Before the “flower punk” band from Atlanta, Georgia, bust out their psychedelic rock tunes on stage with (what we hope will be) a theatrical performance, Black Lips guitarist and vocalist Cole Alexander speaks to us about their debut gig in Bangkok.

You guys are on the road a lot. Have your travels influenced your music?
Yeah, we hear music from different places and incorporate it. Our song “Hippie Hippie Hoorah” was based on our travels in France, for example.

What is life on the road like?
It’s fun! We are like wimpy cowboys. Once we started a telephone hotline and had fans call us on the road—we gave amateur psychiatric help.

You’re known for your raucous shows and wild, on-stage antics. Have things ever turned nasty at a show?
Sometimes in self-defense, yeah, but always for entertainment and good fun in the end, however it may turn out.

What’s the craziest thing you or a member of the audience has done?
I got head-butted by an audience member, and one girl fingered herself onstage, but that’s not usually how it goes down.

How does the term “Flower Punk” define the band’s identity?
It means we are like satanic hippies.

Who inspires you musically?
Sroeng Santi, Amanaz, The Fugs, The Swamp Rats.

What’s playing on your iPod at the moment?
Halim El-Dabh, Luigi Russolo.

If you could tour—or even just jam—with anyone, who would it be?
I would jam with the country artist Bill Anderson.

What was the first album you ever bought as a kid?
Nevermind by Nirvana.

Is this your first time in Thailand and is there anything you’re especially hoping to catch while you’re here?
First one, yes. I want to try amazing street food and find old, rare Thai records on 45 and 78rpm.

What can we expect to see on stage?
High-energy, 60s-style punk.

Where else in the world are you looking forward to playing that you haven’t yet?
Iraq.

What’s next for you guys?
We play Coachella this summer in California, and we will then do some recording.

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