It’s been three weekends since we got a full, sex-drugs-and-rock & roll-fueled introduction to Aldous Snow, the endearingly boorish frontman of Infant Sorrow played by Russell Brand, first glimpsed in 2008’s “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and given his own movie in this month’s “Get Him to the Greek.” The pop culture impact of Snow’s music is still being felt today.
Hanson, those loveable “MMMBop”-ers, headed into the studio recently to record a cover of Infant Sorrow’s “Furry Walls,” the third track off the film’s soundtrack. It’s a catchy tune, combining Hanson’s toe-tapping pop-rock sound with Snow’s drippingly absurd lyrics. “When we think of the most iconic rock bands in history, it starts with Led Zeppelin, The Who, AC/DC and ends with Infant Sorrow,” the band said in a post on their website.
This morning, Taylor Hanson — still very much keeping to the “Snow is a real person” narrative — called up MTV News to talk about the origins of the cover…
MTV: Thanks for hopping on the phone. I guess when it comes to Infant Sorrow, you’ve got to get the word out.
Taylor Hanson: Yeah, dude, this is one of those tracks where we just had a blast recording it in a blitz of not overthinking it and trying to capture the essence of the “Furry Walls.”
MTV: How’d the whole thing come together?
Hanson: We just heard the album and we thought it was really great and it’d be cool to throw our flavor on it. We love different kinds of music and it was a great contrast, since we’ve been working to promote the new album, to throw ourselves into the studio and not overthink it.
MTV: There are some killer tunes on that Sorrow disc – “African Child,” “Supertight,” “I am Jesus.” Why’d you guys go for “Furry Walls”?
Hanson: To me, “The Clap” is one that stands out. But “Furry Walls” just jumps off the track listing. The song feels like what Oasis and Brit rock stadium bands have been doing, packaged into a modern lyrical gem.
MTV: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the chorus goes, “Stroke the furry walls.” Can you help me interpret?
Hanson: I have my interpretation, and I imagine everyone else does as well. The story I’ve heard from Mr. Aldous Snow, it’s an out-of-body experience incited by a “Jeffery” [a drug-filled joint that basically drives you mad].
MTV: Aldous Snow is the epitome of a rock star where he’s doing drugs, he’s sleeping with groupies. Whereas Hanson, you guys are each married with children. You seem to come from opposite corners of the rock world.
Hanson: There’s a certain reckless abandon that comes with music. Aldous personifies the size and energy of the sex, drugs and rock and roll guy. Everyone can’t be that guy. There’s only so many that can live that out in full force. For me, it’s always been more about the music. As far as living out the lifestyle of waking up in a pool of your own vomit everyday, it’s not my cup of tea. But musically, it’s fantastic.
MTV: Who knows — maybe this is the beginning.
Hanson: I could have many years of lying in a pool of my own vomit after a night of raging.
MTV: Are you going to start covering other fictional bands? There are some great ones — Spinal Tap, Tenacious D, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Stillwater…
Hanson: There’s a long list. You listed several that have been in the running for Hanson set lists for a long time, because who doesn’t want to break into “Big Bottom” in the middle of a show? This could be the start. It’s not a bad idea. “Sex Farm” is a classic. And anything by Tenacious D.
MTV: I encourage Hanson to pick up the Pick of Destiny.
Hanson: Yes, exactly! That would probably be too much enjoyment. It would be too unfair to actually try and capture that while our faces are melting.