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An Interview with Bill Manspeaker of Green Jelly

George Archibald

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The Marionette of the Punk Rock Puppet Show

An Interview with Bill Manspeaker of Green Jelly

By George Archibald

Bill-Manspeak-of-Green-JelloAfter 30 years of punk rock chaos Green Jelly founder and vocalist Bill Manspeaker is still going strong. Manspeaker is just as animated live, as the videos he helped create for the bands multiple hits. Sunday July 17th at The Agora Theater, Green Jelly was joining Ministry, Otep, and Helmet for a very active show in the wake of the Republican National Convention. Wondering how a man who has basically given the music industry a big Fuck You, still continues to amaze crowds, and play to packed venues; I got a chance to talk with Manspeaker and ask a few questions to really see how he thinks.

Manspeaker: Ohhhhh yeaaaa whatsup kids its Bill Manspeaker, of the punk rock puppet band Green Jelly!!!

GA: So when did you start out in the music business?

Manspeaker: When did I start out in the music business? I don’t even know if I’m in the music business. I’m in the business of not having a job actually, but if you want to get technical it would be January 18th 1981. I was a kid in high school. I made a band to be in the junior/senior show called it Green Jelly.

GA: Having been in the business for over 30 years what has kept you going? What lessons have you learned along the way?

Manspeaker: Things that kept me going, is the fact I just don’t want to have a job. You know people get up early, they go to a place they don’t like, and they hang out with a bunch of people they hate. So I’m doing my best to go to the places I love, visit people that I care for, and have the best time I can possibly have.

GA: How do you think things have changed (like bookings and going about shows) since you started?

Manspeaker: Things are way easier. Before I needed a booking agent, a record company, a lawyer, and an accountant. All these people grabbing at the cash. I don’t need anybody now; all I need is Facebook. I book a 125 shows a year. All through Facebook using just my thumb, 5 countries; America, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, and one other place in there.

Green-JelloGA: You just beat me to it, I was going to ask you about the advances in the music industry and how you like using them.

Manspeaker: Oh it’s amazing! I have the world in my pocket. I just pull it out and I find my bands that are going to play the shows. I also book my shows on the internet now, I get my rides from the airport, everything just about everything now without ever speaking to anyone.

GA: Green Jelly has been known to break the rules of what goes for normal in the music business, how will you push the boundary now since it seems we are living in an anything goes time in the industry?

Manspeaker: I don’t think there is anyone out there standing in their underwear, screaming at drunk people, while they have gigantic punk rock puppets moshing in front of them. So I would just do things the way they are funny to me.

GA: So what’s next for Green Jelly?

Manspeaker: Next for us is we will be playing with Ministry tonight. Which I booked through Facebook. I just got a message through a promoter asking, “if I would like to play with Ministry at the Agora Theater”, and I said “yes”. Now I am here. Then on Wednesday I am playing with the Insane Clown Posse at the Gathering of the Juggalos. Same sort of thing, I walked into a show, one of the guys from ICP was there and wanted me to play, and I’m going to show up. The more you think the less you do.

GA: Any plans to do any more reunion type shows with past members? Like 2014 when you and Maynard played a set together?

Manspeaker: Ahhh… The important band members, there’s only two important band members. That would be Maynard and Danny. Umm. They have more on their plates so they get to make that decision.

GA: Over all the years what has to be one of your favorite memories?

Manspeaker: This moment right now. Standing in the parking lot with me and you.

GA: Any tips you may have to aspiring bands seeking to have success and longevity in music?

Manspeaker: Just do what you like, it’s about doing what you love. It’s not about playing the song right. It’s not about singing the songs the way they are supposed to be sung. It’s about having everyone enjoy the same moment that you are.

GA: Anything else you would like to add?

Manspeaker: Green Jelly Sucks!!!

As you can see Manspeaker is still living the carefree lifestyle that he began Green Jelly with. Later than evening when myself and Empire Extreme’s own Josh Drespling caught Green Jelly’s act. We were both pulled on to the side of the stage to film the show. I manned the video camera for the Green Jelly Live stream, and Josh was taking photos of the show and also taping. It was a crowded stage as Manspeaker commanded the attention of the whole crowd while his live Punk Rock Puppet Show started with 20 volunteers from the crowd adorning foam rubber masks. The show was about as wild as Manspeaker’s personality. I wish you well at The Gathering of the Juggalos and safe journeys.

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INTERVIEW WITH OF VIRTUE

Ron

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Where does the band name come from? Wanting to be the best version of yourself at all times. The name is a reminder to hold ourselves accountable.

