few. It helps with decompressing from a tour when it ends. I do love a good walk, riding my bike, painting, writing, collecting extremely old books, photography, collecting art and amazing posters. Shit I should stop there. I don’t wanna sound like a smart ass or anything HAHAH.

How do you feel, when you come home from a long tour? I guess you are first of all happy to have some time to recover and to relax. But do you also start missing your team whom you spent every day with? Is there such a thing as homesickness or better “ tour“sickness? Do you guys still keep in touch in the tour-free time?

Well, when I come off a long tour it takes about a week to finish all the end of tour merch stuff. Then I collapse and sleep for a long time if I know I’m taking a break. It honestly depends on what tour I’m on and who I’m with. I’ve done tours where I fucking hated about 99% of everyone and when it was over I walk away and hope I never tour with them again. I’ve also had a few surgeries after tours to fix what breaks on tour as there’s no time to fix yourself then. Then I relax.

But with Ghost. It’s a different story. Not only do I miss those fuckers. We have a lovely group chat that we all talk in about every day. I am personal friends with everyone and video chat, talk, see personally (social distanced of course), and mail postcards to all the time. They are my family and as much as we fight like normal families, I love them. Well almost all of them HAHAH!

Yes. Tour sickness is a real thing. Since anyone who tours will tell you that most of all the people we know are touring people. Like-minded people tend to stay together and with no touring, we are essentially lost as we can’t be around our friends and feed off each other like we normally do on tour. It’s not easy but we manage. I’m thankful for technology.

That sounds lovely and your words are really touching. A big Ghost family!

If I am right you are currently living in Las Vegas and England? Do you frequently commute back and forth?

I actually live in England. I spend a lot of time here in Vegas when time allows as my parents live here as they retired here. Time is the one thing you never get back so I want as much of it as I can get nowadays. I am English/America as my mum and all the family are born there so I tend to enjoy all my family in England, Scotland, and the EU.

You once mentioned to me that you lived in Germany for some time. As a German I wonder: Just…. why? 😉

Why. That’s easy. I was born in Germany. I was born in West Germany, Wiesbaden. My father was military so I was born there and grew up there and all over the EU. Even remember going to the Wall before it was taken down. Those things you don’t forget.

Do you speak German?          

Ja. Ich spreche Deutsch. Es ist schwer, Deutsch zu sprechen, wenn es niemand in deiner Nähe tut. Aber ich gebe mein Bestes.

(“Yes. I do speak German. But it is difficult to speak German, when there is no one else you can talk to. But I try my best.”)

Next time we meet I would love to talk in German with you.

Why did you choose the nickname „Billy Vanilla“? Is there a thrilling story behind it?

Oh the story. I have told it a few times. It is honestly too long to tell here but it started when I used to do Radio when I was in university as my friend did an overnight show so I’d come in and work on voices on air to fuck with people.

But Billy Vanilla. Well that started a few weeks into working with Ghost with my voice. It all came to point on a flight from Norway to Istanbul. But that’s as far as I will go here. But I can thank Papa II for the Billy Vanilla name. All great times and fun.

Your favourite band is Ghost of course, haha! 😉 What other artists or bands do you like?

Funny thing. Ghost isn’t my favourite band. DON’T KILL ME PEOPLE!!!

The Doors, Jim Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and then it goes into Metal bands. Of course Ghost is in there (top 10) but honestly, and this is the truth, I do not listen to Ghost much at all. Please understand that working with such a great band I get to hear them every show night. I’ve heard them about 800 times in all the years I’ve been with them. One of the last tours was over 235 shows so they add up quickly. But every show I’ve ever done I have heard/seen them.

My parents made sure my brother and I had an endless supply of music to listen to so I love music. I’m honestly listening to the Rolling Stones while writing this. I LOVE all music. Well. I liked rap till I heard it. Haha. So many good bands out there.

And now something on my personal matter: Where can I send my documents to apply to the job as your assistant at the merchandise booth? I actually have some experience in this. 😉

In this business it is all referrals and word of mouth. I use to, and still do at times, have my friends sell with me. It’s a lot as you know to handle and when someone becomes good they are not forgotten and their name is saved and passed on to the office or other merch people to make sure that you are there to help out cause it’s all about building that with rapport with people.

It really is mostly reputation of how much you can kick ass.

Jason, again, “vielen Dank” for taking your time. It was really fun to create this interview with you. And thank you for your patience with me.

Hope I will see you on the next tour of Ghost again. Until then I wish you all the best, take care and stay safe! 🙂