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Zuggalos.com & Mike P
Zuggla: So what's up guys?
Mike: Wasssup!
Zuggla: Thanks for taking time out to do this interview for zuggalos.com! It means a lot!
Zuggla: First off anything you want to tell us about Cracked Tiles? Since we only got one more week after a wait of over a year, anything you guys want to like say about it?
Mike: It's been a long time in coming, a lot of things had to be put in place before it came out, everything is straight with that, we're ready to fly we're just going to come out and freak it, and hopefully all goes well but you know no matter what we're going to have a good time in doing it!
Zuggla: We're all looking forward to that too! It's been said that on Cracked Tiles J did the majority of the writing, will this happen on any other projects you do?
Mike: Uh, well we're not sure yet, we're already doing stuff for the next record like you know we got ideas and music written and stuff like that, you know Syn's writing lyrics and were like going back and forth and stuff, just kind of testing the waters you know? Its just you never know till, uh, your there, you know the one thing with Cracked Tiles is you know J wanted to do a rock record with myself and Syn and, uh, you know, so he really wanted to do some writing and production on it so it was all good you know. Kind of opened everything.
Zuggla: Was there anything you would've done differently on Cracked Tiles if y'all would've done all the decisions for the album?
Mike: What do you mean if we did?
Zuggla: Like if you guys would've had all the decisions 100 percent I guess is what it's saying, is there anything different you guys would've done?
Mike: As far as the decisions, uh, the path that we took I think, uh, it definitely would've been different, would it of been as cool? Naw I don't think so, with Violent J adding his flavor to it, and with mine and Syn's flavor it came up to be a really interesting record. I mean I wish it would've been released a little bit sooner but there's all these other factors that came to play but it all worked out pretty good you know?
zuggla: Like I said, we're all waiting for it. Can you tell us about the insert for Cracked Tiles? Will the lyrics be in it or pictures or?
Mike: Pictures, tons of pictures, its like uhhh, Netmaster Gordon did the whole layout, and they freaked it you know? You know, I try to stay outta that kind of stuff, you know they say what do ya think of this and I say, “Yea I think it's cool” or “I don't like this” and you know he might change it, he might not.
(laughs)
Zuggla: So there’s a lot of pictures in it then?
Mike: Yeah, a whole lot of photos you know just tons of flavor.
Zuggla: So what are you guys personal favorite tracks on Cracked Tiles?
Mike: My personal favorite would have to be, cause it's so unique, is called "Small Town" it's just so bizarre and the concept lyrically is about us, the whole psychopathic crew rolling into your town taking it over and fucking it up. Syn's favorite is a song called "Suicide" he likes the concept he likes singing it, you know, everyone has there own favorite, you know?
Zuggla: So those are the songs that no one has heard that haven't been out?
Mike: Yeah.
Zuggla: What other bands, besides Psychopathic Records, do you guys listen to? Like any specific bands you guys like and listen to?
Mike: So much shit... I can't even narrow it down you know, like the last record I bought that was outside of Psychopathic music would be, uh Auidoslave, that's an awesome record, ya know that's a great rock and roll record. Man that's the last record I bought.
Zuggla: So basically pretty much like rock?
Mike: Yeah, but then I like tons and tons of CD's, you know, anything to classical music, to uh Muddy Waters to, Led Zepplin, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliot, pretty broad you know?
Zuggla: So have you always wanted to be in the music business? If not what else did you want to do?
Mike: Yeah this is all I've done, all I've ever thought about doing since I was a little kid, you know? It's all I've ever worked for, I didn't play sports or anything like that in high school. I wasn't involved in anything I just sat at home and played guitar all day.
Zuggla: So, what kind of advice would you give to someone..... that's there dream too, you know what I mean?
Mike: MAN! I don’t even know! (laughing) My first thing would be quit. (laughing) I think, I don't even know. Man I've seen so many people just fall out you know... myself... shit it's just a bitch you know? Been starving for years and years, you know, and trying to get over and, you know, the best thing is learn all you can. Get educated, I think, like fit in the mix, like, go to somewhere where shit's happening and just go for it, you know, and be on top your game be the best you can be.
Zuggla: Where did each of the members of Zug Izland meet? Like were you guys friends with each other before?
