Stix Zadinia is the drummer for the hard rock band Steel Panther. The band recently released their second full length album titled “Balls Out”. Media Mikes caught up with Stix recently to discuss the bands new release as well as what Stix has on his Christmas list.
Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about the bands newest album “Balls Out”?
Stix Zadinia: It is quite possibly the best record anyone will ever purchase! It is chocked full of hooks, killer lyrics, sweet ass playing and, bitchin vocals. The songs are pretty autobiographical.
AL: How do you think this album differs from your previous release “Feel the Steel”?
SZ: With the first record we wanted to be pretty in your face about what kind of band you were about to listen to. The songs had certain parts which were reminiscent of an 80’s hit. With “Balls Out” I feel that the album is 100% Steel Panther. I think the songs on “Feel the Steel” were more immediate and shocking because people had never heard us before. With “Balls Out” I think it will take you 2 or 3 listens before it really grabs you. Every time you listen to the album your will probably hear something new. I made this record and I am still listening to it. I don’t think anyone is writing or recording anything like this these days. We just play the music we love!
AL: Did you guys try any different approaches while recording the album?
SZ: I tried hydroponic weed while we were recording. It worked out really well and it was killer! Musically our first record contained songs that had been around for quite awhile. With the new record we really sat down and thought about what type of album we wanted to do. It’s really like painting picture. You have to have all the ideas around before you start. We wanted to make sure that we put songs together that painted a complete picture of the band.
AL: Do you have a favorite track or two off the album?
SZ: I absolutely love “Gold Digging Whore”! When we play that song live and we get to the middle section where everyone is chanting nothing beats hearing people spell out Gold Digging Whore. “Tomorrow Night” is a fucking killer tune as well as “17 Girls in a Row” and “Weenie Ride”. “Weenie Ride” is a song that is really special to me. Normally I play the drums but for this song I played the piano. To get to do that live is pretty fucking rad!
AL: Was “Weenie Ride” a song that you wrote?
SZ: Satchel wrote the bulk of it. We did arrange it together and I sort of threw my two cents in about the chord work. Needless to say I added my own flavor to it and that’s what you hear.
AL: Can you tell us what’s going on with the Steel Panther television show?
SZ: There are a lot of great things going on with that. We just shot a new pilot presentation that is being circulated as we speak. The response has been insane from the people who make television shows. We originally shot a different pilot for Comedy Central but it never got picked up. The channel actually ordered 22 different pilots from a bunch of different production companies and didn’t pick up any of them. They spent like 2.5 million dollars on pilots and didn’t use a single one. It was kind of nice for us in a way that it didn’t get picked up at that time because we didn’t have the record out. I think now we have much more of a story to tell and we are in a better position. Once it gets on the air it’s going to be just that much cooler.
AL: Has Brian Posehn been involved with the newest pilot?
SZ: Brian is a really awesome guy and a good friend. He was involved with the first pilot but we decided to do something a little different with the newest pilot. Dean Cameron who played Chainsaw in the movie “Summer School” wrote and directed this episode. He helped us really hone everything in and it turned out awesome! You can actually check out the presentation on www.vimeo.com.
AL: Being it’s the holiday season. Are you guys going to release a Christmas song similar to last year’s “Sexy Santa”?
SZ: We haven’t thought about it yet. We should definitely do something! I will have to mention it to the boys.
AL: Is there anything special on Stix’s Christmas list this year?
SZ: I would like a refill on my penicillin order. I had to switch doctors so I am hoping he gives me a new prescription. If not I am going to be miserable. Christmas and I have a long and cool history but other than the penicillin I think I have everything I want. I have a bitchin band, a ton of girls, free drugs and some kick ass shows to play. I don’t really know what else I could put on that list. I am in a really great spot.
AL: What are the plans for Steel Panther this coming year?
SZ: We have a bunch of stuff lined up. We are leaving in a week or so to do a UK arena tour with Motley Crue and Def Leppard. When we get back from that we are going to be all over the states playing various venues. We are also scheduled to go to Canada and Australia. Starting in February we go to Oslo, Norway to kick off a European headlining tour which is going to be knarly.