Fred Armisen Really Lived Punk Rock

Before Fred Armisen was the comedy icon that we know now, he hauled drum cases and slept in vans with his punk rock band 'Trenchmouth'.
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[@npcx-mq6cr]

Explains why his punk characters are so solid

[@johnjeffery6638]

RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#!######!

[@SunnyBear]

"step by step that kept not happening" story of most artists right there, very well put

[@_aworldthatspoke950]

What is happening?

[@SunnyBear]

@@_aworldthatspoke950 That question makes no sense, are you asking what things didn't happen for Fred in his career? He talks about his expectations with the music business at 00:52 and onward and says that all of those things kept not happening for him.

[@tigersauceproduction]

I could listen to Fred talk about music for ages honestly haha

[@dodierules3102]

You should go live the life yourself... I cant stand him myself .. Pretentious af

[@waynej2608]

@@dodierules3102 Interesting take. I, on the other hand, thought he came across as quite sincere. Fred, to me, is an artist, who knows humility.

[@johnjeffery6638]

He's very VERSESD.

[@thelastmanonearth2631]

Anyone who's seen his SNL and Portlandia punk sketches knows he's the real deal. You can't include that level of detail without being a part of it.

[@Szaam]

I don't know if it's just me, despite all his success in comedy, he still seems a bit sad that it never happened for him with music. But it's great to learn that Sam knows his music!

[@jamestempleton553]

Not at all, I know EXACTLY what he went though. No one talks about the truth of the music business, it’s debilitating when as Fred puts it “kept not happening”.

[@jimmckee771]

The host really knows his stuff.

[@wesselbindt]

Fred is the guest, actually

[@jimmckee771]

@@wesselbindt Cool, I'm not talking about Fred, dipshit. That's why I said "the host".

[@SenorGnar]

I’ve only ever seen him interview actors (well by the way!), but his music interest and knowledge was a pleasant surprise for sure

[@lespaniel9745]

Dude is WAAY off they were More Nation of Ulysses - and DC experimental stuff. I had a guy I knew that started a band with Jon Spencer - the Blues Explosion - they bought into that wacky Punk Jazz stuff that was ahead of their time as it usually is but it kinda sucked.

[@storksforever2000]

@rj zander Damn look at this cool guy over here

[@faunaflage]

And that's when Billy Corgan said, "We envy you, Fred. All we have is our music, our legions of fans, our millions of dollars, and our youth."

[@evanarnoldstewart1891]

Let's all go buy fur coats!

[@fredfisher33]

Walk-in humidor!

[@johnjeffery6638]

Wasn't that off the SIMPSONS? IM Homer Simpson, $smiling politely-😁

[@ASM881]

That’s an awesome comment.

[@artofsoul]

Just ran across this interviewer and it transported me back to 70's talk show hosts. When interviewers did their research on guest, ask probing questions and know when to take the backseat and listen. Great job sir.

[@518-grind6]

Thank you so much for this one. Fred Armisen is such a peculiar and interesting figure, and his humor can make him so hard to read, but this interview is the most unguarded I've ever seen him. When he talks about John Waters in the other clip, as well, he is so genuine in talking about how art has impacted his life.

[@MisterSpeaker.]

Fred was my hero for two reasons: he was a drummer who then became a comedian. This feels so meta watching this, having failed at both in my life. Cathartic. Thanks so much for talking about this!

[@wilsonallender6334]

Fred is so humble and that’s why I adore him. SNL, Portlandia, Documentary Now, stand up, music. Just a nice, creative dude.

[@johnnydtractive]

It's interesting that you see Fred as 'a nice humble dude'. I see him as someone who has warring impulses within him--nice humble dude, but also vanity & a sense of superiority. Kind, but also ruthless. Generous, but also, as he said, prone to soul-crushing jealousy. I think he does a good job of mastering his uglier impulses, & also hiding them when he can't master them. But they're there beneath the surface, & I'm guessing his past is littered with poor decisions & broken relationships, maybe a little moreso than for the average human. Much as I love his talent & insights, I don't know that I'd trust him, lol.

