Devin Townsend On His Inspiration And Influences

[Iluvtogekiss]

Devin I fucking LOVE you

[muntificator]

"i Play with myself"

[Death66reaper6]

i'm devin townsend and i play...with myself.

[ihaveallseeingeyes]

WHAT SONG IS THE INTRO?! 

[ozain24]

@ihaveallseeingeyes Stand - Deconstruction :D

[sinborn41214]

Devin is a god to me, but then he said the unholy words "pro tools". Now I don't know what to think...

[submoronicbomb]

Film as inspiration for music - makes sense.

[Destructerator]

he undercuts himself far too much. definitely deserves more recognition than he gets.

[SirJamestheIII]

First thing i thought of when i heard devin was King's X actually

[BenjoJames]

With AN I!

[DreamPurpleFloyd]

7:09 Pure Epicness.

[boodastanker]

@DreamPurpleFloyd I laughed so hard when he did that....

[KaliumMusic]

I'm organising a big Halloween party in a small town near Frankfurt, Germany, and am helping with the music list.

I'm a guy who dresses in black and listens to Meshuggah, Opeth and Strapping Young Lad, and when I showed the other people involved with the party my playlist that included the Venga Boys, Gigi D'agostino and Skrillex, I was told that I had a weird taste in music for enjoying groups that have little in common.

Fuck that noise and listen to what sounds good, regardless of genre!

[robonez]

Brilliant man!!!

[flutternuttt]

yay he likes yes!

[ninfan98]

"Hello, I`m Devin Townsend, and I play with myself." It goes to show that some of the most best Heavy Metalists have a great sense of humor.

[staniszc]

even...DJ TIESTO-....WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!!

[Kam69Infernal]

'Hello I'm Devin Townsend and i play with myself' ..... I love you dev.

[WEEZER08274MH]

I like how they cut him off on the video and he just keeps listing more and more artists. He seems like he'll never stop talking about all forms of music, and I admire that.

[SmOkEdEffect]

Just watch him cross his leg LIKE A BOSS 2:47

[locozito]

He said FNM, around Angel dust time!. OMFG ! Im officially a fan of this guy.

[tcdude001]

i hate it when people quote what someone says in the video - i know what hes said ive watched the video

[jtmcneil90]

@tcdude001 i hate it when people complain about what they hate on youtube.

[machinehead912]

lmao venga boys. they were awesome

[tblaxxable]

I'm guessing his grandfather was more entertaining than him.

[ImIoOImI]

@tblaxxable you must have a great grandfather

[alex93metallica]

what was the intro song?

[kingdiamondking]

@alex93metallica Stand - off of Deconstrucion.

[hevvydevvy27]

I'm surprised Devin didn't mention Frank Zappa as an influence

[ThrashEagle]

Hahahahahaha! I love the intro line.

[DaelinD]

"The Vengaboys. Stravinsky."

[emilowich]

WITH AN I !!!

[electricguitar1212]

a real musician

[joshuaph85]

he always has something to say

[91Tribual]

"oh wow...you can be loud!" priceless haha

[MrBuckshotJones]

Nice interview

[latenightmoonlight]

From 5:25 sums up what I took from Ziltoid.

[BeardedDanishViking]

The best thing about Devin Townsend is his humility and his sense of self-irony :D

[89MikeW]

Ok I admit it. I was just trollin'.

[spacenoise5]

(LEG CROSSOVER/STRAIGHT FACE)

[Zayin1993]

At 0:10 he admits he plays with his self.

[decapitatethecat]

@89MikeW You are a stunning human being and I wish to make love to you.

[SkeksisBestSongEver]

@89MikeW Dude, dude dude, NO! he´s not a genius, i think he´s amazing but that´s because i dig his big sound that some might find overproduced, if you are the oldschool smooth jazz type of guy or a classical guy you´ll prop just think it´s some overproduced loud crap exept for the "KI" kind of stuff maybe, i´m allmost a grown man know and i´ve found that maybe not ALL of his music is genius, but some of it pretty close to imho!

[dan2212089]

@SkeksisBestSongEver You clearly are missing the point Devin is trying to portray. Don't be so quick to assume people that listen to dominantly types of Jazz, and or Classical variations wouldn't enjoy some of Devins more... abstract takes on music. I for one apply to this. I love Jazz fusion with a passion. But Most of Devins work also moves me in some ways.

[SkeksisBestSongEver]

@dan2212089 I think i might have been a bit off when i wrote it, guess it was more of an example, i mean certain people def has a bigger tendency to like a certain style rather than others, like it´s easier to dig Devins music if your ear are used to heavy music, rather than if you are used to not digging heavy and you instead dig a complete different style, but like with Opeth f.eks, i think he can reach out to people with many kinds of musical influences, because he is so diverse and unique!

[dan2212089]

@89MikeW Subjectivity is just pouring from your narrow-minded comment, so i'll stop there.

