Hollywood Undead
 

Hollywood Undead is a new band coming out of, you guessed it, Hollywood. Donning masks and producing a rap/rock hybrid style, there is debate about whether or not this band should be taken seriously. Although topping the MySpace charts, there have been just as many critics questioning the artistic integrity of these young rockstar hopefuls. Even among their many fans, there seems to be disagreement regarding what this band is even about. Some think it's a big elaborate joke about the music industry. Others think it is serious music with comedic lyrics. And still others think it is all completely serious and hang on their every crotch-grabbing word.

Their first full length album, Swan Song, is released September 2nd. I got on the phone with J-Dawg (he's one of the guys in the band) to clear up the confusing parts.

You already have loads of fans, but among them, there seems to be some disagreement about what you guys are all about. I only have 3 questions for you today, which I think will clarify for those who already know you and those who don't. Take as much time as you'd like in responding.

3 questions? That's it?

Yep, that's it.

First question: What's so funny? I mean, what's the joke here?

The joke? Well, I guess we find all of it funny. The thing about life and everyday life, people take it too seriously. If you can't find the humor in life you may as well shoot yourself. We make a mockery of it and tell people they need to lighten up. We express ourselves how we want to. We do this and we enjoy ourselves. Even after the label drops us, we'll still be doing it. You find truth in what's around you and you have to find the humor in it.

We started the group for fun. It's funny to us. We have all been in bands before. We joke around, we make songs that are funny, but there's no ONE joke. We didn't start the band just to make fun of everyone. We enjoy ourselves and get more out of it than we were expecting and other people do too. There is no ONE joke, though.

Are you serious artists creating serious art?

Yes. Our album is coming out and there's a lot more serious subject matter. Songs about politics and religion and how the masses are controlled by it. There is a ton of stuff on the album. Aside from the music, we all do different kinds of art. Magazines, movies, writing, cartoons...we do a lot of different things.

If anyone has a problem with us, they're just being pissed off at something they don't understand. I think every artist struggles with making themselves better and trying to outdo themselves. We worked really hard to make this album. Anything is art. If someone wants to paint a chair black and put it in an exhibit, it's art. But this is our way of expressing ourselves. This is one of our artistic outlets.

Where does this go? What possible future could this project really have?

For us..we want longevity. We want to be one of those bands that people still listen to 10 years after we're done. We want to go on tour and make more albums. We want to explore our other art if we go our separate ways. We go to liquor stores almost every day, we want to keep doing that.

There's no such thing as a band that comes out stays the same forever. AFI is a good example. They used to be a hardcore punk band and now it's nothing but ballads. They progressed and they changed. We know we won't go anywhere if we don't change as artists and musicians. Elton John was considered a joke. Eminem was considered a joke. The people who are known for something different take a lot of criticism early on. They don't get it.

Maybe these people should be doing more in their own lives. They start attacking artists because they have nothing better to do.

So there it is. Hollywood Undead considers themselves a serious band that will go down in the history books and they'll be swimming in booze until their livers fall out of their asses. The music isn't very good (or clever or original or necessary), so some of that ambition rings hollow, but I'm not one to tell a person they shouldn't follow their dreams. Good luck to you, Hollywood Undead. Get the reality show. Take the money and run.

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

Holy Moly!! This is possibly your most harash piece of work ever but I love it. More interviews like this please AJ.

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

What you do not understand is hollywood undead is the first band of its kind, it sings about what me and my friends do and about growing up in the getto and how life sucks but you have to make the best out of it, You have not grown up and lived it so you will never understand but do not make a mockery of it, makes you look retarded

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

The first of it's kind? Is that a joke?

Yeah, no one has ever sung about being from the ghetto. That's truly novel. And a rap/rock hybrid? What innovators. I can't believe no one ever thought of wearing masks before. Genius!
*epic eye roll*

I'm glad you found an artist inside your bubble that you can relate to, but I think if you stepped outside of that bubble for a moment you'd find even more music you could relate to that is of a much higher caliber.

And for the record, if 'your life' that you're so proud of really consists of being a broke ass mother fucker that wastes every penny they have getting fucked up and fucking bitches, you should kill yourself.

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

Look, whether you choose to believe it or not, Hollywood Undead IS the first of their kind.
There have been other artists that have similar styles to them, but HU is not EXACTLY like any of them.
Second of all, this kid has the right to his opinion...as do you.
If that kid likes them, cool...good for him. If you don't, cool...good for you.
However the way you're trying to get your point across is completely immature and really is making you look like an ass.
Interviewing a band then trash talking everything they say to you is completely idiotic.
What is the point of this interview when you're not even trying to get answers from them but rather trying to shove your opinion does everyone's throat?

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

No two bands are exactly the same, even if they sound indistinguishable from each other. That was an inane statement.

What is 'their kind'? Where is the brilliant innovation I am apparently missing? The burden of proof is on you.

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

What I'm saying is that you were right in stating there are other bands out there like Hollywood Undead, (although you most certainly could have worded it better).
But who cares? They have fans, people like them. They aren't copying anyone, just doing what they do best.

Oh and the "brilliant innovation" you are "apparently missing" is that you don't have to act like an ass to prove your point. It is really irritating.
=)

Re: Hollywood Undead
 

Ugh. Read the interview again. I don't have a problem with people liking them or even them existing.

If you love the band, give them your money. Coming onto my site telling me I should give a fuck what you think about me personally doesn't help the band at all.