[@garm0nb0z1a]

great guy and all, but fred is certainly not humble in real life.

[@jamestempleton553]

As someone who was involved in the music business, toured, put out records for almost 20 years. I was broke emotionally, financially and spiritually. When I sold everything and moved on a weight lifted and much happier.

[@PW-le6cr]

Honestly, I’ve seen so many great bands that never got to the next level. It just happens with no logical explanation more frequently than success stories. And no one will ever know why.

[@yesdogs1567]

This interviewer is amazing. Present within the convo, no railroading to the next prepared q, curious and knowledgeable. I genuinely said 'great question' out loud 3-4 times.

[@winklestiltskin]

So many musicians in the same situation as Fred all across this country and the world. I think the music business is tougher to make it in than the film/tv/theater business, and it's absolutely amazing that he failed at one dream and totally succeeded in a completely different entertainment medium.

[@bassinblue]

That was the issue tho, "fame" I not really a goal, because you strive for that not working on anything. A lot of bands (successful ones) went through what he went through but at the end of the day it's working on your craft.

[@irider1201]

I was struck by that, too. How many people have a plan B for fame and fortune? I saw recently that Chevy Chase was a drummer as well.

[@lemsip207]

It's why so many talented musicians who needed to make money but stay in the music business formed tribute bands. I used to watch the tribute bands and think they couldn't write music. More often, they can, but people don't want to hear it until they are signed and get radio play. But to get signed by the A and R people, they need to play their own songs. So often they play in two bands; one tribute and the other original. Or become a tech for a roadie crew settong up the instruments. They get paid union rates, but it's hard work as they set up the stage and take it down again and move to the next venue to arrive before the band does. Techs can move up to being touring musicians for the bands they roadie for.

[@3340steve]

Thank you thank you for mentioning the Minutemen.....

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

I can relate so much with this jealousy feeling he talks about...

[@bassinblue]

Focus on writing and production dude. (If that's the specific jealousy ur talking about ) point is don't worry about others and just look at yourself and focus on yourself

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

@@bassinblue great advice man, I'm actually doing ok, never earn one cent that wasn't art related, but that feeling of "almost" sometimes crushes me hard. But yeah, you're totally right

[@michaelblockley3910]

Amen

[@Crunch_Buttsteak]

@@bassinblue Everyone experiences jealously especially when in the entertainment business no matter what advice you give.

[@dcrea9416]

As long as it is a healthy jealousy. Just don't become spider webbed in any hate filled jealousy.

[@barnziee]

Did not know Sam liked good music. Awesome.

[@jeff503pdx]

This is awesome. The story of the not-making it. I did the band thing for about 10 years and all those same emotions I had. Learned how to make your own path but still enjoy it.

[@jackshiels3239]

Fred's a great guy. Nice insights!

[@ShyamarupaDasa]

I remember Trenchmouth and was a huge fan. Went to all their shows. TM, & Repulse Kava were, in my estimation, the two best bands in Chicago during that time.

[@blackbird5634]

Fred makes a point, it seems when the focus shifts from playing drums to wanting to be famous things stand still rather than move forward.

[@WarlordRising]

Fred sounds like the Antonio Salieri of the punk scene, but instead of going insane, he found comedy. I thank him for this, because Portlandia is gold. He seems like he's poking fun at his younger years, and the people he worked with at the time in that show.

[@chrishubbell8567]

One of the best, well said things I’ve ever heard about being in a band.

[@claytonbrown7120]

I do remember that I had at least heard of Trenchmouth back then and I was in South Carolina so in a way, they were famous to a degree🤷🏻‍♂️

[@34SideWinder]

The Mark Mothersbaugh Devo callout! Love it. Worthy of musical hero worship.

