I really respect Nardwuar for how he conducted this interview. No interrupting, no jokes, no psyching Wesley out with random facts/trivia...just being a nice, friendly guy talking with an artist. He really is a cool guy.
There wasn't much info of wes which is what makes this interview different among artists not cuz of wes but the fact nardwuar didn't ask questions about his past because he never knew nothing about that but wesleys public appearance in shows he did in chicago. Tho there is a documentary about wes after he passed away which would talk about his past life and the events of his time.
"I write songs because I like to write songs. It's my life, I have to do what I want to do." - Wesley Willis. If that doesn't move you I don't know what will.
I met Wesley a few times around the Chicago music scene in the 90's and he played on the same bill as my band at a small show in Chicago. He head butted me and told me he was going to write a song about my band which was his interaction with most fellow musicians. From my perspective he was a sweet honest man who was just doing what he loved.
Despite his schizophrenia and cancer he lived a pretty good life. I think a lot of struggling musicians have similar stories of couch surfing and surviving off the grace of your fellow humans. If he had been born 10 years later maybe he could have gotten the help he needed but given the circumstances I think he did the best he could and lived exactly how he wanted to.
And even all the license plate numbers, the bus numbers and the advertisement signs were all from memory as well. Nothing made up. Incredibly smart individual
Canada's good just like smashing a horse's head. I love this man, I hope he's on an eternal joy bus ride rocking over london and rocking on chicago. You're lucky if you find an artist with this kind of passion these days.
I don't think i can define why this is so beautiful, something about the way these two represent the archetypal fragility of the human condition to showcase the strength and power of it
Wesley got the “doot doola doot do... do do” right on the second try probably without having any idea who Nardwuar was. A lot of people never get it right at all even with being familiar with Nardwuar. Really makes ya think.
That's part of why I love Nardwuar. He's unapologetically himself, whether people like it or not, and it naturally shows a lot about a person in just how they deal with him
Much love for you. To be so transparent is an amazing quality in a person and it's very hard to find. For you to be open with what life had dealt you is inspiring. Just remember that you are still you and schizophrenia doesn't define you. Keep living your best life. Cheers
This brings back a lot of memories seeing Wesley around the neighborhood. I never saw Wesley get aggressive, but he could make you think there was a very thin line between acting like a five year old child, and Hannibal Lecture.
honestly this video kind of made me feel bad for enjoying wesley willis when i was like 14. i assumed he was intentionally ridiculous in his lyrics/music but now i see it as kind of depressing, like i was "enjoying the freak show" in a sense. but then again the guy seemed to enjoy what he was doing so who am i to complain. EDIT: i recently found and interview with wesley that completely changed my mind. I hadn't really heard him talk about how art or how he views himself as an artist, and it gave me some peace of mind: ua-cam.com/video/1Rzg51SMhEo/v-deo.html
My brother and I did some research when we were kids and found out that he was "homeless", was diagnosed schizophrenic and he would make up songs on the spot with his small keyboard. After watching more about him I see that not all was true of what we initially found. BUT when we found out that this man was "homeless" and had schizophrenia, we fell in love with him even more. Such raw talent. Yes his singing wasn't the best but look at Kurt Cobain.. Wesley Willis' lyrics, to this day, are unmatched and on point. Except maybe Eminem.
@@DPSFSU i dunno man. i feel like most people enjoy the humor of wesley willis when i dont think he was trying to be humorous at all. i guess that's what makes it weird for me
@@fruitypeebils he was most definitely being satirical in most of his songs. He understood how to make a catchy song and played to humor more often and the crowd loved it. Yes his life was tough but you know what can raise your spirits? Laughter! To be honest, I don't really know either and we can't ask the man so I'd like to think he would be happy if he knew he made us laugh with him. RIP Wesley Willis.
I can't believe Nardwuar has gotten him in an interview and he manages to get modern artists like Juice Wrld to be interviewed before their passing it's insane!
In the Wesley Willis documentary they ask him how many days has he been alive. He answers with "years!" They ask him again and he says 10,956 days. I asked Google to convert to years and it was just about 30 years old. That's how old he was at the time. So 40,000 isn't a number he pulled out of his ass lol
Oh man. I love how, I discover Wesley Willis by learning about Henry Darger, and then 'outsider art' and what not, and Nardwuar has an interview with him! And its probably one of the weirdest! Nardwuar rules.
