Artist: Henry Wagons
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Latest Album: After What I Did Last Night…
Personal Nicknames : Overlord, Sir, Master, Ego-maniac …
If you had to live the life of a character in a song, which song would you choose?
The dad in "A Boy Named Sue." I'm kind of living out the narrative of that amazing tune in that I just named my daughter "Casper," so I'm expecting a good beating from her when I get older.
Where would you most like to live or visit that you haven't yet?
So many of my friends seem to rave about Berlin. Unfortunately, I've yet to go. A lot of my heroes live — or have lived — there, at some point or other. Anywhere in which David Hasselhoff's music is that popular must be a strange and truly unique place.
What was the last thing that made you really mad?
Easy: I'm particularly pissed off at cancer. It's taking away so many people I dearly love and admire, all too soon. A massive and hideous boo to cancer.
What's the best concert you've ever attended?
I only recently saw the Rolling Stones in Melbourne at a 10,000-seat area — an intimate show for such an iconic bunch of legends. Keith Richards, in particular, fried my mind. Such a delicate touch creating such a mammoth sledge hammer of a sound. Hearing those songs live sent relentless shivers through all limbs … Surely, some of the coolest, hardened, elderly gentlemen that there are.
What was your favorite grade in school?
The final year … where shit was getting heavy. The concepts were finally real. The books I was reading had proper weight. The maths I was crunching was much needed exercise for my mind. The exams were a massive, sweaty stress that I felt had true real life consequences. Who was I to know they would end up pretty meaningless in the scheme of things? I cared about how well I did, at the time, so it was all an epic thrill ride. Yes, I was a nerd. Who knew I'd throw away my education, in a fit of noise and booze, and become a dirtbag musician huh? And … loving every damn minute.
What are you reading right now?
Are You Hungry Tonight?, an old cookbook of Elvis Presley's favourite recipes. I'm looking for a particular peanut butter pie recipe. It's either in that book or Graceland's Table.
Whiskey, water, or wine?
Surely most of us songwriters would say all of the above?
If I have to choose, a single malt scotch whiskey with water on the side, please.
North or South?
Wherever the kind lady on Google Maps is telling me to go.
Pizza or tacos?
In general, I feel Australia is yet to nail Mexican food. We are a loooong way from the border, I guess. So, when at home in Australia, I'd go a pizza. But in the U.S., I loosen my belt and pull over at every damn taco truck I pass on the street.
