01Profile
A Joe & The Shitboys Photo
Joe & The Shitboys
Musician — Faroe Islands
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Joe. I’m 26 years old and from Søldarfjørður, a village of 400 people in the bible belt of the Faroe Islands.
I have invited Joe & The Shitboys guitarist, Ziggy Shit, 27 years old and residing in big city Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, to join me in answering the playlist questions.
Describe your style in three words?
Shorts, shirts, shoes.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Dillinger Escape Plan in Copenhagen. The show started with singer, Greg Puciato, grabbing my chest and ripping my shirt, and then guitarist, Ben Weinman stage dives and kicks me in the head in the process. Then the entire audience started moshing to atonal wankery and screaming. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Missy Elliot and G.L.O.S.S.
Missy Elliot because I’ve always been into her and her vibe. She is a very powerful figure, she’s aggressive, she is a great rapper and she doesn’t take shit from anyone. I feel like her sound and atmosphere, would fit very well with Joe & The Shitboys.
G.L.O.S.S. (Girls Living Outside of Society’s Shit) was a queercore band that consisted entirely of very angry trans people with an agenda that we can get behind. The live shows that these people put on were adrenaline-induced chaos, but with a focus on maintaining a safe space. The music itself is some of the most aggro stuff I’ve ever heard. Joe & The Shitboys would get the party going, followed by Missy Elliot who would lift the party to another level, and G.L.O.S.S. would end the night with a 15-20 minute set and demolish the venue in the process.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The DIY ethos of various punk scenes has been very important to us. In the Faroe Islands, you kinda have to do everything yourself, because no one is gonna do it for you (not for cheap anyways). We record and mix everything ourselves, do our own artwork, merch and music videos, and we’re used to booking our own shows. It’s a great way of creating a vibe that’s unique to you.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Stone Cold Steve Austin during the late ’90s. There hasn’t been a person that I’ve studied more meticulously than Stone Cold Steve Austin, and how he works a crowd with every single move he makes. I would like to have an hour to get inside his head and have him explain how the sound of shattering glass can get 67,000 people off their seats, screaming with excitement. Most of my stage persona comes from asking myself “What would Stone Cold do?” and it’s always the right decision.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ll cheat a bit for this one, as it wasn’t a venue, but we played an outdoor show at a square during the Faroe Islands’ pride afterparty. There was no stage, just a PA, a drumset, and amps for the guitar and bass. There were hundreds of screaming and dancing people, who were celebrating LGBTQ+ pride. Most of the front rows were occupied by either queer people or women, which is pretty much unheard of in the local rock scene. There were people standing between myself and the rest of the band; there were people standing between the guitarist and the guitar amp. I have never played anywhere like it. There were some unbelievably hardcore vibes in the air that night.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think I’ll cheat some more here. These people might be unsung heroes internationally, but not back home. Clickhaze was an alternative rock band in the ’90s that took inspirations from pretty much everywhere, including dub, metal, hip hop, post-rock etc. I know that it sounds like they weren’t different from every single rock/metal band in the ’90s, but they had a unique vibe. Their moody tunes were delivered with elegance, and the musicians were phenomenal, especially vocalist Eivør Pálsdóttir who has since gone on to feature on the soundtrack for God of War.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
J: Most likely the radio edit of 'Freestyler' by Bomfunk MC’s. I had it on a compilation CD called Hits for Kids 3 that my mom got me. By the way, the Bomfunk MC’s album, 'In Stereo', still sounds cool to me.
Z: 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)' by The Offspring blew my six-year-old mind. I begged and begged my parents for the album, but I didn’t know who was playing. Didn’t know how to read. Think I had just discovered MTV at the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
J: This is not a song that I ever really loved - it was alright, but no song takes me back to my teenage years than 'I Gotta Feeling' by The Black Eyed Peas. This song played at every party I ever went to in 2009-2010, and was subsequently the soundtrack for a huge chunk of my sessions of underage drinking, beer pong, and trying way too hard to get laid and failing miserably. It came out during an era of pop music that didn’t speak to me at all, so it was cool to be able to vibe to the same song that my friends were into.
Z: 'Clint Eastwood' by Gorillaz. Not sure why exactly. Actually not my favourite Gorillaz song, but I’ve listened to it regularly ever since it came out. Wonder what that means…
One record you would keep forever?
