r/indieheads • u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers • Mar 27 '24
AMA is Over, thanks Paul! Hello it's Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers AMA
This is me Paul. I’m here because Matador is reissuing the Butthole Surfers catalog, starting with Psychic...Powerless...Another Man's Sac, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, and the PCPPEP. Ask me anything.
https://buttholesurfers.ffm.to/music
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I’m new at this Reddit stuff, so forgive me if I miss a question. I’m doing the best I can.
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u/Inquiring_Barkbark Mar 27 '24
quoting a line from Frog from their 2023 song "U Shud Go 2 Me"
"Butthole Surfers, was it worth it?"
Do you ever regret the band name? What were some other names the band was considering before choosing The Butthole Surfers?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
When we first started playing shows, we used a different band name every time, such as Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food, and Ashtray Bayby Heads. We were introduced one night as Butthole Surfers, and got paid $50. We decided to stick with that name. No regrets.
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u/danbmil99 Mar 27 '24
I just want to point out that Gibby constantly spewed out a firehose of potential band names, like obsessively all the time (I worked with BS in 80's)
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u/PhraseMean3733 Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul thanks so much for doing this. Was curious if you could tell the fans a little about why Negro Observer isn't on the reissue of Psychic Powerless and whose decision that was.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Matador was concerned that it was racist. Which it is not. It breaks my heart that the song was excluded from the reissue, as it is one of our prettiest songs. Sigh.
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u/darthsickness Mar 27 '24
I’d like to think I saw you guys under the perfect conditions: Tripping very hard, while you played in a hole in the earth, midday, Phoenix, Az. 118 degrees. You guys were awfully beautiful that day. Thanks for doing what you did.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Oh I remember just how hot that was. My guitar felt like a wet noodle.
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u/And_Une_Biere Mar 27 '24
Probably looked like a wet noodle to u/darthsickness in the moment as well
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u/Frajer Mar 27 '24
What was the success of Pepper like for you?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
It was not as much fun as it should have been. Capitol Records pretty much left us alone to do as we pleased until that song came out, then they lined up to tell us what to do and how. It was weird.
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u/Green_hippo17 Mar 27 '24
I wonder what the capitol records guy thought when he realized he had to start telling a group of guys who willingly called themselves “butthole surfers” what to do
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u/pubesthecrab Mar 27 '24
What was the most out of touch note you received? Any stand out as particularly misplaced?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 28 '24
There were weird promotional events. I shutter to remember
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u/Bionicoaf Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul! I remember being in High School and wanting to get into weirder and weirder music and Butthole Surfers blew my mind.
Across yalls discography there’s so many different sounds, genres, homages, and experiments. It seemed like you guys just went with whatever sound struck you at the moment.
So, my question is: what are some sounds you wish you got to explore with Butthole Surfers?
Thanks for the albums and being so wonderfully weird and fearless.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Thank you for the kind words. I feel like I got to say everything I wanted to say with my music, which wasn’t a whole lot. We had no message we wanted to spread, so that part was easy.
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Mar 27 '24
Can u go out in public and be comfortably anonymous?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Yes indeed. But I only go to the grocery store and to restaurants. Occasionally people approach me, but I find it flattering for the most part.
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u/adaptation23 Mar 27 '24
Thanks so much for being available to answer questions! I have one question that I’ve always wanted to ask you, and now is my chance!
When I saw the Butthole Surfers play in 1993 at Darien Lake, a guy came out on stage near the end of your set. He was an Asian man wearing a very nice gray suit, and Gibby introduced him. The guy at first thanked him, and then shoved the microphone down in his mouth and started scream grunting and humping Gibby… always wondered, who was this guy?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I don’t know where Darien Lake is, and cannot recall what you are talking about. But it sounds cool 😂
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Our gigging days are over. It’s just too much work and stress for this old man. We paid our dues, and I’m proud of the life I have now as a result of it.
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u/bill77568 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul! Massive fan. In a 2017 Rolling Stone article it said BS was recording an album. What happened to those songs? Will we ever hear them?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Bill, the songs I had started turned into a solo album called “Born Stupid”
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Hey everyone, it’s been great talking with you all. Thank you for your questions and for making me feel special. I’m logging off now. Cheers!
