A priceless interview with keyboardist/guitarist/backup vocalist Pål Pot Pamparius about breaking necks, doing blow, and Cleveland Steamer.

KI: How did Turbonegro hook up to play this Rock n' Shock show with Gwar here in Worcester, MA? Was it just timing? Coincidence?

PPP: We had nothing to do with it whatsoever. Approached by really greedy people who want to make money on us. So it's more by force than our choice.

KI: Are any other shows with Gwar or is this just the one?

PPP: This is the only show with them, yeah.

KI: You ever seen Gwar before?

PPP: Yeah, back in '98 me and (Happy) Tom (bassist/backup vocalist) booked them up to play in Oslo. We didn't make any money off of it, of course, cuz of the cleaning: ya know, taking care of the sperm and blood. (laughs)

KI: Why just the East Coast dates, how come no full U.S. tour?

PPP: Well, we're becoming old men ya know, and we take long baths and all types of crazy shit so we can't take long stretches at a time. So we decided to just do small parts where we do two weeks at a time and ya know, the album Party Animals has been out in Europe already and we've been playing shows since May till now.

KI: Will there be more U.S. dates?

PPP: Possibly yes. We'll see.

KI: With Bad Wizard again?

PPP: Possibly. We'll see. I know they played in Oslo, but I was totally incapacitated so I didn't get to go. We played in L.A. last Christmas: two shows at House of Blues. On the last night, I managed to get tangled up in my microphone wires on top of my piano and sorta strangle myself. I fell down and practically broke my neck.

KI: Jesus!

PPP: By the time I realized what had happened, half of my body was paralyzed.

KI: Oh shit, really?

PPP: Yeah, in the hospital I had to wear a neck brace for about four or five months. People started coming up to me and asking me if this was some sort of schtick. "Actually, no. If I take this off, my head goes blahhh. (throws down his head)

KI: How you feeling now? You all better and recovered?

PPP: Yeah, better but I've just changed it with some other diseases.

KI: Yeah, now onto the liver damage?

PPP: Yeah, ya know now I've just realized that I'm not gonna last more than a couple more years so I don't give a fuck anymore.

KI: You've just accepted it.

PPP: Yeah! (laughs)

KI: What are your likes and dislikes about touring?

PPP: The likes about touring are the constant opportunities to party 24/7: to go out and let it snow if you want, or just kickback and lay in the jacuzzi when the show's over. With touring, you get immense boredom, but the good thing is when you tour it's like you jump out of a time warp and you don't know where the fuck you are

KI: What day it is

PPP: Yeah, and focus on playing good shows and that's it. Delivering the package.

KI: Any difference between touring the States than Europe / the rest of the world?

PPP: There is a difference but it's just hard to pin point it. Touring America, I appreciate it cuz I think a lot of people who come to the shows have a good understanding of what rock n' roll is about and they understand what we're doing. In Europe, they're more moderate in their behavioral patterns in understanding in what goes on. Holland, for instance, the people there are just so fucking stoned they don't realize they are at a live show. We could be spinning records up on stage: doesn't make a difference.

KI: What's the craziest shit you've ever seen on tour? Could be good or bad like the incident with the neck

PPP: I saw some photos (of the incident) and they actually taped it and it was broadcast on Norwegian TV.

KI: No!

PPP: Yeah! (laughs)

KI: Look ma, I'm on TV.

PPP: People came up to me and asked me after the show, "Man that's some crazy shit you pulled back there!" and I just was just like "yeah, well, I know you don't even know what happened. I was totally dead onstage and flat lining."

KI: What about fans? We all know about the Turbojugend and how huge they are now. What are Turbonegro's feelings toward the Turbojugend?

PPP: Now I think the movement has over a 1,000 chapters. This thing is like we created a monster and we're not really involved at all in what goes on with the Turbojugend. It's just something that evolves within itself and they come up with all kinds of crazy shit. Most of the time it's too crazy for me to even relate too. One funny thing is a reporter came to Hamburg for an annual Turbojugend day or something and went around asking people questions. Most people felt that the Turbojugend is way more important than the band. (laughs) Which is good, as it actually explains it all to me. They're crazy.

KI: They ever do anything crazy, try to get in for free at shows and shit cuz they're with the Turbojugend?

PPP: Yeah, all the time. This last time a person came to us in the locker room and said "this guy is trying to get in saying he is with the Turbojugend." We looked over and this guy standing behind him was about 2.5 meters tall and he was president of the Turbojugend somewhere. We just looked at him and said "okay, he's on the guest list."

KI: What was recording Party Animals like?

PPP: We wanted to do something different, so we decided this time to actually work with a producer.

KI: Steve McDonald, right?

