The Pizza Underground:
The Interview
New York's Pizza Underground recently gained a significant amount of attention due to their inventive, pizza-themed Velvet Underground covers and the presence of their drummer/kazoo-ist Macaulay Culkin (of Home Alone fame). Band member Phoebe Kreutz was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about the band's origins.
What inspired you to start a Velvet Underground covers band? How did you go about assembling a band?
We love the Velvet Underground and we couldn't understand why no one had ever rewritten their songs to be about pizza. The time had come. We assembled the finest musicians possible.
Is writing pizza themed parodies more difficult than regular songwriting? Which lyrics are you most pleased with?
Writing pizza-themed parodies is by far easier. All the heavy lifting has been done. We just have to figure out what the original lyrics mean. And then make them about pizza. Our favorite lyric is when we replace "Sweet Jane" with "Pizza". It has an elegant simplicity to it that really comes through.
Speaking of pizza, what's your favorite topping?
Red pepper flakes
How did you go about recording the new demo? I really dig the raw recording quality
That quality can only be achieved by standing around a computer and singing after a few beers.
Are there any plans to record a more polished sounding album? Have you written any non-pizza themed songs for the project?
All songs will continue to be pizza-themed. We are considering offers to make another recording. It may or may not be more polished. There is something to be said for cheap pizza.
Were you in any bands prior to the Pizza Underground?
We've all performed in different bands. I (Phoebe) play solo and with a band called Urban Barnyard that only writes songs about animals in the city. Matt currently plays trumpet for Two Kazoos, Kung Fu Crimewave and Jagged Leaves. Deenah raps in L.A. Boobs. Macaulay has appeared on stage with Har Mar Superstar and Adam Green. Austin was in Stockholm Syndrome. After so many different projects, it is interesting that this is the one that caught fire.
Which bands are you currently into besides the Velvet Underground?
We love our local acts: Ching Ching, Toby Goodshank, Little Cobweb, The Johns, Give to Light and Schwervon!
Have you, or are you planning to, play any live shows as a band?
We are planning all kinds of live shows. That's where the fun is.
Which do you prefer, cassettes, CDs or vinyl?
Vinyl fits the nicest into a pizza box.
Listen to the Pizza Underground's debut demo below:
Listen to the Pizza Underground's debut demo below:
