Pleased To Meet Me: Brandon Welchez /Psychic Pigs
*Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you playin etc..)*
Hello, I’m Brandon. I’m from everywhere and nowhere, but right now I’m from LA. I’m a man of many hats, shoes, and sunglasses, but for the purposes of this interview, I am a Psychic Pig.
*Why do you play music?*
It’s the only thing that has ever made my life make sense. I can survive with no money, no love, no friends, and no home, but I can’t survive without music.
*What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?*
The biggest influence on Psychic Pigs has been watching the slow collapse of the US empire, and really the slow collapse of the neoliberal order of the 20th century. This band has been my reaction to the horror of the fascism that is fast encroaching.
*What’s a favourite book or film?*
Suicide by Édouard Levé
*Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?*
Recording is probably the most enjoyable for me and the closest I come to feeling like an alchemist, but nothing beats the transcendent feeling of playing one of those rare special gigs that only come along every few years.
*What would be a dream collaboration?*
Collaborating with Jonah three times in a year and a half has been a dream.
*Describe a favourite album.*
Too difficult. I can’t even pick a favorite album from one genre, let alone from all genres.
*What's your favourite local haunt?*
I love drinking at the Roost in Atwater Village, and I love seeing gigs at Permanent Records Roadhouse in Highland Park.
*What's your strangest experience while performing live?*
Negative reactions are always fun. About 22 years ago, a band of mine got jumped by Mormon straight edge guys in SLC. Our pants offended them, and after they heckled, our words offended them more.
*Any sage advice for young musicians?*
Do it for the art. Money and status are meaningless. The music world is overstuffed with phonies and sycophants. Avoid them and don’t let yourself become one.
From Slovenly Records…
Shipping on or around May 23, 2025. Rock & roll lifer Brandon Welchez is back with 10 tracks of grimy, unhinged punk with new band Psychic Pigs! Primarily known as one half of psychedelic-bubblegum warriors Crocodiles, the new self-titled Psychic Pigs LP finds him in a similar mode to his previous projects Flowers of Evil and (Slovenly Recordings alumni) Xenu & the Thetans. The tunes range from driving Wipers-esque ruminations on our sick society to swaggering scum-rock that would make Sonny Vincent and his Testors proud. Or as one keen ear noted: “It sounds like if ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’ was recorded in Hermosa Beach.” The record, however, was not recorded in Hermosa Beach but in London with superstar producer Jonah Falco (Fucked Up, Career Suicide, Boss). Fueled by strong beer and Jamaican food, the duo (Jonah on drums and production, Brandon on guitars and vocals) cranked out the album over the course of 4 days. It is now our pleasure to unleash Psychic Pigs on the world. If speedy, manic punk is your thing, it’s time to get down in the dirt with the Pigs!