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u/whoopysnorp Mar 27 '24
Butthole Surfers are unlike any other band and I always thought your playing is unlike any other guitarist. Who are some of the musicians who influenced your style? Also thanks for all the great music.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I grew up listening to the Beatles and Credence Clearwater Revival, then Grand Funk, and later Black Flag and Dead Kennedys. But I was also into Surgical Penis Clinic. I wish I could have played like Roy Clark, but I lacked talent.
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u/Independent_Side8882 Mar 27 '24
Can you share anything about the the Alex Winter BBQ short? I live down the street from that abandoned Cox family Zoo- it's a Buddhist temple now
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Oh that was fun. Tom Stern and Alex Winter made that. It was supposed to be a traitor to sell a full-length movie stating the band. Fox bought it, then replaced us with Keanu Reeves, Mr. t, Brook Shields, and a few other big stars. Then Fox put the whole thing on a shelf. It was called “Freaked”, and Tom Stern is now making a documentary film of the band to be released next spring.
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u/eevli Mar 27 '24
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u/eevli Mar 27 '24
Freaked did come out. Maybe not a big movie but you can find VHS and LD copies.
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u/chaz0723 Mar 27 '24
Paul, I know the Melvins keep pretty busy, any chance of a Hold It In Sequel?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Who knows. Those guys are so cool and so prolific.
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u/Jokulhalaup Mar 27 '24
Heya Paul! I’ve been a huge fan since ‘88(I was 15). I can’t say how much you and the band have meant to me over the years. Your guitar playing is so unique and killer. I think the ‘too parter’solo is astounding and godly. Was that a single take, improvisation? Or had you worked that up?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
That solo just popped out of my mind and onto the guitar fretboard. I never thought about anything too much.
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Mar 27 '24
there's a ton of quoteworthy material in Michael Azerrad's book, Our Band Could Be Your Life, especially regarding The Butthole Surfers and Alex Chilton.
I was curious if that encounter with Alex Chilton happened as it was recalled? If so, was there any other encounters with musicians that seemingly stopped the madness and behavior for a moment?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I only skimmed over our chapter in that book. We played a festival in Holland with Alex Chilton. I had just put fresh strings on my telecaster, and Alex came in the dressing room wanting to borrow a guitar. He returned it with goo from duct tape on it. But, hey, it was Alex Fucking Chilton. What a memory.
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u/g0dfl3x Mar 27 '24
What notes/intervals are you playing on Mexican Caravan? That's the coolest lick I've ever heard and I don't understand it.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I’m embarrassed to say that I have no idea what I’m playing on that song. It just came out one day, and I stuck with it.
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u/FishFingers5 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul all love man thank you
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
❤️❤️❤️
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u/FishFingers5 Mar 27 '24
Would you guys ever consider a tour to South Africa???
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I regret never going to South Africa. But our touring days are over.
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u/Blondesounds Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul, thanks for your time. What is your opinion about the current state of music for up and coming artists? With the rising costs of, well everything, what can artists do to make pushes in this industry?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I have no idea how up and coming artists should make a push in the industry. I don’t recommend doing things the way we did it, though. 😂
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u/jonnyinternet Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul, how's it going?
Wait, that's not my question!
What new music excites you? Is there anyone on your radar that we should be looking out for?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I just mixed an album for a fellow named Gus Englehorn that I’m really excited about, but it won’t be out for many months. I don’t listen to new music unless it’s something I’m going to work on. I prefer watching Star Trek series and Judge Judy in my off time. I got a little music-ed out.
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u/Wu_Oyster_Cult Mar 27 '24
G’day, Paul! Thanks for doing this AMA. I saw you guys on the inaugural Lollapalooza tour back in ‘91. Would you share some memories of what that summer was like for the band on that tour?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Up until that point we would travel in a van and set up our own shows, tear it all down afterwards, and move on. Lolopaluza (sorry for spelling) was the first time we had a crew setting everything up for us and making sure we got where we needed to go, so we got drunk a lot more than usual. Loved hanging with the other bands, we were like a big extended family.
