Psychosexual
Interview conducted on Jun 15, 2020
by Dan Locke
Psychosexual, the devilishly larger-than-life alter ego of renowned former Fiver Finger Death Punch‘s rock drummer Jeremy Spencer, unveils his latest single and music video, ‘Lady Killer’, from the forthcoming album Torch the Faith.
After teasing fans in April with his first release and eye-popping visual video feast ‘Let the Sin Begin’ – the fiendish front man recorded a live performance of the song last week at Las Vegas’ Copa Room (‘Live from the Pits of Quarantine’) – Psychosexual once again crafts an intoxicating dose of hypnotic melodies that transports listeners along his evocative journey with him.
How the music started for Jeremy Spencer
Have you ever been mixed up with Jeremy Cedric Spencer from Fleetwood Mac?
Never in person, but people have tried to look me up online and he was the one that came up probably confusing some.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Indiana and left home at 19. Headed out West to try and be where I thought the music was. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in Southern Indiana, so out to California I went.
How did you discover music?
Like most, I got into music at a young age. My parents were always playing music, so it was on in the house constantly. KISS was what started me on the path of rock n roll though. A friend from school turned me on to them and it was of course life-changing.
Your dad was a songwriter why didn’t you follow his path as a country music person?
I do like country, but it wasn’t wanted I wanted to play on drums. I liked metal and heavy rock and double bass playing, not a lot of that in country.
You got your Sears drums at the age of 7 from your grandmother. Do you remember that day?
I was 6 actually and I just remember thinking it was awesome because I could pretend that I was in KISS.
“it was awesome because I could pretend that I was in KISS.”
Tell me about opening for Pantera at 17 years old?
That was one of the best moments musically of my life. Dimebag was on the side of the stage watching us soundcheck and we were playing this really fast song and when we finished he started yelling “Faster! Play it faster!”
Do you have any vintage drums?
Not really, I just have the kits I played in Five Finger Death Punch.
How did you start to write music?
I got a guitar in the mid-nineties and started just being able to play enough to write bad songs lol. I grew bored of it though and switched to writing on keyboards and I loved that. So much more inspiring for me sonically.
How you taken the time to seat back and listen to classic drums like Jimmy Cobb (drummer for Miles Davis), Karen Carpenter and Buddy Rich?
Yeah, they’re all great in their own right. I love Buddy Rich. I think he’s incredible. I love watching his solos on YouTube.
Any words about Neil Peart of RUSH?
There’s nothing that hasn’t been said. Once in a lifetime talent and a huge influence on pretty much anyone who’s picked up drum sticks.
The Mayhem Known as Fiver Finger Death Punch (FFDP)
How did you join Fiver Finger Death Punch?
I answered an ad looking for a drummer on music connection.com. It was placed by Zoltan Bathory. We started emailing and got together and jammed at an hourly rehearsal place and it fell into place real fast.
How the Five Finger Death Punch gets its name?
That was influenced by the Five Finger Lotus Punch or whatever from the Kill Bill movie. Zoltan came up with the name.
You have been in rehab a few times. Any words of wisdom you can give to our readers on the Brightside of rehab?
The bright side of rehab is that you’re in a safe place and can start to heal and work on things that need to be worked out with people that can relate to what you’re going through.
Back in 2013-2014 FFDP recorded so much material that you’re released. Why didn’t you just release it as a double album instead of two CDs?
The label wanted to release it as two separate CDs at different times. I personally wanted to release two CD’s the same day as GNR did with Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 back in the ’90s.
Why did you decide to tell your story in your book, Death Punch’d Surving Five Finger Death Punch’s Metal Mayhem?
It was therapy for me to write about my life and the stories are something I thought could be relatable to musicians trying to live their dream and people who are addicts.
What is your favorite Fiver Finger Death Punch song to perform in concert?
I always liked Ashes until my body didn’t cooperate good enough to play it anymore.
After Fiver Finger Death Punch
“I just wanted to do different music and try something new that’s stimulating to me.”
You left FFDP, became of the rigorous physical wear and tear on your body. You felted that you couldn’t deliver the performance that you and fans enjoy. Now you have started your new project Psychosexual. Does this have any echoes of Phil Collins?
I love Phil Collins and he’s a bad ass drummer too, but no, I just wanted to do different music and try something new that’s stimulating to me.
How did you became a reserve police officer in Rockport, IN?
My friends work for the department and they told me that if I was interested, I could come test and they could probably get me on. I thought it was an interesting opportunity for whenever time permits to go and help and be with friends.
The New Band Psychosexual
How did Psychosexual get its name?
I started making making solo music years ago that was even more sexually charged lyric wise and I thought the name worked well with the music.
How soon before the upcoming album Touch the Faith gets released?
Hoping by fall. Still working out the distribution part.
What is your favorite track on the album?
Baby On Fire.
Who is Devil Daddy?
Devil Daddy is a devil that is the ring master that’s wants everyone to bang each other. The leader of the night’s debauchery.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
You try and eat well and work out and usually at the beginning of tours it’s manageable, but then you get bored and lazy and want pizza instead of grilled chicken and rice all the time, so you start deteriorating.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I think that there’s no other way in the foreseeable future to get music other than streaming. It’s convenient and doesn’t cost hardly anything. So why change or fight it?
Digital vs. vinyl?
I love the convenience of digital, but I love vinyl and I have a decent size collection. It’s fun to look at the covers and lyric sheets.
Any plans for Psychosexual tour?
I definitely plan on touring as soon as everything is back up and running again.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
I’ve been listening to the Prince channel on Sirius XM and Computer Blue has been playing a lot. It brings me back to the days of Purple Rain and how much I loved that time.
Self Quarantine During Covid-19
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Well, I think it will be slow to get back to multiple thousands of people packed in a venue. I think it’s gonna start small and work its way back up.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Writing a new album and filming lots of music videos.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I always work on music and have for years, so that’s not really new, but that’s what I’ve been doing.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You did a live performance of “Let the Sin Begin” last week. Are you planning to do any more performances?
Yes, we are doing a live streaming show on all those platforms in about 3 weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipPCFLoZLXk
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I really have no idea since it’s so new, but if there’s a way to make money I’m sure it won’t be long before it’s discovered.
First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally, Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
I think big concerts, yes. But smaller venues, like clubs, will probably start before the bigger ones.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
It kind of looks that way, but who knows? Once they get a vaccine all the time tables could go out the window and we could be back in business fast.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be kick-ass to see something like that. I’d pitch in on that one.
FFDP always supported the Veterans. Are you going to continue this? And are you going to add the new heroes (doctors, nurses, firefighters, and police offices)?
My plan is to help whenever possible
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself continuing to pursue things that make me happy.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thank you to everyone who gives me support and positive encouragement.
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