[@contentw.content9741]

Man his admission of “the working man’s Rocknroll dream” not panning out... he was even more idealistic and stubborn then me and my brothers. You can do everything right and still end up empty handed. Happy and surprised his peculiar comedy was able to flourish at SNL.

[@quinnhen2325]

He’s so incredibly talented.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

my brother and I moved to the Seattle area following our parents out, we moved in 1988 from Wichita, Kansas. We had been in a garage punk band in Wichita. Coming out here, we reformed into another band called Anderson Council and started playing gigs.. Playing the same clubs as Mother Love Bone and Nirvana, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Tad.. and everyone started getting signed. And yes.. we were not 'grunge' music.. we were more classic garage band... but we were all original and tight.. It was weird seeing everyone around us getting signed.. First there were the big labels.. and then the smaller art labels.. and local labels.. We didnt care about the fame or the money, just wanted to get our music 'out there' to be heard... and we did that.. and my brother and I still do.. We dont perform live because its all different now and who wants to see 60 year old men rocking out on stage...

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

Thomas Andrew Doyle has gotta be close to 60 now and I'd love to watch him rocking out live on stage.

[@AndyGaskin]

Great interview!

[@BudLightBeerOfStarCommand]

So relatable it hurts

[@dannyruggles7020]

i relate to this so much. i wish fred was my friend

[@CarlHH777]

90s was a weird time. Bands like Jesus Lizard and Melvins would never get signed by major labels today.

[@garm0nb0z1a]

Jesus Lizard and the Melvins are both pretty damn big nowadays, I think a big difference is that major labels aren't so major anymore.

[@richardbrickner3212]

Fred your my hero! I can't tell you the name of the Smashing Pumpkins drummer, but love to see anything your in.

[@adrianmanuel_music]

Chamberlain

[@NorthTexasEagle1989]

Such a special individual

[@georgebegbie6725]

Yes yes yes. So much feels here.

[@HylanderSB]

I wandered through that world in the early nineties. Some of my best memories. DC hardcore was special.

[@leefischer2486]

Fred tips his hand at the end, with "even Billy Corgan".

[@JoshuaRoss2]

When he said ‘I did a lot of drumming’ and paused halfway through drumming it really sounded like he was going to say something else

[@lastriotgrrl]

Trenchmouth was amazing. Post-Punk Hardcore Jazz

[@mgmegt5920]

I just love Fred, I know these same feelings

[@sartori69]

So many great band name drops LOL

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

Wait that can't be real, my cousin gave me a mixtape with a couple of Jesus Lizard tracks and even one from them. That's wild. He also gave me the first pavement album that's insane you'd think I would checked that by now.

[@seropbabayan]

I really felt this, i have a good job, paying my bills, saving… but still feel like i never “made it”

[@holysinaa]

Wow, what a story.. ❤️

[@shanhussain6114]

Ian Rubbish is one of the greatest punk character ever conjured up

[@GodsNode]

4:18 Yup. Same thing happened to me. If you're like 25, been doing it for years and have got nowhere, you gotta hang it up and do something else that will support you and is interesting enough to be meaningful to you. Because service jobs and getting nowhere will destroy your soul more than getting a corporate job. Just my two cents.

[@3340steve]

Absolutely correct.

[@royboy1984]

Ahhhhh....Not all DC bands sound a like. Bad Brains, Fugazi and Minor Threat all sounded differently. Dude just listed the opening line from the DC Punk Wikipedia page. He also forgot to say that Trenchmouth also sounds like DJ Kool, Trouble Funk, Paige 99, and Scream.

[@theslimemolds5099]

Great interview. I like The Slime Molds

[@benxamin13]

This video should come with a music playlist.

[@dm7561]

39. Huge Trenchmouth fan.

[@FranMSK]

I live in The UK and we don't have SNL over here. I literally have only become aware of him since Schmigadoon and he is fuckin adorable.

