Interviews

Interviews: Nuclear Rabbit

Smother - Where did the name come about?

Stymie: Well it came from the mind of Jean Andre Baudin. Jean you can elaborate?

Jean: The original idea behind the band was the concept of blending different styles of music together in a very crazy way. I got the idea of a taking an innocent rabbit, and mixing/mutating him with different species - the imagery matched the idea behind the music. Sounds farfetched, but that's the jist of it.

Smother - I've heard that with the new material you're taking a new direction is that true?

Stymie: Yeah, we have tried to write songs that have more emotional value, rather than writing songs that are just complex parts meshed together, because you end up with a song that is neat but has no emotional staying power. We really added Jon in the band with hopes that he would sing a lot and that would add the emotion that we have been missing before. We still write with the idea of "no style" but we are looking at the whole song to see what it needs instead of just trying to write a part that is hard to play but doesn't do anything for the song.

Smother - Are you pleased with your new singer?

Stymie: Very pleased, he adds the melody and singing that this band has been missing and brings a creative energy that I have been looking for and not finding in the past.

Jean: Yeah, he doing really good.

Smother - Do you think that any of the changes you're making will isolate your fanbase?

Stymie: I think that people who liked us because we were strictly technical will find that they have to listen to the whole song to get the same feel, because we have really tried not to just play a bunch of technical riffs. I do think our new stuff has more mass appeal because we are going for an emotional sound that grabs you and makes you feel the way we did when we wrote the song. So yeah I think with every release we ever do that we will alienate some fans and grab some new fans, because people fear change.

Smother - A 9-string bass???? Are you absolutely nuts? How is the playing going? Why in the world would you decide to start playing a 9-string bass?

Jean: I'm all about challenging myself and I really wanted the extra range. Next to a piano I don't know of many instruments that have the same expanded range (maybe a harp?). I'm still fumbling, but since I'm putting tons of hours of practice on it, I'm sure I'll have it down before I realize it. There's only a few 9-string basses in the whole world, so I'm having fun discovering it's possibilites and being a pioneer of sorts. Trying to get nine fingers going at once thing. I can't say I'm playing anything truly phenomonal yet, but give me some time cause I've only had it for a couple of months.

Smother - When will the new album be officially released?

Stymie: It is an EP and we are shooting for December.

Jean: Yeah, late December if everything goes according to plan and there is no delays at the duplication plant.

Smother - As a band do you think that the internet has hurt you as far as album sales are concerned?

Stymie: Hell no! I think the Internet has created an avenue for bands like us to be heard all over the world. anyone who is scared of the internet is again scared of change.

Jean: Yeah, I think it helps getting our name out to a bunch of people. As far as mp3's go, I think if people dig our tunes enough, they'll support us and buy the actual CD.

Smother - What do you think of the current West Coast scene?

Stymie: I think it is wide open right now because all the big players have been signed and really people are waiting for someone to step up and take the top underground spot. I think we can do that after this EP is out and we play all over to promote it.

Jean: Cool shit and most of the bands we've played with are pretty down to earth.

Smother - Who if any has been your favorite band to tour with?

Stymie: We haven't had any organized tours, but we like playing with Puya and Papa Roach.

Jean: We dig playing with Juice, Papa Roach and bands that support each other.

Smother - Do you have an ideal band to play with?

Stymie: I would love to play with Soulfly or Nile but that is just me. Jean: Most any band that brings a high energy crowd is fine with me.

Smother - What's the worst review you've recieved?

Stymie: The worst reviews are always from Europe! We have had a few from over there and they just don't understand what we are doing so they say, "Rubbish pure Rubbish"

Jean: Not all of the European ones are bad... but most of them are. I think the worst ones are the ones where they just say we are a rip-off of some band. We've been excused of ripping off Korn, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More and Primus - yet none of those bands even sound alike. Doesn't make any sense, now does it?

Smother - What would be the worst experience at a Nuclear Rabbit show be?

Stymie: Our second show with Jon was pretty horrible, because some guy unplugged half of the stage and then Jason's pedal stopped working and basically anything electrical decided to not work or fuck up or whatever, we just looked like confused alzheimer patients, "Huh what why am I up here, What the hey?"

