RICHARD: To start off, I’ll start by saying that the internet has been buzzing for months now about Pretzels & History and The Pretzeltrek Soundtrek. I’ll admit that it’s really something. I’ve listened to it myself. Is it finished?
TP: Not exactly. Appreciate the compliment though. Pfft.
RICHARD: So what’s the deal? You are promoting THE PRETZELTREK and it’s not finished?
TP: It’s not finished because I’ve still got a few more tunes to jam in there. Seriously, though. THE PRETZELTREK is a continuously evolving organism. It’s never really finished.
RICHARD: Interesting!
Ok. So now that we got all of that out of the way. In your words:
What is the POINT of music?
TP: Maybe we can finally settle this argument once and for all? I, the Duke of Pretzelvania, Tony Pretzel, do hereby declare that music is a tool, just like your Uncle Saul. Everybody’s got one. It’s a tool that can be used to convey some kind of meaning. There’s not any need to romanticize it more than that.
RICHARD: Wow. Strong words. I don’t have an Uncle Saul but I think I get your meaning. Now onto a question a lot of people have been asking… Why RAP?
KB: It was a highly personal decision. We didn’t sit down at a board meeting for this one. Instead, we let the sauce inside of Tony’s head marinate until he found that place deep inside…. Like smoke rings on a brisket…. We had to let Tony get down past his smoke rings.
TP: I like brisket. I’ve always liked Brisket, so I really do appreciate the analogy. That’s basically how I live my life ya know… Like a smoked brisket.
RICHARD: That’s better than a Limp Bizkit, I guess.
TP: *laughs* I was a fan. OK. I’ll budge. Yes. I liked their shit for two albums. Wes Borland on the guitar was so money. Fred was alright but he got more annoying with time.
RICHARD: They were a well marketed band. Fred’s persona was on the immature side. I could see why that might happen. What are your thoughts on other types of music?
TP: At the time, Limp Bizkit was a blend of some of the most potent genres alt-metal-rock and hip-hop. It can’t be denied that they were influential. They were a powerful blend. The music they covered to gain a name for themselves was expertly selected.
Prior to that, I had been exposed to a lot of classic rock, classical music, alternative, heavy metal, hip-hop, and punk. Was even in a punk band for a spell. I took all of that experience with me along for the ride when I started making THE PRETZELTREK SOUNDTREK. But you asked specifically, Why rap? As if it’s some kind of great enigma. I’ll forgive you for that.
Nas was spinning on the school bus in 7th grade. A lot of kids fell for BIG-Pun. I was more of a Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, fan. WU-TANG was on my rotation back then as well. I was always turned off by the hard boundaries that certain folks would put up when it came to music. I guess that’s the nature of fandom. You should know, Richard. You are major pretzel-head aren’t you?
RICHARD: Not exactly, but I am a fan. A lot of people are saying that Pretzels & History is “different”. Some say it’s even better than a standard history show. What makes Pretzels & History stand out?
KBUNZ: The pretzels!
TP: The pretzels make it stand out. I’ll fuggin’ agree with that one. Our show has more pretzels per episode than any other history channel on the market today. I swear by it. Hell, you can even quote me on that one, that’s how sure I am that it’s true.
RICHARD: Where can people find your guises tunes?
TP: People can find some of our jams on YouTube Music and Spotify. For the full SOUNDTREK including our experimental jams, check SoundCloud.