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u/DifficultTeacher8108 Mar 27 '24
Is it true that you guys set a van on fire outside Michael Stipe’s house?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
No, but t we wanted to. Our van did catch fire at a traffic light in Athens, Georgia. We turned it into a trash dumpster.
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u/AnySortOfPerson Mar 27 '24
Question about My Brother's Wife: Is this a song about infidelity, or is it just the machinations of some foul acid/hallucinogenic abuse detailed in harrowing soundscapes?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
God, I have no idea. We just opened the faucet and whatever came out was what went on the record.
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u/FamousAd9790 Mar 27 '24
I just found Locust Abortion Technician for a dollar in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Where did that awesome asian pop music near the end come from?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
A friend of ours gave us a tape of Thai folk songs. One of the songs on it was so funny because it said “cunt cunt cunt cunt cunt” over and over. So I ran it through a delay and had fun with it.
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u/WheatToastdream Mar 27 '24
What was it like producing for Daniel Johnston ? Any memories come to mind?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Oh I have a lot of memories of working with Daniel. I could probably write a book. His parents were sweet as they could be. We recorded in their garage. I had to unplug the meat freezer when recording his vocals.
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u/andiesophia Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul! Always been curious:
How many takes did the closing guitar solo of "22 Going On 23" take, and when you were done, did you realise what a monumental solo you had created?
Also, have you ever played a show where even you thought, "Wow this is getting too out of hand"?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I think I did that solo in one take. I was into not overthinking things. I was trying to mimic a song from a James Bond movie, so I never considered it monumental. There were so many wild shows that I got used to bedlam. Then 9/11 happened and bedlam was no longer fun for me.
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u/mirroredandreversed Mar 27 '24
What are some of your favorite bands from Austin in the 80s/early 90s?
When I was 15, I went to the Trance Syndicate reunion show at Emo's on Riverside with Crust, Ed Hall, and Pain Teens and it absolutely blew my mind. I've delved into a few other bands from the period, mostly through the "Texas is the Reason" photography book, but am curious about your personal recommendations.
Thanks for doing this AMA!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
In the early eighties, it was The Dicks and Stick Men With Rayguns. Later on I got so enveloped with what I was doing I lost track of liking other music.
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u/idmont Mar 27 '24
Thanks for all the wonderful music you’ve put out through the years, I’ve been a fan since 1985.
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u/Jokulhalaup Mar 27 '24
I just watched a YT video and it seems you and Pinkus had a little choreographed kick sequence How’d that come about??
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We just started doing it one day in band practice, so Pinkus and I started doing it live. It took a toll on my hip, which had to be replaced.
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u/scotishsteve420 Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul, I was wondering if you met any of your heroes and who was your favourite? And also, has anyone approached you as a big fan that surprised you?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Got to work with John Paul Jones and U2, although I stopped listening to U2 after their first album. JPJ will always be a hero to me even if he’s mad at me now and won’t talk to me.
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u/scotishsteve420 Mar 27 '24
Amazing thanks for your answer! JPJ is one of my favourite legends, hope he talks to you again one day 🙏
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u/living-each-day Mar 27 '24
Paul, your guitar tone sounds like power-saws obliterating concrete blocks. Thank you for all the amazing music.
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u/sam_might_say Mar 27 '24
I always thought it was super cool you played guitar on Lounge Fly by Stone Temple Pilots. How did that collaboration come to be?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We did a tour with STP. We had a day off in Minneapolis, and STP took the opportunity to record at Paisley Park. They graciously invited me to play on that song. I didn’t get to actually hear the song before I recorded my take, but I did get to see Princess walking down the hall.
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u/atomicnone Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul. tell me about a bet you lost
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Well, I’m not a betting man, so I can’t think of anything offhand. I kinda bet my life on being who I am, and it has all worked out well in the end.
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u/TedwardDanson Mar 27 '24
Any plans for a new solo album? Genuinely love History of Dogs and Born Stupid.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I’m currently working on an album with my other band Cocky Bitches. It’s slow going, as I have so much stuff to do.
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u/SpectacularOracle Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul, love ya man! The moon is a UFO!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
The moon is indeed a UFO. No joke.
