The Standard

This Saturday September 24, Le Bain and Night People celebrate the release of the new album by the Hero of electro-rap: Naeem Juwan aka Spank Rock, who we think has the best album title in a long time – Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Fucking Liar. If you think everything is boring, do not miss Spank Rock’s electrifying booty-shaking performance. We caught the busy man a few moments to ask about the new record and his disappearance on the road touring the last few years…

Photo by Jorge Moreno

Your new record is called Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Fucking Liar. Should we take it ironically or that is how you really feel?

The title can be taken lightly, like I’ve learned to never say “never”… I also know not to say everything or everyone when making provocative statements. However, the title does reflect a lot of frustration I’ve had with the music industry since my first album Yo, Yo, Yo, Yo, Yo…

You spent the last five years touring, performing in parties, and I guess partying. What is the weirdest memory you have of those last years… and the most inspiring?

The most inspiring moment was during a festival in Sao Paulo. Amanda Blank, my DJ’s Devlin and Darko, and I all stage dived into the largest audience we ever performed in front of. We shared the stage with Hot Chip and Björk, and Björk even invited us on stage to play with that crazy synthesizer she got. We were all so happy I think Amanda even cried. The weirdest moments have been with Mark Ronson and the Business Intl. but I don’t want to share any details.

On your first single “Energy”, the feeling is really rock, even rockabilly, which we love. Who are your all-time top rock influences?

My top rock influences are David Bowie, David Byrne, Lil Richard, Prince, Jack white, and Nina Simone

Boys Noize, Mark Ronson, XXXChange, Pharell Williams, Santigold are all involved in the new album… It sounds like one of the most exciting line-up you can think of. If Spank Rock was a gang, what would be its leaders?

I think I’m leading this gang guided by the divine force of human imagination.

Spank Rock - DTF DADT (Official Music Video) from Spank Rock on Vimeo.

Do you recognize yourself in Daft Punk motto “The Funk back to the Punk”?

I would love to believe I share that motto. I definitely have a punk rock attitude that most hip hop artist today don’t understand, but my roots are funkadelic.

Your live shows are always spectacular. What is your own motto on stage?

I try to perform like no one is watching, and if the crowd isn’t dancing more than I am then the show was a failure.

And in life?

I’m still trying to figure this out…

It sometimes seems the most sought after producer right now in rap music is David Guetta… Should we see it as the end of rap music?

(Laughing) No its not the end. Hip hop’s future is in the hands of the new generation, not those played out rappers that seek a pay check.

As a kid, what was your favorite super-hero?

Batman, because he was the least ostentatious. Kicking ass in the shadows.

If you had the super-power to change something in the rap music world, what would it be?

I would simply be to bring spirituality back into the music. There needs to be better balance between the material world and the powers that give us SOUL.

Spankrock - "Rick Rubin" (Official Video) from Spank Rock on Vimeo.

This Saturday September 24, Le Bain and Night People present SPANK ROCK featuring a live performance by Spank Rock and DJ’s Eli Escobar, Blu Jemz, Lloydski. Doors open 10pm. Come early! Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Liar, the new album by Spank Rock is out September 27.