Ep509: Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers

Ep509: Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers

Author: The Vinyl Guide July 28, 2025 Duration: 57:51

Gibby Haynes discusses his upcoming EU/UK tour, the completed Butthole Surfers documentary, early punk memories, near-death stage experiences, vinyl reissues and lots more.

EU/UK Tour Tickets here 

Topics Include:

  • Gibby discusses upcoming European & UK tour with Scott Thunes and musical kids
  • Tour dates are limited, zero chance of expansion beyond Europe/UK
  • Scott Thunes was Frank Zappa's former bassist and "clone meister"
  • Gibby confirms he's a Frank Zappa fan, particularly loved "Apostrophe" album
  • Lost interest in Zappa after "Apostrophe" due to scatological humor focus
  • Initial confusion about Scott Thunes - Gibby doesn't know who he is
  • Clarifies he works with Paul Green's School of Rock for 20 years
  • Scott Thunes may be coming on tour, is friend of Paul Green
  • Gibby has no direct connection to Scott Thunes, only knows Paul Green
  • Sometimes tours individually with kids, different kids each time
  • Butthole Surfers once toured Europe with School of Rock as opener
  • Kids' performance quality varies - sometimes really good, sometimes not
  • Gibby lost entire record collection when engineer sold it during tour
  • Collection was 3-4 feet of curated vinyl, mostly punk and hardcore
  • Had valuable Buzzcocks singles collection among other rare records
  • Met record dealer in San Antonio mall who introduced great albums
  • Dealer showed him Devo's first album when it came out
  • Key collection moment was hitchhiking trip to LA in summer 1979
  • Saw early LA punk shows including Go-Gos opening for Fear
  • LA was only US city where audience spit at bands
  • Witnessed massive amounts of phlegm on Belinda Carlisle during show
  • John Belushi was standing next to him at the Go-Gos show
  • Almost saw the Dickies' "last show" but it was cancelled
  • Dickies are apparently still performing, contrary to expectations
  • Gibby wrote memoir "Me and Mr. Cigar," wants to do sequel
  • Criticizes most musician memoirs as ghostwritten, prefers authentic voices
  • Cites Bob Dylan and Patti Smith as examples of self-written memoirs
  • Discusses looking at legacy, mentions end being closer than beginning
  • Still painting but doesn't do regular gallery shows or solo exhibitions
  • Questions whether rockers are musicians or entertainers, favors entertainment label
  • Believes rockers make better actors than actors make musicians
  • Cites Childish Gambino and Lady Gaga as successful crossover examples
  • Mentions Russell Crowe's band "50 Odd Foot of Grunts" dismissively
  • Did artwork for several album covers including "P" and other releases
  • Sold all artwork at LA gallery show while Sonic Youth members sold none
  • David Yow pointed out his success, making him particularly happy
  • Maintains friendships with successful musicians like Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Gets VIP access to major shows, brings 15-year-old son along
  • Son says he loves Gibby but frequency might be concerning
  • Kids don't appreciate backstage access until they can drink alcohol
  • Mentions Dwarves show where son enjoyed the beer more than music
  • Discusses Eagles of Death Metal and Queens of Stone Age name quality
  • David Crosby once asked why they chose "Butthole Surfers" as name
  • Responded that "Haynes, Walthall, Pincus and Coffey were already taken"
  • Band appeared on Beavis and Butthead with respectful introduction
  • Used different band names for every show, including outrageous ones
  • Paul Leary nearly died from electrical shock at CBGB performance
  • Sound engineer failed to warn about dangerous electrical outlet
  • Butthole Surfers documentary "The Hole Truth" is completed, seeking distribution
  • Twenty percent of documentary viewers cry during screenings, usually same moment
  • Band controls all their catalog rights across different labels
  • Potential vinyl box set in works, discusses remastering philosophy

50+ Minutes Extra-Extended and high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep547: Greg Ginn - Black Flag, SST Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:13
In a rare interview, Greg Ginn opens up about the latest Black Flag lineup, the SST catalogue, the possibility of long-overdue reissues and the legacy of one of punk's most beloved bands. Tickets for Black Flag's 2026 Au…
Ep546: One-Step Audiophile Vinyl w Tom Grover Biery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:35
From funding the first Record Store Day to producing limited one-step pressings of Pet Sounds, Prince, and Dr. Dre, Tom "Grover" Biery is one of the most influential figures in modern vinyl culture - Hear all about his n…
Ep545: Zev Feldman Returns for Record Store Day 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
Zev Feldman returns to reveal 11 Record Store Day 2026 releases, including stunning discoveries from the legendary Joe Siegel Jazz Showcase tape archive featuring Ahmad Jamal, Yusef Lateef, Freddie King, and more never-b…
Ep543: Remembering Rozz Williams & Christian Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Rikk Agnew, James McGearty, and David Glass share stories about Rozz Williams & Christian Death, the making of Only Theater of Pain, and completing his final recorded wish with the new song Flowers. Tickets for April 18…
Ep542: Music Documentary Producer Jeanne Elfant Festa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Documentary producer & record collector Jeanne Elfant Festa has made films about The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Pavarotti, Bee Gees and more. Today she discusses her latest movie on Billy Preston — revealing rare archive foo…
Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
TV Smith joins Nate to discuss the 50th anniversary of The Adverts, an Australian tour backed by The Hard-Ons, and a career full of great songs and terrible label luck. Topics Include: TV Smith is touring Australia in Ap…
Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:37
Swami John Reis of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records, and why the next release always matters most. Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museu…
Ep539: Dr Strange Records' Summer Bash Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Dr. Strange Records' Bill Plaster talks Summer Bash and the chaos of booking a festival, punk history, record collecting, Live Strange, and how punk rock can genuinely change lives. Get Summer Bash tix here | Follow Dr S…
Ep538: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants Returns! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants talks rare vinyl rarities, the chaotic story behind the new album's cover art, why re-recording old music is almost always a mistake and lots more Order the new album "The World Is…