[@BlackAdder665]

Ha, it took Fred Armisen to remind me that I own the very first Pavement album. :-D Haven't been listening to them for at least 15 years. I was really into them back then. Weird... P.S. Just checked: that record is 27 years old now. Where is my life gone? Dafuq?! :-O

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Id love to have a beer with this dude

[@kylebruckmann]

FWIW, fred, THIS 90s Chicago-expat household still rocks its Trenchmouth CDs... (yes, CDs)

[@supernatural5354]

I love hearing people talk about punk rock music. Its sucks that no one talks about any form of rock music anymore. :(

[@grovermarchand3282]

The best music is most definitely behind us

[@WaitingtoHit]

@@grovermarchand3282 If you're talking about mainstream music, then maybe, but there are lots of great new indie bands.

[@kameronnaeole7680]

There's the "old punk guy" glasses

[@christophersawyer253]

"Even Billy Corgan"........hahaha

[@dcrea9416]

He just described the vast majority of hopeful musicians.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

It's great to hear from Ian Rubbish. He's somewhat more eloquent than I remember.

[@janacopolis]

“When you expect anything from music, you expect too much.” - Josh Homme

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

Punk Rock God: "Fred wanted success too much."

[@kendallcrawford3874]

Cat Scratch. The band we need.

[@VCCassidy]

I mean...I’d heard of Trenchmouth before I knew Fred was their drummer. Hadn’t listened to a ton of their music, but I knew they were a thing in post-hardcore.

[@ianoble]

I've heard of about 10% of the bands you guys were talking about. haha

[@KamradO]

check em out man, all gold

[@crd311]

you ended up famous Fred. mission accomplished

[@BrittKatSlat]

I’ve seen Fred eating at a taco place near me in Atwater. He’s so cute and was alone. :)

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

Britt Slater Be careful and don’t approach him if you see him. He’s well known for targeting girls to play with and then discard. He’s admitted to having a sex addiction and just terrible behavior.

[@rohsei1721]

@@BbGun-lw5vi lmaoo what?? where did you get this info from?

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@rohsei1721 From his exwife, actress Elisabeth Moss talking about his emotionally abusive behavior when they were married. She said his best impression is acting like a normal human being. Ex girlfriends have said the same. One that is an artist titled a painting of a man that looks just like Fred: Portrait of a Sociopath. Fred himself admitted on Howard Stern that he was “a terrible husband. I feel bad for everyone I’ve gone out with.” He explained that he enters a relationship fast and then suddenly all the love is gone and he feels like the woman is a stranger living in his house. So he ignores and discards them. I’ve also been in forums where women who dated him spoke about horrible experiences they had with Fred. He’s very talented but clearly has mental issues.

[@eugeniovasquez3780]

Riot Spray!

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

Im currently dealing with this problem, but I've recognized i have been getting in my own way. I got band members that are awesome and are ready to lay it out on the line and I'm just scared this exact scenarion is gonna happen, while I watch my collegues around me making it and just getting jealous of them. We've done some shows and made some recordings with positive feedback, but havent really cut our teeth yet because of my indecision. It's better to fail and know that you tried, im tired of being scared to fail.

[@Jacksabbath44]

is more about it than just "fame", the most obvious response sounds even "worse" but most indie musicians can't make a living from their work, as a matter of fact, they mostly spend much more on gear, recording, promotion and touring than they earn, and a band like that the biggest it could achieve at that level is getting into small movie soundtracks, skateboarding videos and such, and he was a drummer, most drummers aren't credited as songwriters, so even with a stable band for years, they rely on touring money, or maybe some merchandise, but not royalties (that could be paying for a lifetime even if little) that's why Fred (and some people say all drummers) seem to be focused on "getting bigger" and "becoming famous" because that's when endorsement deals get, bigger paychecks, negotiations for equality in the band, that kind of stuff, and yes recognition, it feels more "worth it" when people ask for an autograph and know your name for some work you did, when you put a lot of time and effort into something

[@stevenhernandeznon-profitf968]

I think no what career you are in we can all relate to the struggle

[@benfrank8649]

This is way too real

[@theoryofthemobius]

The word you're looking for is validation.

