WASTED TIME WITH THE BLOODHOUND GANG

A couple things before you continue on with this interview. Check out the "One Fierce Beer Run" trailer (Apple QuickTime .mov file) here and feel free to click on the links as you read along. Each one is different.

Sexbagel: Did I pull you away from anything Interesting or important?

Lupus Thunder: You didn't "pull me away" from it, but I was doing some work on the Bloodhound Gang website. We're revamping a lot of things in our merchandise section and I was testing out some new layouts and graphics. Boring stuff really. So since I was getting frustrated with it, I decided to take a break and do this instead.

SB: You're not touring right now, so what does the 'Bloodhound Gang' do in their off time?

LT: We've all been up to a lot. We've been recording off and on for awhile now. I guess I've been to Philadelphia 3 times and Florida 3 times to write, rehearse and record. Jimmy Pop's working on the record constantly since he does all the programming and such. That takes a lot of the time. Let's see what else have we been up to. We finally released our DVD after 5 years. It took forever, but we're happy we took the time with it. We've also been doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff; website, merchandise, just trying to get ready to release the record and go on tour again basically. Since we control so much of what we do, we actually all work constantly on different projects that are all leading up to this next record. Personally, we've all been up to a lot as well. Enjoying life, vacations, visiting with friends and family, stuff like that. I got married since our last tour, so I've been enjoying the hell out of that (Jimmy Pop was my best man). We've all bought houses in the past two years as well, so that keeps us busy. Jimmy Pop and I have both started labels. He's released a 'HIM' record as well as an 'Isabelle's Gift' record. I'm working on releasing a record by a band called 'Powerface' from Michigan. Q-Ball and Evil Jared are busy with their side projects ('Drones' and 'Vaginal Bloodphart', respectively).

SB: What can you tell us about the upcoming new CD and when it will be available? Let's start with how you came up with the name of the thing, 'HEAVY FLOW'.

LT: I don't know where Jimmy Pop came up with the name for it. He just emailed it to me one day and I told him I thought it was funny. I don't know when the record will come out, since we're still working on it. I heard one of the songs recently that was 100% completed and I think its great, but then again, I'm a bit biased.

SB: Usually sampling, interpretations, and/or ripping off other people's songs is the bread and butter of the 'Hip-hop' Industry. Being a rock band, you tend to use the same strategy (sampling). Why is that?

LT: I guess since we came from a "synth" rock background (at least Jimmy Pop did) and our first record, 'USE YOUR FINGERS', was more rap, we've just been working to put the two together. Everyone in rock does it, just no one likes to admit to it as much as we do. Have you heard Good Charlotte's songs? (Sadly, Yes) Everyone of them reminds me of something else. (A 3rd-rate Greenday?) Good for them and all, but I'm not a fan.

SB: You have a nice portfolio of cover songs ('Kids in America', 'Kids Inc. Theme', 'Along Comes Mary', 'It's Tricky'). Any surprises for the new CD?

LT: So far, we have no plans for a cover song. I think we'll probably add some more of the cover stuff to our live show to spice things up a bit. We do it already, but I think people will see even more of it live on the next tour.

SB: Say a ton of money is thrown at you to compromise your artistic integrity. Will you do another song for a motion picture soundtrack? Ya know, since you've contributed to such 'Oscar' contenders as 'Half Baked', 'Scary Movie' and 'Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back'?

LT: Other than Half Baked, all those songs already existed. We wrote The Inevitable Return Of The Great White Dope ('Scary Movie') for 'Hooray For Boobies' and Jackass ('Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back') was written for 'Jackass: The Movie'. We wanted it to be on the Jackass soundtrack since all of us were fans, but things didn't work out. Half Baked...well I have no excuse for that one. Its funny cause the song became so big in Germany that we are forced to play it live all the time. To answer your question though....how much you got?

SB: Hmm, I have some old Mc Donald's Monopoly pieces for free small orange drinks? Ok, enough about your artistic achievements, tell us about what's making your rent right now, 'ONE FIERCE BEER RUN'.

LT: I don't know if its paying the rent just yet. We haven't seen any of the cash for it, so I'm not even sure if its paid off its own debts yet. That thing was the biggest time consumer ever I think. It might have even beat out Apocalypse Now in terms of time spent on getting it all finished. We had every problem conceivable with the making of that DVD. It got so bad that we wound up doing the authoring ourselves because no one wanted to do it. Bastards. I love the DVD though. Some people say its not enough live video and its all shot of Hi-8. I say its an awesome look at what bands do when they're bored. Its a great look into the boring world of tour buses and backstage. Most bands are like us, most bands just would never show themselves in the same light as we do. I mean can you imagine seeing Mick Jagger puke like I do?

