El Schlong Newsletter Interview

Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?

Hmm, I think that in order to be successful overseas bands have to get out of NZ, and although I can think of many NZ bands that deserve international recognition, I can’t see many of them leaving.

Who would you most like to tour with?

Pantera.

Unfortunately that’s not possible, but hey.

What is your most embarrassing concert moment?

Having to leave mid set to go take a piss because my bladder was so full of booze I was about to explode. And another time being so rottenly drunk I played a terrible set then fell off stage and landed on my chin because I tried to save my guitar. I don’t get drunk before we play anymore.

What are you planning on doing during the next year?

We’ve just moved to Wellington from Dunedin, so we’re hoping to play as many shows in Wellington and around the North Island as possible before we go overseas. We’re also going to save as much money as we can for recording.

How did you come up with the name El Schlong?

We are named after mine and Jacobs old flatmate who was a cock. He’s actually one of our best mates, but it’s a wicked burn that he’ll never have comeback for.

What is in your CD collection at home?

It’s pretty large and extremely varied. Heaps and heaps of different metal subgenres, heaps of odd stuff like Mr Bungle and techspaz like PsyOpus, lots of groove orientated stuff like Primus, lots mellow old man hand cranking tunes, some classical, a small amount of rap like Sage Francis, and lots of grunge which me and Jacob grew up on. Our tastes are all over the place. We’re basically just music nerds.

What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?

Don’t be scared of having your own sound. If you fit neatly into a subgenre then whats the point?