PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
.@louelladeville_ @planetmosh interview with Spunk Volcano and Weab.I.Am from .@dirtboxdisco
I caught up with Spunk Volcano and Weab.I.Am from Dirt Box Disco to find out what’s been happening to Dirt Box Disco and Spunk Volcano and the Eruptions this year and find out what they are planning to do at Rebellion Festival this year.
For those at Rebellion. Hope you enjoyed a bit of Spunk yesterday and make sure you’re ‘getting wasted’ at Dirt Box Disco tomorrow!
Since we last spoke your song ‘Freaks’ was used in a Rimmel advert. How did that come about?
Spunk – I don’t’ know who found it or how they found it but they contacted Stu (Taylor) at STP (Records) and it was done that way. I don’t know any other details apart from that. They used it. Paid us $4 million and that was it.
$4 million! That’s cool but you shouldn’t be playing Barnsley if you’ve earned that sort of money!
Spunk – I gave it all to charity (laughs)
You said earlier (on stage) that you’ve not played Barnsley before. I was born just across the road in the hospital so I know it (Barnsley) but I’ve not been to this venue before. What did you think of it?
Weab – Absolutely amazing! One of the best small venues we’ve played isn’t it? (To Spunk)
Spunk – Yep.
I thought it was a similar size to the Star and Garter (Manchester)
Both – Yep
Weab – It’s the kind of venue we like. Close. Small. In your face, shouting and singing (referring to the crowd)
Spunk – It’s one of the best small venues we’ve done. I think. Especially in a small place. Really good response I thought. What did you think? (to me)
I thought it was really good. I like the venue, although not been to this particular one before.
Spunk – It’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Good folk. Got looked after. Brilliant. Really good.
So you’ve enjoyed it and you’ll come back to Barnsley?
Weab – We’d come back tomorrow. It’s great.
Spunk – If they pay us 6 grand – yeah! Ha ha ha.
I’m not sure they can afford that. You might get £60!
Spunk – £6
Petrol home and a chip butty – if you’re lucky! Danny Fingerz wasn’t here tonight. How is he?
Spunk – Injured. He’s got a really bad back. I don’t know all the details but it’s ongoing, to do with his spine and discs. He’s had injections in it. He’s out of action on and off as you’ll have seen.
Weab – He’s going to play what shows he can but he is in a lot of pain.
Spunk – Long term we don’t know
Weab – He’ll always be part of Dirt Box but we might get a replacement while he gets mended. We haven’t spoken to him about it yet – not had chance.
To Spunk – Have you had to learn to play guitar in his absence?
I just did more guitar poses. Just made it look like I was doing it. I actually played a few songs with just my fingers ‘cos I dropped my plec and I didn’t know where I’d put my others so I just twatted it with my fingers instead. Ha Ha!
Weab – You couldn’t tell.
To Spunk – Are you usually the rhythm guitar and him (Danny) the lead?
Spunk – On all the old songs, yes, but on all the new ones we have proper split leads. I didn’t really have chance to learn all of his stuff ‘cos he’s a lot better than me.
Weab – He’s (Danny) a master. He is a lynchpin of Dirt Box. We do miss him.
Hope he gets better soon and joins you onstage again.
Weab – We’ll pass on the message.
I don’t think I’ll see you again until Christmas now unless you have any Manchester gigs lined up before the Xmas Special?
Weab – No I think that’s it. We try and only play each town and city once or twice a year at the most.
Although you seem to have quite a lot of gigs lined up for Dirt Box and Spunk Volcano and the Eruptions.
Spunk – I think there’s only four SV ones. End of November I think and Rebellion. The rest are all Dirt Box.
Weab – Next year is looking crazy already.
Spunk – We have a lot of gigs lined up next year. We can’t say which but big ones.
Since I last spoke to you Dirt Box released the album ‘Bloonz’ What has been the reaction to that?
Spunk – Really good. Really good.
Weab – Absolutely amazing.
Spunk – No one faulted it, to be honest. People always pick their favourite songs.
Weab – We can’t play them all, unfortunately.
Spunk – They just slotted in with the other two (albums) no problems at all. We’ve already started work on the next one.
Weab – It should be out next April.
Spunk – It’s on the way.
To Spunk – Do you do most of the writing? The songs?
Spunk – All of it
To Spunk – You must be a prolific writer then. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Spunk – I don’t know really.
Weab – Children’s TV mostly!
Spunk – Yes (laughs)
Weab – …and Nat Mags.
Spunk – Ha Ha – yes that about sums it up really.
You’ll be playing Rebellion. Are you looking forward to that?
Weab – Can’t wait. Casbah stage.
Spunk – It’s a new stage. We’re on about 7.15 (Saturday).
I’ve never been. Is that the biggest stage?
Weab – No The Empress Ballroom is the biggest stage but we’re happy with the Casbah especially the time.
Maybe next year you’ll be on the biggest stage.
Doesn’t really matter to us. As long as all those who want to see us can.
Do you stay for the whole four days?
Weab – We try to.
Spunk – I’ll be there for all four because I’m playing twice. I’ll be playing Thursday and Saturday. I don’t know what everybody else is doing but I’ll be there the whole time.
Is Spunk Volcano on the same stage as Dirt Box?
Spunk – Yeah, about 4.30 on the Thursday. I think we actually open it. (They did) It’s fun. It will be good. I hope it’s good anyway!
Who are you looking forward to seeing most whilst you’re there?
Weab – Old friends really more than bands. A chance to get together and have a beer. Paul Hendy (Henderson) is always good to see.
Spunk – I’m not really going to watch anybody. I’m just going to get pissed.
You’re not going to see Slaughter and the Dogs?
Spunk – I’ve never heard them.
Weab – We’ll check them out.
They’re one of my favourite bands. If you get chance try and see them.
Spunk – Last year I didn’t see any band. I just got pissed all weekend, so there you go, that’s true.
Weab – They buried me in the sand and stuff like that.
I’ve heard that from other musicians who play there. They fall asleep at the bar and things like that but if you have a good time that’s the main thing.
Spunk – It was really, really good. The reason I didn’t watch any bands is because there’s a really cheap bar backstage and everyone kept buying me drinks. I just went into oblivion half way through the day (laughs)
To Spunk – You’ve said a few times that you’re quite hot so how did the balaclava come about ‘cos that must be really hot in summer.
Spunk – It is. It was a ridiculous idea. Everyone just decided to pick their own costumes. When I picked mine initially we were only going to do it (Dirt Box) for a joke. We were only doing three shows but once I’d started wearing it I couldn’t take it off.
Weab – We couldn’t go back.
You mentioned earlier that you have a new album coming out. Any more adverts or films or anything coming out that you know of?
Weab – We can’t tell you anything at the minute.
So there could be something? If anything comes up send me the Press Release for PlanetMosh. Thank you for taking to me.
Both – We shall do. Thank you.