[@johnjeffery6638]

The WEIRD thing is FREDS' SATIRICAL BANDS( BIZZARROS, BJC; ) ACTUALLY were AWESOME in a very BENT but Unbelievably AWESOME. way. SO he WINS in the End.

[@MikaelLewisify]

I did not know Fred was in trenchmouth.

[@kevando_gg]

Holy crap the secret link

[@andrewaronson3364]

what

[@adamdavis4973]

Trench Mouths getting back together for my wedding...

[@HermanWaldorf]

sometimes for a small band who is very similar to others, taking off is also a matter of luck. Being noticed by that talent scount, opening for that band in that particular moment, putting out that catchy song in the right moment, etc. Trenchmouth maybe just were not lucky.

[@marymyers4751]

i was a trenchmouth fan

[@bltvd]

If you ever saw Trenchmouth you would understand why they never made it!

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

Just watched a couple of vids and I agree.

[@MonkyMonk729]

I love Fred Armison but he has the same attitude as just about every drummer I've played with, where their obsession with getting signed and rich and famous completely kills their love of music. I always say play music because you love it. Don't expect ANYTHING more out of it than the thrill and the magic of creating music and you will never be disappointed. If an opportunity to make money happens, great. But don't expect it.

[@LameBushido]

Why do you think drummers are like this?

[@3340steve]

It is so sad when talented players can't just play shows and have fun making great music for a room full of people....i have seen so many friends quit playing because they can't catch a break with the business. The music and the good vibe should be the reward...makinf the whole business world click is a one in twenty million chance...have fun should be the motto, not become Stewart Copeland (not a slang on SC but rather ...forget the business, the scene, enjoy the music and love your band...if your wife or husband hates your music, what the heck is your connection there?

[@TheMattJacks]

The long journey from punk rocker to Woody Allen's secret "Schwarzenegger" style baby.

[@rickg8015]

He should’ve asked J Mascis to join his band.. just like Cobain.

[@convolution223]

So what was he doing wrong?

[@krisscanlon4051]

Certainly lived the musical route...lots of street cred on ole Fred...knows everybody

[@CumulusSkies]

Relatable! 😐

[@newyorkbricks5956]

KZbin should not allow videos like this that are just advertisements for a subscription service.

[@captainwre]

Does anyone hear people talk about punk rock bands and they say something like "freedom dirt had an album that came out of the eclipse era that surpassed mouse teeth. summer of 86" and just sit there clueless as to what the hell they are talking about?

[@ShyamarupaDasa]

Too bad as Trenchmouth was a really great band. I was a huge fan and always thought they would break through. Happy for Fred’s success tho.

[@Lowgarr]

Fred got his fame, just in a different direction.

[@MrSlicer2424]

And all Fred got was a Colin Chicken Dinner!

[@m.rasheed1214]

If only he would've felt the same way about his band as he did about his SNL experience, the band would have taken off the way he dreamed, I'll bet.

[@dylanvinitamusic2033]

I'm more of a fan of his b-side on "Living in the Gutter".

[@ReNewCarpet]

Come on Fred you played they Alumni House how does it get any better than that.

[@OlivioSarikas]

Why are your videos so short? Make a 15-20 minute interview in one video please

[@theoffcamerashow]

You can view the entire hour long interview on DirecTV, our website: Offcamera.com , or listen to the audio of the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

[@CoolCat00001]

His band Trenchmouth isn't bad.

[@justinmcgonigle5587]

He forgot about one thing...the music! He was so busy trying to make it, I'm sure the music probably suffered for it....just my 2cents...

[@Paradroidx]

For once a decent interview on KZbin

[@walterm.robertsiiiphd2157]

Nice if they had dated this -- what period of Punk?

[@TheRealLarissa]

I just wanted someone to play music with and not have my ideas and concepts farmed out to others.