This interview is being answered by Jesse Buglione (bass) and Chris "Leon" Rest (guitar) of the Lagwagon Rock Band, originally out of Goleta, CA (although these days we have a band majority living in, and therefore claiming, San Francisco).
Current fixations:
Moustaches. They're definitely going to make a comeback (if they haven't already by the time this gets to press). Oh, and Flogging Molly (the band, not the act of abuse).
Mind-altering work of art:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory blew my mind when I was a tot.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
When I was in fourth grade and my parents took me to see Tina Turner. For the encore, Bryan Adams came on the stage. Of course, I was much more into Bryan Adams (and no, I'm not just kissing your ass by backing a Canadian). That's when I learned all rock stars hang out together, just like I'd always assumed. I'm still waiting for the day when Lagwagon become rock stars and I can have Rob Halford, Li'l Bow Wow, and the guy from Mister Mister over for tennis and a light lunch.
What has been your career high and low?
The high was when this actually became a career and I didn't have to work at the falafel stand at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
The low was when I fell through a stage in Spain.
What should everyone shut up about?
My weight. I'm working on it, OK? It's just that my floor's too hard to do sit-ups on and there's a Burger King right down the street. Have you seen that new triple bacon burger they have? Oh, so you're perfect, now?
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Doctors Without Borders. Or SELPHSIBCS (the Society to Encourage Lodging a Philips Head Screwdriver In the Base of Cheney's Skull)
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I dislike my intensely bitter and cynical perspective on my life, my band, and everything in between. But I really like my ability to keep it to myself. Usually.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Drugs and/or facial hair. As of yet, I haven't had to deal with the facial hair part. To be honest, I don't mind facial hair in my band (or in my bed, if it's nicely groomed.)
When I think of Canada I think:
Rugby, koalas, Crocodile Dundee, and the way the water in a sink drains in the opposite direction.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Ten or twelve rock squats. In a row.
How do you spoil yourself?
Ten or twelve of the above-mentioned triple bacon burgers. In a row.
What was your most memorable day job?
I'd have to say it would be my job at the butcher, cleaning out the gut buckets. That or being tech support at an internet stripper company.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Happier. No, I would probably be a tap dancer.
What is your greatest fear?
Falling backwards.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The power to have a sense of humour that was appreciated by someone besides myself and my cat.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Anything.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
It's much safer to enjoy music while you're driving than sex while driving. However, in my mind they're pretty similar, since they're both things I've been working on for years, yet I still can't perform either one adequately.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Our drummer, Dave, yelled at Ace Frehley in a bar in San Francisco once. And I saw Tim from Avail yell at Iggy Pop. And I also got to see Shirley from Garbage yell at Fat Mike (but she was in the catering area, and he was on the stage, so he didn't get to hear it.)
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
I would like to make burritos for Sandy Duncan. And I wouldn't mention her eye, not once, because that would be bad etiquette for one hosting a dinner.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Playing in a nu metal band so I'd have enough money to buy her a house.
Current fixations:
Moustaches. They're definitely going to make a comeback (if they haven't already by the time this gets to press). Oh, and Flogging Molly (the band, not the act of abuse).
Mind-altering work of art:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory blew my mind when I was a tot.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
When I was in fourth grade and my parents took me to see Tina Turner. For the encore, Bryan Adams came on the stage. Of course, I was much more into Bryan Adams (and no, I'm not just kissing your ass by backing a Canadian). That's when I learned all rock stars hang out together, just like I'd always assumed. I'm still waiting for the day when Lagwagon become rock stars and I can have Rob Halford, Li'l Bow Wow, and the guy from Mister Mister over for tennis and a light lunch.
What has been your career high and low?
The high was when this actually became a career and I didn't have to work at the falafel stand at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
The low was when I fell through a stage in Spain.
What should everyone shut up about?
My weight. I'm working on it, OK? It's just that my floor's too hard to do sit-ups on and there's a Burger King right down the street. Have you seen that new triple bacon burger they have? Oh, so you're perfect, now?
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Doctors Without Borders. Or SELPHSIBCS (the Society to Encourage Lodging a Philips Head Screwdriver In the Base of Cheney's Skull)
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I dislike my intensely bitter and cynical perspective on my life, my band, and everything in between. But I really like my ability to keep it to myself. Usually.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Drugs and/or facial hair. As of yet, I haven't had to deal with the facial hair part. To be honest, I don't mind facial hair in my band (or in my bed, if it's nicely groomed.)
When I think of Canada I think:
Rugby, koalas, Crocodile Dundee, and the way the water in a sink drains in the opposite direction.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Ten or twelve rock squats. In a row.
How do you spoil yourself?
Ten or twelve of the above-mentioned triple bacon burgers. In a row.
What was your most memorable day job?
I'd have to say it would be my job at the butcher, cleaning out the gut buckets. That or being tech support at an internet stripper company.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Happier. No, I would probably be a tap dancer.
What is your greatest fear?
Falling backwards.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The power to have a sense of humour that was appreciated by someone besides myself and my cat.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Anything.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
It's much safer to enjoy music while you're driving than sex while driving. However, in my mind they're pretty similar, since they're both things I've been working on for years, yet I still can't perform either one adequately.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Our drummer, Dave, yelled at Ace Frehley in a bar in San Francisco once. And I saw Tim from Avail yell at Iggy Pop. And I also got to see Shirley from Garbage yell at Fat Mike (but she was in the catering area, and he was on the stage, so he didn't get to hear it.)
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
I would like to make burritos for Sandy Duncan. And I wouldn't mention her eye, not once, because that would be bad etiquette for one hosting a dinner.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Playing in a nu metal band so I'd have enough money to buy her a house.
