Were you in any other bands prior to Trainwreck and Tenacious D?
Well not officially like that, I did a lot of music for the theater. I was in the Actor’s Gang Theatre and various other endeavors. I wrote a musical and did music for a few others. They were like little pit orchestras, not really official bands.
What were your impressions of JR when you first met?
He was kind of an opportunistic, ambitious jock. He kind of seemed like he had sort of a wild streak, but he also seemed very affable, a very nice guy.
What was behind you guys deciding to name the band Trainwreck?
Uh… me naming it basically. I mean it seemed like a crazy idea, it seemed like a train wreck at the time. I was kind of thinking; well it’s just for fun and we’ll see what happens.
Now you taught Jack Black how to play guitar, have you taken JR under your wing as well?
JR was a lost cause, he fancied himself a bass player for about five minutes. That was the actual Trainwreck; JR on bass. But he’s got some cha-risma and the ladies like him, so I’ll just put him up front and he’ll be my puppet… he will be my sex puppet!
What’s it been like starting a new band… do you feel like you’ve had to pay your dues all over again?
No, not at all, it’s been a lot easier. You come in with a little name recognition and people give you more of a chance I think. But it’s been a lot of fun, you sorta have to start near the bottom and play small clubs and I enjoy that.
It seems your fellow Tenacious D band mate Jack Black has been very supportive of the Wreck, did he initially harbor any anti-side-project sentiments?
No, no, no… no, I mean he keeps really busy too, so I think he understands that it’s fun to work and do different things, so you know it’s not a big deal.
Now this is kind of a rumor, but is it true that you’ve decided to give up smoking pot?
Yes, it is true. As of now, I have not been able to succeed, but I am in the process. |
