I loved the Buttholes when I was a teenager growing up in Austin, and they're still friends of friends, but Pioughd seemed like the start of their flailing around for commercially success after the humor and experimentation of the Touch and Go Records era. And they were already a legendary band by underground punk standards, playing relatively large venues like the Austin Opera House.
"Selling out" is a fraught concept, but it's not clear to me how it benefitted these guys. I read a very sad interview with drummer Rey Washam about his experiences with Gibby Haynes, Al Jourgensen, and heroin. Along with their earlier unceremonious dumping of Touch and Go, it left me pretty disillusioned.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. The band has such a rich history, you could easily fill a couple of books and still have plenty of stories to tell.
As for selling out, I remember the accusation being all the rage back then. Bands like Rancid and Green Day and the like getting lambasted for ‘going mainstream’. I like to think songs like Pepper were more a part of the Buttholes’ mercurial spirit than an out and out cash grab, but what the hell do I know? There’s a documentary that’s been threatening to come out for some time now. Perhaps it’ll shed a bit of light on this wild, and to my mind, important band.
You’re absolutely right, Gary. I had it correct in an older draft and clearly screwed up somewhere along the way. Have corrected accordingly. Thanks for the catch!
From what I read, it was Jello Biafra who ‘discovered’ them during their initial jaunt out to LA, and invited the band to open for the Dead Kennedys. If not for his support, Gibby and the boys may very well have languished in obscurity for the rest of their lives. And I’m with you regarding the idea of selling out. I always found those discussions ridiculous anyway. I remember people crapping all over Green Day as well once Dookie became a breakout hit.
Totally agree J.D. One more example of their mercurial nature. And yeah, the fire. Gibby just couldn’t resist lol. Letterman even asks him if he’s OK at the end when he comes over to greet the band.
I loved the Buttholes when I was a teenager growing up in Austin, and they're still friends of friends, but Pioughd seemed like the start of their flailing around for commercially success after the humor and experimentation of the Touch and Go Records era. And they were already a legendary band by underground punk standards, playing relatively large venues like the Austin Opera House.
"Selling out" is a fraught concept, but it's not clear to me how it benefitted these guys. I read a very sad interview with drummer Rey Washam about his experiences with Gibby Haynes, Al Jourgensen, and heroin. Along with their earlier unceremonious dumping of Touch and Go, it left me pretty disillusioned.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. The band has such a rich history, you could easily fill a couple of books and still have plenty of stories to tell.
As for selling out, I remember the accusation being all the rage back then. Bands like Rancid and Green Day and the like getting lambasted for ‘going mainstream’. I like to think songs like Pepper were more a part of the Buttholes’ mercurial spirit than an out and out cash grab, but what the hell do I know? There’s a documentary that’s been threatening to come out for some time now. Perhaps it’ll shed a bit of light on this wild, and to my mind, important band.
"It's a Madonna pap smear."
You’re absolutely right, Gary. I had it correct in an older draft and clearly screwed up somewhere along the way. Have corrected accordingly. Thanks for the catch!
I was just quoting the movie, Sonny….I certainly didn't mean to correct you on anything!
No worries at all, man. It’s what I meant to write anyway. Appreciate you reading and contributing!
I bet that show was amazing!
From what I read, it was Jello Biafra who ‘discovered’ them during their initial jaunt out to LA, and invited the band to open for the Dead Kennedys. If not for his support, Gibby and the boys may very well have languished in obscurity for the rest of their lives. And I’m with you regarding the idea of selling out. I always found those discussions ridiculous anyway. I remember people crapping all over Green Day as well once Dookie became a breakout hit.
Totally agree J.D. One more example of their mercurial nature. And yeah, the fire. Gibby just couldn’t resist lol. Letterman even asks him if he’s OK at the end when he comes over to greet the band.