To commemorate the release of the new Bumblefoot single
"Invisible," Bald Freak's head honcho Ron Scalzo (Q*Ball / Return
To Earth) sat down with Ron Thal and his beard to discuss the
latest, greatest tune in the Bumblefoot
catalog.
RS: 'Invisible' is your first piece of original material
since 2008's Abnormal album - you never intended to record
and release the song as 'Bumblefoot' - why the change of heart?
BBF: It seemed like it was meant to happen the way it
happened - it wasn't the original plan, but I'm glad it worked out
the way it did... gotta embrace the unexpected.
RS: Let's get deep. Your fans are very hardcore, and as one
myself, I can attest that one of the biggest reasons is because of
the way you seem to make what you play, sing, and write seem
effortless in spite of its complicated technical nature. You're not
one to just strap on a guitar and wank off - you sing like a champ,
you write with soul, you know how to craft a solid rock tune - and
oh yeah....you engineer, mix, and master it all yourself. Do you
feel like you're your own worst critic? And are you aware that you
are a maniac?
BBF: Thanks man. Not really a critic, more like I put on
the 'producer hat' and give it all my best. When producing an
artist or band, I'm overseeing the songwriting, arrangement,
performance and recording, mixing, mastering, making sure the best
efforts were made and everything is at its best in the end. I guess
doing that for myself, to myself, I might have to be a bit of a nut
too, haha.
RS: If I granted you the power of invisibility, would you
use your powers for good or evil, and what would be your first
self-appointed mission?
BBF: To sneak up on my beard and shave it off.
RS: This new 'disposable era' of releasing music - free
downloads, file sharing - the whole "Here, take it" philosophy that
many artists & labels are starting to make a regular practice,
including you and I - has its benefits for fans. As an artist, how
does it affect your expectations when releasing something new?
BBF: As long as people like the song - I'm just happy as
fuck to be writing, recording and releasing music again, it's what I
love to do.
RS: Ron's Beard is notably monstrous in the forthcoming
music video for 'Invisible'. Removing a beard of that girth at this
point would be monumental. Do you plan to keep it around or induct
it into The Ron Thal Hall of Fame alongside the Swiss Cheese guitar,
the thimble, the red wool hat, your hot sauce fetish, and 'Lesbian
Onion'?
BBF: I think I have more hair on the bottom of my head than
the top now. The music video - it was filmed where we played in the
light, and then filmed as we played in darkness with night vision
cameras. When editing is done for both videos, I'll release them
both - two vids for the song, played in the light and in the
dark... back to video editing, aaahhh!!!!