SB: I notice a lot of male crew members (mostly being abused). Where are the band whores? The massage girls who give happy endings? Hell, even a hot autistic girl for body shots! Where is the equal opportunity for mistreatment of females?

LT: Evil Jared will solve all your problems on the next video (Hooray For Groupies). I promise (We can only hope Evil Jared lives up to this pressure.)

SB: When can we expect 'Horray For Groupies' and what can we do to speed up the process. I'd like to help prevent a shortage of spanking material.

LT: Anyone can go through our website's 'Hooray For Groupies Hunt For The Mostly Wanted' section. The quicker we get those signed release forms, the better. (You heard the man! Everyone get moving! Find these bitches!)

SB: What was it like having myself on the DVD? (Where Jim is recording a message about rubbing his MOM around in sausages)

LT: Its weird cause I remember that day really well and that interview. You and I have spoken every once in awhile over the years and I still always picture you exactly the same as if right now that guy on the DVD is reading this email. Weird. I can remember Jim's mom slapping him. So years later, when we were working on putting the DVD together and I saw that footage, I laughed, cause I knew what was coming. You are a pretty "old school" fan, so you deserve to be on that tape.

SB: Damn right! I'm from back in the day when you had the free Earthlink website with a annoying blue background and the member lineup was still playing musical chairs. If that was considered your best material, what DIDN'T make it on the DVD?

LT: A lot of reading the newspaper, picking our noses, playing video games, and stopping at many more Waffle Houses than you can imagine. (Ah yes, the 'Waffle House' songs in the jukebox. Many a road trip listening to those annoying tunes)

SB: What is considered bad taste? What wont the 'Bloodhound Gang' do?

LT: Jimmy Pop and I always talk about this. Our answer...we can't come up with anything. I'm sure there's something, but we just haven't found it yet.

SB: While touring, who were the best bands you've played with and who in the music industry needs to be given a case of the SARS?

LT: Best bands are easy: A, Caviar, Nerf Herder, and Metallica. I said it earlier, but I can't stand Good Charlotte. (Who Can). I took my niece (Hey, Girls don't like boys! Girls like cars and money) to see them and I hated it. I'm sure if I met them I'd like them all as guys to hang out with, but their music just doesn't do it for me.

SB: So how have your contributions to national security and the fight against terrorism been going (i.e. The new B.H.G. 'READY WEAR')

LT: They're some of our best sellers. I don't think we're going to restock them though, cause its more fun for people to have shirts that aren't available anymore. You know, the whole collector's value kind of thing.

SB: Hypothetical situation #1: Your record label requires you to collaborate with another washed up rapper/singer. Who do you turn to? Hammer? Snow? Sagat? Young Black Teenagers? Sir Mix-A-Lot? Young MC? MC 900ft Jesus? Skee-Lo? Biz Markie? Kid N Play? Tigra & Bunny? Positive K? There certainly isn't a shortage. Or do you have someone standing by.

(Yes, That's Vanilla Ice)

LT: I'd vote for Skee-Lo. I was just at Venice Beach recently and heard him on the radio. Talk about a blast from the past. We actually met him and hung out with once (during Use Your Fingers) when we did a show with him. He was a really cool guy. Would love to know what he's doing these days. (Apparently nothing, since his website doesn't exist anymore. My guess? Working a job that involves serving food, fast.)

SB: Hypothetical situation #2: Bloodhound Gang is playing a small New England club in front of roughly 300 people. Prior to the show, one of the promoters/club owners suggests lighting off a ten foot-tall sparkler before you hit the tiny stage. What's your response? (ala Steve C)

LT: I love pyrotechnics, so I'd probably say, let's rock and cross my fingers as I went on stage. I'd hate to be the one who was wrong though. (eh, not the type of answer I was hoping for, but still a valid response)

SB: Being from Long Island myself, and B.H.G. from Philly, we share a common bond. We don't like New Jersey. Why is that?

LT: States always hate the neighboring state. Countries do it too. The US hates Canada. The English hate the French. The Germans hate the French. The Dutch hate the Germans. Come to think of it a lot of the world hates either Germany or France. (Or New Jersey)

* Photos courtesy of the Bloodhound Gang