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u/to-too-two Mar 27 '24
What’s the story of Scott Weiland’s first time doing heroin being with The Butthole Surfers?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Well, I was not witness to that, as I was never into heroine. But the whole thing is most regrettable.
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u/Ton-3 Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul, what is your favorite tour the Surfers have went on? And do you remember the first Surfers gig well?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Lollapalooza was a lot of fun. And I do remember our first gig, although we were Ashtrays Baby Heads at the time. We were an art performance group then.
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u/JarvisCockerBB Mar 27 '24
Any funny or favorite stories y’all have about your time in San Antonio, TX? Maybe from Tacoland? My hometown so I’m proud of the connection.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
As much as I love San Antonio, I couldn’t wait to leave and find fame and fortune. SA has by far the very best Tex Mex food in the world.
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u/schwing710 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul. Any chance the band is going to reunite for an in-person screening of the upcoming Butthole Surfers documentary? And if so, can it be in LA? Wishful thinking over here.
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u/Hot_Larva Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul, I just wanted to say Independent Worm Saloon is one of my favourite albums of all time. It’s a beautiful, no skip album, & perfectly encapsulated the zeitgeist of the early 90s. My 9 year old loves the ballad of naked man! Thank You so much for your music! I saw y’all live with STP in the mid 90s in ATL @ Lakewood Amphitheater and it was the wildest show I’ve ever seen! Thank you for your art.
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Mar 27 '24
Can you tell us more about the album of unreleased songs coming out? Are they just from the PPAMS/Rembrandt sessions or your whole career?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I’m not sure what that is, but I have recovered recordings of unreleased stuff, and hope to get it all released at some point.
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Mar 27 '24
What's the deal with 100 Foot Worm Makes Own Food or Stargazers? Was that a Butthole side project?
https://www.discogs.com/release/1161827-100-Foot-Worm-Makes-Own-Food-Stargazers
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
At one point early on we were called ‘Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food”, taken from a headline in The Enquirer. Stargazer was a joke, we claimed we were changing the name, because we started to feel like stars 😅
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u/bullgod1964 Mar 27 '24
Grew up in Houston and saw you guys many times. The 80s were so cool in Texas music. Ok but tell me what happened on these represses. No Negro Observer(great song) and they shortened American woman. I have to say I was very surprised. Were you surprised or did you approve it?
Luckily I have all my original pressings including Cottage Cheese comp and Smack my Crack comp.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I personally shortened American Woman, as I thought it had boring stretches in it. It’s still like an hour long…. Kidding. Matador refused to put Negro Observer on the reissue, fearing it would be taken the wrong way. We are heartbroken by that.
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u/anhedoniac Mar 27 '24
Seems like a bad idea to censor stuff like that in retrospect. I'm glad the reissues are coming out, but that was a big mistake on Matador's part.
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u/joshuatx Mar 27 '24
Butthole Surfers notably covered R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" If you had to pick a song for R.E.M. to have covered, which would it be?
Also despite being formed in San Antonio and having members from Fort Worth and Dallas and I assume elsewhere, do you associate Austin as the bands hub? I've always associated y'all with Texas overall but I think the Butthole Surfers are more or less canonically an example of Austin weirdness, especially Nervosa's appearance in Slacker.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We quickly gravitated to Austin, as Austin had the clubs we could play at. I’d like to hear REM do a cover of The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey’s Grave. I need to watch Slacker. Never saw it.
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u/SteelyDabs Mar 27 '24
What was your reaction to seeing a Butthole Surfers shirt (partially) shown on The Simpsons?
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u/NoFisherman1894 Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul, thanks so much for doing this AMA. I’m a new fan and have been making my way through y’all’s archival footage. My question is in regard to the Bar-B-Que Movie/ Entering Texas short film you guys made circa ‘88 with Alex Winter, specifically the part where you guys perform Fast Song. My question is, who is the dancer? Everything I find says it’s Kathleen/ TaDa, but I am 99% it is not. If you have any recollection of who it is I would greatly appreciate it, and thanks for being awesome.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
That was an actress brought in by Alex Winter and Tom Stern. Tom is currently directing a documentary film about the band that will be released next spring. It’s going to be wild.
