Butthole Surfers concerts are the stuff of legend: debauched, excessive, and with an element of physical danger. And it’s for that very reason that the avant-rock legends are refusing to reunite.
In a new interview with The Guardian, original members Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary discussed the current state of the band, which is currently in the midst of a major vinyl reissue campaign.
With Butthole Surfers LPs back in print for the first time in years, now is a perfect time for the band to return to the stage. However, Haynes and Leary are hesitant to re-open that door considering the inherent risks involved.
“We’re not as good as we could be today, and that’s because I lost my shit,” admitted Haynes, whose on-stage episodes are well documented. “I did too many drugs. I totally screwed up the deal. It’s my bad. It’s on me.”
Added Leary: “We were some genuinely fucked up people. We’re good people, but we’re fucked up — we’re damaged.”
Leary went on to say that the Buttholes have been receiving sizeable offers to reunite and ostensibly play festival dates, but even the money isn’t enough to sway their reluctance.
“We’ve been getting six-figure offers to play live, but I just don’t want to do it,” Leary said. “We’re really lucky to not be in prison and I don’t want to push that anymore. I don’t want to be sending a bandmate home in a body bag or for a venue to burn down.”
Since 2011, Butthole Surfers have only played a couple one-off performances in 2016 and 2017, and it sounds like those will remain the band’s final shows — at least for now. In stark contrast to his unhinged persona as the Buttholes frontman, Haynes said he has embraced the comforts of family life.
“I have a 13-year-old son, who is the fucking light of my life,” said Haynes. “I’ve got an actual family and it’s awesome. Little league baseball and middle school basketball? Dude, it’s the shit.”
For more on the Butthole Surfers’ vinyl reissues, head over to Matador’s website.