Swollen Members Jun 20, 2002 Interview
Behind The MMVAs With Swollen Members
For those of you who live under a rock, the Swollen Members just destroyed at the 2002 MuchMusic Video Awards. They won four prizes, and frankly, we couldn't wish this success on nicer guys. In fact, they're so nice, they won't even say anything bad about anyone. Watch now as we try to get Prevail to say something mean about the people at the awards. He won't do it. Which, to his credit, is probably one of the reasons S&M are so successful in the first place:
So you won Best Independent video, Best Videofact Video, Best Director and the Much Vibe Best Rap video. Are you guys related to Moses [Znaimer] or something?
Prevail: It was definitely a crazy weekend. I was happy to see Wendy [Morgan] win best director. That was rewarding to see her go through all the work she had done and get that.
So you guys aren't his nephews or anything?
Prevail: I don't know man. Besides the great respect we have for him, no.
Did you meet him?
Prevail: Myself, I haven't. I don't know if Mad Child has or not.
You beat Nickelback, how did that feel?
Prevail: It was great to win all the awards that we did win, man. I was totally surprised. I don't know what to say. It was crazy.
Did Chad congratulate you at any point?
Prevail: I've yet to meet Chad. I didn't get to see him.
Maybe he was intimidated by your success?
Prevail: No, I highly doubt that.
What about Sum 41? Did you see those guys?
Prevail: Yeah, I love those guys. They're awesome.
How were they? Were they drunk?
Prevail: Not that I could tell. But it was dope, they presented one of our awards so it was cool. We like those cats a lot, man.
Did you get to see Shakira?
Prevail: I didn't. We missed out on a lot of sight-seeing. I didn't see Shakira.
That ruins my next question: "What did you think of Shakira's head?"
Prevail: Sorry.
What about Pamela Anderson's boots? See those?
Prevail: Pamela Anderson's boots? Were they black?
Kinda sparkling pink I think.
Prevail: My eyes were pretty glazed over with excitement.
Did you get to see Kid Rock?
Prevail: I did get to see them both actually. We were just leaving the press area when they were getting there.
Did Kid Rock smell bad?
Prevail: From where they were standing they were taking photos three booths away. I didn't get too close to any of the major stars this weekend.
Did you see David Usher?
Prevail: I did see David.
Was he drunk?
Prevail: I couldn't tell. I don't think so though. I was drunk. David's a great guy, Glenn Lewis was there too. He's a great guy. They're all awesome.
Were there any mad antics going on in the VIP area?
Prevail: No, it was all sort of sectioned off. And by the time I got upstairs all there was was warm curried squash leftovers, so I didn't spend too much time upstairs. And Coors Light. Coors Light and squash.
Did you steal any booze from the VIP area?
Prevail: No, luckily I didn't have to. Luckily, the LCBOs are open on Sundays in Ontario.
So you bought your own booze?
Prevail: Brother, you got to plan ahead. You never know where you're going to end up.
But you just won four awards. People should have been killing themselves trying to give you free drinks.
Prevail: Well, we did go to the Liberty Grand [post-MMVA party] afterwards. That was a little crazy.
Did you have to pay for any of your own booze there?
Prevail: Actually, I think I bought. I was just so excited. A round of vodka tonics and I think two Coronas.
Did you see Avril Lavigne drinking?
Prevail: I just saw Avril when she was going in for her soundcheck. And that's the only time I saw her. I didn't see her at the actual show.
What about Lil Bow Wow?
Prevail: He walked by me. We walked by each other.
Did he have, like, 25-year-old hootchie mammas around him?
Prevail: No, he was with his crew, his people. They were handling their business.
Did you catch Mandy Moore smoking by any chance?
Prevail: No. I didn't even know she was there. The girl from Smallville [Kristin Kreuk], I didn't get to meet her either. I did talk to the guys from Default for a bit.
How were they?
Prevail: Those guys are great. Also the guitarist [Ryan Peake] from Nickelback. He's super-cool. Good people.
Was Vince Carter a jerk to you too?
Prevail: No, he seemed busy with something at the time when I passed by him in the stairwell. But JYD [Jerome Williams] was there as well. I got my photo taken with JYD, which was super-cool.
Was every girl you know going nuts about that Buffy guy [Nicholas Brendon] or what?
Prevail: I didn't notice.
Did you meet Puddle Of Mudd?
Prevail: I met the bass player [Douglas John Srdito] I believe.
What about Korn?
Prevail: Yes, I met the lead singer.
Jonathan Davis, what was it like talking to him?
Prevail: It was just very brief. In passing. It was very cool to see the international guys come out too and just be hanging out. It's a good vibe. It's been a good year, what with this and the Junos.
Yeah, I should follow behind you guys. Wherever you go a trail of gold follows.
Prevail: We're hoping to make it a trail of platinum.
Did Jonathan from Korn have anything interesting to say?
Prevail: It was just brief. In passing. There were other people around him trying get his attention and say what's up.
Doesn't he look like a giant potato dressed in black?
Prevail: No, I didn't think so at all actually.
Man, you're too polite. So how many drinks did you end up having that night?
Prevail: The mini bar got really mini. Hilarious laughter followed.
I hope Nettwerk is paying for that.
Prevail: Dude, I probably had about 15 drinks over the course of the whole evening.
What time do you think it was that you went to bed?
Prevail: I didn't sleep until the next day. When we got home at night.
How long do you think you were awake for straight?
Prevail: Probably 30 hours.
What the hell? How long did you sleep once you got to sleep?
Prevail: Actually, that's a lie. I slept on the plane ride, which was maybe three and a half hours. And then when I got home I went to bed at about 9:30 and got up at 5:30 the next morning.
For all the young people about to read this, what would you advocate they do on a MuchMusic Awards night in order to ensure a safe and happy evening?
Prevail: My recommendation is always use the facilities at your hotel. The steam room, the sauna and the pool. Anything with water or heat is sure to guarantee well-being.
What stood out for you guys at the Awards?
Prevail: It was our first time with pyro. And it was a lot. It was amazing.
You didn't almost step on anything right before it was about to go off or anything?
Prevail: No. You definitely would have heard something off-key if that happened. A scream or a bellow.
Did Moka have a good time?
Prevail: We all had a good time. The good thing about this is when we all get together it's just a party, you know? Hanging out celebrating, enjoying it and having fun with it every day.
Jun 20, 2002 [ChartAttack.com]
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