The Villens are coming to WEFT Sessions tonight at 10 p.m. You can listen in at WEFT-90.1 FM or stream it online.
The hard-working members of the Villens, Dustin Danger and Mr. Jason, took time out of their Sunday schedules to answer some questions via email. The raucous Oakwood natives made their feelings on punk rock, partying, and Blink-182 known.
Smile Politely: Can you give a little history of the Villens?
Mr. Jason: The Villens were originally formed by Dustin Danger in 2001. He put together a group of individuals who wanted to be in a punk band, not necessarily musicians. We had a drummer who didn’t even own a drum set, a singer who had never sang, a bass player who couldn’t tune his own guitar and one way or another it worked out and here The Villens are 8 years later.
Dustin Danger: Yeah, I didn’t even listen to punk music. I was in college at the time and I just had this strong urge one morning to form a punk band. So I left school and that’s what did. For the most part, it turned out to be a good idea. We’ve played shows ranging from local bars and house parties to miniature golf courses and military bases. We’ve even been kicked off stage twice due to language and lewd behavior — combine that with two shows at CBGB and we’ve pretty much accomplished everything a punk band could hope to accomplish.
Smile Politely: What brings you to east central Illinois?
Mr. Jason: We were raised in Oakwood, Ill., so we’ve always been a part of East Central Illinois. I now live in Urbana.
Dustin Danger: I’m still in Oakwood.
Smile Politely: Will you go with your standard lineup for the program?
Mr. Jason: For the most part yes. We have taken a few of our regulars out of the set list because we don’t want to violate too many FCC regulations. Every Villens show brings high energy punk rock, outrageous stage antics, ultra-catchy songs, and if you’re lucky a half naked drummer bleeding from the head. WEFT Sessions will be no different.
Smile Politely: Have you played for a radio show before?
Dustin Danger: Not as The Villens. I played a solo set for WEFT sessions back in March.
Smile Politely: Any complications or advantages that you expect?
Mr. Jason: I don’t really expect any complications. I play every show the same — like there are thousands of horny teenage girls waiting to pleasure me afterwards. Danger is there for the teenage boys.
Smile Politely: How does the songwriting process work for you?
Mr. Jason: Danger does most of the work in this department. He basically writes everything and I just add my beat in during practice.
Dustin Danger: I have no idea where the songs come from. I’ve never sat down with the intention to write a song. They just pop in head and I roll with it. I may write six songs in one month or I may only write one song in six months. If they have a second verse, great, if not, we’ll just repeat the first. It’s important not to overthink it. I never force it. Punk music is an energy not a science.
Smile Politely: How would you describe your sound for someone who’s never heard your music before?
Mr. Jason: It’s as if Joey Ramone, Eminem, and Johnny Cash were involved in one big orgy and we’re the bastard child that popped out nine months later. It’s fun punk rock. Even if you don’t like the genre of music you’ll love our songs. We’re performers.
Smile Politely: Was there a moment when you realized that you wanted to be a musician?
Dustin Danger: I’ve always been a musician – since childhood.
Mr. Jason: I don’t know if there was really just one particular moment. I’ve always loved entertaining people. This is just one of the many ways I can do that.
Smile Politely: How did that come about?
Mr. Jason: Alright so that last answer was just a bunch of B.S. The real reason I started playing music was Jesse and the Rippers. I mean who doesn’t like Full House …. honestly.
Smile Politely: What’s a singer or band that you’ve been compared to that you don’t think is representative at all, and why not?
Mr. Jason: We kind of have a unique sound. All are songs are short and fast, and a lot of them are funny. I’ve heard comparisons to the Presidents of the U.S.A, the Dead Milkmen, and quite a few others. I’m not too sure if there’s been a comparison that’s really stood out as not representative at all.
Smile Politely: What is the greatest album of all time?
Mr. Jason: Bisexual Deodorant from Big Angry Gordon. Why? Chad Ziegler’s amazing bass duh
Dustin Danger: I don’t know about the greatest, but one of my most favorite is Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home. I love Rubber Soul and Revolver by the Beatles, too.
Smile Politely: What was your favorite band when you were in junior high?
Dustin Danger: I actually listened to hip hop in junior high. Snoop Dogg, Coolio, Warren G, Naughty by Nature… I didn’t really listen to rock music. Remember Skee-lo? I loved Skee-lo.
Mr. Jason: My two favorite bands in junior high are still my two favorite bands, Green Day and Blink 182. I haven’t liked any of their newer stuff, but Dookie and Dude Ranch will always be my two favorite albums. I’m immature and never want to grow up. I like masturbation and blow jobs. That’s what Green Day and Blink 182 were all about.
Smile Politely: What do you do for a living?
Dustin Danger: I work at a bank. I’m a bookkeeper.
Mr. Jason: I have a couple of jobs. I work full time for Urbana Public Television as their Production Coordinator. I also work part-time in radio at Newstalk 1400 WDWS and Lite Rock 97.5
Smile Politely: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Dustin Danger: Well, I’m married and have two little girls. One age 3 and the other 11 months, so I stay pretty busy. Besides music, I also love martial arts, bicycles, hiking, cooking, landscaping — a little bit of everything.
Mr. Jason: I love to party. I hang out with my friends and go out to the bars. I also co-host a radio show, The Brian Walters Show, with Tony Grilo on 88.7 The Wave. We’re on every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. That’s a lot of fun, but mainly just party. I’m always looking for a good time.
Smile Politely: Would you like to say anything else that wasn’t covered in these questions?
Mr. Jason: I’m kind of disappointed we didn’t dive into the subject of interpretive dance. Not surprised, just disappointed.
Dustin Danger: Ditto that — not enough is said about interpretive dance these days. Maybe next time…