The Talk of the town — That’s Justin Williams, lead singer of Charlotte rockers the Talk, whose pristine sound we won’t water down by using that silly “pop-punk” tag. Justin and company are destined for greatness — that is, if Justin’s Real Life Top 5 list doesn’t kill him first. One thing’s for sure: This dude is a rocker to the bone. When we phoned him one afternoon last week, his gravelly, ultra-cool, whispered voice suggested the singer had just crawled out of bed, Keith Richards-style. And check out these time-honored nuggets of rock that whirl around young Justin’s head. Let’s just say he has the right mix of Peter Pan Complex, self-destructive impulse and, um… ego:
1. The Beatles. “Always have, always will. I know it should be something instead of a band, but since this is the Loafing and I’m in a band, there it is.”
2. Justin’s dog, Pickle. “He can sit, shake and eat shoes. I only know a few people who are capable of doing that.”
3. 8th and 9th grades. “The best years of my life, skateboarding every day, my band the Ultra Zaps, everyone I used to chill with. It was just the best. Oh well, what are you gonna do?”
4. To be honest, drinking. “It’s sad, I know, but I have so much fun getting drunk. Being loud, singing, acting like an idiot — I love that shit. There’s definitely down sides, but that shit is the best. To quote Mr. Simpson: ‘Alcohol, the cause and solution to all life’s problems.'”
5. Last but not least… Me, me, me. “There’s nothing I love more in this world than myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love my girl, my friends and my family. But when it comes down to it, I would give it all up just for some quiet time with myself. I’m a selfish bastard and that’s the way I like it.”
This article appears in Aug 17-23, 2005.
