LAist Band Interview: Kyle Gass of Trainwreck

You have worked with Walt Becker on "Wild Hogs" and Jon Favreau on "Elf". Do you have any directors that you are dying to work with?

Anyone who will hire me. I'm back in the acting trenches. I was planning to be a superstar after the D movie. Now I'm ready to work.

You have been referred to by several nicknames. KG Kage, Rage, Rage Cage. Now you have a new name in Trainwreck, Klip Calhoun. What going on with all the nicknames?

You know it's always been a thing. You can't use a nickname for too long. You've got to reinvent.

Trainwreck is know for onstage antics and country stage clothes that include mullets. How did you come up with the idea for the band?

I wanted to do something with my buddy J.R. He looks good in a mullet. So I thought well, I'll wear a mullet too. Right now I think I need a new hair-style. I think my mullet is going out. I am going for the evangelical preacher look. Kind of a Jimmy Swaggart kind of thing.

How did the band get it's name? How did you become Klip Calhoun?

I was thinking, what is this band going to sound like because I wanted to cover all the bases it case it didn't sound that good. If we called it Trainwreck, then if we go off the rails- pun intended- we'll be covered. Klip Calhoun. I don't know. Klip is kind of like Kyle. It's got four letters. I wanted it to be a close kind of alternate universe, where we are just a little bit different but not too different. And Klip is spelled with a K. I like it it's got a nice Klip to it.

How many guitars do you have in your collection? Which one is Klip's favorite?

I'm not like a gear head. No. I've got probably like five or six guitars. Some of them, I don't even know where they are. I'm trying to go all Buddhist monk. So I feel if I have one guitar, I am fortunate. I play a Gibson.

Who is Klip's favorite country artist?

I'd say. All the Hank Williams. One Two and Three. And I like Dwight Yoakam a lot. He keeps it real. Good stuff.

Trainwreck shows often feature a guest performer. I have seen Jerry McCracken (John C. Reilly) at the Silverlake Lounge and Slim Ribbins (Tim Robbins) at the Viper Room jump up on stage with you and sing a few tunes. Are there any surprises planned for your show at the Knitting Factory on Thursday?

You never know. You'll have to show up.

What is the strangest thing that has ever happened at a Trainwreck gig?

When I took off my wig and revealed my true personality. And really nobody cared. It was very anticlimactic. Or in Philadelphia when we only had three people show up. We had to do like a private show. You kind of block those nights out.

Where do you find your stylish trailer park stage clothes?

We go to the Country General in Van Nuys. We found a store there that really- well they have the hard to fit sizes. I'm kind of built like a rhino.

Where is Klip Calhoun's favorite place to get a beer?

7-11. Pick up a 12-pack and go home a drink it.

Will the Trainwreck Winnebago be making a appearance on Thursday?

No, it's a local show. When take it when we go on the road. We've been all over the country in that thing. It's been my dream to have a self contained unit to travel around in. We call it the Wreckabago.

Trainwreck with special guest Kidneys (feat. Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion)
The Knitting Factory
Thursday, September 20 doors open at 8 PM