JUICEBOXXX

JUICEBOXXX lives in Wisconsin, for whatever reason.

He tries and succeeds at being a one-man mosh pit.  He's bringing his rap-punk to Brooklyn early March.  Make it a two-man mosh pit.



Chief Magazine: Where did you grow up, what was it like?

JUICEBOXXX: Mequon, WI. "Boring suburb." Pretty straight forward, I was always a little weirder. School was a little rough, you know, as it is for pretty much any weirdo kid. Luckily I got pretty into music at a pretty young age.

How did that influence your music?

Going to punk shows at a young age in Mequon pretty much set the tone. From age 11 or 12 on, music has been the central focus. I started doing JUICEBOXXX when I was 15, and I was in bands before that. Punk shows at community centers, legion halls, and basements provided a lot of early inspiration, as did college radio. I could pick up 91.7 WMSE in Mequon and it exposed me to everything from punk to rap to electronic sounds. Life-changing shit pretty much.

What were you like as a kid? Were you always rapping at inappropriate times?

ADD.

What did you listen to when you first became interested in music?

Fifth grade saw me getting into The Specials as well as the CD single of "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. Very shortly after that came punk and college radio which pretty much blew up my musical world. Also, rave culture was on its way out but I was aware enough to catch the last few issues of Massive magazine which read like some portal into a weird world I would never be able to truly get into because of my age. Buying drum and bass and underground rap tapes and just hanging out at Massive Record Source was huge for me as well. Lifetime respect to Dan Doormouse for letting me loiter while my dad was at the bookstore.

What are you listening to right now?

In the past few days it's been "She's The One" by The Ramones, the aforementioned "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)", Japanther, the Carl Craig "Fabric 25" mix, "Think I'm Going Out Of My Head" by Satin Storm, and Nas "Illmatic". That's just a little sample.

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Where are you living right now?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What is the scene like there?

It has its moments! There are cool kids and creative people, an awesome video store, and great custard. Milwaukee needs to learn that it doesn't have to be anything but Milwaukee and that’s good enough. Sometimes it bums me out when people aren't psyched or don't show up when my friend's bands play or I set up shows, but then again sometimes those shows can be a lot of fun.

Have you lived anywhere else?

Not really.

How do you go about creating your songs, what’s the process?

Beats and Rhymes put together as one. There is no usual process. I listen to a lot of music and that inspires me a great deal, usually in a pretty indirect way. You have no idea what fucking gets me charged! I like to get ideas and build up stuff from there.

What are your live shows like?

Hi-NRG slamfests. I encourage moshing! But by moshing I mean having a good time and jumping around but maybe not beating the shit out of each other. If people aren't smiling in da pit, there is a serious problem! I try to be a one man mosh pit!

How was you last tour?

So much fucking fun! Playing with DJ Technics in Baltimore was a mind blowing experience. One of the best DJs I have ever seen in my life. It was an honor to play with one of the true masters of club music! The dance energy on the floor throughout the tour was strong and inspiring and a good sign for 2007. We played with a lot of great DJs and bands, thanks to everyone!

Is there a favorite place you like hitting on your tours?

Any city where the kids are wild and positive and I really mean that. I'm trying to give as much energy as possible when I'm rocking and whenever kids give a little back it just gets me so psyched about playing live and music in general. Come out, scream and shout! Jump around!

Any crazy stories from the road?

I played a Ramada Inn stand up comedy night in Hollyweird. It was right after I left a tour with a group who shall remain nameless. The tour was far from over, but I had to go. I took a greyhound bus from Mobile, Alabama to Los Angeles, which was a fucking great intense ride where I listened to the radio for 48 straight hours! Once I got to LA I played a lot of last-min weird shows, but this one was the most fun! I want to play more hotels in the future!

Is there a favorite band of yours to play shows with?

DJ Technics is maybe the best DJ I have ever seen. People like Japanther and Extreme Animals know how to get a crowd riled up. With Slow Jams Band, Potato, and Airbrains, it's always a party! Terrior Bute hold it down for Wisconsin every time. There are so many great acts in this world, I'm just naming a fraction off the top of the dome.

What exactly would you call your particular brand of music, does it have a name?

I play dance/rap done with a punk ‘tude. Rock is also an influence. That's as far as I'll go. I don't want people to worry too much. I have too many influences to say I do one thing, although I am all for genres. I love bamabounce and clownstep and all sorts of weird micro-shits.

What's next for JUICEBOXXX?

New "Juiceboxxx and Dre Skull" 12" just dropped. Split 7" with Japanther will have dropped by the time this is out. New rappin' mix strictly for the shows coming soon. Gonna keep playing shows, moving forward. I'm always moving forward.

What is the “Thunder Generation”?

Any kid who knows enough to let loose, any kid who cares about music like I care about music. Any kid in general! Come to a show, and then maybe you will understand better. I feel like I've been a part of the Thunder Generation ever since I stayed up all night to listen to the hardcore punk show then the house mix show on WMSE. Wednesday night/Thursday morning I think.

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What function does your music serve in our society? Does it serve to create and rebuild, or to Destroy?

Music is never just one thing. Music is music and kids are kids. Life is life and I'm just here to make it what it is.

Download

Juiceboxxx-ThunderJam3.mp3

Wesbites

www.juiceboxxx.com
www.myspace.com/officialjuiceboxx

Photos

Frankie Martin

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