Mike: Yeah, some of us were, you know? I was talking about myself and Syn met a bunch of times but, uhh, you know hanging out in a little town in Michigan, like Saginaw and Bay City and seeing the band and started planning it and I seen Lil' Pig playing in a band and I just said what‘s up, and I thought he was a fresh drummer and we passed numbers around and he was looking for a gig so I just called him you know? And then Dan Miller he owns a party store at the end of the street where I used to live and we used to go down there you know, and hanging out and bullshitting with him and we needed a keyboard player. And he said, hey man I play keyboard, and I was like damn and he owned the party store so it would be like four or five in the morning and we would need beer so we be like hey Dan Miller let's go get some beer. And we would go open up the store and fill the house up with beer. And of course, the latest news y'all have heard Nester Hendrix is the latest addition to Zug Izland. He's a friend of Lil' Pigs, they go way back like high school and he's brand new. Man he just came in the scene three weeks ago and he’s freaking it. I mean nothing will ever replace Guido, but he's doing an awesome job. He brings a different flavor to Zug Izland, uh, a different vibe.
Zuggla: Well we got his back!
Mike: Right on. He's a cool kid. He came through in a pinch.
Zuggla: Whose idea was it to name the band after the toxic waste dump Zug Island, and why?
Mike: Um, a lot of names were coming around. Different concepts of what the band was going to be, and uhh, the first few weeks there was all different kinds of ideas, ya know? We just started off goofing off, me and Syn and just making music. And we were kind of like, wow man this is something! So all different names came around. Violent J came up with a few different names and Zug Island was one we was all like, yea let's go with that one! So, uh, yea that one got everyone's vote.
Zuggla: This is for both of you. (unaware Syn was not present) were you both juggalos before joining the label and if so for how long?
Mike: Oh, it's just me, Syn ain't even here. (laughing) Just Mike P here. Yeah, I hadn't gone to the Gathering, ya know, I missed the first one because I just worked too much before then. But yeah, then I started hearing ya know ICP, around like 95 and I was hip to all the stuff they was doing. I would roll up in the club after they got done playing and I was like damn the place is wrecked and it was the shit cause you know they played early and I would play late that night and I was like man what are these guys about you know? Then Bizzar Bizaar came out I mean obviously when Milenko came out everyone knew who they was. And so I started listening cause I really dug some of the shit on Bizzar Bizaar too. And it was the shit, and then blam there I was hanging with them and making records with them, so pretty amazing the way it all worked out.
Zuggla: Maybe you can answer this one I don't know, okay , a lot of juggalos want to know, with other labels wanting Syn, probably labels that would get y'all all well known, why did you choose Psychopathic Records?
Mike: Well it just felt like home, felt like family ya know? Like, uh, I felt they were going to put the most heart into it! Not someone who was just going to throw your record out there and not even care, just like whatever. Psychopathic we knew right off the bat they were going to stick behind us ya know?
Zuggla: Well, I think I can speak for pretty much all the zuggalos, we're pretty much happy y'all decided to stick with us.
Mike: Right on.
FreekJoka: Let me jump in, how did you end up hooking up with the people at Psychopathic? How did that come together that you ended up joining up with them, ICP, and getting involved and stuff like that?
Mike: Around 2000, I think it was, I heard they were building a studio and needed someone to run it and actually someone to build it too. So I just went down there and Steve at the Office was there and told me to hang out and put me in a meeting with Alex and we talked and he was like alright and put together a list of the shit you wanting to buy and what it's going to cost. And so I just did it, and it took me a while, it took me like a month or so just to put it all together like the stuff we need and research it out and it takes a lot to build a studio. It’s a lot, so I went back there and they cut a check and the shit came in the mail and started putting it together. And before you know it we got this awesome studio and uh that was it. And then ICP was out on the Bizzar Bizaar Tour at the time so I was just kind of chilling, getting the place running, and uh, they got home and the first thing we did was uhh "With Love" and "R-U Wicked" like myself, then Violent J and then Syn came in town we're just sitting there goofing off. After that we started the Lotus record and, uh, the Rydas record and I think it just kinda evolved from there, ya know? They come in here and play the music that I wrote and it just developed more and more.
Zuggla: This is a really good question. How did it feel for you when the curtains opened and you seen 20 thousand plus juggalos out there?
Mike: Where at? (Zuggla didn't know it was the Gathering)
Zuggla: Well, I don't know about 20 thousand, but like, what did it feel like the first time you actually got up on stage and the curtains opened?