[aaronzvz]

Devin fuckin rocks...Period.

[joshuaph85]

1 person couldnt buy Devin Townsend albums online

[GuitaristJoel]

"Hi, I'm Devin Townsend and I play with MYSELF!"

Fantastic.

[nivramrelyt]

1 dislike... wtf?

[banksyknight]

1 person has disliked this video.

[gibbsies]

WITH AN I!

[Vawklin]

he mentioned Ween, GROTUS, Young Gods and Faith No More.....k that says a lot.....kickfuckinass!

[scrustle]

One person didn't like Devin Townsend....

We must seek them out and destroy them and their kin.

[Zeta9966]

The Dark Crystal... yes Devin, you officially win.

[twiistedfatee13]

I like tons of things man <3

[cky1088]

Am I the only one who believes that Canada is full of Gods amongst men? I can't be the only one.

[metalgrungefan123]

@cky1088 what about justin beiber :P

[cky1088]

@metalgrungefan123 I said "full of Gods amongst men" Not "full of the piss my dog leaves in my living room every morning." I wish I were famous, I ain't Jack shit, But If I were I would love to be the only one on this planet with an image to call him a faggot. Not be subtle to please fans.

[submoronicbomb]

@cky1088 Canada makes the world a better place, daily.

[KDR466]

@cky1088 i would agree with you, but there is this teen whose name i don't wanna say, that makes all men look like pussies. except for devin, no matter what, he is never a pussy.

[Theotherotherother]

One of the only two artists that I have heard say anything about Grotus. The other one being Mike Patton.

But I'm gonna have to give him a -1 for the DJ Tieso.

[Jillianaire]

OMG Zoviet France were my old friends. It's bizarre to think how we're all related! <3

[schuchard]

Dj tiesto and Venga Boys ! yay ! haha. dammnright holland is represented woohoo :)

[ChumFiesta00]

lmao look at how crooked his glasses are

[SkeksisBestSongEver]

He´s so humble about his music, a bit like the guys from Opeth, humble guys just making a bunch of music that they dig, and then it turns out to be friggen fantastic. Devin prop sees Tiesto as a much bigger talent than himself allso, and that he has that critical ear on his own stuff and prop think that most of it could be done better by so many else prop allso keep giving him the blood on the teeth to make more music! Allso a good thing about being an independet artist without too much fame!

[matto27]

*tap tap tap-tap tap tap tap-tap tap tap* Jeff Healy.....

[gallaghim]

I just love how he does these little weird things like at 2:48, lol

[ViperRob42]

Props to 4:57, "first Fear Factory Record" (Soul of a New Machine) and a cheers to Jane's Addiction, Kings X, Yes & Faith No More!

[Punkmetaller]

"My name is Devin Townsend and I play with myself." That sounded funny when I interpreted it differently.

[shadowmark27]

@Punkmetaller that's what i wanted to say x)

[Punkmetaller]

"My name is Devin Townsend and I play with myself." That sounded funny when I heard him say that.

[007Pogo]

He is an amazing musician he play guitar, bass drums, sing, he is not metal or emo or goth he is just devin townsend as you can see.

[AngryMusicalSloths94]

Does anyone else think he looks like John Malkovich

[EpicArt]

Devin likes Tiesto? My world just fell apart a little ...

[wwibbelt]

keep doing what you love!

[TheGodlessGuitarist]

This guy is seriously over stilmulated lol

[MickeyLWalker]

tom waits hahaha fuck yes

[SLonergan59]

What song is playing at the beginning?



[dreamtheaterz28]

@SLonergan59 I think its called unleashed. not for sure tho...

[TheThroatOfWinter]

@SLonergan59 its called 'Stand' if you go on devins youtube page hes got some riffs from it, its when hes screwin around on his 7 string peavey

[10dthompson60]

I took a drink every time he said "right?"

[emu69emu]

@10dthompson60 You must be very drunk, lol, DT = Hero

[10dthompson60]

@emu69emu donnt jusge me man, i drink buy i can steill see will

hahah

[darthinfurnus]

He said he likes KISS at the end of the interview............me too!

[awberg]

@darthinfurnus He actually said Yes, but i bet he likes Kiss too!

[ChemicalDynamics]

"Hi, I'm Devin Townsend, and I play with myself"

[davidzimacansuckit]

I needed that.

[synspecial]

i LOVE this guy

[PistonDriven]

Influences..? I thought he'd mention something along the line of nuclear holocaust or the sound of the movement of tectonic plates... But I'm cool with Tom Waits..., sure!

[ZhasX3]

HE! JUST! WONT! STOP!

No wonder his music is just a wall of sound. His brain never sleeps

[runthemachine]

Best insight into the mind and feelings of Devin, ever. I fucking LOVE when he talks when he's not conveying the 'pissed off', and not beating me up with the 'everybody's a fucking wanker' (and I'm not British). I absorb everything he says, I just find it a lot more enjoyable when he's not pissed-off at me. LoLoL.

