Ep126: J.D. Pinkus (Butthole Surfers, Melvins, Honky)

It’s Jeff Pinkus of Butthole Surfers, Melvins, and Honky! It’s an episode of Protonic Reversal. What more do you need to know? ok, ok… Greetings protonic friends, time again for a thrilling new episode of Protonic Reversal. Today is Mr. J.D. Pinkus of Butthole Surfers fame, he also plays in the Mighty Melvins, Honky and has recently released a solo banjo record called: Keep on the Grass. Interview starts at: 14:40 Conan and Jeff talk about the following topics: -Keep on the Grass, the story behind it and the involvement of Danny Barnes (bad livers) -different sequences for different formats -the concept of the full length In general -the cassette comeback -Pinkus Abortion Technician -joining up with Buzz and Dale because of Jared’s impending fatherhood -picking BHS songs for a Melvin’s set -Paul Leary songs -the incredible depth of the Melvin’s catalog. -different lyrical approaches. -John Prine -lots of headphone listening of Chicho music -live interpretations of Melvin’s songs and arranging the songs for two basses. -playing with Steven McDonald -bringing the “creepy old man” vibe to the Melvins. -playing bass with fingers (a study in contrasts!) -using a Dark Glass amp from finland -opening for Sleep with a banjo set -432 tuning frequency -playing Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill in Melvins w/Teri Gender Bender -Daddy Longhead, Skinny Leonard, then Honky -the double edged sword of Butthole Surfers not listing credits in the records -Playing with Helios Creed on Activated Condition and the journey of making that into a record. -half machine lip moves talk -trash talk about Lenny Kravitz -On joining the Butthole Surfers and making those classic records. -drugs and cycles. -Buzz doesn’t do drugs and probably shouldn’t. -the Butthole Surfers chapter of “Our Band Could Be Your Life” is total bullshit. -working with John Paul Jones on Indepdnent Worm saloon and playing banjo on “ballad of naked men” while he plays bass! -Being a mixture of Steve Martin and Dean Martin. -banjo as a songwriting tool. -Doing covers. -Hairway to Steven, pictographs haven’t translated well for the iTunes age. -taping fire ants to cardboard and sending them to Chicago “a Texas Trip” -cockroach snuff movies with Jem Cohen -talking with Ian Mackaye about weed expenditures -Double Live BHS, a self released bootleg. -P.S.Y. -is it wrong to be weirded out by the fans of your band? -The band name Honky, and how that can (and has been) misconstrued. Different times and all.