Interview: Corpulent Provocateur

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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? Josef: My father always made me cool mixtapes with some music. He also bought me the first guitar. If I wasn’t in the band I’d probably be a mathematician in a white coat with no friends. Tomáš: Music was always in my family, so I started aged 5 on violin and switched to drums at the age of 13. Without music, I think I’d have gone for some IT. Ji?í: My family. My Father is a bass guitar player too. If I weren't a musician I would be a professional hater on socials. It seems it is very popular nowadays.

What do you like to do when you're not playing music and how does that influence your creativity? Josef: I like to spend the time with my son and girlfriend. This gives me positive energy and thanks to that I may finally write some positive songs. Tomáš: I have loved video games since childhood. I use it as a relaxation tool I'm also a longboard and coffee enthusiast. Ji?í: I would like to be a joiner or carver. I am still thinking about the final result during the whole process which is the same with music and woodwork.

How long has your band been around? Josef: I started the band 6 years ago with Ji?í. Tomáš joined us 3 years ago, after our former drummer went to college.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music? Josef: We live in a city of 100,000 people in Czech Republic. Our city is famous for its chemical industry which among other things produces Semtex explosives. Not sure, if this affects our music, but you never know.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you. Josef: I love Simpsons and there is an episode, where Homer is an artist manager for a country singer. She bought him a pretty nice suit in a shop named Corpulent Cowboy.

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played. Josef: Coolest experience was probably in a small place, like for 30 people, where everybody loved our music, sweat dripped from the ceiling and we felt like true rock stars. Worst  was definitely a gig with my other band, where I used to play drums. I was so drunk that I fell from the stage during a song. Everybody in the band was so wasted that they didn’t even notice that I’m missing. What a pleasant evening. Tomáš: Best shows? Well I must say it was in smaller clubs with a lot of people that really enjoyed our music. Worst show? 10 degrees at an outdoor festival with heavy rain and except for staff only 1 fan as an audience. Ji?í: Every single show for people who listen to us and enjoy our music is the best. The worst show was when I was younger and stupid and I ruined myself with alcohol before the gig so much that I wasn't able to remember how the songs begin.

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you haven't already? Josef: I like Rock Café in Prague or Fléda in Brno. Madison Square Garden or Royal Albert Hall will be pretty much fine. Tomáš: In Czech Republic, its Lucerna music bar. One of the best smaller places in our country. Also any club abroad. Ji?í: Hometown club Divadlo29. Colours of Ostrava in Czech republic or any festival abroad

If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket? Josef: If I have a big house, with a big garden, I’ll make a small festival there, just for friends, with Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam, Mad Season and Vulfpeck. Tomáš: Some summer festival alongside with Ratm, Foo fighters or Pearl Jam Ji?í: RATM, RHCP, Twelve foot ninja

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band? Josef: Music must come first. Everything else is just a necessary evil that you have to undergo, but it must not affect you in creation. Tomáš: Listen to others! Put ego aside and play for the band! Ji?í: Decide if you want to play serious or only for fun. Based on the answer, find the right bandmates who will be on the same wave.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be? Josef: Drink less, play more, sucker. Tomáš: Practice you lazy ****. Don’t waste time and listen to others. Musicians, teachers etc. Ji?í: Switch off your PC and go practicing. Don't say yes every time someone asks if you will play with him in a band.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? Josef: Can’t tell. They are all my children. Tomáš: I think it’s Loss. It’ll come out in a few months and I love the drum part and melody of this track! Ji?í: unreleased song with two bass guitars instead of guitar. If you were a bass player you would know why - satisfaction :)

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most? Josef: I pretty enjoy the song, which mentioned Ji?í above. I play on bass there too. And people supriselly like it. Tomáš: I think it’s Junkie and Real guy. Second one isn’t recorded yet, so you have to come to our concert! Ji?í: I really like to play the new ones from London recordings. The most requested is encore whatever it is. It's the same situation as with a "feat". No one knows who it is but every second artist has him on record.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music? Josef: There are two ways. First - I’m coming with an idea and we are jamming till it has concrete shape. Second - I do some demos by myself and send it to the others. Then they mostly tell me to go f*** myself with this crap. So I prefer the first way.What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music? Josef: I like to build the music more on energy more than on some kind of message. Maybe it is also because I don’t think of myself as a wise person to put some kind of wisdom in it.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them? Josef: All the time. Still waiting for the final one.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up? Josef: Usually, we have only the biggest plans. Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll, money, cars, mansions, castles, private jets and islands. Currently, any gig will be golden.