RIP Wesley. This man was real, his music and his attitude and his way of struggling with mental darkness. Salute Wesley Willis. We love you and we wish to be more expressive like you.
"It's my life, I had to do what I want to do" Never heard Wesley be anything but authentic, for whatever he had going on, his personality peeled away that layers of BS most of the rest of us tack on to ourselves. An artist, a musician, a survivor and a thriver in a tough world. Man did good.
I already loved Nardwuar but this interview seals it. I love the way Nard talk to Westly. I don't know what it is but the tone is so much different. It's almost like a softey Nardwuar. Edit: I also really appreciate how the headbutt through Nardwuar off a bit. He seemed genuinely confused.
I really respect Nardwuar for how he conducted this interview. No interrupting, no jokes, no psyching Wesley out with random facts/trivia...just being a nice, friendly guy talking with an artist. He really is a cool guy.
Nard dog would never disrespect anyone
yeah man, jello would have probably kicked his ass if he was a dick, but i don't think nardwuar would have done anything dickish anyway.
@@ryanelgieextrastuff I'm sure he assisted him some way in his career. He really has a heart Jello biafra
@@toddviv jello's label alternative tentacles signed Wesley and currently sell his merch
I always suspected that Alan Alda would whip Sting's ass.
He would have been 51 today. RIP Wesley. Rock over London Rock on Chicago.
Wheates the breakfast of champions
RIP peace
Taco bell make a run for the border!! Long live Wesley willis
Rest In Peace
"Pontiac We build excitement!"
"Taco Bell makes you take a poop."
He ain't lying.
"what have you been eating that doesn't make you take a poop?"
Gafoud is better!
So does too much orange juice
Only Willis could make a headbutt a genuine gesture of affection. Nardwuar handled this interview really well.
cuz hes a pro. Nardwuar is an amazing interviewer
headbutt me, say Wow
you could tell he was genuinely concerned with how long Wesley carried them on for
Viggo Mortensen does this too
There wasn't much info of wes which is what makes this interview different among artists not cuz of wes but the fact nardwuar didn't ask questions about his past because he never knew nothing about that but wesleys public appearance in shows he did in chicago. Tho there is a documentary about wes after he passed away which would talk about his past life and the events of his time.
"I write songs because I like to write songs. It's my life, I have to do what I want to do." - Wesley Willis. If that doesn't move you I don't know what will.
reading this out loud legit gave me chills. i just discovered this man tonight
The simplicity of it is kinda beautiful
@@tiztu6321I agree!!!
Dude honestly I just found out about this dude. When he said that I felt like I shouldn't hold myself back from making music... Just do it , live.
@@churrocrudo Do it!
Wesley actually has some legitimately beautiful artwork.
amazing fucking profile pic good game
Amazing fucking profile pic, On is a great Aphex Twin song.
and a great EP overall, one of my favorite vinyls
What's even more amazing is that he did them from memory.
Truly a great guy.
I know his music is a meme but I really like his art too
I met Wesley a few times around the Chicago music scene in the 90's and he played on the same bill as my band at a small show in Chicago. He head butted me and told me he was going to write a song about my band which was his interaction with most fellow musicians. From my perspective he was a sweet honest man who was just doing what he loved.
epic story
Please tell me where in Chicago?
I cherish the headbutts he gave me.
Same here. Exactly. He wrote a song about Godzilla for me.
Wesley always seemed like the guy you could have a beer with ngl. Wish I could’ve met the man, his brain is such a mystical, magical thing.
Those headbutts were definitely harder than Nardwuar had hoped for. He thought it'd be a great anecdote but then they just kept coming....
Well, I mean, look at that callous. He didnt get that overnight, or from being gentle.
Legend has it that those caused him permanent brain damage. Narduwar now has the brain of a 248 year old Polish woman.
@@davids.816 this had me rollin 🤣🤣
wupped nard's head
"Batman's a foooool, he was a damn fool."
"Welcome to Canada, how's Canada treatin' ya?"