How is the music scene in Michigan? The Michigan music scene has always been vibrant and in my opinion, important. Do we get the credit we deserve? Absolutely not. But for the state that brought you Motown, Eminem, Lizzo, The White Stripes, I Prevail and so many other incredible artists – it’s kind of hard to believe that Michigan remains a hidden gem.

How’s the reception from the fans of the latest album “Omen”? It’s been incredible. From seeing people singing along at shows to us seeing new supporters of all different ages, colors, and creeds joining the journey. Omen has been a pivotal album in our career and we’re proud of it!

If you could tour with 2 bands, which bands would you want to tour with? Spiritbox and Bad Omens. They’re both making waves, changing who the metal audience is, and surely they’d be fun to hang around with.

Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics? Honestly, the lyrics are our stories. The stories of our struggles, our trials and our tribulations.

What’s been your favorite tour or show? We just got off of a tour with our labelmates, Any Given Day. They treated us to a handful of sold out shows over in Europe, which at this point we call our second home. Those were great shows, but any show we’ve done in Europe is typically one for the books!

If you could bring back a dead musician, who would it be? Prince for sure. An incredible musician I would love an opportunity to chat or make music with!

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INTERVIEW WITH TWIN TEMPLE

Ron

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Being Married and being in a band together. Do you feel that makes it easier or harder?

We love to do the Devil’s work together so for us its a match made in hell. 

What’s your favorite horror movie?

That’s hard to narrow down but the first few that come to mind are Rosemary’s Baby, The Devil Rides Out, Wickerman, The Devils Reign featuring Anton Lavey, Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, anything starring Vincent Price. We also got to see an advance screen of “Late Night with the Devil” featuring a very evil performance from our friend Dave Dastmalchian. We’re also looking forward to Bryan Fuller’s “Dust Bunny” and are positive it will be a new favorite. The list goes on…..we are huge horror fans.

Favorite Non Horror Movie?

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (which is horror/noir adjacent) and The Burbs (also horror adjacent…haha.)

All of Quentin Tarantino’s films- our latest favorite is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, because 1960’s LA…

What misconception of Satanists would you like to educate people on?

We’re not here to proselytize, force our beliefs on people, or educate people on them Selves, Satanism or anything else. If people are interested in exploring Satanism, we encourage them to do their research and question everything. 

If you could bring back any dead musician, who would you pick and why?

We would have loved to do a song with Ronnie Spector who recently passed. Also would have been amazing to collaborate with Jack Nitzsche who arranged so many amazing songs. 

If you could tour with any 2 bands, who would you want to tour with?

The Ronnettes & The Shangri-Las.

What has been your Favorite Tour so far?

The God is Dead Tour that we’re currently on is definitely the most evil and blasphemous tour yet. We find it very pleasurable to be able to continue expanding the rituals and seeing our nightmares come true on stage.  

You were on “Dragula” with the Boulet Brothers, how was that experience?

It was a fiendish delight to collaborate with some of our fav monsters. 

What was it like Touring with Danzig?

Another nightmare come true! We’ve both been fans for a long time and we’re obviously inspired by the wicked world Glenn has conjured. So to get to spend time with him and watch him live every night and to now call him a friend is completely surreal. He’s a legend— but was also one of the coolest, kindest, most unholy people we’ve had the carnal pleasure of touring with. 

How’s the reception of the last album “God is Dead”?

Personally, we love the record and are very proud of what we’ve accomplished. As far as other peoples’ reactions…. we don’t know and don’t care! We pleasured ourselves and that’s what matters most.

What got you interested in the style of music you play? And how would describe your music?

We’ve always loved classic American music from jazz to blues to country to rock and roll and so on. We also love the pageantry of heavy metal and theatre. So for us it was a very organic culmination of our obsessions. Rock and roll has always been the devils music. 

Have you visited the Satanic Temple in Massachusetts?

No we have not but Lucien did attend one of our rituals so we had a chance to share where we get our babies blood and all things Satan. 

Have you had any bad encounters at shows because of the misconception of satanism?

No! We purposefully foster a live show environment where all are welcome, all should come being the most important person in the world which is themselves, whatever that may be. Even Christians! We believe music is meant to bring joy, transcendence… We just want to share the things we love; pink, rhinestones, big hair, great rock ’n’ roll, Satanic ritual, you know…  but we have had churches assemble outside our shows, screaming through distorted PA speakers that God is not dead & wishing us all a “terrible time”.  Why would their God not want us to have fun? This kind of behavior is only makes us more proud to be who we are and do what we love.

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FIRST JASON: LOVEDRAFTS INTERVIEW

Ron

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EMPIRE EXTREME GOT TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ARI LEHMAN OF FIRST JASON AND TALK ABOUT STARTING THE CULT OF JASON VORHEES FANS

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