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JUICEBOXXX

March 5, 2014

JUICEBOXXX is an American artist, producer and performer. Since the age of 15, he has been barn burning all over the world with little regard for convention and a lot of guts and tension. In a world of bullshit, JB puts it all on the line, every time. What’s more, Chuck D from Public Enemy once called Juiceboxxx “the Buddy Holly of Hip Hop”.

Photo by: Miri Matsufuji

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Juiceboxxx. I’m an American musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have been making music for 12 years now. I’ve played shows in over 18 countries with people like PUBLIC ENEMY, JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD, BIG FREEDIA and DJ DOG DICK. I run the American pop music and culture label THUNDER ZONE. Living my goddamn fucked up life like a renegade.

 

 

How has living in Milwaukee affected your music? I never live anywhere for that long. I haven’t had my own room in over 2 1/2 years. Currently I am hanging out in Milwaukee. Last month, I was sleeping behind a bar in Far Rockaway, Queens. My life and music are inseparable. This is the THUNDER ZONE, people. But I’m always changing. I don’t wanna become trapped. Fighting against the current.

Photo by: Miri Matsufuji

What kinds of things are influencing your music right now? Bruce Springsteen. Public Transportation. 90’s Beck. Funkmaster Flex. The Loft. Far Rockaway. Great MILWAUKEE punk bands like NEON HUNK and THE MISTREATERS.

Remember when you were just a kid and you had your whole goddamn life ahead of you? Freaking out at punk rock shows in the suburbs.

 

 

What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? THUNDER ZONE continues to put out a steady stream of music, clothing, drinks, hacky sacks and really whatever I feel like. I’m working on a new LP called “HEARTLAND 99”. Touring the USA in May, Japan in June. South America maybe in August maybe with DJ DOG DICK and LIL UGLY MANE? Writing songs for myself and others. Stay tuned, NEVER SURRENDER FOREVER.

Photo by: Caesar Sebastian

If you were a drink, what drink would you be? My own energy drink, of course. THUNDER ZONE ENERGY DRINK. That’s right, I made an energy drink. It’s a part of the broader THUNDER ZONE vision of next level American cultural insanity with a heart.

Photo by: Sarah Bradham

How did your interest in music begin? I got into music at a really young age. College radio (91.7 WMSE Milwaukee) changed my life and pretty much made me who I am today. I can’t stress how important music has been to my general well-being. Been doing this shit since I was 15 and I see no end in sight.

 

 

What other musicians/bands are you interested in right now? Pretty much anything on the radio and a lot of my friends. SICKO MOBB. B L A C K I E (ALL CAPS WITH SPACES). EXTREME ANIMALS. SCHWARZ. Springsteen of course.

Photo by: Sarah Bradham

Who would you ideally like to collaborate with? Bruce Springsteen, Chuck D, Bob Pollard, Biz Markie. Only the legends. They have so much to teach me, I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps.

Tell us about your work process and how it develops. I get a feeling and then I follow that until it is realized. THE THUNDER ZONE is it’s own language and I’m just trying to express that timeless feeling that happens when you put it all on the line for a dream.

Photo by: Symphony Spell

What do you want a viewer to walk away with after hearing your music? I want them to feel something, anything. In a world of shit JUICEBOXXX stands for all of the spazzed out dreamers out there, following their heart even if it kills them.