_Canada's good, it's like smashing a horse's head_
*I gotta go up there for a visit*
Onggg
Despite his schizophrenia and cancer he lived a pretty good life. I think a lot of struggling musicians have similar stories of couch surfing and surviving off the grace of your fellow humans. If he had been born 10 years later maybe he could have gotten the help he needed but given the circumstances I think he did the best he could and lived exactly how he wanted to.
the good man Wesley Willis
Wesley Willis kicked ass in his life
2:40
"What type of food do you like?"
"I L I K E S O Y M I L K"
How much soy milk?
I like chocolate and vanilla. 🤔
Harley soy boy
He's the only soy boy who's a chad.
Man was ahead of his time; I've never had soy milk, but I hear it's like whoopin' a horse's ass with a belt.
@@toohak2782 being a chad transcends the physical body, wesley had confidence and gave no fucks and did what he loved
2:10, I love how he took a second to think of a cleaner word.
the wesley willis headbutt, a most genuine act of human love. what a blessing!
He made you earn it, too.
Wesley gave everything he's got for a concert. I helped put him to sleep on my friends couch after a show. Undisputably the King.
That's awesome! He was a giant of a man right?!
He was a great guy, I'm sure. He was just misunderstood. RIP Wesley Willis. He made it on MTV for just being him.
This is one of those interviews that really show the quality of Nardwuars character. Wesley Willis is one of them golden humans as well.
What impressed me was that he drew his Chicago pictures from memory.
And even all the license plate numbers, the bus numbers and the advertisement signs were all from memory as well. Nothing made up. Incredibly smart individual
For those wondering, the Wesley Willis United Church came from a union between Wesley Methodist Church and Willis Presbyterian Church
Well, that answers the great mystery.
In a ceremony where they smashed a horses head
@@donw2175He called the deacon a mother..
Wesley Willis - a man whose third eye is so strong that it is actually trying to manifest itself in his forehead
Was literally thinking the same thing
Mystical
It's a scar from a cigar burn 😢
When you learn about the tragic story of Wesley's past, the quote:
"It's my life, I have to do what I want to do." means so much more.
"Rockandrollwillneverdiescreamdraculascreamthankyou."
Canada's good just like smashing a horse's head. I love this man, I hope he's on an eternal joy bus ride rocking over london and rocking on chicago. You're lucky if you find an artist with this kind of passion these days.
He's rocking and rolling on his own bus, up there in the sky
how much soy milk?
I LIKE CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA
LOL
Ahaha... I love when Wesley slowly removes Nardwaur'd hat and he's just like "Oh... Okay, this is happening I guess."
lmao
"I like soy milk." Hahahaha!
I met Wesley twice; he head butted me both times.
R.I.P. Wesley. You are missed.
@Cameron Mead my thoughts exactly "headbutt"
I don't think i can define why this is so beautiful, something about the way these two represent the archetypal fragility of the human condition to showcase the strength and power of it
Agreed. This was really nice to watch
“Polishsausageamakeyoufatankillyou”
thats what she said
RIP Big man. I truly hope the voices in his head are at peace now.
"I like Soy Milk"
"How much Soy Milk?"
"I like Chocolate and Vanilla."
A man of wise words.
Wesley got the “doot doola doot do... do do” right on the second try probably without having any idea who Nardwuar was. A lot of people never get it right at all even with being familiar with Nardwuar. Really makes ya think.
I mean it's not just his thing it's pretty ubiquitous
It's "shave and a haircut, two bits." Been around a lot longer than nardwuar dude
Nardwar is a super nice guy. It is a shame how Henry Rollins treated him. You can tell alot about a person by how they treat Narduar or Wesley.
That's part of why I love Nardwuar. He's unapologetically himself, whether people like it or not, and it naturally shows a lot about a person in just how they deal with him
mostlyharmless11 He's like a barometer, but for how full of shit a person is.
honestly nardwar seems like a hanger on douche that just basks in other peoples fame rock on wesley
silky johnston nothing could be further from the truth than what you said.
Chrisdougable theyve done more interviews together since and its gone better
What a beautiful man
+Cris Garcia He really was though
BATMANS A FOOL!
@Puranium He shattad my teevee zet
fuck is he what
He was being a jack off
@@Mr__Joe who was being a jack off? Nard or Willis? Explain yourself! Maybe you don't really know the backgrounds of either of these fine gentleman.