PPP: Yeah. And we met him several times before and we all thought he was the complete right guy to do this. Plus, we are all big fans of Redd Kross. He came to Norway and we went to the studio and he said "okay guys, so which song are we gonna start recording?" but we hadn't actually written any songs yet. We had to go to the Riff Lab to start crankin' some shit out. I think, for the first two or three weeks, he was basically used to get beers at the shop.

And after a while it started going really well. He's a fantastic guy to work with, but still I think Turbo working with someone new for the first time was a bit strange.

KI: Who did you use before?

PPP: Ourselves. No one else. It was strange at first, letting somebody into your territory and being able to listen to them if they have an opinion and accept it even if you're not completely agreeing with what they are saying. And you're thinking "okay, well, my way is better," but you know he's right.

KI: So you flew him over to Norway and how long did it all take?

PPP: About six to eight weeks. And then, you know, they mix it with help from people like Nick Oliveri from Queens Of The Stone Age.

KI: How did that come about?

PPP: We are all super fans of Nick's work with QOTSA and the Dwarves: it was just one of those things where we sent somebody an email asking Nick to come and help us, and he's just such a fucking genius monster of a man. (laughs) We needed someone strong like him: his voice is just so fucking strong and totally insane with his range he's amazing.

KI: So did you guys fly him over too or did you just send the song over to him?

PPP: I wasn't actually there in California with the band when they did it, so I am not sure how it all came about. Then they also got that guy from Black Flag Keith

KI: Keith Morris, right.

PPP: Keith Morris, yeah the self-proclaimed "greatest beer drinker in the world."

KI: He was telling you guys that?

PPP: Nah, I just remember seeing some old skate video: "I'm Keith Morris from Circle Jerks and I'm the greatest beer drinker in the whole world." (laughs) Okay man, whatever.

KI: What about that last "secret" song where Hank (von Helvete; vocalist) is just ranting

PPP: Ah that is not Hank. He says what his name is "My name is Bojan Milankovic." He's this Serbian and, ah don't actually want to say much about him

KI: Did you just randomly get this guy yapping to you guys wasted one night or something?

PPP: He's just this crazy Serbian guy that I think has experienced a lot of crazy shit. I never want to speak about it cuz I don't want him coming knocking at my door with a knife and a fork saying "Pål, I am hungry for your flesh."

KI: How are the fans reacting to your shows?

PPP: This is actually only the second show here, but the shows throughout the year have been fantastic. And we'll come and make it a circus, ya know. We got balloons and some cannons, and this is the first time we got the whole production that we use in Europe here in America. So now it's the full show with the huge backdrop with balloons and bombs dropping and it's gonna be a thousand Turbo bills shout out to everyone tonight. (laughs)

KI: Who are some of your favorite fans? Or what are the differences between fans here and over in Europe?

PPP: Women with beautiful tits are my favorite fans!

KI: Oh yeah, nice!

PPP: Just last night I saw "I am Pål Pot's #1 fan in the world."

KI: Right on the tits?

PPP: No, it was on a sign. I don't know it if belonged to that beautiful gorgeous looking babe or if somebody just passed it on to her, but I don't give a shit cuz she was all wet and then I just fell asleep. I'm wearing a full leather costume these days.

KI: Sweating bullets, yeah?

PPP: Sweating fucking bullets, man. That's what happens when you try to look like Michael Hutchins and Slash, ya know.

KI: How are the Norwegian fans?

PPP: They are pretty rowdy. Especially up north where Hank comes from. They are fucking crazy with a lot of knives. That's totally normal so whenever there's a wedding and shit like that, there's always a ear or a finger chopped off.

KI: Really!?

PPP: Oh yeah, so we just play and try and barricade ourselves as much as possible.

KI: What about the black metal kids?

PPP: They don't dare come to a Turbo show. Black metal, death metal, or whatever. Death punk was started way before and it has way less boundaries. They just don't want to play with matches.

KI: Are they scared to come to your shows?

PPP: No, they're just not into it and don't come. I mean we've been well connected with the black metal scene for so long on a personnel level at home. We know most of the people in the bands. The fans thing is that black metal fans are black metal fans, and that's just not Turbo!

KI: Are any of you guys into it?

PPP: I think so, I like some of it. It's very intricate but again, you have to be in a good mood to get into it. The classical and opera influences in it are just so crazy, and those crazy fucking drummers are insane.

KI: How can they play that fast and play double bass for that long?

PPP: Yeah, I never understood why anyone wanna be a drummer in the first place. If I was to be a drummer, I would be some Ringo Starr shitty drummer who just drinks and abuses himself all the time.

KI: What about the other Turbo guys? Are they into any metal or just straight punk / deathpunk stuff?

PPP: Well, Tom just recorded an album with that guy, the singer of Amen, called Scum. There's some Emperor people also involved and some other people but I don't know all them.