J: This is a difficult question for me to answer, because I don’t have a record player, and the only CD player I have is my PS4. But one CD that I still have and I don’t want to get rid of at the moment, even though it’s scratched beyond all repair, is Slipknot’s self-titled album. When I was a kid, rough sounding music scratched an itch that nothing else could, and Slipknot was the sickest sh*t my older cousins had ever heard. My mom knew that these men in masks used a lot of naughty words, so she wouldn’t buy the album for me no matter how much I cried. When I was 9, I tricked my dad into buying the album, and I would put it on every day after school, and stand by the window to keep an eye on when my mom was coming home, and then I’d hide the album when I spotted her. The album was great and this track even had the drums from The Powerpuff Girls.
Z: I’ve got a yellow 7” of 'Apache' by The Shadows. It’s the Radio Luxembourg version. It’s my favourite record because kids go crazy for it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
J: 'Samaritans' by Idles has made me do some proper self-reflection. It made me realise that I have some deeply rooted toxic traits that I need to take care of. I’m 26 years old, and artists still find new ways of calling me out for my sh*tty behaviour, and that is inspiring to me.
Z: 'Go With The Flow' by Queens of the Stone Age. Just the title. It’s a nice mantra. It’s also my morning alarm and ringtone.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
J: 'Filthy/Gorgeous' by Scissor Sisters is a sick disco tune, with a very queer vibe. It’s so unapologetically queer in both lyrics and sound, with falsetto vocals, and a bassline that sounds like it belongs on the red light district. I can always get down to 'Filthy/Gorgeous' and have a great time.
Z: I’ll go with 'Love Too Good' by Jefferson Starship. It’s my favourite dance song ever. Love how jammy it feels. Disco is highly underrated.
A song you wished you had written?
J: 'Fix Me' by Black Flag. It’s fast, it’s simple, it’s hard, it’s catchy, it’s ironic, and it’s about a person who wants to ironically have a lobotomy. At a length of 58 seconds, it’s the perfect punk song. A large part of my vocal delivery is ripping off Keith Morris from the 'Nervous Breakdown' EP (where 'Fix Me appears).
Z: 'Garbage Truck' by Beck / Sex Bob-omb. I’ve been trying to write that song ever since I first heard it. It’s everything I’ve wanted. I am Knives'Chau.
Best song to turn up loud?
J: 'Unz Unz' by Danish techno rappers Specktors x Nonsens. I didn’t know Danish techno rap was a thing, but it’s what I need in my life right now. Nothing gets me my blood pumping more than blowing out my cheap ass JBL Flip speakers to a filthy bassline and a guy repeatedly saying “unz unz”.
Z: Anything by 200. The only local punk band growing up. I’ll go with 'Fingrarnar Vekk' because it kicks ass and is amazing live.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
J: 'Я Крокодил' by Stas Exstas. I feel like most people describe their taste as “a little bit of everything”, and honestly, I’m no different. But one song that really surprises people that I like is this electronic Russian song that is probably about krokodil, but I’m not sure. It just sounds so good.
Z: 'Problem' by Ariana Grande. I was surprised I liked it. Played it on repeat for a while.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
J: After an all-nighter, I need some winding down. Nothing soothes me more than Faith No More’s cover of 'Easy' by The Commodores. It’s perfect for when I need to pass out on the couch.
Z: Maybe 'Call It A Day' by The Raconteurs? Is that too obvious?
Any new music you are listening to right now?
J: Black Midi have been blowing my mind lately. It’s jazzy post-punk, played by incredible musicians. At times they make me feel like I’m meditating while on psychedelic drugs, other times it feels like they’re smacking me in the face with a calculator. The singer has a strange accent (I’m 95% sure it’s not a real accent) and the drummer is out of this world.
Also the Swedish boyband, Viagraboys, have just released a cool new EP. It sounds like a bunch of alternative sleazebags having a good time with a saxophone.
Z: Been slowly trying to get into a few Icelandic bands lately. I love Hórmónar, but they just ended the band. Sucks. Check out their track 'Glussi'. Insane track. Love it.
Another Icelandic band I like is BSÍ. Bought their 7” solely based on the cover photo. 'Bú On You' kicks ass. Helvitis fokk!