Not to be redundant, but, yes. Brilliant.

Devin, if you're ever in Philly, we should have a beer... and I'll feel retarded the whole time. =)

Love your music so much.

Peace.

[SteveBrownOfficial]

Man....this is just the best interview.

[NOWYOURGONNABURNHOE]

Devin Townsend (a musical genius) likes.... DJ Tiesto...

Sigh

[aezeon]

the lyrics to the ziltoid album express a lot of the same thing devin talked about in this clip, as if the ziltoid puppet was a prop in a psychologists office, i think the ziltoid album was a huge turning point in devins mind, im dying to hear ziltoid 2 if he comes through with that project

[Rusheeth]

It IS that good!

[kierandoyle1992]

this man is just a fucking genius. one of few musicians who, to me, is genuinely interesting to listen to just talking about whatever he wants

[bloodpleez]

"Good day, im Devin Townsend and i play with myself."

[blueswan393]

Just looking and listening to him is surreal. He's so fu*king great!

[theanvilcracks]

Do you think his scalp is somewhat chilly now? That little hat just screams "I'm cold and not used to being bald!" lol

[phoenixforce22]

hell yea jeff healy !

[gordongk]

Once I learned to play the sentinel by judas priest everybody invited me to their parties, and I like parties.

[AmrddH]

He's my hero

[xisumavoid]

hey my name is devin towsend. and err.... i play with myself! lol

[mishukk78]

@xisumavoid I just burst into laughter when I heard that! LMAO

[brozeiy]

very cool

[FlowerFlo1983]

His grandfather must be the true inventor of metal \m/

[Andinator]

Don't get me wrong here, I love the fact that he chose music, but Devin Townsend puppetry would have been spectacular.

[SeeDutor]

Devin knows STUFF and his music is ACE.

[Amavere]

Can these clips be purchased?

[UserNameForYeeTube]

Igor Stravinsky <3

[wepmajoe]

@UserNameForYeeTube

My favorite composer, definitely.

[Einherj1]

This guy is something else...

[destructicon500]

Devin Townsend basically knows no formal theory... and he makes all this incredible music? Shiiiiit.

[Termaximum]

no musician makes music by theory, a musician hears music in his head and try to reproduce it...theory just try to analyze and explain this music..musik comes from muses singing in your head not from theory..when music comes frome theory you have MTV

[destructicon500]

Fair enough. My point is just that with the complex music he is very capable of making, I'm surprised that he pretty much only does it by ear and stuff.

And I would argue that MTV is not when "music comes from theory," but rather when "people try to make music quickly to make a quick buck"

[Termaximum]

yes and MTV comes from thinkink about make music...just music has nothing to do with thinking...

[deadpisser88]

Music has its fair share of thinking, and it relates to that whole psuedo "it just... sounds right". You play a bunch of chords or notes, but you don't like it. And you think to yourself "how can I have some of the chords/notes I used, and combine with different chords/notes to make it sound right?" Time factors in, as well. How fast or slow should it be played? What would sound better? Plus, you might want to add other instruments and you think which instruments should go along.

So... yeah.

[shaterproofblosm]

so trou.

[Steve128967]

I think he knows more than he may let on, because he can play scales across all the strings without just repeating the shape but all of them being in that key, etc...

[CleverDjembe]

You could do that too with a few months of practise if you already have the basics down!!!

[ToolsnFire]

not

[aggbala]

i play with...myselft xD

[Ohgottis]

And...I play with myself! Devin is so genious

[AKMAC82]

6:11 is the gospel truth y'all...sooo funny but profound

[GrimFaust]

What is he saying at 5:02?

[theemperorofdarkness]

Not only is a musical genius is a Comical Genius also so....He is God

[Mykerawr]

HE SAYS ABOOT!!

Canadians FTW! :D

[kefka11000]

yay at the end he said he likes Yes.

wooooo

[ANDREWHALL28]

BOA is going to be amazing next year, i can't wait to finally hear his solo stuff, seen SYL twice and they were incredible, I hope he plays some stuff from Ocean Machine

[dimetonn]

he's both a wonderful artist and person:)

[leezus83]

dude, nasty pants man.

[RolandDeschain1]

Oh, God! It suddenly all makes perfect sense.

Devin Townsend is the Jim Henson of Metal!!

[nyeguyxb12x]

KING'S X rules! Just like Devin, Genius!

[Griffo515]

This man is truly a genius.

[Hippiemetalhead123]

devin doesn´ t even know he´ s a great artist! lol! :D

[jesse6669]

he likes tiesto? that surprised me

[rsman169]

Devin Townsend is no poser at all. I mean, I don't think I've seen a musician as real as this man.

[fairley117]

I love Devin