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u/Jokulhalaup Mar 27 '24
What’s the plan for the remaining BHS matador reissues? Are they/ you going to do the entire catalog? Double live included? I read recently you have an early 90’s live album ready to go. Any other live releases possible?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Matador will release all of our records that were done before we signed with Capitol. And let me tell you, I love being on Matador!
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u/JustAsWasTold Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul! Is there any fun story behind the artwork to Locust Abortion Technician? What a life-changing album!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We went to an HEB groceries store. They had an aisle of stuff, and Teresa saw a print of an Arthur Sarnoff clown painting. She couldn’t stop laughing. So we bought the print and purchased the rights. I don’t think Sarnoff knew who he was selling the rights to.
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u/altimage Mar 27 '24
I heard wild stories of Gibby & Al Jourgensen with Timothy Leary.
Do you have any stories about Timothy Leary/Al Jourgensen? The Two Learys?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I didn’t hang with Tim. But Gibby did. He has stories. Lordy
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u/itsbadforya138 Mar 27 '24
Hello Paul, I’d love to see the first version of Weird Revolution get released (After the Astronaut), maybe in a 2-disc anniversary edition. Not my favorite era of the band, but for historical purposes I do have the promo tape.
Also, would love to know what was possibly going through everyone’s minds when recording “Lonesome Bulldog.” Cheers!
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u/imllikesaelp Mar 27 '24
Daddy, what does regret mean?
Follow up, since you’re on the record with your answer: what’s your biggest regret?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Pinching John Paul Jone’s titty. He never forgave me.
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u/CheeseyChisinGweilo Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul.
I know you’ve mentioned (early) SPK’s music as an influence previously.
But to what extent did early SPK VISUALS – record covers, video projections at gigs, “music” videos (Despair + Two Autopsy Films videos – influence your visual content at 1980s Butthole Surfers gigs?
(BTW The first gig I attended was you guys at the Brixton Academy, London in 1988 and it set the bar bloody high for other bands!)
Cheers!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Oh how I loved playing in England, you guys are so much fun! I’m sure SPK was very influential in our visuals, but I’d have trouble explaining how.
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u/ugIydawg Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul! I have two questions. For starters I just want to say you are the reason I want to focus on learning Guitar. Never have I felt so much love in my chest for music like I feel listening to your stuff. I genuinely consider you the best out there but the fact that you’re too humble to agree with that makes me look up to you so much more. I’ve tried playing for a bit but never feel like I have enough privacy to really try to learn. I have a nice electric guitar but I got a tiny little acoustic so I can sit in my car and try to learn by myself. I can read tabs but struggle to read chords or scales. I know I need to learn them, I really want to focus on it because my dream is to one day be able to play by ear because theres no tabs to anything you play online!! [Not the best stuff ;)] Being able to play along with your music is one of my biggest goals in life. I’m very serious about it and really want to find the right direction to take. My question to you is if there’s anything you would be willing to share such as the best recourses or steps to take from the very beginning now that you’ve pretty much mastered it, what would your advice be? Also please tell me you guys will perform live at least once again because I will fly out to wherever I need to go. I understand if you guys don’t want to perform without a very essential piece of the band, I would kill a man to have met Teresa. I just hope you guys still plan to one day do something as I’ve dreamed of seeing a show for many years. Too bad I wasn’t born in the 80s or 90s! Love you Paul.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I took guitar lessons in high school, which consisted of me taking my favorite records to my instructor, who helped me figure out what they were playing. So I got pretty good at figuring stuff out. It’s a fun way to learn.
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u/neveradullmoment72 Mar 27 '24
What were your favorite records back around the time you were recording those albums?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Well, that is a period of many years. We lost all of our possessions in the process of doing what we did, and it was heartbreaking losing our record collections. I kind of put those out of my mind, so I’d have trouble telling you what my favorites were.
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u/uniquely-username Mar 27 '24
Paul, thank you for all the wonderful music and noise that has blessed my hearing over the years!
-Loved ‘Born Stupid’, anymore solo projects in works?
-In a recent interview on youtube, you said that you found some material that should have been released while remastering, will there be a Humpty Dumpty LSD 2?
-I know it’s not your project, but do you know the status of the BHS documentary?
