Botchii, On Being Different

There are few things that the people in all sects of the Chico, California, music scene can agree on, but one of the most universal truths is that they just don’t get Botchii.
For the last couple of years the two-piece experimental-noise cacophony produced by Tom and Matt Botchii (they both have weird last names and use the band moniker instead) has offended crowds, alienated bands and earned a couple diehard fans as well as critical praise from arty journalist types. The chaotic guitar style, distorted everything and boggling note bends, all backed by sloppy, simplistic drumming, has gotten the band banned from most clubs in town and just plain confuses most people. The band’s music is fused with performance art and obnoxious behavior in general to form an experience that is uniquely Botchii. It would be the ultimate irony if this duo became one of those before-their-time bands that mattered but didn’t garner respect in their formative years like the Velvet Underground or the MC5. That would almost make up for the crap they put interviewers through (as evidenced below). The record release party for the band’s debut album on November 15th at Fulcrum Records will most likely be attended by about nine people but they will all be able to say that they were there at the beginning in 30 years when these guys are inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

So Botchii is finally releasing a record, eh?
Tom: Join Arnold.

So you’re into the Arnold thing, what does that have to do with your record?
Tom: Everything.
Matt: We’ve been working on this record for about five years now.

Cool.
Tom: So how long have we been a band?
Matt: Two years.
Tom: Yeah, about two or three?
Matt: Yeah.
Tom: So the record’s really important.

So how does a band work on a record longer than the band has existed?
Matt: Well it’s pretty easy see…
Tom: Dude, you don’t question the status of Botchii. Ever.

Well I’m going to have to ask you some questions. This is an interview and that’s just the way it goes.
Matt: Don’t tell me how to do an interview.
Tom: Let’s talk about the CD. It’s got 47 tracks, no…53 tracks. It’s got special appearances by Tom Botchii, Tom Polish, Mortal Combat, Johnny Cheesefactory and Matt the Nut. [whispering to Matt] I made up the last one, don’t tell Brad, he’ll never catch on.

So why doesn’t anyone in Chico like you, but when you go other places people love you?
Tom: Uh, I don’t know, you tell me. You can’t be jokey-jokey here. You can’t have seven people in the band and …
Matt: You can’t be hardcore in Chico.

So everybody is wondering …
Tom: Briefs.

No, but people want to know if Botchii is a serious band or not.
Matt: We’re serious.
Tom: I don’t know, we did more shows than Red With Envy this year.
Matt: I’m serious, seriously pissed.
Tom: I’m just in it for the hoochies and the dough.

Matt, I read somewhere that you want to be a fire truck when you grow up. Does that still hold true?
Matt: It will always hold true. My friend is an ambulance, and if he can be an ambulance and my mother told me that I can be anything that I want when I grow up, and I want to be a fire truck.

So you don’t . . .
Tom: You know basically...

Shut up Tom.
Tom: What it boils down to...

Shut up Tom.
Matt: [screaming] Get off my back, Tom! [general yelling and chaos]
Tom: So let’s get back to the interview.

Okay.
Tom: So about the Botchii CD, it’s going to save country music.

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