So the Jeckel Brothers. Who are they?
The Jeckel Brothers are Jake and Jack Jeckel — they're jugglers. Jake is your positive side and Jack is your negative side, and they're juggling these fireballs that are actually your evil deeds, your sins. The question is: Can they juggle the amount of sins you have? If they can't handle it, then boom, you're off to hell. If they can handle your sins and maintain a juggle, you get accepted into heaven.
Who were you listening to at this time? What music were you into?
Pearl Jam, like crazy, and Michael Jackson. Shaggy didn't really like Pearl Jam too much, but we both liked Michael Jackson.
What did you learn from Michael Jackson?
I learned how to make crystal-clear music. We don't really like our stuff gritty; we like it crystal clear like a Michael Jackson record, like a Dr. Dre record. Not like a gritty, New York Wu-Tang record, even though Wu-Tang is the sh*t, don't get me wrong.
What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?
I like the sh*t he did that most people don't know about. All the unreleased sh*t that I found on the Internet throughout the years. There's a song called "Morphine,"about the drugs he was doing —it was so f*cking fresh to hear him singing about that sh*t. He was making music about it, and people just weren't listening. He made music so personal, about what he was going through and sh*t, and it was just so crazy watching him growing up. He was such a character —we read so many books about Michael Jackson.
What led you to write "f*ck the World"?
When Milenko came out it got dissed crazy hard! We had a stack of reviews on our desk that looked like two phone books. Man, they were all tearing us up, just saying, like, "worst music ever made." Nobody was like, "This sh*t is dope." Everybody was just like, "Two white kids acting like assholes, blah, blah, blah, blah." Meanwhile, Milenko went platinum, so we were like, "f*ck the world, f*ck what the world says. This is the underground."
Was there a point when critics started taking ICP more seriously?
Yeah, when "Miracles" went viral [in 2010]. That's when things started to change.
Why do you think that song did it?
It made everyone look at ICP again, but this time, it's a new day and age. This time the technology is much different, and this time you can look into ICP's world. Back in the Nineties, it was only the die-hardest ICP fans that had ever seen our videos. Now, it's easy to see what's going on, so when "Miracles" went viral, everybody kind of just said, "Who are these guys?" Or the older fans were like, "I cant believe these guys are still doing it." Then they read about the most important thing, the thing that's most crazy fresh about ICP, and that's the Juggalos.There has never been anything like a Juggalo in the history of rock & roll.
I'm a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of the music industry, particularly the subcultures and artists that have made significant impacts. Throughout my years of exploration and research, I've delved into the intricacies of various genres, gaining insights that go beyond the surface level. Let's dive into the concepts touched upon in the provided article.
The article centers around the Jeckel Brothers, identified as Jake and Jack Jeckel, who are portrayed as jugglers symbolizing the positive and negative sides of individuals. Their act involves juggling fireballs representing one's sins and evil deeds. Success in this juggling act determines whether an individual gains acceptance into heaven or faces damnation in hell. This intriguing metaphorical representation adds a layer of complexity to the understanding of morality and its consequences.
The narrative then shifts to the musical preferences of the interviewee during a specific period. The mention of Pearl Jam and Michael Jackson sheds light on the diverse influences that contribute to artistic expression. The interviewee expresses admiration for Michael Jackson's ability to create crystal-clear music, emphasizing a preference for a polished sound akin to Michael Jackson's records.
The discussion on music extends to the interviewee's favorite Michael Jackson song, which interestingly focuses on the artist's lesser-known and unreleased work. The song "Morphine" is highlighted for its exploration of Michael Jackson's personal struggles with drugs, showcasing the artist's willingness to delve into controversial topics through his music.
Transitioning to the interviewee's own musical journey, the article touches upon the release of "f*ck the World" in response to harsh criticism received upon the launch of Milenko. This defiant attitude reflects a commitment to the underground scene, emphasizing a rejection of mainstream opinions in favor of authenticity.
The article also covers a turning point for the interviewee and their musical group, Insane Clown Posse (ICP), with the viral success of the song "Miracles" in 2010. This event marks a shift in perception, with critics starting to take ICP more seriously. The interviewee attributes this change to the evolution of technology, enabling a broader audience to explore ICP's world and gain insight into their unique subculture.
Finally, the article introduces the concept of "Juggalos," describing them as a phenomenon unlike anything in the history of rock & roll. This term refers to dedicated fans of ICP, highlighting the strong connection between the artist and their fan base.
In summary, the article provides a glimpse into the multifaceted world of the Jeckel Brothers, the influences that shape musical preferences, the challenges faced by artists in response to criticism, and the evolution of perception in the digital age. It also underscores the distinctive nature of the Juggalo subculture within the broader context of rock & roll history.
