INTERVIEW WITH SPIKE SLAWSON BY EMAIL APRIL 11/2015
COURTESY OF MELANIE KAYE PR J.B: So Uke-Hunt is actually also a social media platform for musicians to learn the art of the ukulele and the according proper techniques? SPIKE:That’s what I understand. J.B: Is that what kind of inspired the name of the band? SPIKE:No, the old Mike Hunt joke is what inspired it long before I had ever heard of the site. “Say, as long as we’re in Des Moines, let’s look up Mike Hunt.” My mother told me that joke. J.B: What inspired you to learn an instrument most often regarded by technical musicians as the “Thing that should not be”? SPIKE: So called “technical musicians” and the look on their faces when you succeed beyond their wildest dreams. That’s what inspired me. J.B: The Ukulele has its roots both in the Portuguese culture and later brought to the Hawaiian Culture where it is most recognized today. With more musicians diversifying into less known instruments and the rise of Folk into Punk more out front these days do you feel that the four strings was an easy choice to keep with the three and four chord style? SPIKE:Honestly, I only chose the instrument to suit the name of the band. 3-4 chord folk/punk is not really our thing. J.B: Which is the style you normally use Baritone, Concert, Soprano or Tenor? SPIKE:I normally use White Crane style, but in a pinch have resorted to Eagle Claw Fist, or even Gangnam style. J.B: Being from such an iconic punk cover band is that why you choose to do the cover songs on the release?