posted
03/1/12
Little-known fact: after getting his first big paycheck for playing McLovin in Superbad, Christopher Mintz-Plasse purchased a drum kit and began playing along to his favorite tunes. The long-time music lover then got together with guitarist Nick Chamian to jam and cover a variety of White Stripes songs. The duo decided to try original tunes and, in 2007, teamed up with childhood best friends Jonathan Sanders and Taylor Messersmith to form an indie rock project called The Young Rapscallions.
“We consider ourselves to be a garage rock band since we play music out of a garage,” jokes the 23-year-old, who joins his band for thrice-weekly rehearsals in his parent’s San Fernando Valley garage. While acting is what currently pays the bills, Mintz-Plasse considers The Young Rapscallions to be just as big of a priority. “I would love it if we could make a living off playing music and just touring the world.”
Like other budding musicians, he has a slew of tunes that he credits for inspiring his musical career. Here are some of his favorites. Click the button below to hear the Mintz-Plasse playlist on Made Man’s Spotify:
1. “Hand of Doom” by Black Sabbath
Not only is this one of the most inspirational bands for my band, but they are an inspiration for my drumming as well. When I first bought my drum kit, I made it my duty to learn this drumbeat. It took me a very long time, but I finally nailed it. I also just bought a bass, and learned this bass line as well. One of the best classic rock bands around!
2. “The White of Noon” by Starfucker (STRFKR)
I chose this band for two reasons. One, they make me dance more than any band around. But I mainly chose them because for the past month or so, I have been in a huge drumming slump—no inspiration whatsoever to play. Then these guys played two shows in LA, and I went to both. After seeing them live, I feel hugely inspired and ready to start writing new songs.
When I first bought my drum kit, I made it my duty to learn “Hand of Doom.”
3. “Eulogy” by Ben Kenney
I could have easily chosen Incubus, as they are one of my favorites ever, but I feel like that would be too easy. The main reason I am enjoying Incubus lately is because of this guy’s playing. His bass lines, bass tones, and backup vocals make Incubus’ new sound what I love. His solo stuff is also just as great. Playing every instrument on all of his solo albums, it shows he is one of the top musicians around. The YouTube video to this song is insane too.
4. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
This is old school. I only know these guys because of my mom. This song was always playing in the car when I was younger and I didn’t really know how good it was till now. I think bands like Fleet Foxes and Mumford and Sons are only around because of these gentlemen. I don’t have nearly their whole catalog, but this song is all I need.
5. “You Wanna Freak Out” by My Morning Jacket
This band is a new discovery to me, but I now know every song by these guys. One of the best around now, if not ever. My buddy/guitar player told me that most of their songs are written in 1, 4, 5, which sounds like it could be repetitive, but they wrote some of the most original songs around. This song stands out to me, because I like to think he is singing about a woman freaking out on him, and he is just accepting it. Inspiring in a whole different way other than music. The bridge is also the rockiest thing I have ever heard. I saw them three times last year. Not enough.
