Pop punk comes in many shapes and forms, but for the last two decades one band made sure to keep it weird. There is no one like Zebrahead. With their eclectic combination of pop punk, hip hop, nu metal, and god-knows-what, they keep pushing boundaries and entertain people all over the world. That’s what they do best. We chatted with Ben Osmundson about their new album Walk The Plank, here’s the result…
There is something I always wanted to ask you – where the hell do you find inspiration for your music?
Everyday life. We get ourselves in a lot of dumb situations from making dumb decisions, especially while on tour.
Your sound is unique, but yet, you manage to keep doing it album after album. How hard is it to stay true to yourself, and never repeat?
That is what we really sought out to do on this album. We felt we were falling into a rut and really needed to change things up a bit and make it a bit fresher… while still staying true to ourselves. We are happy with how it turned out.
You are a band for almost 20 years now. When you started, did you think Zebrahead would still be a thing after two decades?
I really didn’t think much beyond a few weeks in the future when we started. We never really planned anything out and if we were smart and planned stuff… maybe it would have backfired… We kind of just roll with the punches of life and move ahead. We aren’t smart enough to plan out our futures.
We are witnessing a huge comeback of pop punk in recent year or two years. What do you think? What are the reasons behind it?
I honestly think it is just a good new uprising of great pop punk bands. There are tons of great bands out there right now that are delivering great songs and great albums. Makes me happy for pop punk in general. Lots of talented bands means it will stay alive!
Can you tell me more about Walk the Plank? What makes this album different than your previous work?
For one thing, we decided to use a new and different producer on this album. It makes a big difference to take yourself out of your comfort zone. We had become too comfortable in our own shoes… and every once in a while you have to shake it up. Paul Miner helped us break out of the same old, same old feeling we were having.
If I’m not wrong, this is your first record without any influence of Greg Bergdorf. Was it hard to get over a loss of a founding and long-serving member?
For the most part Call Your Friends was also done without him. So it is basically the second, but Greg is a super talented musician… so it is always difficult in that manor. We were super lucky to find Dan Palmer… super lucky. Shreds bit and loves the melody as well. So it fits right in with what we needed.
A few months ago you released The Early Years – Revisited, with some of your old songs, recorded with new members. What was the motivation for such project? Was your intention to show the crowd how those songs sound with new lineup?
Not really. Our label in Japan was going to release a greatest hits album. If we did anything or not. We decided it would be more fun to put some effort into it. We could have easily recycled the old stuff and let them just put it out… but people had been asking for something like this for a long time and we decided the time was right to do it and not be lazy.
You are known for your covers. How did you get the idea to punk the pop of the pop hits? Were you actually trying to find some of the cheesiest pop hits?
Exactly! We wanted the cheesiest songs fronted by female artists that we could find. That sums it up pretty much.
Your new record is out, so what is next for Zebrahead?
We are going to be touring non-stop for the next few years. We are on tour right now. Tonight in Austria and tomorrow in Hungary.
Best albums of the year so far?
To be honest, I haven’t had time to hear many new things this year. We have been so busy. I do dig the new Lagwagon album. That might be last year? I really like the new Itchy Poopzkid album. The new Strung Out is also pretty awesome… so I guess I have been listening.