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!!!!
Pick up 'Invisible' - the new single from Bumblefoot - here!