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Joe. I’m 26 years old and from Søldarfjørður, a village of 400 people in the bible belt of the Faroe Islands.
I have invited Joe & The Shitboys guitarist, Ziggy Shit, 27 years old and residing in big city Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, to join me in answering the playlist questions.
Describe your style in three words?
Shorts, shirts, shoes.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Dillinger Escape Plan in Copenhagen. The show started with singer, Greg Puciato, grabbing my chest and ripping my shirt, and then guitarist, Ben Weinman stage dives and kicks me in the head in the process. Then the entire audience started moshing to atonal wankery and screaming. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Missy Elliot and G.L.O.S.S.
Missy Elliot because I’ve always been into her and her vibe. She is a very powerful figure, she’s aggressive, she is a great rapper and she doesn’t take shit from anyone. I feel like her sound and atmosphere, would fit very well with Joe & The Shitboys.
G.L.O.S.S. (Girls Living Outside of Society’s Shit) was a queercore band that consisted entirely of very angry trans people with an agenda that we can get behind. The live shows that these people put on were adrenaline-induced chaos, but with a focus on maintaining a safe space. The music itself is some of the most aggro stuff I’ve ever heard. Joe & The Shitboys would get the party going, followed by Missy Elliot who would lift the party to another level, and G.L.O.S.S. would end the night with a 15-20 minute set and demolish the venue in the process.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The DIY ethos of various punk scenes has been very important to us. In the Faroe Islands, you kinda have to do everything yourself, because no one is gonna do it for you (not for cheap anyways). We record and mix everything ourselves, do our own artwork, merch and music videos, and we’re used to booking our own shows. It’s a great way of creating a vibe that’s unique to you.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Stone Cold Steve Austin during the late ’90s. There hasn’t been a person that I’ve studied more meticulously than Stone Cold Steve Austin, and how he works a crowd with every single move he makes. I would like to have an hour to get inside his head and have him explain how the sound of shattering glass can get 67,000 people off their seats, screaming with excitement. Most of my stage persona comes from asking myself “What would Stone Cold do?” and it’s always the right decision.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ll cheat a bit for this one, as it wasn’t a venue, but we played an outdoor show at a square during the Faroe Islands’ pride afterparty. There was no stage, just a PA, a drumset, and amps for the guitar and bass. There were hundreds of screaming and dancing people, who were celebrating LGBTQ+ pride. Most of the front rows were occupied by either queer people or women, which is pretty much unheard of in the local rock scene. There were people standing between myself and the rest of the band; there were people standing between the guitarist and the guitar amp. I have never played anywhere like it. There were some unbelievably hardcore vibes in the air that night.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think I’ll cheat some more here. These people might be unsung heroes internationally, but not back home. Clickhaze was an alternative rock band in the ’90s that took inspirations from pretty much everywhere, including dub, metal, hip hop, post-rock etc. I know that it sounds like they weren’t different from every single rock/metal band in the ’90s, but they had a unique vibe. Their moody tunes were delivered with elegance, and the musicians were phenomenal, especially vocalist Eivør Pálsdóttir who has since gone on to feature on the soundtrack for God of War.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
J: Most likely the radio edit of 'Freestyler' by Bomfunk MC’s. I had it on a compilation CD called Hits for Kids 3 that my mom got me. By the way, the Bomfunk MC’s album, 'In Stereo', still sounds cool to me.
Z: 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)' by The Offspring blew my six-year-old mind. I begged and begged my parents for the album, but I didn’t know who was playing. Didn’t know how to read. Think I had just discovered MTV at the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
J: This is not a song that I ever really loved - it was alright, but no song takes me back to my teenage years than 'I Gotta Feeling' by The Black Eyed Peas. This song played at every party I ever went to in 2009-2010, and was subsequently the soundtrack for a huge chunk of my sessions of underage drinking, beer pong, and trying way too hard to get laid and failing miserably. It came out during an era of pop music that didn’t speak to me at all, so it was cool to be able to vibe to the same song that my friends were into.
Z: 'Clint Eastwood' by Gorillaz. Not sure why exactly. Actually not my favourite Gorillaz song, but I’ve listened to it regularly ever since it came out. Wonder what that means…
One record you would keep forever?
