The Distillers - Brodie Armstrong - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Greg Smith

Do you have any crazy love letter stories? From kids?

Or even grown-ups?

Oh, even grown-ups...I think we have some stalkers. This one kid made me a doll and it was cute and he put his name on it and his phone number on it. So me and Craig from the Bastards, The Forgotten and The Transplants--I got to mention all those bands--I was like "Craig, let's call him up and freak him out." So we called him and left a message, and then my phone rings five minutes later and it's this kid. I'm like fuck, so stupid! I forgot about caller ID. We have fans that fly out from Detroit; it's crazy. Tell me a little bit about Tim. How did that start? Rancid played this festival in Sydney in '95 with the Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, and a couple others. My last band played that show, and that's where I met him. It was my 17th birthday; my birthday is New Year's Day. I was 17 and told him I was 19--he's so hot and so gorgeous and I was totally in love with him. Now that I know him and he's my husband, he's so chivalrous. He's the most altruistic man I know. He does everything for everyone out of pure lov e, not as a favor. That's what he does and he's the best fuckin' songwriter that I know, definitely of his generation.

Does being compared to Hole burn you out or is it a compliment?

It doesn't bum me out, 'cause she was great and I really liked that first record and the ones after that. I'm nothing like her, I'm kind of anti what she's all about. I don't think she could be in a three piece band and play guitar like I do and take on that duty. I have other--there's Wendy O, which is huge for me; and Monkey Suit, which is one of the fuckin' hardest things I've ever heard; and Debbi Harry. There are lots of chicks out there who have influenced me along with the guys. Courtney is great or whatever...

So would you put her on your list of influences?

I would put that record on my list of influences, but not necessarily her and her personality. Although, I liked the fact that she had big balls and didn't give a fuck. But it kind of turned around and became this other thing and she's kind of schmoozy now; it's kind of gross. But I don't know the woman, you know, she's been through a lot.

Fang or Guns 'N Roses?

Fang.

Safety pins or staples?

Ummm...if I could staple something I would; it would fuckin' hurt. Is that my only option? I'm gonna say staples. I'll fuckin staple shit to myself.

Pink or black?

Black.

Guys: American or Australian?

American. Australian guys are pigs, except for my dad.

Victoria Bitter or Budweiser?

VB. No, you know what? Neither. Have you ever had Coopers? You got to have Coopers, you can get it at some places. No one drinks Fosters, it tastes like piss. It's embarrassing that it's advertised and mass marketed like it is.

Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin or Crocodile Dundee Paul Hogan?

Oh no! I will go with the real deal, the real thing. I liked the fantasy when I was a kid, I probably wanted to marry Paul Hogan, but not anymore. Australian men aren't that bad. Some are total assholes, but they're like convicts down there. They don't know any better. I used to hang out at Amber skate bowl and there were a lot of professional skaters there back in the day.