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But then … Armisen screams.
He knocks over tables.
Kutcher gets in a good glass-shattering kick.
And their song is called Fistfight in the Parking Lot.
That was really meaningful to me.
Its a love letter to all those bands I grew up on.
Its a celebration, Armisen adds.
Im thrilled it happened at all.
I got the sense watching the50 Years of SNL Musicdocumentarythat this sketch is pretty much yourSNLmagnum opus.
Is that a fair characterization?If someone like yourself is saying it, thats really nice.
But if a magnum opus is almost like saying its a signature piece, then Im all for it.
Its a reunion of everything in my life.
Tell me more about your punk bona fides.
I was a kid sitting in my basement, and it had such an impact on me.
From there, it evolved into Devo, Talking Heads, and the Clash.
It wasnt just that Ilikedthe music; it was something that helped me define a feeling.
It became such a big part of my life and one of my main focuses.
I saw it at the theater and really enjoyed it.
Some of the people being interviewed were of the age where they would potentially have children getting married.
They looked a little older and grayer.
There was this other thing going on of mentioning politicians by proper names.
Is it a mosh pit?
No, thats more like the 90s.
What could you say that isnt too violent and not about weapons?
I dont know why I chose parking lot.
We tried it at the table read, and it didnt even make it to the dress rehearsal.
Kristen Wiig was originally in it as another band member.
It just wasnt quite ready then.
I think that moment enhanced the sketch significantly.
Whats more punk?Absolutely.
Thats what happens at those shows if thereisa mic that works.
Theres actually a little Easter egg in the very beginning of the sketch.
Theres a sandwich board for the couple that says Cadena-Norton wedding.
Its a reference to Black Flags Dez Cadena and Husker Dus Greg Norton.
I wanted to pick names as little Easter eggs of famous people in the hardcore-punk scene.
Ill pick any opportunity to have Bill in whatever fake band Im doing.
Theres something about it thats very specific to hardcore punk.
What was the sense everyone had after the dress rehearsal?
It wasnt that bad of a … You get the joke enough that you dont need a longer explanation of how the song goes.
And also, what is a second verse, really?
What does it really do?
When youre at a concert, great, we love the song.
But if its a sketch, you could be like,Now what are you doing?
The performance should look a little shaky and punk.
That little bit of chaos is so much better than a well-rehearsed band.
Im thankful that it turned out that way.
Its like a nice little cushion.
A yummy cake cushion.
When did you record the song in a studio?About six months after that.
This label Drag City put it out, and theres a B-side.
Its a great label out of Chicago.
Im doing a bit I was sort of pretending to be a singer of a hardcore band.
But if you keep looking, theres one other picture, and its Dave Grohl.
Id love to know what that call with Jason Sudeikis was like.
He was in the editing room and texted me, Hey, can we use that song?
And I was like, Oh my God, absolutely.
I couldnt have said yes fast enough.
His approach to it was great.
Even all these years afterSNL,I love that we all put each other in each others projects.
Should I assume you get royalties for it?Yeah, I suppose so.
Ive never kept track, even when I sell singles on tour.
Ive got to call Apple.
You said in the documentary thatSNLaffected your musical tastes and influenced the way you wanted to make art.
Its a fake performer doing a sketch, but I was like,Thats a pretty cool idea.
The other is an Eddie Murphy sketch where he was performingas a reggae artist.
Theyre really energetic, and the drummer is amazing.
Ive felt for a long time,Theyd be so, so great on SNL.
