25.10.16
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Remember how good MTV2 was back in the day? Remember Zane Lowe casually reclining across that brown leather couch on Gonzo and actually seeming quite cool? If so, chances are you’ll be familiar with the work of Paz Lenchantin – the alt-rock veteran who’s played in bands such as A Perfect Circle, Entrance and Billy Corgan’s short-lived Zwan and collaborated with the likes of Jenny Lewis and Queens of the Stone Age. As if the “Discography” section of her Wikipedia page wasn’t already impressive enough, in 2013 Paz became the bassist and backing vocalist of the mighty Pixies. With the band’s new album Head Carrier to promote, Paz picked up the phone to discuss DIY haircuts, emergency road services and a bizarre coincidence with Slipknot’s turntablist.

What’s your favourite video game?
I used to play Pac Man.

What book are you reading?
A Dylan Thomas biography.

Who’s your favourite person to follow on Instagram?
Joey Santiago.

What was the name of your first ever band?
Big Milk.

Do you have a pet?
No, but I have a car that I treat like a pet.

What kind of car is it?
It’s a Dodge Dart Swinger, 1973. Her name is Daisy, because the dot on the “i” in the word “Swinger” is a little daisy.

What was the first album you ever fell in love with?
Abbey Road.

Who’s your favourite member of Slipknot?
That’s really weird that you’ve just asked me that because I ran into someone from Slipknot, today, when I was walking in Venice Beach! What are the names of Slipknot?

There’s the singer Corey Taylor. Or there’s Shaun, the clown guy…
No, it was the other one.

Then there’s DJ Sid Wilson, with the gas mask.
Yes it was Sid who was walking in Ven- ice! That’s so strange! He was talking about wanting to go to Greece to help the refugees!

What’s the worst hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
I was driving between Arizona and New Mexico, kind of in no man’s land, and I was getting pretty tired and just got a motel. I couldn’t tell you the name, but it was pretty shitty. It was, like, by-the-hour!

"I met Sid from Slipknot today. He wants to help the refugees in Greece”

Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
I mean, I briefly shook Barack Obama’s hand. But he shook everyone’s hand. There was Yoko Ono, I had a brief conversation with her, and I do really just respect her so much.

Describe the worst haircut you’ve ever had…
My most nightmarish one was when I was like 10 years old. It was the worst I’ve ever had, and the only one I’ve ever had. Traumatising. That’s why I cut my own hair!

Would you go for a beer with Kanye West?
I don’t really drink beer. You mean like if he asked me on a date?

No not necessarily, could just be a coffee or something.
Absolutely I’d have a coffee with him. Coffee sounds great!

If you could pick a surrogate grandparent, who would it be?
Agnés B.

Rate these actors in order of how much you like them, first to last: Danny DeVito, Danny Glover and Daniel Day-Lewis…
Danny DeVito, Daniel Day-Lewis, Danny Glover.

Do you have any regrettable tattoos?
No.

Is there a piece of advice you wish you could give to yourself 10 years ago?
Time’s the most important thing we have. Spend your time wisely, it’s the precious gold.

What would you like written on your tombstone?
There’s this AAA service you have in America, where people stop by the roadside if they need assistance. I’ve saved so many people with my AAA, I don’t know why. My name, Paz, means “peace”. So my name on my tombstone should be spelled with three As. “Rest in PAAAz”

Head Carrier is out now via Pixiesmusic / Play It Again Sam.