KI: What's the denim situation like these days? Are you guys still sponsored by Levis and getting free denim?

PPP: Only for encores. We change costumes, a whole new scene. I get the leather, Tom still has some sort of sailor outfit going, Euroboy (lead guitarist/back up vocalist) really not sure where he's going. (laughs) Chris (Summers; drummer) is doing that thing straight outta that 80s movie with the New York gangs ah, what's it called

KI: The Warriors?

PPP: Yeah, The Warriors with the denim jump suit. But I think he lost his bat the other night. And it's pretty tight on his balls, which is pretty amazing. Hank looks pretty amazing: like a guy who's been living in the woods for quite a while and trying to fix his costume like he's a warrior from the woods. We also have a midget.

KI: NO!!!

PPP: Yeah, and he's supposed to be Hank's little brother: like a complete copy.

KI: Like a mini me Hank?

PPP: Yes, like a mini me Hank!

KI: Holy shit, that's fucking awesome!

PPP: Yeah, and he comes out on stage with us with his whole outfit and cape and everybody just looks up and are like "what? What the fuck?" (laughs) And then Hank comes out and chases him off the stage so that's pretty funny. We'll probably get sued by that guy.

KI: Is Hank still working out?

PPP: (laughs) Yeah, he's playing squash now which sorta bothers me, cuz he'll come back and be all high from adrenaline and talk a lot. And I'm sitting there with a bag of chips and a beer in the afternoon and thinking "man, I should have been there." I really need to set up a trap for him to get him to stop training. I actually met Euroboy in the hallway the other day with some trainers.

KI: Oh really? Any other Turbo guys training as well?

PPP: Ah I don't know. Tom is probably part of some mental health program trying to save the rest of his mind.

KI: How's the partying going? Anything changed?

PPP: Yeah, sad to say we use less drugs than before. Maybe because we can get high on life instead now, like with squash. But I'm still trying to hold down the fortress.

KI: You guys drink more now, then? What's the Turbo drink of choice?

PPP: No. I still like my blow and then I don't really drink much alcohol at all. I just sit and babble like an idiot.

KI: So what's the drug of choice for Turbo then?

PPP: Yeah, I would say "Charlie."

KI: What are some good party cities?

PPP: We're looking forward to going to NYC, cuz that is always a blast. This time we're pretty much going to all East Coast, so we're gonna base ourselves in New York cuz it's so close and just go back and forth.

KI: What about the Nordic girls? How are they?

PPP: Well, all the guys in the band have one.

KI: They all seem to be cock teases, though?

PPP: Maybe they just didn't want to have sex with you.

KI: Probably. But when they are hanging out with you, buying beers with you and everything is going great, and they are being revealing

PPP: So beautiful when women take control like that, isn't it?

KI: Yes, but then when it comes to the end of the night, they are all set with you and they throw you out the door?

PPP: Even better, man. Pain solution. Hey, you should be happy that it's possible that you got a hard-on, cuz it proves that you're not impotent at least. You gotta find the positive side of it, ya know.

KI: Who are some of your favorite bands to play with?

PPP: This time around we are gonna play with The (International) Noise Conspiracy from Sweden, who are a bunch of cool guys. We are also gonna play with Juliette And The Licks, who are Juliette Lewis' band. She's a crazy girl.

KI: Yeah, is she a tease?

PPP: I think that I am more of a tease. Take a look, eh? (laughs)

KI: What are some of your dream bands to play with, dead or alive?

PPP: SLAYER MAN!! Slayer! We sorta have the same booking agent, and when we saw them last in Oslo they came with this whole set that rained blood on everyone. We were just blown away, thinking "man, that's our thing! We should've come up with that!" They got there before us.

KI: Which celebrity would you most want to have sex with?

PPP: Apart from myself?

KI: Yes, apart from yourself.

PPP: Ah man, that's a tough one. I have a girlfriend and this being a website thing it could get nasty.

KI: Well, this is just more of a dream/fantasy thing.

PPP: Ben Stiller.

KI: Really? Hmm you really think your girl would be mad at you thinking that?

PPP: No, not him, but who's that girl that's in the movie with the hair thing?

KI: Cameron Diaz.

PPP: Yeah she's pretty hot.

KI: Which girl would you most like to give a Cleveland Steamer to?

PPP: What? Wow, now you're getting down and dirty eh?

KI: Well, I had to change it up a bit, ya know. Can't ask the same boring questions about the band and touring.

PPP: I'm really bad with celebrities, but there was this girl Tanya. I can't remember her last name, but she was really pleasant and liked ice cream and whipping.

KI: Was that her thing?

PPP: No, sometime she said she just would appreciate it if I would do that to her. And I thought "wow, thanks for asking if it weren't for certain circumstances I would gladly oblige, but no thank you. Can't do: I have a girlfriend."

