I had initially planned on videotaping my interview with Joe Pug. I lugged the petite digital device a full two blocks before I decided that Pug’s words lend themselves better to a word-of-mouth presentation. Although he considered being an actor as a child, I honestly thought his shining blue eyes might break the camera. I guess we’ll never know.
Pug grew up in Maryland and moved to sweet home Chicago four years ago. His father played in bands until little Joe came along, so he grew up with music in his bones. His incendiary yet simple lyrics don’t seem to be written by an ex-hard rocker, but Nirvana was the first band to truly inspire him. His musical world has expanded vastly since his worn out copies of Bleach and Nevermind.
It may seem his musical fame has exploded in the past year, but he explains his hard work behind the scenes is what made it happen. He’s been on tour for almost a year promoting his music.
“Everything seems so sudden, but I worked for almost three years without any acknowledgment,” Pug says. “I would drive hours to bars to play for no one.”
He also explained he is very grateful for the support Champaign-Urbana has lent him in the past couple of years. Between local booking agencies and WPGU he’s been able to make a name for himself in the area.
I caught during him pre-show serial chilling, so we called it quits after a short interview.
“If I get too worked up before the show I tend to just go out there and throw it all out a little too early,” Pug explained.
Oh, and he does do his father’s drugs, but not nearly as much as the song implies.
Come out and see Joe Pug tonight at the Canopy Club beginning at 9:40.