Butthole Surfers concerts are legendary: debauched, excessive and with an element of physical danger. And that's why avant-rock legends refuse to get together.
In a new interview with The GuardianOriginal members Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary spoke about the current state of the band, which is currently in the midst of a major vinyl reissue campaign.
With the Butthole Surfers LPs back in print for the first time in years, now is the perfect time for the band to return to the stage. However, Haynes and Leary are hesitant to reopen that door considering the inherent risks involved.
“We're not as good as we could be today, and that's because I lost my mind,” admitted Haynes, whose onstage episodes are well documented. “I did too many drugs. I totally ruined the deal. It is my mistake. I invite.”
Leary added: “We were really screwed up people. “We are good people, but we are screwed, we are damaged.”
Leary went on to say that the Buttholes have been receiving major offers to reunite and apparently play festivals, but not even money is enough to change their reluctance.
“We've had six-figure offers to play live, but I just don't want to do it,” Leary said. “We are very lucky not to be in prison and I don't want to continue insisting. “I don’t want to send a bandmate home in a body bag or burn a place down.”
Since 2011, Butthole Surfers have only played a couple of one-off shows in 2016 and 2017, and it looks like they'll remain the band's last shows, at least for now. In stark contrast to his unhinged personality as Buttholes' leader, Haynes said he has embraced the comforts of family life.
“I have a 13-year-old son, who is the fucking light of my life,” Haynes said. “I have a real family and it's amazing. Little league baseball and high school basketball? Dude, it's shit.”
For more information on Butthole Surfers vinyl reissues, head over to Matador's. website.
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