Mike: Man, the first time that Zug Izland got on stage was at St. Andrews Hall and there was like, man, what like 2001 Hallowicked it was amazing man. The curtains opened place was packed out and we were just like damn and blew it up the band played great and everything seemed to work the audience was down and so....
Zuggla: Was it like a rush?
Mike: An amazing rush! It was the shit! and then it just built up from there. We were at the Hallowickid after party that year, we got the Gathering, then Hallowicked this year was just amazing. The whole thing, you know, every time them curtains open and we step out it's like the same rush all over again ya know.
Zuggla: I got a good question, does at anytime it get like overwhelming or have you never had that thought?
Mike: Not really you know? It's just, it’s always what I wanted to do, so it’s like never too much. I mean, sometimes the work can be a whole lot, you know? There's a whole lot that goes into this, like putting together the band and putting together a record. And you know, but it's the shit cause it’s like all I've ever wanted to do ya know?
Zuggla: This one's for Mike, no offense, but what was up with that stage dive at the Gathering?
Mike: What about it?
Zuggla: I have no clue!
Mike: I fucking fell man! (laughing) Alright, this is what’s up, I threw my guitar and I started running. I lost one of my shoes and tripped and fell, and man it did not look good. And I ended up landing on something or someone and busted my ribs!
Zuggla: God, everyone fell at the gathering? (laughing)
Mike: Yup... I went off, I cleared the barricade, but I didn't land so good (laughing again) and as I was flying through the air and didn't leave the ground basically and I'm looking and where I was landing everyone was looking the other way. And like someone else was crowd surfing and I landed on top of his head cracked his head, busted my ribs, and went to the hospital that night, but fuck it, it was worth it you know? It was a good time. And someone's got it on film, it was the shit!
Zuggla: Have you ever felt it, says for both of ya but have either one of you guys felt like an outcast from Psychopathic, being more rock while everyone else is mainly Horrorcore rap??
Mike: Nah, never cause it’s like... cause everyone there is down with each other. It's never like a outcast thing. As far as styles of music, I mean we've all done shows together and it's all gone over. Never, never once have I seen like negativity about us doing a show Mirror Mirror Tour for a bit. Playing Hallowicked everything went smooth ya know? It's still Psychopathic music ya know?
Zuggla: How do you feel about other acts on Psychopathic Records?
Mike: As far as ones that are on there now, there the shit everyone deserves to be there. There all mad talented.
Zuggla: I don't know if I will get myself in trouble for asking this but do you have any clue what’s going on with Esham? I mean, is he still part of the record label? Because there's been rumors that he's, something's happening.
Mike: Nah man, nah, he's still there.
Zuggla: What’s some of the music that influences the sound that you guys use for Zug Izland?
Mike: We don't really pick Something and go for it. We just kind of goofing around, and making music and this is what it ends up being ya know?
Zuggla: How did y'all feel about touring with Kings X? I mean did you contact them or they contact you or what?
Mike: There agent called us, and uh, we're like yeah, we was all going to be out on The Sixth Tour. But we sat and thought about it everyone's going out on a different tour. Twiztid's going out with Bone Thugs, and you know, and there's all these other tours that are going out with other Psychopathic acts how tight would it be that we get a juggalo gathering every night of the week in 4 or 5 different cities? Around the country, its amazing you know, instead of having just one tour going around everywhere. As far as Kings X goes its a different crowd there definitely like a older group. They were big like 90 to 95 I remember seeing them on MTV and what not and the first time you see that a lot of the tours you see today’s music is so diverse that.
Zuggla: Oh yeah, they mix one way or another?
Mike: Yeah, I mean I seen rap groups go out with heavy metal and things like that. So its all kind of cool its like that.
Zuggla: You guys going to be on any other tour other than Kings X?
Mike: Yeah. We're already talking to some other people right now. Just agents and stuff like that. Its talking about tours and I can't really reveal any of what’s going on..
Zuggla: So we can look forward to more tours from you guys?
Mike: Yeah, we're going out for 6 weeks with Kings X and I don't plan on coming home. We plan on staying out.
Zuggla: This question is specifically for you. How did it feel coming into Psychopathic when so much was expected of you, and you replaced Mike E. Clark on The Sixth? Was it, I mean how did you feel about it?
Mike: I don't really feel pressure like that cause, uh, we do two different things. I don't think I was trippin‘, I was just like get in there and do the work and freak it and worry about myself and not try to meaure up to anyone else. That's when you find your own voice!