@@DPSFSU Batman lol. I was quoting lyrics from "I Wupped Batman's Ass"
rest in peace buddy. I miss you. I love you Wesley Willis
Im a severe schizophrenic
I am young ep
Im from canada where we doing good just like smashing a horses head
I am a wesley willis fan.
I hope you are doing well and able to achieve your passions my guy. :)
Keep em' going my friend🤙
Much love for you. To be so transparent is an amazing quality in a person and it's very hard to find. For you to be open with what life had dealt you is inspiring. Just remember that you are still you and schizophrenia doesn't define you. Keep living your best life. Cheers
Rock on, brudda.
Rock over London, rock on Chicago!
You realize that Wesley exploited himself way more that anyone else. I'm amazed at how he was able to take his condition and turn it to his advantage.
God Bless Wesley Willis RIP
Rock on! Woof
I love how he busted out cypress hill lyrics out of No where
even Wesley got the tune right. Jack White had no clue
W: "doot dooladoot doo."
N: "Almost, Wesley Willis!"
hahaha!
Wesley is actually a very good artist he can draw pretty good and nardwaur was very nice in this interview it kinda made me feel nice inside
This brings back a lot of memories seeing Wesley around the neighborhood. I never saw Wesley get aggressive, but he could make you think there was a very thin line between acting like a five year old child, and Hannibal Lecture.
That’s because he was a legitimately beautiful artist also he is the legend that whupped Batman’s ass and whipped SpiderMan’s ass
Wesley Willis was a true Goddamn Artist.
3:15 made me tear up. just hearing him talk about what he loves doing and what makes him happy is really moving
The voices in his head was probably saying to kill Nardwar
"I wupped Nardwuar's Ass"
They wouldn't be wrong
@@Brandon-73109 lol. Same
The voices in his head were cussing at him
honestly this video kind of made me feel bad for enjoying wesley willis when i was like 14. i assumed he was intentionally ridiculous in his lyrics/music but now i see it as kind of depressing, like i was "enjoying the freak show" in a sense. but then again the guy seemed to enjoy what he was doing so who am i to complain.
EDIT: i recently found and interview with wesley that completely changed my mind. I hadn't really heard him talk about how art or how he views himself as an artist, and it gave me some peace of mind: ua-cam.com/video/1Rzg51SMhEo/v-deo.html
My brother and I did some research when we were kids and found out that he was "homeless", was diagnosed schizophrenic and he would make up songs on the spot with his small keyboard. After watching more about him I see that not all was true of what we initially found. BUT when we found out that this man was "homeless" and had schizophrenia, we fell in love with him even more. Such raw talent. Yes his singing wasn't the best but look at Kurt Cobain.. Wesley Willis' lyrics, to this day, are unmatched and on point. Except maybe Eminem.
@@DPSFSU i dunno man. i feel like most people enjoy the humor of wesley willis when i dont think he was trying to be humorous at all. i guess that's what makes it weird for me
@@fruitypeebils he was most definitely being satirical in most of his songs. He understood how to make a catchy song and played to humor more often and the crowd loved it. Yes his life was tough but you know what can raise your spirits? Laughter! To be honest, I don't really know either and we can't ask the man so I'd like to think he would be happy if he knew he made us laugh with him. RIP Wesley Willis.
@@fruitypeebils he’s most definitely being humours in his music but the music itself is very sincere
it's all about your intention. were you enjoying the music with him, or enjoying it as if to laugh at him? that's the key distinctiuon here.
RIP THE LEGEND
"Canada is doing good;just like smashing a horses head."lmao
Wesley puts the illis' in Willis.
Quarter pounder has 26 grams of fat.
they put pounds on you
actually, according to wesley, a BIG MAC has 26 grams of fat, whereas a quarter pounder has 28.
McDonald's hamburgers are the worst. They are worse than burger king
people flock here to get down to the rock music
It is the meat of champions.
It can rock a double decker bus' ass!
This is officially the best interview Nardwuar has ever done.
If you eat Taco Bell, it'll make you take a...poop. Hahaha
I can't believe Nardwuar has gotten him in an interview and he manages to get modern artists like Juice Wrld to be interviewed before their passing it's insane!
"is the headbutt finished Wesley", haha Wesley Willis lives on.
