B-52s frontman Fred Schneider is camping it up this Christmas as he takes a journey with The Superions to Destination… Christmas! With songs such as "Who Threw That Ham At Me" and new single "Fruitcake," this holiday treat will keep the family dancing around the tree for years to come.
Nightspots Magazine: Hi, Fred. I haven't talk to you since you were last in town. When does the new album come out?
Fred Schneider: It comes out the 26th of October.
NM: What inspired you to do this project?
FS: I had all these Christmas songs in mind and had written a bunch. Since the Bs are not going to do a Christmas record, I wrote it and Dan Marshall and Noah Brodie did the music and we arranged it to make a Christmas record. It is a little traditional and a little modern.
NM: Why did you not release it under your own name?
FS: I have been working with The Superions for the past two years. I like the music that they come up with. They are really good at direction if I have a good idea. We were going to do a Halloween record but we realized I had more Christmas ideas. The song "Santa's Disco" was originally going to be "Zombie Disco Party." That is why it sounds so ominous in the beginning! [ both laugh ] So we are doing our own thing.
NM: I thought the song "Christmas Conga" was fun and hilarious.
FS: Oh yeah, we wanted to do a dance record, too.
NM: Are you making a video for "Fruitcake"?
FS: We are looking for a director right now and if we don't find one then I will do it in Orlando, Florida. This is a homemade project; there is no budget but we are actually having a great time with it.
NM: How is it working with Dan and Noah?
FS: I met them ten years ago. They came up with some music about five years ago and I put lyrics to it. I find working with them is real easy. I have more ideas than I have outlets for them. We are doing a regular album next summer or early fall and then a Halloween EP after that, hopefully.
NM: The album seems very John Waters to me. He has a movie called Fruitcake that he wants to get out someday.
FS: Well, it is not your typical Christmas record.
NM: Yes, with songs like "Crummy Christmas Tree… "
FS: That is actually a song that I have been singing for about eight years at parties. I just get everyone to sing it along with me. Now it is on disc.
NM: How do you celebrate the holidays every year?
FS: Everything but the religious aspect. I like the tree and the lights, gifts...well giving gifts. I have so much crap that I don't need anything. I like bad Christmas music.
NM: You are coming back to House of Blues. It was great hanging out with all of you guys after the show last time. You mentioned to me that I could interview you anytime, which made my day.
FS: Of, course. I am very excited about this project and want to promote it. Fanatic Records, the label we are on, is very excited about it. We feel we have a good Christmas record. I feel we have really expressed a lot of people's feelings about Christmas in this one.
Fred and B-52s will be at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets visit www.houseofblues.com . For more Superions visit www.myspace.com/thesuperions.