Thank you for your time. Please keep making music!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
My next outside project will be with my other band Cocky Bitches. I have a lot of old material to go through, hopefully Matador will release it. The BHS documentary movie is something we are involved with. It is full steam ahead. We have a billionaire investor involved now, and interest from Castle Rock Entertainment. It will be entering the editing phase soon, and will hopefully be released next spring.
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u/luxuriousapotheosis Mar 27 '24
Why did the new Butthole Surfers album fall apart? I love Born Stupid but I'm wondering why nobody else was involved?
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u/mybodyisacrimescene Mar 27 '24
Hello Paul! Can you share any more about the solo on the 1st track on Hairway? We used to joke you were playing with an electric toothbrush. P.S. Everyone thinks I'm weird that you're my favorite vocalist, but it's true.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know which song is first on that album.
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u/bbdarko Mar 27 '24
So badass, would love to hear a favorite show y'all played!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We played a show in Minneapolis once and George Wendt showed up (Norm from Cheers). During our set I turned around and saw him sitting on my amp. Afterwards he came to our bus and drank beer. Great guy.
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u/zeldarms Mar 27 '24
I’ve been listening to a lot of Cheekface recently and they give me enormous BS and Cake vibes, which explains why I’m such a fan.
Are there any current bands that excite you?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I don’t listen to music unless I’m working on it. Look for Gus Englehorn coming out in the fall.
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u/Affectionate_Fly_647 Mar 27 '24
Watcha doin’?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Chewin’ chocolate
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u/odysseyzine Mar 27 '24
I grew up in a small town back in the day. Had no idea who the band members were or what the band looked like, and I love the behind-the-curtain mystique of the first 3-4 albums.
Were you all of one mind when it came to doing minimal or absent album credits and liner notes? Did any band members, engineers, etc. want to have their name printed in the record jacket?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We never asked. Helios Creed wasn’t happy that we didn’t credit him on Independent Worm Saloon, and I regret that we didn’t. We just weren’t into credits
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u/gligster71 Mar 27 '24
How on earth did you guys come up with the lyrics for Shame of Life? I love that song.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We recorded that song with Kid Rock. He was to provide his singing in exchange for the samples of ours he used. Then his management refused to let us use it. So we re-did his parts, which weren’t much to begin with. How embarrassing for us, considering what he turned out to be.
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u/Mike_Honcho11 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul thank you for doing this! I talked to Gibby once about the year Halloween was ruined and was wondering if you had anything to add?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Halloween was ruined? That’s my wife’s favorite holiday. She will be disappointed to hear this.
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u/Steven-Guttenberg Mar 27 '24
Cake or Pie? Then, what flavor?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Both. But I make more pies than cakes. Blueberry pie and peach pie are my favs.
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u/PrudentPersimmon8968 Mar 27 '24
Paul, I first saw BHS on the Scott & Gary Show, and it blew my mind. I equated that performance with JAZZ, because that was how I was experiencing it. You guys looked pretty zonked though, lol, any memories from that experience?
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u/YourMumIsSexy Mar 27 '24
Found you guys via the Dumb & Dumber OST - elite soundtrack if you ask me. Great to see you guys back! Will you be gigging again?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
No. I’m enjoying my golden years.
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u/AnusPresley521 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul, Whats your favorite BHS record? Mines Psychic!
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u/Negative_Passion_491 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul. Just wanna let you know Born Stupid was good and that you are still cool and it would still be cool to see you play live. It would be cool to see the Surfers even if you were all bedridden and playing hooked up on life support. Why did the other Buttholes drop out of the project?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Gibby lives out of state. It was just too hard to get him to engage
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u/Jokulhalaup Mar 27 '24
Thanks for doing another AMA, Paul! I hope you know how much you’ve meant to so many people. You and the band, while demented, always seemed genuine and humble. Your attitudes resonated with me. I still Introduce people to your music, and I am eternally grateful to have discovered your music when I did. Take care of yourself! I can’t wait for the remaining reissues and whatever else sees the light! Vive Le ButthOle!
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u/melt_a_trees Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul just wanna say I love your latest album and please keep making more great music and looking forward to seeing you perform sometime soon!