Rip wesley willis you rocked the world
Rocked and rolled it
blown away by the fact nobody has hired jello to do voiceover work
The world is a worse place without Wesley 🤟 keep on rocking, brother.
his art is incredible honestly, he portrays perspective very well.
“I have to do what I want to do” - Wesley Willis
“Do you think they’ll kick you out of the Wesley Willis church?”
“Hell no”
Amen brother
ROCK OVER LONDON, ROCK ON CHICAGO. Wesley Willis is pure Americana
"What's wrong with Taco Bell?"
"Taco Bell will make you take a..... poop."
The only person I've seen make nardwuar uncomfortable
he didn't want he's ass to be woped
"I have to do.. what I want to do"
- Wesley Willis
If Daniel Johnston and Eric Andre has a love child I believe it would be Wesley Willis
Eric andre is full of shit wesley was a genuine original
Bro I was thinking the exact same thing
"How many drawings have you done in your life?"
"In my life I've done 40,000 of them."
In the Wesley Willis documentary they ask him how many days has he been alive. He answers with "years!" They ask him again and he says 10,956 days. I asked Google to convert to years and it was just about 30 years old. That's how old he was at the time. So 40,000 isn't a number he pulled out of his ass lol
I just found out about Westly Willis, NO WAY Nard interviewed this fella. So cool. I love you
Oh man. I love how, I discover Wesley Willis by learning about Henry Darger, and then 'outsider art' and what not, and Nardwuar has an interview with him! And its probably one of the weirdest! Nardwuar rules.
When he says 40,000 drawings, I believe him.
"Rock n' roll will never die. Scream, Dracula, scream. Thank you."
"Taco Bell will make you take a...... "poo-p" - Wesley Willis
his music is actually legitimately good in the strangest way
It is directly from the heart. Not everybody has that capability. The genius is the one who is most like himself.
R.I.P.
RIP Wesley. This man was real, his music and his attitude and his way of struggling with mental darkness. Salute Wesley Willis. We love you and we wish to be more expressive like you.
Rock over London;
Rock on Chicago!
the headbutt was the sweetest thing I've seen this year.
His nonchalant "...yeah" at 1:28 kills me every time. I use that all the time when someone tells me something I don't care about now
I wish I still had the Wesley Willis cassettes that made it's way into my hands when growing up in the suburbs of Chicago.
I had a shit ton of his music on Napster. And we all know how that went
Gotta respect how Wesley did the whole Doot doola doot doo doot doot himself.
Wesley Willis and nardwuar seem like a perfect match.
Wesley Willis Big Daddy of Rock and Roll R.I.P. ❣💯
I must visit his church if I ever go to Canada!! Thank you Nardwuar ! ❤️
This is the best interview ive ever seen.
Wesley headbutting Nardwuar was the mot absurdly adorable thing I have see
"Canada's doing good just like smashing a horses head!"
"It's my life, I had to do what I want to do"
Never heard Wesley be anything but authentic, for whatever he had going on, his personality peeled away that layers of BS most of the rest of us tack on to ourselves.
An artist, a musician, a survivor and a thriver in a tough world.
Man did good.
I remember exactly were I was when I discovered about him 13 years ago....His songs and his drawings make me feel nostalgic...
ah yes, we traded the iconic still-pose for the headbutt. im okay with it.
6:24
Nawwwwwwwww, he's such a cuddly bubbly
2:05 he’s the realest for that response 💯
“BATMAN IS A FOOL!”
RIP Wesley Willis
“he shout at my tv set” LMAOOOO same wesley
The head butt was so sweet he was so gentle with nardy, you could tell wesley liked him. What an angel
this nigga's cute as shit yo.
Woah this is crazy. I've watched so many nardwuar videos and didn't know this existed.
right? and Jello Biafra in the intro????? so random lmfao
He handled this interview like a pro
He's so sweet
I really hope me and Wes will get to go on a joy bus ride in the next life. Rocking over London and Chicago together!
I already loved Nardwuar but this interview seals it. I love the way Nard talk to Westly. I don't know what it is but the tone is so much different. It's almost like a softey Nardwuar.
Edit: I also really appreciate how the headbutt through Nardwuar off a bit. He seemed genuinely confused.
I like how Wesley Willis got the end bit but most “musicians” don’t 😂