J: This is a difficult question for me to answer, because I don’t have a record player, and the only CD player I have is my PS4. But one CD that I still have and I don’t want to get rid of at the moment, even though it’s scratched beyond all repair, is Slipknot’s self-titled album. When I was a kid, rough sounding music scratched an itch that nothing else could, and Slipknot was the sickest sh*t my older cousins had ever heard. My mom knew that these men in masks used a lot of naughty words, so she wouldn’t buy the album for me no matter how much I cried. When I was 9, I tricked my dad into buying the album, and I would put it on every day after school, and stand by the window to keep an eye on when my mom was coming home, and then I’d hide the album when I spotted her. The album was great and this track even had the drums from The Powerpuff Girls.
Z: I’ve got a yellow 7” of 'Apache' by The Shadows. It’s the Radio Luxembourg version. It’s my favourite record because kids go crazy for it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
J: 'Samaritans' by Idles has made me do some proper self-reflection. It made me realise that I have some deeply rooted toxic traits that I need to take care of. I’m 26 years old, and artists still find new ways of calling me out for my sh*tty behaviour, and that is inspiring to me.
Z: 'Go With The Flow' by Queens of the Stone Age. Just the title. It’s a nice mantra. It’s also my morning alarm and ringtone.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
J: 'Filthy/Gorgeous' by Scissor Sisters is a sick disco tune, with a very queer vibe. It’s so unapologetically queer in both lyrics and sound, with falsetto vocals, and a bassline that sounds like it belongs on the red light district. I can always get down to 'Filthy/Gorgeous' and have a great time.
Z: I’ll go with 'Love Too Good' by Jefferson Starship. It’s my favourite dance song ever. Love how jammy it feels. Disco is highly underrated.
A song you wished you had written?
J: 'Fix Me' by Black Flag. It’s fast, it’s simple, it’s hard, it’s catchy, it’s ironic, and it’s about a person who wants to ironically have a lobotomy. At a length of 58 seconds, it’s the perfect punk song. A large part of my vocal delivery is ripping off Keith Morris from the 'Nervous Breakdown' EP (where 'Fix Me appears).
Z: 'Garbage Truck' by Beck / Sex Bob-omb. I’ve been trying to write that song ever since I first heard it. It’s everything I’ve wanted. I am Knives'Chau.
Best song to turn up loud?
J: 'Unz Unz' by Danish techno rappers Specktors x Nonsens. I didn’t know Danish techno rap was a thing, but it’s what I need in my life right now. Nothing gets me my blood pumping more than blowing out my cheap ass JBL Flip speakers to a filthy bassline and a guy repeatedly saying “unz unz”.
Z: Anything by 200. The only local punk band growing up. I’ll go with 'Fingrarnar Vekk' because it kicks ass and is amazing live.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
J: 'Я Крокодил' by Stas Exstas. I feel like most people describe their taste as “a little bit of everything”, and honestly, I’m no different. But one song that really surprises people that I like is this electronic Russian song that is probably about krokodil, but I’m not sure. It just sounds so good.
Z: 'Problem' by Ariana Grande. I was surprised I liked it. Played it on repeat for a while.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
J: After an all-nighter, I need some winding down. Nothing soothes me more than Faith No More’s cover of 'Easy' by The Commodores. It’s perfect for when I need to pass out on the couch.
Z: Maybe 'Call It A Day' by The Raconteurs? Is that too obvious?
Any new music you are listening to right now?
J: Black Midi have been blowing my mind lately. It’s jazzy post-punk, played by incredible musicians. At times they make me feel like I’m meditating while on psychedelic drugs, other times it feels like they’re smacking me in the face with a calculator. The singer has a strange accent (I’m 95% sure it’s not a real accent) and the drummer is out of this world.
Also the Swedish boyband, Viagraboys, have just released a cool new EP. It sounds like a bunch of alternative sleazebags having a good time with a saxophone.
Z: Been slowly trying to get into a few Icelandic bands lately. I love Hórmónar, but they just ended the band. Sucks. Check out their track 'Glussi'. Insane track. Love it.
Another Icelandic band I like is BSÍ. Bought their 7” solely based on the cover photo. 'Bú On You' kicks ass. Helvitis fokk!
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