J&M: Your previous record was entitled Howl. In what way do you relate to Allen Ginsberg? BRMC: I don’t really relate to him. The title was taken directly from that [poem], but we just wanted to remind people that words matter and there can be poetry in rock ‘n roll, and that’s a good thing. It’s surprising how many people got into it and started talking about those writers again. It was the anniversary of Howl’s first reading right after we released the record and that was cool. I feel like it came first, but then people started remembering those writers. It was a beautiful time and you wish there was more of that spirit around. J&M: So you wish you were alive in the ‘60s? BRMC: No, actually. I’ve realized it’s more important to be a band right now because there were good artists and writers and culture coming out in the ‘60s. It was coming out of the woodwork and they didn’t need anymore. These days we need a lot more than what’s going on. So, if the Delorean showed up today (laughs) to take me back I don’t think I’d go, because these days you need all the help you can get to help people stay conscious and stay in tune.
people are kind of asleep at the wheel. That may be their choice, but it affects everything. It affects music and affects every possible type of art. It’s the whole thing with focusing on the war—the war isn’t the problem—it’s a byproduct of our times, and if the war were to go away, or never have happened, we would still be just as bad off, because we’re ignorant, triggerhappy, and unconscious as a people, so that affects art and music. J&M: If you guys were koala bears, would you still do so much cocaine? BRMC: I’ve only done cocaine once, and if I were a koala bear, I guess things would be kind of the same. I’ve got a question for you: Would you rather be the last person alive or die in the apocalypse?
“In an alternate UnIverSe there’S J&M: Are you asking me? I’d rather a faScISt SKInhead not be here. gang rUnnIng aroUnd BRMC: You’d rather go out with on ScooterS everybody? Probably maKIng J&M: Probably. Some really BRMC: I thought of 70 questions like IntereStIng these on an airplane once. Would you rather be shot or stabbed? mUSIc.”
J&M: Were you this dark as a child? BRMC: I hope not. I hope there was some good going on for a while. It’s the contrast that makes it worth it.
J&M: I have a huge fear of getting shot in the back of the head, so probably stabbed. BRMC: Airplane crash or gas chamber?
J&M: As a result of a lot of people stroking musicians’ egos without pressing them hard enough, do you think that music has fallen because it’s not taken as seriously as other art forms where people are pushing and creating new forms? BRMC: It’s just right now the times we live in that
J&M: I’m Jewish, so gas chamber’s no good. I’ll go with airplane crash. BRMC: Would you rather be brilliant like Einstein or enlightened like the Dali Lama? J&M: I’ve given up on spirituality.
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