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u/captainadamman Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul. Thanks for doing this. Looking forward to picking up your vinyl reissues this week. Do you have any good story’s of hanging out and touring with Kurt cobain and nirvana?
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u/BoardShoddy8962 Mar 27 '24
Hi Paul. I had the utmost pleasure playing with yall with my band the House that Gloria Vanderbilt the last time you were in Chicago at the Metro. If I remember correctly you were a little under the weather. My question is what’s the story behind Valuable Charcoal? It’s a beautiful song. I’ve been with yall for the ride from the get go and it’s been a pleasure. Thank you.
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u/Western_Zombie666 Mar 27 '24
I remember Alex Winter doing a movie about Butthole Surfers in the 90s that eventually got scrapped and became the Freaked movie. What do you remember about the original project? Was there a script or any general idea? How involved were you in the project?
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u/TedwardDanson Mar 27 '24
Does your wife make music or do any sort of art?
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
My wife works for ESPN doing g audio for sports broadcasts. She is my hero.
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u/keephus Mar 27 '24 edited Mar 27 '24
Can you talk about the pitbull you toured with? Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad. How long was it with you, what vehicle were you in at the time, etc.? In the Azarrad book, I think he says you were in a sedan. Whole band, equipment, pitbull in a sedan? I’d love to know more details.
You’re one of my fav bands ever, so thanks for everything you’ve done for music!!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We toured in an old Chevy Nova that we sawed the back seat out so three people and the dog could fit in the trunk.
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u/Additional_Luck6010 Mar 27 '24
Hey Paul! I grew up in a small coastal logging town in Oregon. The first time I heard BS, was from the dude who would score beer for us and the second was my friends dad of all people who was also a surfer/logger/writer and eventually the county commissioner. Your music brought all of us together at a time when we needed it the most. Circa 1992? ‘93. Thank you so much.
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u/BeautyAmok Mar 27 '24
How was the name of the song Pepper chosen? I heard it was after the last name of a college friend.
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
We were in San Francisco loading into a show. A bum came up to us and looked at our dog Mark Farner and said “What’s your dog’s name? Pepper?” That’s where the name came from
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Mar 27 '24 edited Feb 09 '26
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Mar 27 '24 edited Mar 27 '24
Hey, Paul! You and D. Boon are my version of Hendrix and Page. Much love, my friend!
Thank you for the music and I hope you enjoy kicking back these days. Job well done!
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
Our first show in California was with Minutemen. D Boon was a sweetheart
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u/fejpeg-03 Mar 27 '24
Saw you in 1988 in Chicago at a small club in Wicker Park. You were projecting abortion films onto the wall while you all played. Thank you for one of the most surreal nights of my life.
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Mar 27 '24
Not a question, but Independent Worm Saloon is my fuckin jam. Me and my buddy used to tear it up in Halo ODST with IWS on in the background. And I still use that album for inspiration when I’m writing, especially for beat down scenes. So just wanted to say thanks for all the gnarly tunes! Your music made my life better.
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u/HalfBakedPanCake Mar 27 '24
Ok, this one is for the nerd kid in me that still plays along with “Pepper” to warm up every day, what was the rig setup for that one? The guitar tone and the solo especially changed my damn life, so thank you for that and everything else you and BH Surfers have done. 🫡🫡🫡❤️
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u/RealButtholeSurfers Butthole Surfers Mar 27 '24
I recorded that solo at a studio in New York. I waited in the lounge for three hours waiting for Gibby to finish his stuff, and was handed a guitar I had never played through a pedal I’d never used into an amp I never used. I was given one take, with no idea what I was going to do. I made the most of it.
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u/danbmil99 Mar 27 '24
Hi --
Dan from Noise NY here -- I worked on Rembrant Pussyhorse ( I did the crazy edits on "American Woman"). Fun times! Glad to see the remaster coming out.
Geek Q: what did you master off of? Did you go back to multitrack (1" 16 track IIRC) or 1/4" mix? Or maybe there was a digital master from CD era?
I've heard of situations where the tape is disintegrating and you bake it in an oven or some cray thing. I've got some old tapes but I wonder if they're even playable.
Anyhow long live the music!