A Wesley Willis Website
NO-FI "MAGAZINE"Wesley really started to hit fame when he gained fans such as NIRVANA, PEARL JAM, BEASTIE BOYS, as well as countless others. Curt Cobain gave a copy of some of Wesley Willis' songs to Bobcat Goldwait, who became a fan and then gave a copy to Los Angeles KROQ 106.7 fm DJs Kevin and Bean, who began to play his songs on their morning show...it all grew from there. He played at KROQ's 1995 KROQ Acoustic Christmas and now he has a four record deal with Rick Rubin's American Records (Formerly DEF JAM RECORDS). I recently set up a show for Wesley who has been touring across the country with the metal band FIASCO who have recorded an album with him as well as back him up on his live music. They are a very professional band and were very cool people on top of that. I was going to conduct the interview with the entire band but they were tired after the show which took place on Thursday, March 21st at The Impala in Los Angeles. The bill consisted of THE WESLEY WILLIS FIASCO, BUDDHA KNIEVEL, and DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE. It was a good show for everyone and Wesley made a lot of money as did the club as tons of people filled up the small club/coffeehouse. So Wesley was very kind in sitting down with me as we did this interview. (But, hey...I did set up the show! YAY!)
C = Chris Beyond (The interviewer)
(Special thanks to everyone at the Impala, Fred at Urban Legend Records,
Frank Murphy at KROQ, Buddha Knievel, Don Knotts Overdrive, Crispin Evenich,
everyone who went to the show, All of the NO-FI readers and advertisers!)
BTW: You can also find tons of WORLD WIDE WEB pages on the internet devoted entirely to Wesley Willis. Just look up his name on Alta Vista or Yahoo.
W = Wesley Willis (Rock star Interviewee)
D = Fiasco Band Member Dave
Dale = Fiasco member Dale
W: Wanna' buy some CDs?
C: I want to, but I don't have any money.
W: Why don't you get some damn money, man?
C: I'll sell my stereo after the interview, hows that?
W: This your stereo?
C: Yeah, hey, you wanna say something for the NO-FI readers?
W: Is it on now?
C: Yeah, but we could wait for the interview to start.
W: I got something to say right now.
C: Go for it!
W: I'm a rock star. I'm a rock musician. I can really rock it and I can roll and I can do it all the time and I'm gonna' do it well. This is Wesley Willis. I will rock. I will roll. Thank you.
C: If you want, I can record you doing a KXLU station ID.
W: KXLU?
C: Yeah, that's the station you were supposed to perform at today.
W: I'm supposed to have been there, but I couldn't get a cab. I lost the directions. KXLU?
C: Yeah, I set that up for you.
(Wesley grabs my head and brings my forehead to his own.)
W: Guess what?
C: Yo!
W: Do you have one of my CDs?
C: I wish I had one of your CDs.
W: Would you like to buy one?
C: I would LOVE to buy one, but I don't have any money, though!
W: Owwwwwwwwaaaaaa...say rock!
C: Rock and roll.
(Wesley headbutts me)
W: Say rock!
C: Ow.
W: You gotta' say rock!
C: Rock!
W: Say rowlllllllll!
C: Rolllll?
W: Rowwwwwwwwwwwllllllllllll!!!! Owwwwwwwwww! Suck'm! Jesus suck on `um.
C: So how's the tour been so far?
W: It's been a real hell...it's been good for me. I'm just a little homesick.
C: How do feel about your new album coming out?
W: For ROCK POWER?
C: Yeah, the one Rick Rubin is putting out?
W: It's coming out! Then FAVORITE ROAD WARRIOR is coming out. Is ROCK POWER coming out? It's coming out in June?
C: It's coming out in June? Cool.
W: Who's gonna' play it on the Radio?
C: Well, I'm sure Kevin and Bean on KROQ. And KXLU will probobly play it too.
W: My ROCK POWER? You heard my new CD called ROCK POWER?
C: I haven't heard it yet.
W: It's coming out on American Records.
C: I think they are playing tracks from it on KXLU.
W: My CD? You love it?
C: Oh, it sounds good!
W: When my ROCK POWER CD comes out, I'll send you one.
C: Oh, cool!
W: Do you know we remake a song called ROCK AND ROLL McDONALDS?
W: Do you like the new ROCK AND ROLL McDONALDS? The new song about it?
C: You have a NEW song?
W: Yeah, it's gonna' be on ROCK POWER.
C: Wow! You should do it here accapella.
W: So will I be able to sell the new CD ROCK POWER? Will I be able to sell 10,000-20,000 copies a year? I will be broke?
DALE: Will you do a song called Defecation Gas Bubble?
W: I'm just trying not to drink orange juice. If you don't think so, why don't you go suck a dick.
DALE: Awww, big man...you know I love ya!
W: I love you right now, so get over here and suck my dick. I shouldn't talk like that. Goo goo ga ga.
C: What did you think of the opening band, DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE?
W: I love that band and I love the band when they whip the doberman's ass. I love the band the way they whip the doberman's ass.
C: I don't remember the doberman, but that's cool.
W: What was the name of the band?
C: The first band? That was DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE. I wasn't even told that they were going to play.
W: Did they make a record?
C: Yeah, this is their CD right here.
W: Let's see it. DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE? Who's DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE?
C: That's the first band that played today.
W: Have they been on tour?
C: I THINK they're going on tour, but I'm not sure.
W: What's the name of the record?
C: I'm not sure actually. I just got it...Juggernaut!
W: Are they going on tour?
C: I think so. Do you want me to contact them for you or anything?
W: Do they play DON KNOTTS OVERDRIVE on the radio?
C: Yes, they play it on KXLU, actually.
D: Do you have any money for a cab in the morning?
W: I got plenty of money like a big hunk of meat.
(We record a quick KXLU station ID for my friend Naomi.
Wesley headbutts my friend Crispin and I and leaves with his band)
W: Hey buddy! Thanks a lot for the interview and KXLU and I'm proud I done it and I'll do it again! I'll talk to you later! I'll see you the next time I come into town!