Bad Wizard
 

Sometimes I get the feeling that rock n' roll-as a genre, concept, idea, notion, or even simply a phrase-has long since past its expiration date. The term, so wasted through the years on artists who hardly invoked its primal definition (over-indulgence, screaming guitars, under-complicated lyrics, etc.), has run its course. Deal with it, people. Rock n' roll is dead.

But, upon closer inspection, while the term is utterly meaningless, there are bands that still aspire to find the cohesion, chaos, and incongruent symmetry of the rock n' roll bands of old. Many fail. The hideous pop-punk revival, evident around all corners these days it seems, glorifies a lifestyle so overwrought with fakery: bands coming from upper-class suburban neighborhoods, bitching about teen angst issues when they haven't so much as paid a month's rent.

But through all of this contrived bullshit, lie several bands that mercilessly play music, loud and proud. And though the process makes one cynical quite easily (the fine line between honest, hard-working rock and the poseur-ish type of sound can be almost indistinguishable), I now know of only one band that really embodies what rock used to be. You want rock n' roll Q&A like it used to be? Enter Bad Wizard.

Interview with
Bad Wizard

First off, who is the Bad Wizard or what is a Bad Wizard? I assume that this influence is male-based. If it were female based would you be called Bad Sorceress?

It is male based in that it is kinda retarded, but of course we have Tina in the band. And she's not retarded. We are named after a mispronounciation of a beer... Budweiser.

It seems Bad Wizard's sound is a progression from bands in the past like the MC5 - complete with subtle mixing and keyboards and such. Do you agree? Do you identify with key influences or are your influences or interests more loosely based? What current bands do you both identify with on a musical level and what bands do you simply enjoy listening to or seeing?

We listen to the Jerry and the Dead almost exclusively at the moment... Tina's on the Allmans... Jon is Truman's Water... Kurt is Cinderella... and Eddie is a Rainbow.

What has being based in New York City for the last several years lent to your band in terms of its experiences, influences, and sound? What advantages does it provide over previous cities that Bad Wizard had based itself in? (Athens, etc...)

Advantages - Stores are open late and people are better looking. Disadvantages - Roomates OD'ing. Insane rents. Crappy bands. Sidewasy haircuts. Hot in the summer. Cold in the winter.

Bad Wizard's newest recording "Sky High," sounds very polished and slightly more complex. Was there a conscious effort to accomplish that more refined sound or do you feel it is a natural progression for a band that has been together for a while like yourselves?

We had a different producer on this album, Jennifer Herrema from RTX. We trusted her completely in the studio -- so this record has a new feel for us. Which is why you work with a producer in the first place, right?

What is next for Bad Wizard? Any upcoming tours to speak of?

We're going down to SXSW with Rye Coalition. Then we have a couple of shows with The Datsuns. We will tour a lot around Sky High. And go everywhere that will have us.

Let's talk about touring. How much do you guys like to travel? Do you like to try to extend yourself to tour internationally or do you prefer to stay on home soil? Bad Wizard seems as though they would indulge a bit on tour? True? Does playing live gigs make you more susceptible to going crazy in terms of partying and such?

We love to travle around the earth, which is our home soil... We indulge at all times. Touring makes it hurt worse.

What is the current state of music in general in your opinion? What is good and what is not?

I can't comment on what is bad. I like Black Mountain, RTX, Tricky Woo, Oneida, Cheeseburger, The Witnesses, Miguel Mendez, Neil Haggerty, Et Al.

What influences do you guys draw on outside of the music canon? Are there films, books, or any other creative medium that fuels your desire to make the music that you do?

Of course. I'm into Phillip K. Dick, J.G. Ballard, Studs Turkel, Stanley Booth, Leroi Jones, Robert Bingham, and Gore Vidal. For movies there is Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Liz Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, plus anything with Henry Fonda. Also all Capra, "Lost Horizon."

Many generalizations have been made about bands; most often the bands themselves never get to have a say in what is said. I ask you this... if you were to describe yourselves or classify the music, what would be said in your words about Bad Wizard?

Bad Wizard loves to play. We are not snobs. Come one, come all.

Credits
 

Interview
Ryan Miller

Visit Bad Wizard
at Howler Records
[External website,
leaving Velle]

Visit Bad Wizard
at Teepee Records
[External website,
leaving Velle]