Let's Talk Punk with Jeff Dirt (Freedman)
Interview By Lisa-PunkrPrincess
Punk Globe: Hi Jeff Welcome back to Let’s Talk Punk great to have ya. For those who don’t know, can you give us a little background of yourself?
Jeff: I have been the lead singer for TheYucks for the past 15 years. I played in multiple bands leading up to The Yucks, namely Girth, Freedirt and Dirt. Also, I would like to mention Cookie Lips and the Enigmatic Mow Mow. Currently, I am Jeff Dirt from The Yucks and also, Bastard The Enemy with Cult Muzic.
Punk Globe: I know the Yucks are back, can you tell us about the changes and what’s ahead?
Jeff: We’ve got a new lineup. We changed our Bass player from Roland Bluntz to Jesse Murphy. So we have a father son duo with our bass player Jesse and our guitarist Matt Murphy.
Punk Globe: Describe your local music scene.
Jeff: A mix of pop-punk, punk and rock and roll. There are a couple of new bands out there that I have really enjoyed. My new favorite band is One Square Mile. I also enjoy Calvins.
Punk Globe: Tell us an inspiring situation you have had.
Jeff: Ummm, I would say one of the best moments I had of inspiration was when I met Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon at the same time. I had the privilege of talking punk rock for about 15 minutes with the 2 of them. That was ALL it took for me to know that this is what I wanted. To be in a punk band because they inspired me to make music about whatever was on my mind. With no limits, no concern, just telling stories about what I think is right and my experiences.
Punk Globe: I love the new Bastard the Enemy tunes. Can you tell us about the making of the new album and who else joined you?
Jeff: The entire album was produced by Jason Nichols. My experience making the album was an entire roller coaster of emotions. From the loss of my mom, to my experiences in childhood to adulthood, to my friendships and my marriage. You can pretty much say, I left it all out there, naked and exposed on the turntable. I had Devon Keith (A.K.A. Diastro); Katie LaDubz and J. Andrew as performers on the album.
Punk Globe: If we were taking you to the movies what would we see?
Jeff: Something Horror or Action filled. But truthfully, my favorite is watching B flick movies of all types (sans romance) with my best friend, my wife.
Punk Globe: Favorite place to get away to?
Jeff: The studio or mainly anywhere with my gorgeous wife, specifically at home with her.
Punk Globe: Besides music what other interests do you have?
Jeff: Watching sports (college and professional), I enjoy the art of all types and appreciate anything new that I can experience that someone else put out there for the world to see, understand and appreciate. I’ve actually been to many different theatrical performances in the last year, I saw Hair; Cabaret and the Little Shop Of Horrors. I’m about to see “Lady Day Sings The Blues” by Billie Holiday and I love and appreciate the inspiration I gather from said performances.
Punk Globe: Who are some of your favorite artists?
Jeff: Jimi Hendrix; Jim Morrison; Iggy Pop (can you tell?); the Beastie Boys; Rancid; Bad Brains; TSOL and DRI; I could go on… Joe Jackson; Herbie Hancock; Brian Setzer; Dizzy Gillespie….etc. And please don’t get me started on Bad Religion (amazing)
Punk Globe: Favorite local place to eat?
Jeff: Aside from my wife’s kitchen? Favorite would be Cali Comfort; San Diego Brew Company; RB Sushi and for that late night HAVE TO HAVE delivery Jack In The Box and Taco Bell.
Punk Globe: What are your favorite Bastard The Enemy and Yucks tracks and why?
Jeff: For my mama (RIP) I love the song “Dreaming”. It’s very hard for me to do, so emotional, but it’s a helpful, healing song. I also love “Be Me”; “Wait a minute, I’m About To Be Brilliant” and “Schrap Metal Grenade”. These are songs that expose me not just as an artist, but as a person who has dealt with struggles, appreciating myself and others for who we are and what we’ve gone through. As far as The Yucks go, my favorites 2 songs are “Full of It” and “World’s Gone Blind” because these were my song that Ifelt might be able to make a difference in this hatred filled, political breakdown of where we are in our country. But last but not least, my absolute favorite has to be “Piss Blood”. This is a love song I wrote for my wife and all the crazy antics and situations we have that I would not want with any other person.
Punk Globe: What is your dream project?
Jeff: Jeffrey Dirt and The Dirty Dozen. A quasi string quartet, Big Band with a punk overtone. Combining music genres is my jam. This is where I feel most complete as an artist.
Punk Globe: Favorite or most inspirational place?
Jeff: San Diego. This is where everything happened for me in my life and music career. This is where I became Jeff Dirt and Bastard the Enemy. This is where I had experiences that molded the artist I am now. Trials, struggles and achievements… SD is my biggest Muse.
Punk Globe: Any upcoming shows or anything else we should know about?
Jeff: The Yucks are playing The Ken Club on March 02, 2024 and March 30th at the Whatever68 Radio anniversary party. On May 04 2024 The Yucks will also be playing The Ken Club.
Punk Globe: Where can we find all your awesome tunes?
Jeff: Any streaming music platform. Also playing frequently on Whatever68 radio, which I love and appreciate.
Punk Globe: Any Shout-outs
Jeff: My wife for putting up with my musical bullshit, Also like to thank Jason Nichols for being my right-hand man in this hip hop Journey. Also like to thank The Yucks for years of high energy punk rock. And thank you to any fan that has come to a yucks show or a hip hop show that I’ve been performing at I love and appreciate the support
Punk Globe: Thanks for chatting with us and thanks to all the readers.
