The Fall and Rise of Butch Walker: Hot Hand Producer Hits the Road with His Hot Band (Interview)

Butch Walker is the singer/songwriter you have possibly never heard of. Then again depending on the artists you listen to you have indeed heard Butch Walker. Walker burst on to the music scene in the 90's with the Atlanta based modern rock band The Marvelous 3. The band scored a hit with the tune "Freak of the Week" but by the time their second disc was released their record company was done with them. The group split up and Walker embarked on a solo career with the release of his first disc Left of Self Centered. Although the disc, chock full of arena rock ready anthems, didn't light up the sales charts, artists liked what Walker was doing in the studio when he was behind the sound board. Walker has become the hot hand when it comes to production. He has produced records for Pink, Hot Hot Heat, The Von Bondies, Avril Lavigne, Lindsay Lohan, Sevendust and the All American Rejects. Along the way Butch has managed to carve out a nice solo career for himself. His second solo release, Letters was a somber singer/songwriter affair and his last record The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites is a party disc that features a glam rock sound. It's tough to pigeon hold an artist who can wax philosophical on the musical merits of Elvis Costello, Lilly Allen and Motley Crue all in one fatal swoop. Is he a producer with the midas touch? Is he an indie rocker, an introspective balladeer, an anthem rock king? The answer is yes, he is all of the above and he has no problem doing it all with a wink and a smile. Walker and his current band (The Let's Go Out Tonites) are getting ready for a mini-fall tour where their last stop will be the Austin City Limits music festival. Right before the tour I had the opportunity to shoot some questions to this indie rocker/producer and here's what he had to say.

Associated Content: The Rise and Fall disc sounded like a real party record. What influenced such a party vibe on the disc? What were the cool things that happened in the previous year that contributed to the good feeling?

Butch Walker: Well, I had an amazing year, actually. It was the first time in 20 years of doing this that things actually looked upward. I loved everything that was happening and I was celebrating it nightly. It certainly didn't make me wanna go home and crank out the yacht rock..

AC: Is it strange for you to be known just as much for producing records as you are for being a singer/songwriter/frontman? Do you sometimes want to shout "hey, don't forget, I sing and write songs to!!!"

BW: Yeah, try "WAY more popular as a producer than a singer"... most people in LA introduce me to other people as a producer/writer, which is strange because unlike a lot of the writing/producing folk in this game, I still tour and put out records as much as I do shit for other people. And still do well on an indie level, so.. it's all good though! No complaints!

AC: How do you pick and choose who you work with as a producer? Is there anyone you would not want to work with for fear of alienating your core audience?

BW: No that's dumb. It's a day job, and f#@k anyone who doesn't like where I work. I don't judge someone for working at Applebee's but dresses like the Strokes at night, so don't judge me for having a very kickass, high-paying day job. Plus, writing anything I want or producing any style I want for other people? Who wouldn't want to exercise that part of their curiosity? Although, I don't ever think I'll work with that Lohan chick again..(HA!)

AC: You seem a bit cynical (and for good reason) about the whole Hollywood/industry scene. If this is the case then how did you get involved with Rockstar: Supernova? Would you do it again?

BW: There we go again... you see, I am in on the joke of LA and it is a necessary evil in my world, but I do love it more than hate it. I am more like a little kid that teases and f#@ks with its head, rather than shun its existence. Also, I paid bills for years on that record, so I could hide in my studio and create whatever the hell I wanted for myself and not some stupid suit.

AC: This year has been nutty with reunions (Rage, Crowded House, The Police, Squeeze, Van Halen...ok maybe not Van Halen but you get the idea). Are you interested at all in reuniting with Slug and Jayce for a Marvelous 3 reunion and new disc?

BW: God no! How unrewarding would that be, outside of a show in Atlanta? We would show up in Ohio and people would be like, "who's this dated band from the 90's, full of old guys?" It's too early and we weren't big enough. but I love them dearly and we talk about the glory days all the time.

AC: After this mini-tour what will you be up to music wise? What does the future hold for Butch Walker the singer/songwriter?

BW: I'm trying to figure the out myself. I don't really know what is going on with me, so I need some time to figure me out and not just rush in to make a record. I have done that before and made some regrettable music. Plus, I live at the beach for the first time ever and I love it!

AC: What does the future hold for Butch Walker producer? Who are you working with next?

BW: I got lots of that lined up! But what fun would that be to spoil it?

AC: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to seeing you at the Troubadour in LA in September.

BW: Thank you so much! Come say hi!

If you want to see a true jack-of-all trades strut his stuff on stage, check out Butch Walker and The Let's Go Out Tonites when they take it to the stage this fall.