Sure, we’re always curious to know about an artist’s upcoming release, most recent tour, or arsenal of analog gear, but XLR8R‘s also got a curiosity for quirk. Thus, each week, we email a different artist and find out what makes them tick, in the studio and in life. On this occasion, we gab with UFO!’s Ed Garro about Sean Lennon, Germany, and breaking toys.

What are you listening to right now?

Oh, that’s funny. My friend Federico just put on this Robert Fripp record. Good, weird stuff; arty stuff. I’m in it. Love the atmospheric stuff.

What’s the weirdest story you ever heard about yourself?

That I was fucking dudes in my bedroom and smoking crack with them. Oh yeah, and that I was Samoan 🙂

What band did you want to be in when you were 15?

I was what I wanted to be when I was 15–a DJ in Daly City! But I remember way earlier, in the third grade, I wanted to be an astronaut. It all kinda makes sense. Now I just feel like I’m in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Well, more like Oddity. It all mixes well for now.

Worst live show experience?

Me and Sage almost taking this sound guy down for shutting us off. Well, he shut me off. Yeah, Laura (Sage) and I were pretty heated. The crowd fucking lost it. Some bottles flew, a kid got roughed-up by the bouncers. On top of that, some girl ODed. The cops came and we had to shake the place. I don’t know if we got paid or not. Some dubplates got snaked out of my box, too. It was crazy back in those days. I think we even missed our flight. But now that I think about it, it sounds like fun. It was the early rave days–all kinds of crazy, messed-up shit used to go down. I mean, what the hell did I know? I thought it was all part of just being a junglist: fast breaks, ripping bass lines, crowds mashing it up and totally having it. The stupid thing was I didn’t even know what punk music was back then, but now that I think of it, my state of mind was just that–a damned punk in the 21st century. I don’t think I really have had a bad experience. If I did, I got over it.

Favorite city to play in?

BERLIN!!! They really go for it, Germany in general. Alles clar! Oh God and their breakfast… I do miss it.

What’s the closest you’ve come to a “forbidden love”?

I guess the last girlfriend. That was nuts.

What is your favorite thing you own?

My JP8000 and the Hoffner Beatle bass. It was my computer, but I don’t have one anymore.

Name one item of clothing you can’t live without.

My jacket and socks.

What’s more frightening: drowning, spiders, or American cheese slices?

All of them: drowning in spiders while in the American downfall of its cheesiness while fear slices away at all of your nerve endings.

What did you always get in trouble for when you were little?

Wow, all kinds of shit. D grades; breaking, melting, and blowing up toys; cussing; coming home late; police; fighting with my brother and sister. You know, regular kid shit. The only difference now is that I’m still doing the same shit, just shoving it into my music.

What other artist would you most like to work with?

Sean Lennon. I love his melodies. And I’d love to get back in the studio with Danny Fresh.

What’s the last thing you read?

The Spiritual Journey of Alejandro Jodorowsky. He’s like my dad.

Complete this sentence: In the future…

Only tomorrow knows, for the future is you and what you make. That’s all that tomorrow knows… is you.

Stupidest thing you’ve done in the last 12 months?

Staying stupid… LOL!

What’s next?

The future.

The Cosmetic Surgery EP, featuring UFO! and s0n!ka together as Cosmetics, is out November 11.

Video: “Forbidden Love”

Last Week: ANAVAN