Interview: The Provacative and Profane Lillian Berlin, Lead Singer of the Living Things

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In 2005 the Living Things exploded out of St. Louis with their major record label debut Ahead of Lions. Their ferocious, unapologetic rock instantly won them praise by critics and fans. Unwilling to take what was happening under the Bush administration, the Living Things wrote songs that grabbed politics by the throat. The band is made up of three brothers, Lillian Berlin, Eve Berlin, Bosh Berlin, and their friend Cory Becker. Shortly after their success The Living Things picked up and moved to Los Angeles.

The Living Things' new album, Habeas Corpus drops this February. They will also be opening for Eagles of Death Metal this Wednesday at the Henry Fonda Theater. It will a rare opportunity to see hear what they've been working on these past four years before it drops later on this month. Their provocative front man, Lillian was kind enough to speak with us over the weekend. Here is some of what was said.

What band would you dread being compared to?
Politicians!

Why?
Because their mouths are always full of dirty cow shit.

The Living Things - Let It Rain

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Do you have a favorite thing to do in LA?
I love to sneak up to the Hollywood sign and drink wine up there. Or go out to Joshua Tree and freak out for a few days. Malibu is great for thawing out on the beach after being in the studio for fourteen hours.

What is the weirdest thing you ever saw at a show?
Once we played at the Troubadour here in Hollywood and the sound guy got pissed because we were playing too loud. He turned on the house lights and caught my black Gibson E335 on fire. What a cunt he was.

If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
Shit, first I would fire everyone and start over again. (laughs) No seriously. Let's see. I would give an artist a few records to develop their sound. I don' t think you get real good until your third or fourth record. Look at Spingsteen. I would get artists to release records every year as opposed to every two or three. Oh, and I would change the digital music standards. In the pro recording world standart is 24 bit 96khz. That's what producers and musicians listen to their music in when their recording and mixing. It's very high resolution compared to mp3. I mean this standard has been around for almost 10 years! Come on, Apple iPod wizards! It's time to step it up.

Why did you name your new album Habeas Corpus?
It represents the safeguarding of freedom against arbitrary state action. Presidents have suspended this write in the past, and they most likely will in the future. But the bottom line is don't fuck with our individual freedoms please. We are all humans just being.

So you guys recorded this album entirely in Berlin. Why did you chose that city in particular?
We wanted to completely remove ourselves from our familiar surroundings. We didn't want to be in St. Louis or in L.A. recording another record. So we thought what's the one place we all like and we all said "Berlin!" The music and the culture in that city is just overwhelming. It's a completely inspiring place to create. We recorded at Hans Ton Studios overlooking the old Berlin Wall. It's where David Bowie recorded Heroes and Iggy Pop recorded Lust for Life. It was truly an inspiring experience.

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Would you rather be burned alive or frozen to death?
Oh fire definately. Especially to that cheesy 80's song Blaze of Glory. (laughs)

Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
How can music be guilty? Doesn't all music speak the truth?

Um, I suppose so. What is the worst thing about touring?
Traveling with my brothers.

Ok, what is the best?
Traveling with my brothers.

I saw you guys in a number of Cavalli ads. Is there a product that you would never ever let your music be in a commercial for?
Like my mama said, "Son, you got to pay them bills on time or them collectors will be a comin'." In this recession everybody's gots to do what they gots to do to stay alive.

What made you pick up instruments?
My musical path started at nine with my first guitar. I loved playing with my brothers. It was just a way to pass the time. Where we're from in St. Louis when you turn eighteen you either end up in jail or go to work for a factory or work for your dad or become a priest. Or you could be like us. We stole a friend's car and drove 2,000 miles to L.A. with five dollars and try and become rock stars.

What album can you not live without?
Exile On Main St. by the Rolling fucking Stones. I hated this album until I was twenty. Then I understood it.

If you weren't a musician, what would you do?
I'd be a magician.

Which do you prefer playing live or recording?
I hate recording! I bloody hate it with a passion. Every rock record should be recorded while on tour. That's when it's the most honest and passionate. I hate recording studios!

Do you have a favorite undiscovered band at the moment?
I like The Black Ghosts. They are really trippy, but in a positive light.

Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?
We are vampires, motherfucker! Ever seen Lost Boys?

Totally. Is your band a democracy or a dictatorship?
Well, I would say we are more of a democracy...no fuck that! I won't be like the US government and lie to you and tell you that we are a democracy. We are a dictatorship that's ruled by me. But I'm not proud of that.

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What is your writing process like?
I like to write in the middle of the night after great sex, down in my dark studio, naked, with my favorite black pen, my black dove guitar and my RadioShack tape recorder.

Do you guys fight at all?
Sometimes we fight like there is no tomorrow, but what are you gonna do? We ain't the fucking Jonas Brothers, baby.

How do you feel about Obama's inauguration? Will it be harder to get angry at the establishment?
Please! The establishment is still the same establishment, but this time they are dressed in Armani suits.

If you could have a conversation with anyone dead or alive what would it be?
Probably Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens.

What would you ask?
I would ask "Now, what exactly does the story of Huck Finn mean?" Oh, and I would ask Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls who killed them. To me they are in the same class as Mark Twain for great wordsmiths.

What question do you hate being asked the most?
(Laughs) Probably all of the above, but I still love you for asking them! Peace and twenty-first century love to Los Angeles, my new adopted city. I am absolutely in love with Los Angeles. Thanks for adopting a bunch of white trash boys from Saint Louie!

Be sure and check out the Living Things at the Henry Fonda Theater on Wednesday Feb. 4th!

Photo by Max VadukalMyspace