To have Cris Kirkwood back as the bassist of the Meat Puppets is nothing short of a miracle. The band he founded with his guitarist/vocalist brother Curt in 1980 broke up in 1996 due to Cris’ addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. In the ensuing years, Cris’ life spiraled far out of his control as he lost his wife to a drug overdose and spent 18 months in prison for attacking a post-office security guard. Now, almost four years clean and sober, Cris is gearing up to hit the road in support of the band’s 12th studio album, Sewn Together. Before he does, Cris will spend the week guest editing magnetmagazine.com. Read our new Q&A with Cris and our 2007 career overview of the Meat Puppets.
Cris Kirkwood: While sitting around trying to come up with something pithy with which to conclude my stint as guest editor of magnetmagazine.com, I realized that, heck, maybe the best I have to offer—and what the world just might need—really is, after all, another tale about turds. Or better yet, several! And so I was gonna share with you the one about the mummified log in our Grandma’s attic, and another about the tent on the tip of Long Island awash in the liquified shit of a young American punk-rock band. But then, once again, I found I have misgivings, given the somewhat questionable politesse in regard to all things fecal, and yet, somehow, poo—the very essence of our ubiquitous lifelong companion, doo-doo—seems to encompass a certain sense of the things of which I wish to impart, to exude, I feel, just the right note with which to leave you. And yet, we’re talkin’ about doody, so I’m torn. What to do, what to do. Wait, I know: a quote from the classics! “An’ singin there, an’ dancin here/Wi’ great and sma’.” Robert Burns. Phew, thanks, Bob. I mean, come on, poopy-caca?! Yuck! I’m outta’ here. Bearers, fetch my litter!
This concludes “Meat Puppets Week” here at magnetmagazine.com. Thanks to Cris Kirkwood for all of the crazy and entertaining stuff he covered. Be sure to check out Sewn Together.