KI: One of the last times you guys played Boston, I remember Hank yelling out to the crowd how much he "loved all the Harvard boyz." (doing best Norwegian accent) I will never forget the line he followed with next: "I can't wait to spread my manjuice all over your unisexual toilets." My friends and I never laughed so hard. Still to this day, we talk about it and have no idea what he was talking about.

PPP: Yeah, we go to many countries with all different types of cultures and languages. Hank will talk to some of the locals and then think and act like he is one of them. He will shout out stuff during the show. We don't know so we will ask a local "hey, what was he saying?" "Ah, that was just bullshit." He will just learn those couple of words and put them together. But this time around we are actually going to be giving Norwegian lessons.

KI: Oh yeah? I know "skoul" means "cheers," right?

PPP: Yeah, but the anthem is "Geg Eil Ha Kek." And we'll actually be teaching people this so you can go up to Norwegian people and just scream it in their face.

KI: And is this where I get my head kicked in?

PPP: Well no, but you'll get it

KI: "Get it?"

PPP: Yeah, get head. (laughs)

KI: Why do Germans love you so much?

PPP: Remember the second World War?

KI: Yeah?

PPP: Well, they didn't do too well, and they sorta had to leave our country. I think, though, that Germans just think Turbonegro are a funny band and they are a country lacking in humor. I also think that Germans are just bored and there aren't that many people that come to entertain them. And they love to be told what to do, sort of a lesson. They actually enjoy that, but you don't think so when you first meet them cuz you think they are very dominant but they are the ones who like to be dominated.

KI: You switched labels in the U.S. for Party Animals why?

PPP: Last time it was released on Epitaph here and the rest of the world, this time it's Abacus. I don't know why: the people who work in the shadows do. I wouldn't even know where to start to tell you about stuff like that. I hope there's a reason though, and I hope it's because there's more money in it for us. (laughs) But I'm probably gonna be disappointed again, cuz we never come home from these tours with a cent left. And I think "why did we have to bring this, this, and this" and "s it possible to sleep in a hotel that doesn't cost $500 a night?" Yes it is, but apparently somebody said that's what I want to do.

KI: People behind the scenes doing all the bullshit work?

PPP: Actually no: somebody in the band made a request to stay in a nice hotel every night.

KI: Oh really, did they request a squash court as well?

PPP: That's possible. It wouldn't amaze me. I remember sleeping on the bus and hearing Hank ask our tour manager "where's the pizza?" And he told him it was on the crew's bus. And Hanks yells out "hmmm well I'm not happy. Not happy at all." And then I heard the door slam. He's hungry, he needs his methadone, and he needs his food.

KI: So would you warn people against being in a band as it is a waste of money?

PPP: It is a waste of money, but the other things outweigh that: the rocking and the partying. And I feel humble in saying that I feel good playing in this fucking band. And I feel as though I have paid my fucking dues.

KI: Fuck yeah.

PPP: And I'm happier hurt in a neck brace playing than anything else.

KI: Back from hell, giving you a second chance. Do you have any other musical projects outside of Turbonegro?

PPP: No, nothing else, only Turbo. They won't allow me do anything else. I have another project but it will take eight to 10 years before anything even comes together. And apart from that, I am really crappy at writing songs, so I need to hook up with the right people. But I'm I'm on a roll meeting a lot of people. Festivals is a good scene cuz you meet a lot of other bands.

KI: I know that festivals are huge over in Europe, but are the smaller club shows as popular as well?

PPP: Absolutely! It's just something you do from the start of May till mid-September with a break in July sometime. But the festivals are so big cuz of the government funding.

KI: So you do small shows back home a lot?

PPP: Yeah, but it's gotten to the point where a small show is when you play for 1,000 or 1,500 people. I mean, why play for 150 people, ya know? For me, it's quite natural because I drain myself completely during the show. I use up everything I have during the show and then tank up with drugs and pass out till the next day. So I can't really waste any energy on doing stuff that's not reaching out to bigger crowds, cuz I don't have time for it. I feel like I'm gonna croak every night. I gotta change outta this leather shit! (laughs)

KI: Where else you looking forward to playing?

PPP: Anaheim, CA. That's gonna be rocking at House of Blues. And the Fillmore in San Francisco is already sold out, so that's gonna be some crazy shit.Hopefully we won't suck, cuz every now and then

KI: Well, you're only human.

PPP: Yeah, well you're only human but you're not supposed to be human. You're supposed to be super human.

KI: Super rock n' roll robots.

PPP: Yeah, supposed to be Gods. Not made out of flesh and bones. We're not supposed to be made up of meat and potatoes, supposed to be Buffalo for gods sakes.

KI: All hail the Buffalo.

turbojugend usa 2006