Zuggla: I got to speak for everyone on that you did a bomb ass job on The Wraith, bomb ass job!
Freekjoka: Yeah!
Zuggla: What kind of experience did you have recording the Wraith, any interesting stories about it?
Mike: Man I got tons of them! It was just the shit you know? A lot of work, had a lot of fun you know? Traveled all over the place, set up shop in the town and we would be like living there. Hotels turned into apartments, you know? And it wasn't even like a hotel, we lived there. Circles of friends, and places we would go on the daily were real interesting. And then boom, we would pack up and hit another town. So, uh, it was really interesting. Just running all over the place. Fun, fun time.
Zuggla: Will you be doing any other the production on Blaze or ABK's new album?
Mike: Yeah, I've done things on ABK's record and Blaze's record.
Zuggla: What about Twiztid you did something on theirs too, right?
Mike: We're talking about me doing a couple tracks for them and, uh, we will see.
Zuggla: How are those albums coming along?
Mike: Very well, there the shit really! It gets better and better all the time!
Zuggla: What are your feelings on the unfortunate departure of Guido, and how is he?
Mike: As far as the tumor goes, it’s gone. But it still had quite an impact on his health. And his energy level, you know, and uh, he just felt that he just didn't really have it in him to go on this tour and couldn't make it. He put a lot of work and effort in this band, very talented and you know?
Zuggla: You guys still keep in contact?
Mike: Yeah, sure!
Zuggla: Well, I think I owe this to him, and I think everyone else wants to say the same thing, make sure you tell him he was the shit, still is the shit, and that we got his back and he ain’t forgotten.
Mike: Like I said in other interviews, don't be surprised to see him popping up.
Zuggla: Well make sure you give him our condolences and hope to see him around.
Mike: He will be around, I hope the doors always wide open for him.
Zuggla: Matter of fact that was the next question. Will Guido still play any role in Zug Izland, if so what will it be?
Mike: I sure hope so. I would like to see him get around the next record and things like that you know? The doors wide open.
Zuggla: And the last one I got for you is, anything to say about the newest Zug Thug?
Mike: Uhh, he's the shit! He's a freak, he's a road dog, he's ready to go! Like I said it brings a new flavor to the band. I'm excited to play shows!
Zuggla: Well uhh, I think that’s all the questions I have unless FreekJoka has some more. I just want to say Zug's the shit and I'll be at your Columbus show, whoot whooot!!!
Mike: You have to come holla when you see me there...
Zuggla: I sure will! I myself want to thank you for giving me the time and your schedule which I'm sure is very busy, to at least answer some questions for us it really means a lot to us so I want to say thanks!
Mike: I ain't been busy I've been laying in bed since Friday.
Zuggla: Yeah man, how ya feeling?
Mike: I'm feeling like shit man, I got drunk and I climbed up on top of my house and I fell off and, uh ya know, I do some dumb stuff once in a while, you know, thought it would be cool, fell off landed on some shit, went the hospital, and now I'm laying here. I've been laying here for 4 days. So I might be a little bit slow the first couple nights but...
Zuggla: That's crazy, but that's cool as shit though!
Mike: But fuck it, I had a good time!
Zuggla: Is there anything exciting going around there at Psychopathic and stuff?
Mike: Um, yeah, there's something always new and exciting going on! But a lot of stuff I can't talk about, the Shangri La Tour is out. Supposed to start any day now.
Zuggla: That’s another question I had for ya. Do you guys plan on having any appearances on it? Surprise appearances?
Mike: I hope so... I think so. We just got to see where this tour takes us and with the next one we're going to cross paths obviously!
Zuggla: Hell yeah, and I hope so! Alrighty anything else FreeJoka?
FreekJoka: Well, I mean, you want to say anything to the fans that are going to be listening to this anything about the album, anything else you want to add?
Mike: Check out the record! Check out the show, it's going to be a fucking riot every night, that's it. I should be up and running in another week or so.
Zuggla: We hope so man, we hope so! Well you take it easy Mike!
Freekjoka: Yeah, thanks a lot for doing this for us! Much clown love!
Mike: Your sites the shit man. I check it out all the time I even leave a message up here and there and you don't even know its me.
Zuggla: well thanks again Mike, you take it easy!
Mike: You too!
Zuggla: Bye!
FreekJoka: Bye!
Mike: Bye! |
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