NOBUNNY play The Constellation Room Jan. 12: James Christopher
NOBUNNY (Justin Champlin) will bring his wild garage-rock sound and, of course, the trademark bunny mask, to The Constellation Room Jan. 12.
Although NOBUNNY began performing in 2001, he didn’t release an official album for nearly seven years. His debut album, Love Visions, featured handclaps, toilet-bowl guitars, whisky bottles of urine used as maracas, and broken pianos.
In addition to his distinct bunny mask, NOBUNNY is also known to don nothing more than a pair of leather panties during his live shows.
Concert Guide Live caught up with NOBUNNY to discuss what attracts him to the idea of releasing music on a cassette tape, the craziest thing that ever happened at one of his shows and his dream venue to play.
CONCERT GUIDE LIVE: You were one of the first bands to agree to release music through Burger Records in Fullerton. Why did you take this leap of faith with what was a brand new and unknown label/record store?
NOBUNNY: I was a huge fan of their old band, Thee Makeout Party. They were my favorite band for a while there. We became friends on the road and still remain friends today.
CGL: What attracts you to the idea of releasing music on a cassette tape?
NB: I always recorded on tapes, had old shitty cars with tape decks in them and before that I purchased music on cassette for most of my formative years as a youth. Plus, cassettes have always been around underground music and touring bands. The only difference I really noticed, was Burger’s tapes looked really pro, as opposed to dubbed one at a time with Xerox covers… not that there’s anything wrong with that.
CGL: Your live performances are quite unique. In your own words, how would you describe a typical NOBUNNY concert?
NB: Good times. Great Oldies!
CGL: What has been the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd during one of your concerts?
NB: Someone once tried to burn the venue and audience down in France by squirting lighter fluid all over everyone and throwing matches around.
CGL: You’ve played at The Observatory several times before. What is your favorite aspect about performing at the venue?
NB: The money.
CGL: What is your dream venue to play at?
NB: The Apollo Theater.
CGL: Your tour schedule over the next two months is absolutely insane with a show nearly every day in more than a dozen different states. How do you bring the same level of energy and passion to a show every night without just going through the motions?
NB: My upcoming schedule is pretty tame to a hardcore road dog like myself. Every performance is unique. NOBUNNY. No rules.
CGL: How do you feel about being compared to other punk rockers like the Ramones or The Quick? Do you find the comparisons to be lazy or flattering?
NB: S’cool. Whatever.