Jean: I have to agree with that one.

Smother - What's your favorite album of '99?

Stymie: I like Incubus's new one and I like Slipknot, Haven't heard Rage's new one, I really like Meshuggah but don't think that is 99. I am awaiting Nile's new one but it may be 2000 for that.

Jean: I've been picking up lots of 70's jazz and fusion CD's and classical/ethnic music the last few months so you are asking the wrong guy. I don't think I have any albums from 99 yet... although, I'll probably pick up my old teacher, Jason Becker's new CD. If I want to hear something new, I'll just stop by Stymie's - he keeps up with what's going on.

Smother - What in your opinion is the most influential band of the millienium?

Stymie: I was really never influenced by one band I like bits and pieces of many different types. I know these bands have influenced many bands we have played with: Green Day, Korn, Limp Biskit, Deftones, Faith No More, and Rage Against the Machine.

Jean: The last 1000 years?! Lynrd Skynrd. Definitely.

Smother - Are you y2k crazy? Got any bunkers?

Stymie: Nope not worried about that shit, just gonna sleep on my bank account. Jean: It's the end of the world! I'll be prepared to loot and pillage.

Smother - If you met a guy named Carbomb what would you say to him?

Stymie: You wanna come over and spin some 45's?

Jean: I'd ask for a ride and a cigarette.

Smother - What's been your saddest day?

Stymie: Of the band? Well realizing that your vision is not the same as someone else's in the band and that the person is actually holding you back. That was sad to me...

Jean: Seeing that guy Jessie on Mtv for the first time.

Smother - What would be your response if a girl came up to you and showed you her new Nuclear Rabbit tattoo? But said tattoo would be on her inner lip?

Stymie: I would say wanna see mine? I would probably have to take a picture of the inner lip one sounds cool.

Jean: I would cut it out and tape it to my forehead with some duct tape.

Smother - If for the rest of life you were only able to have sex with one person who would it be? (Yes you can say Sable)

Stymie: My wife, she is my soulmate and I crave no other.

Jean: The killer whale from Free Willy.

Smother - Do you actively participate in any nude sports?

Stymie: Nope but I saw a picture of nude skydivers and it looks like it hurts the balls and the boobies.

Jean: I like to get naked and go cardboard sliding... what the fuck kind of question is that? ;-)

Smother - Do you believe in aliens?

Stymie: Yeah I think they have already infiltrated the earth and are plotting the destruction of our entire race. Just watch the TV series 'V'

Jean: I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.

Smother - What out of your new material is your favorite song?

Stymie: I don't have a favorite yet because they all give me a different feeling and I am still getting used to them. When I play I can't hear everything that is going on, so when I listen to them off of cd, I get to hear the song in a way that I have never heard them, and right now I like all of them equally.

Jean: Little Kid Soup or Disgruntled Temp of the Apocalypse.

Smother - Can you give us a preliminary track listing?

Jean: We don't know yet... you'll have to check the site after it's mastered.

Smother - Do you have an up to date Metal Hammer subscription?

Stymie: No but I read their review and again I think they don't get it. If anyone thinks that we sit around and listen to Mr. Bungle albums and write variations of their music, you are sadly fooled. Listen to our music and tell me that there is no thought put into it or that it is just silly and well you have not listened closely. Everything can be put in a category but once you listen to it enough you will see the difference.

Smother - Would you like to add anything, give any shout-outs, tell us Jerry's final thought for the day, or dictate an after school special?

Jean: thanks J-Sin for doing the interview and all the people out there supporting us and coming to shows or out there telling their friends about us and spreading the word. If you haven't heard us, go to our site www.nuclearrabbit.com! Thanks for reading.

Stymie: Yeah I would like to say that if you are looking for music that has raw emotion and a variating vibe, check us out. If you are sick of the same old same old, then take a listen. Phat shout outs to J-Sin for helping us out, Pimprock Palace for more of the same, anyone who has supported us gets a shout out, to my homies in jail and penetentaries around the globe, my thug friends and there homies, low riders, high siders, ballin' ass pimped out OG ruthless rebels with fishnet stockings. What up HO? Still Sucka free!