From 200 Fans to 50,000
“This is our third time playing Aftershock,” Charlie recalls, leaning back with a grin. “The first time, there were maybe 200 people watching us. Now? It feels like 50,000 out there.”
While the crowd may have grown exponentially, the festival’s heart has remained the same. “Every Danny Wimmer festival is awesome. It reminds me of the ones in Europe—great food, tons of beer, amazing lineups. They really take care of the people.”
A Milestone Called Five
Hollywood Undead’s new album, Five, dropped on October 27, and it’s more than just another record—it’s a benchmark.
“We named it Five because that was always our goal. When you sign a record deal, it’s usually for five albums. We said, ‘If we make it to five, that’ll be insane.’ Well—we made it.”
This time around, the band took more creative control than ever before. “J-Dog and I produced seven songs on the album. It’s a lot more self-produced, and we’re really proud of it.”
From Tom Petty to Hollywood Undead
Charlie’s musical roots run deep—starting with Tom Petty. “I started playing guitar when I was six. Watching the ‘Free Fallin’ video made me want to pick up a guitar. Tom Petty made me want to sing, too.”
Petty’s death hit him hard. “That one really affected me. He was a huge influence.”
Before Hollywood Undead, Charlie had spent his whole life in bands. “When I joined this band, I learned how to produce, because I got sick of giving songs to producers and not liking what they did. Sometimes it felt like they changed things just to change them.”
Now, he prefers to see a song through from start to finish. “I want the music to sound exactly the way I hear it in my head.”
Producing in the Modern Era
“The role of the producer has changed,” he says. “They’re more like engineers now. They build the song from a skeleton to the final product.”
Charlie’s been sharpening his production skills, obsessing over guitar tones, drum sounds, and every sonic detail. “It’s all about getting it to sound the way I want it to.”
And while he admits he can “kind of” play piano and “a little bit of drums,” guitar remains his main weapon.
Life Without Music? No Thanks.
“Music means everything to me,” he says. “Life without music sucks.”
Whether you’re up or down, there’s a song that fits. “It’s the soundtrack to your life. It gets you through everything.”
What’s on Charlie’s Playlist?
He laughs when asked what new music he’s into: “Honestly, I don’t listen to anything new. I’m behind the times. I still blast classic rock.”
His current rotation? The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s, Tom Petty’s Greatest Hits, Creedence Clearwater Revival—and the latest record from Ghost, which he’s loving.
But don’t get it twisted: “I’m cracked out on music—not drugs,” he jokes. “Well… music crack, not actual crack.”
The Moment It All Clicked
The concert that changed his life? Stone Temple Pilots.
“Seeing Scott Weiland on stage—his energy, his movement, his presence—it blew my mind. He was slithering around like a snake, jumping on amps. I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ I’ll never be Scott, but that’s what I aim for.”
The Hollywood Scene: Gone Before They Arrived
Growing up in Hollywood, Charlie saw music scenes come and go. “There was hair metal in the ’80s, grunge in the ’90s. But when we came out in the mid-to-late 2000s, there wasn’t really a scene left.”
That actually worked in their favor. “It was wide open. We could do whatever we wanted.”
A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Charlie’s love for Johnny Cash runs deep—so deep he was once in a Johnny Cash tribute band.
“I bought the albums, the DVDs, everything. I even had the Joaquin Phoenix look going on.”
Hollywood Undead’s song Bullet draws directly from that influence: “It’s got a bit of a country feel, some chicken pickin’, a train beat. That’s pure Johnny.”
Good Vibes with Atreyu & Thoughts on the World
Charlie also had praise for Atreyu, a band they’ve toured with in the past. “Those dudes are super cool. We’ve stayed in touch. Every time we see them, it’s all love.”
As for the state of the world? “I don’t think there’s going to be a civil war or anything, but it’s a weird time. Whether you agree with what’s going on or not, the machine behind the curtain is being exposed. People are starting to think more for themselves. We’ll see where it goes.”
Dream Tour? Back from the Dead
“If I could bring Tom Petty and Johnny Cash back from the dead and do a tour with them—that would be my dream.”
Setlist of choice?
- Full Moon Fever – Tom Petty
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
- Five – Hollywood Undead
“I’d take that to the grave.”
Parting Words (And a Joke)
“When I was born, God said, ‘You can have one of two things: a perfect memory or a big d*ck.’” Charlie pauses. “And I can’t remember which one I chose.”
Catch Hollywood Undead on tour and stream Five wherever you get your music
Watch the full video interview below.
Interview by The Mighty Zee | Editing by Capital Chaos TV
Categories: Hollywood Undead, Interviews
Capital Chaos TV 
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