For 35 years, Bob Mould has been an icon of punk culture. In 1979, he and Hüsker Dü played their first show, paving the way for Nirvana, The Pixies, Foo Fighters, and really the entire realm of alternative rock. Hüsker Dü burned out in 1987, but Bob kept his creative fire burning, releasing more than a dozen albums as a solo artist and with his beloved 1990s band Sugar. Bob has always followed his own path, taking a brief detour as a writer for World Championship Wrestling, embracing his life as a gay man outed in his thirties, penning a funny and moving memoir titled See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, playing in the house band for the film Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and supporting numerous righteous causes at every turn. Everything Bob does, he does on his own terms. He is humble, yet takes his legacy very seriously. He is warm, funny, earnest, and wise and continues to inspire young musicians and artists pushing the limits of independent culture.
On the occasion of this month’s release of his latest album, the majestic Beauty & Ruin, Bob Mould kindly spent a day with Boing Boing to share his songs and stories. We are honored to bring that singular experience to you.
Bob Mould’s Beauty & Ruin is out now on Merge Records. He is on tour this summer and fall. Don’t miss out.
This Boing Boing Video was masterfully directed by Scott Compton of San Francisco’s mighty Remedy Editorial. Laura Marks produced. Bart Nagel and John Behrens were directors of photography. Sound recording by Philip Perkins. Bart Nagel, John Behrens, Cliff Grodin, and Scott Compton did the shooting. Sterling Storm art directed. Makeup by Deb Czerwinski. Joel White edited the video and Marc Pittman mixed the sound. Ayumi Ashley was colorist, Chris Valente handled post production, and Mike Lowe was VFX supervisor. Special thanks to Norman Bonney. Bob Mould is managed by Jordan Kurland and Mike Frye at Zeitgeist Management.
Thank you Bob Mould and Jordan Kurland for the opportunity.