Spheremag.co.uk interviews Piggy D
Interviews - Five Minutes With…
Written by Dom Smith
Wednesday, 13 October 2010 10:53
It was recently announced that alternative music and horror movie icon Rob Zombie would be bringing his band, an epic freakshow and some anthemic tunes to the UK on tour in February of next year. Naturally, we were excited and so, thought that it might be a good time to get word from inside the Zombie camp and decided to pull out bassist Piggy D to chat with us about what inspired the band’s forthcoming invasion of our shores after Rob’s 12-year absence. We also find out more about the overall mood in the band as they look forward and some of the inspiration behind Piggy’s solo work.
“On tour, I get to be a monster every night!”
S] What are you looking forward to about touring the UK with Rob Zombie?
PD] Oh my God! You have no idea. It’s been like 12 years for Rob Zombie, and five for me. I haven’t been back since I joined this band. My previous ones, Wednesday 13 and Amen spent so much time there. I have so many people I miss there. I think the UK is so much more receptive anything art related. I can’t wait to bring this show over there.
S] What was the mood like in the band when you found out about the dates?
PD] Pure excitement really. I had been saying to the band for the last five years that we should do it, and now it’s happening. We are all very excited.
S] Is there as song that means the most to you to play out live – or is the most fun?
PD] I used to love playing ‘Feel So Numb’ live. We have since retired that one. Now the favourite is ‘Pussy Liquor’ – that song is pure sex. The audience is just on the edge of fu**ing each other when we play that one I think. It’s all vibe out there. [laughs]
S] What can UK fans expect from the Zombie live show – any surprises?
PD] We would love to bring the entire production over. I’m not really sure how many bands can do that, or even have the show to bring. Our show is high energy and party-like with all the bells and whistles. The pyro, video and monsters just send it over the edge.
S] What’s the best thing about being a part of Rob Zombie’s band in contrast to working on your solo stuff?
PD] The band is so chilled. Everybody gets along so well, that touring together for long periods of time is so easy. There is nothing theatrical about that at all. I have the best of both worlds really. I get to be a monster on stage every night, but solo, I am a completely different person. There are things I do with Zombie, that I would never do on stage if was by myself, but it’s a part of me that I get to express. That kinda rules.
S] How is the inspiration different for you when working solo in contrast to working on Zombie stuff?
PD] Musically, Rob’s band is so different than anything I have ever done on my own. I come from a similar musical background to Rob, we like a lot of the same stuff. But there are also entire genres of music that I really love, that no one else really does. Needless to say, my iPod stays out of the dressing room rotation. [laughs] My solo stuff allows me to just be… me. I love artists like Bob Mould, and The Replacements. I also love ‘girly’ pop stuff. I write that in my down time as well. I also love country music. I explore all of these styles outside of the RZ band but I love nothing more than playing the classic Zombie tunes on stage. It’s such a release to be a part of this music on stage.
S] Can you tell us about some of your best experiences working on the latest Zombie record, ‘Hellbilly Deluxe 2′?
PD] It was really cool, and something I haven’t done before. Everyone in the band was there everyday, regardless of what was going on. We tracked it live together, so it has a real organic feel. It was a long process of really just jamming out ideas. So fun and chilled. I think the end result really sounds like a band that knows each other musically.
S] What’s the dynamic like in the band at the moment – you’ve worked with everyone separately on their own projects, so what’s it like working together in the studio with John 5, Joey Jordison and Rob, being on tour?
PD] We have so much fun. We really enjoy being around each other and being creative. It can be so hard to find people that feel as passionately as you do. I think we found that with this line-up. We don’t have to think about making the music or performing, we just do it.
S] There are dates in cities like Leeds and Birmingham on this tour – was it a conscious decision to cover all of the UK instead of just covering the main tour stops like London and Manchester?
PD] Yes. We really wanted to spend some time over there, not just do London and go home. People have waited so long, it seemed like the least we could do. Next time, I imagine we will stay longer. I’d love to do Ireland.
Read the full interview here: http://www.spheremag.co.uk/interviews/59-five-minutes-with/1661-interview-piggy-d-rob-zombie
* Thanks to Michelle Kerr @ Roadrunner.
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