Longevity of a career is always the best reward for any musician.
Most of them if they're lucky become a 1 hit wonder and fade away into the background settling into a mundane life as a goat roper somewhere in Montana. Then there are those lucky few who's career seems to last forever. Bands and musicians who's legacy lasts the test of time, bands like The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Jeff Dahl.
Jeff Who?
Jeff Dahl that's who! Jeff is one of those musicians who is lucky enough to have a colorful career that seems to know no end. As if being a part of bands like Powertrip and The Angry Samoans weren't enough, the King himself has had quite the run as a solo artist. Anyone who can release over 20 albums in a lifetime is impressive, but anyone who can do that in two short decades deserves to be called the King of something!
So without further delay, we're proud to present you with our feature, DDay's conversation with the King of Punk!
DDAY: How do you feel about the current state of bubblegum punk-pop?
The King: In Phoenix there really is no 'Bubblegum punk-pop' scene so it's hard for me to applaud or condemn it. The whole label and genre thing doesn't really mean too much to me. If something is good, then it's good. Though I suspect my old Raspberries and Sweet albums are better than any of the new crop or pretenders.
DDAY: Do you find that being a Street Walking Reptile interferes with your being The King of Punk?
The King: You mean Street Fighting Reptile. Nah, it's all cool. The more 'titles' bestowed upon yourself the better.
DDAY: Why do you have a guy taking a dump in the middle of your STR album cover? [See above photo for your proof!]
The King: You'd have to ask the artist, King Velveeda, who is currently being sued by Kraft Foods because they consider his name a copyright infringement. But I do think I've seen that guy (on the cover) at one of my shows before. However in a somewhat related incident, the last time I played in San Francisco a bum did ask me for 50 cents so he could take a shit! Apparently the gas station across the street would not let him crap in their facilities unless he pony’ed up 50 cents. I gave him a buck. I dunno if his story was true but was worth a dollar. Art imitates life?
DDAY: Should Ozzy be allowed to ride an ATV ever again?
The King: Absolutely, if you get thrown off a horse you dust yourself
off and get right back on. I don't know Sharon will ever allow him to
though.
DDAY: Are you ever gonna tour the East Coast?
The King: I've toured there many times dating back to 1981 and the
last time was 2 years ago! No immediate plan to be out there but I'm sure I'll make it out again.
DDAY: If a bus leaves Chicago at 60 mph, heading southwest with a cross breeze of 12mph, how much cocaine can Scott Wieland do before reaching Memphis?
The King: Geeze, I didn't know there'd be a math test! All of Bolivia and half of Columbia. That boy does have an appetite for the white stuff, huh?
DDAY: Do you have an Official King of Punk Web Page after answering these questions?
The King: Sure, you've got my blessings. I'm honored!
DDay: When will your new album be out?
The King: We're finishing up recording over January
so I'd expect it to be out some time in the late spring
or early summer. We've got to record a split CD for
Sweden as soon as we finish this stuff too. No rest
for the wicked!
So there you have it good people! The man, the
myth, the King of Punk! This guy is so cool he not
only took time out from working on his current
album to talk to us, he gives spare change to
homeless guys so they can shit in private, and he'd
let Ozzy ride an ATV again.
And a special thanks go out to Jeff for taking the time to talk with a bunch of freaks like us!
All photo's courtesy of Jeff's homepage. Thanks.
