Interview with Zebrahead

Shit-rock is what they call it. I prefer to say that it’s a combination of energetic punk-rock with a twist of rap and hip hop. These guys from the Orange county produce just the right formula to get the audience to go wild. After being launched over the stage quite a few times it occurred to me that I found myself on a serious rock-gig. Including serious stage diving, serious moshing and not so serious rock-stars. During the interview it became obvious that Matty isn’t supposed to be taken too seriously. Don't expect to get informed about their fantastic music and interesting influences. Prepare yourself for ultimate funny answers and unbearable nasty fantasies…

Interview with Matty (guitar & vocals)
Interviewed by Pearl
Photo by kentaro kambe

Are you excited to play here tonight?

I am , absolutely!

You’ve been to Holland quite a few times right?

Yes, I can’ t tell you how many, but many.
How has 2010 been for you so far?

What month is it today? April?
It has been very good. We’ve started this tour on March 16th and it has been fantastic. We’ve started a bit of writing for the new record and other than that it has been fantastic.

How was the Punkspring festival?

It was rad. It was great, except I had to go to the doctors. I was ill, I had to get medicine and I got infusion. It was the first time I had to get infusion. But I feel a lot better now.

What do you think of the Dutch audience?

I think that they’re superior dressers and they are wild and crazy and very open to good music, they don’t throw things and they don’t spit. It’s good.

What is the difference between the Dutch audience and the American?

They throw things and they spit. It all depends, you may get one or two jerks that spit outside and I don’t like spitting. Why don’t they just swallow their own spit?

What was the first thing you did when you where in Holland?

Yesterday we flew in and the first thing I did was go to the bathroom and threw up. Other than that I’ve had some of these stroopwafels (Dutch waffles).

You didn’t go to the coffeeshop or the red light district?

No no...

What kind of rockband are you?!

I went to bed, I got the flu!

That’s too bad.

I know, but we got in really really super late and we parked right here at the venue so we didn’t have a chance. Although I think tomorrow is the only day off we have I think so then we might go down town.

What are you looking forward to the most on this tour?

I am looking forward to stroopwafels here, coffeeshops here and red light girls here.
I’m looking forward to the hotdogs and beer in Germany and then I’m looking forward to the mountains in Austria.
The ladies in Spain, I guess there would be a lady in Spain. I haven’t found her yet, but I guess there will be one. Don’t tell my wife!
In Paris I’m looking forward to the Eifel tower.
In Belgium I’m looking forward to the real waffles, these are mini waffles.
But these are way better, they are nothing compared to your stroopwafels!

What do you think of Attack! Attack!?

Cool, Attack! Attack! They’re a fantastic band, great fellas. The only problem is, they’re Welsh and I can’t understand some of them! It’s almost like the Scottish guys, but with a twist. But they’re a great band and it’s great that they’re on tour with us.

How would you describe your sound to people that don’t know you?

I would say, it is shitrock. Sure why not? Lets see, Zebrahead and shitrock go hand in hand. Absolutely. Or a cross between Jezus and Fergie singing. You know, a little bit of heaven and a little bit of hell maybe.

You’ve been in this band for quite a while, what has changed during these years?

I like to say I haven’t really changed that much. I buy a lot more videogames, I love videogames. We got customsguitars build for us by this Japanees guitar company and you will see them tonight. Plus I am able now to get a haircut every couple of months.

Last year you’ve released an album, what made you decide to do an album with covers only?

Those are all of the girls that have restraint orders against me. I have a thing for Amy Winehouse I shouldn’t have and it got out of control. She now has a restraining order. Same thing with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera. and Gwen Gwen has two ironicly enough, that why she is on there twice. Sounds like a good answer, sure it’s a great answer!

What song on that record reflects your personality the most?

I would say the Christmas song. I am jolly and holly and I’m a big fat guy.

The album is called panty raid, what is your favourite kind of panty?

Besides none, I would say a g-string.

Have you ever worn it yourself?

No

Would you ever do that?

It depends if there was three or five hot girls wearing them and they had milk and put it all over me. Not in my mouth though, cause I have a lactose intolerance. I don’t want any of that in my mouth. Then they had butterscotch and they put butterscotch on me. Then I would wear a g-string.

Besides letting hot girls sprinkle you with milk, do you have any guilty pleasures?

I love videogames, porn, more videogames and Britney Spears. I have a thing for the shaved head Britney Spears. Who doesn’t? Come on, you haven’t thought of Britney Spears with her head shaved before! Not even with that red suit she wore in Toxic?

Not really.

You seem really connected with your fans and you also answer fan-questions on your website. What is the weirdest question you’ve ever had to answer?

There is always a repeating question. There is this guy that keeps asking if I can sign his balls.

Would you?

No I won’t! My pen only touches girl private parts.

Did it ever?

Many times! So therefore if someone wants anything of their girl parts signed I would definitely do that! Tonight!

Do you have anything to say to the fans that are waiting outside?

Wait a little longer and you’ll get inside. It’s a nice day; so enjoy the day while you’re outside. We’ll see you inside and thank you very much for coming. We do appreciate every single fan in Holland. You guys have been fantastic since day one.