By Jason Michelsen
| September 1, 2000
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| He really whups a camel's ass: Wesley Willis, chronic schitzophrenic and rock 'n' roll star. |
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I was a little apprehensive about interviewing Wesley Willis, the chronic schizophrenic musician whose prolific output, despite its almost brutal repetition, has garnered a cult following of musicians and music fans alike. By all accounts, Wesley is a nice guy, just not easy to communicate with, and I was nervous about speaking to him, even over the phone without having to endure the trademark head butt.
Three attempts to call resulted in failure. After so many failed attempts, I was almost certain I would get no answer again and wasn't really all that nervous, but after about ten rings, someone actually picked up the phone. What exactly do you say to a rather large rock star diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Jason Michelsen: (Startled) Hello? Is this Wesley?
I was on a roll.
Wesley Willis: Yeah, this is Wesley.
Hi Wesley, my name is Jake and I'm calling from Choler out here in southern California. How are you doing? Do you have a few minutes to talk with me?
I could tell right away that Wesley wasn't in the best of spirits (no future pun intended). His voice was laden with a sort of ragged paranoia, and I instantly felt bad for calling. He soon confirmed my suspicions.
I'm having a tough time.
Are you all right?
It's my demons. They cussin' at me.
I've heard some psychologists say that there are two distinct directions schizophrenia can take: fear of the government or fear of the supernatural. I had done my research and knew that Wesley Willis heard demons, but I wasn't prepared for any of it.
They're cussing at you?
They cussin' at me, trying to take away my music. But I won't let them; I won't let them take away my music.
Do you want me to call back at a better time?
No, it's all right.
It's all right?
It's all right. I'm having a hard time, but it's all right. I'm not gonna let them take away my music. I'm not gonna let them make me do bad things. I don't need no bars bustin' me up.
Pause. I had only talked to Wesley for about a minute by now and had listened to some of his music in preparation for this interview, but it was instantly obvious to me that the man could turn a phrase in ways that made me extremely jealous.
I uh, don't even know where to begin now. Can you tell me a little about what inspires you?
About what inspires me?
Yeah. What inspires your music?
I'm just trying to stay out of trouble. I don't want to do nothing bad. I just try to stay out of trouble and make my music. Music is the only thing that makes me happy. I don't try to do anything bad, I just try to be a good person, not do anything wrong. I make my music cuz I like rock and roll. I don't want to be behind bars so I just try to stay out of trouble and make my music. My demons are trying to take away my music, but I won't let them. They try to make me do bad things, but I won't hit nobody upside the head with a brick cuz I don't want to look out from behind bars. So I just try to stay busy, making music and being busy. That keeps me outta trouble.
That sounds like a pretty good plan.
That is my plan. I just try to keep busy and be a good person. I am a good person. I try not to do anything bad cuz I don't need no bars bustin' me up. I just keep busy with my music. I make lots of music to stay busy and stay out of trouble.
Well what about your artwork? I've been online and seen lots of your artwork.
I haven't done no artwork in a long time. The demons took away my artwork and make me not do it anymore.
Oh really?
They make me not do it anymore.
So you are only working on your music right now?
Yeah. I'm a rock and roll star. I make music, try to stay busy, try to be a good person. I don't walk down the street and hit anybody with a brick in the head so they can't put me in prison. I don't need no bars bustin' me up.
So, are you working on any new music right now?
Yeah, I'm always making music. We're working on new music right now.
Are you planning on releasing a new album any time soon?
Yes. I'll be having a new album real soon.
How many albums to you have out right now?
I have forty albums out right now.
Forty? Wow, that's amazing.
I love making music. I keep busy making music, keep myself being a good person.
I happen to be partial to "Rock and Roll McDonald's." I heard it played on a local radio station out here, KROQ, when you were on the Kevin and Bean show a few years ago.
I'm tired of playing that song. Everytime I go people want …pause …Let me say that again. Everywhere I go people want me to play that song.
Do you get more requests for that one than any other?
Yes. I like to rock and roll. I'm a rock and roll star and people want to hear me play "Rock and Roll McDonald's."
So how long have you been playing music?
I've been playing music for a long time. I play my music to keep busy. I play my music to keep out of trouble. I play my music to be a good person. My music keeps me from doing bad things. It keeps me from hurting other people and going to prison. I play my music to keep my mind off my demons. They try to keep me from playing my music, but I won't let them. I like to play music and I won't let them take that away from me like they took away my art.
So your demons are talking to you right now?
Yes. They're trying to make me stop making my music, but I'll never stop making my music. I like to play music and I'm not gonna let them take that away from me. They are trying to talk to me all the time and take away my music but I won't let them.
Can you shut them out.
Yes. I can.
Do you ever hear any happy voices?
Never. I only hear my demons trying to take things away from me and make me do bad things.
Really?
Yes, they are always trying to take away my music and make me do bad things, but I don't let them.
So you just have to shut them out?
Yes. I shut them out and don't listen to them. I just keep making my music, but they keep trying to make me do bad things. I try to be a good person, but I can't make them stop trying to take away my music.
Wesley had perked up
Is there anything that you'd like to say to your fans?
I would want to tell them to keep rocking and to keep being good people. Keep busy and don't do any bad things to other people. I try to keep busy to keep from going to prison and going on any hell rides.
When was the last time you went on a joy ride?
I haven't been on a joy ride in ten years. Not since I would ride on the bus out to the suburbs where I would draw.
I've seen some of your artwork on the Internet. It's quite interesting. I really like the depth perception you incorporate into it.
You like my artwork?
Yeah, it's very intriguing.
You like my comedy rock and roll?
Yes. I like your music, it really makes you think.
(Wesley laughs) Say rock!
Huh?
Uhh … rock?
WW: AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! Say roll!
It's almost impossible to express in writing what that sounded like … but it was definitely happy, and I was all about making Wesley happy.
Roll!
EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Say rock!
Rock!
AAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!! Say roll.
Roll!
EEEEEEEEEE…hahahaha. You make me happy.
I'm glad.
You can call me anytime. You're a good person.
Thank you Wesley, you're a good person too. It was a pleasure talking with you.
WW: Bye bye.
Take care.
Talking with Wesley Willis was definitely one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had in my short lifetime. It is simply amazing that anyone can deal with such a debilitating disease as schizophrenia, but Wesley has championed his illness. He has gone from homeless and selling artwork on the bus to becoming a rock star who has forty albums under his belt. From my conversation with him, it became obvious that everyday is a struggle, but there is an innocence and kindness about him that is astounding. Whether you like his music or not, there is no denying that Wesley Willis is a remarkable human being.
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