Eric Michael Schauffele Discusses "LimonCello Fellow" Music Video, Upcoming Eerie Scene Report 12-inch & What's Next for Human Animal (The Witzard Interview)
Human Animal is an Erie, Pennsylvania-based Hardcore Punk band consisting of Eric Michael Schauffele (E.M.S.,) Robert Williams (Bobby/Bob,) Ryan Zimmerman (Baby Boy,) Adam Salaga (Firefly,) and newest addition simply known as Kyle Bull. Amongst them, Human Animal's members have previously played, made, or recorded music with The A.K.A.'s, Anchor, Brother's Keeper/Sumthin' to Prove, Bushido Code, Deadhorse, Domestic War, Empty Promises, Jesus Wept, Phases, Pray for A Fallen Angel, Shockwave, Smoke & Mirrors, Stretch Arm Strong, Thick As Thieves, xDisciplex A.D., and xRepresentx. Human Animal seemingly formed within the early months of 2012 and unleashed a Black Flag reminiscent career-spanning, at that point, compilation called The First Four Winters in 2016. Their debut full-length release, False Realities, followed on E.M.S.' own Surprise Attack Records in 2020 and they've been sporadically trickling out singles, covers, etc. in the years since. Human Animal shared on their site back in February that "LimonCello Fellow" would be their "first new music of 2023!!! 2 minutes of circle pit, fist-pumping fury."
"Complete with Adam's best solo work yet. This is just the start of our upcoming new stuff for the year. Lots more surprises in store," they continued. It appears as though "LimonCello Fellow" is the first piece of official recorded output to feature Human Animal's newly-added second guitarist Kyle Bull. According to another post on Human Animal's site at the tail-end of 2022, they "recorded 4 new songs down at Cerebral Studios outside of Pittsburgh, which haven't been released just yet (very very soon!)"—we're just gonna guess "LimonCello Fellow" is one of those four! "Just last week we wrapped up vocals on another new cover song to be released next year," Human Animal's 2022 wrap-up post continued. So, stay tuned for new music from Human Animal this year! For now, "LimonCello Fellow" is available on your streaming service of choice, via Surprise Attack Records. The "LimonCello Fellow" music video premeired on HARDCORE WORLDWIDE last week, so we hit up E.M.S. to talk about its creation and what's planned next for Human Animal. Check out our quick interview below, which has been lightly edited for general clarity.
I. How was the "LimonCello Fellow" music video filmed?
Eric Michael Schauffele (E.M.S.): So, our guitarist, Kyle [Bull], is an actual YouTuber for a living. He covers guitars, amps, pedals, and other audio stuff on his channel. I told him I had an idea for a pretty straight-forward D.I.Y. video that we would just do ourselves. He films a lot of small clips at our practices for his channel, as he practically brings a different amp every week. We've spent a lot of money on past videos and we're currently saving up to press our next LP, so money is tight.
Anyway, he brought his camera in and we shot it ourselves. A few weeks went by and he told me that he didn't have the time to put the video together, so he, basically, foisted the project on to me (that sonnuva...) me, being someone who has never edited a video like this! He had actual paying sponsored videos to crank out, so I get it; this one wasn't raking in the bucks. Anyway, I watched a bunch of YouTube tutorials on the program Shotcut and went to work.
II. Where was it filmed?
E.M.S.: That's, actually, our guitarist Adam [Salaga]'s basement where we practice. Bobby [Williams] used to have an amazing recording studio that we practiced in for years, but he sold that spot in 2020. So, we had to either rent or find a new spot. Adam cleaned out all of the debris down there, then, we DRYLOK'ed it to water seal the leaking walls. I had some carpet remnants in one of my rental units and Bob ran a bunch of outlets around the room while the rest of us stood there and watched him do man sh*t.
That practice spot is a blessing, for sure. Only downfall is people 100 years ago must not have been over six feet tall because you gotta watch your head or you'll smack yourself silly on a beam or the HVAC. There's even a weird little toilet hidden behind the drums. The small intro and outro clips I just shot with my wife's work phone (it's newer than mine) and that was done at my little home office where I draw and listen to music. [I drank] all of the seltzer water featured.
III. Who came up with the concept for "LimonCello Fellow?"
E.M.S.: It was my idea to just kind of go lo-fi with it and keep it simple. The pace of the song moves real fast and it's upbeat, so I had the thought of just chaotic editing of each member upfront for a single take. Then, I just [bounced] back-and-forth between us in different spots, but the camera [was] stationary. There's other bands who have [definitely] done the same idea, but who cares. When I think of our past videos, I just want to not do the same thing twice, so this was kind of a new look for us. It almost has a bit of security camera feed [vibe] to it. The feedback has been great, so far.
IV. Who is the real deal "LimonCello Fellow?"
E.M.S.: This song is about people in your life, whether it's close friends, family, or partner(s), who you sincerely just want to help out... but, somehow, you're always the a$$hole no matter what. They run your name through the mud and really all you ever had was their best [interests] in mind. You just can't ever win with this type of person. Also, it's a tasty a$$ beverage and it's fun to rhyme and just say "LimonCello Fellow." (Adam & Rochelle [Salaga] generously have a fully-stocked beverage fridge in our practice space and that LaCroix flavor became a favorite.)
V. What made you decide to tack on the "blooper reel" at the end?
E.M.S.: When I was editing the video, some of the little stuff was just cracking me up. Like, one of the best things about being in a band and making things is the camaraderie and just goofing around and being stupid. Those clips are, basically, how the five of us are almost non-stop. It's a wonder we ever get anything done. It's kind of for our friends far and wide to get a taste of our true selves. Life can be a bit too serious, sometimes. I like to smile because, otherwise, I'll make myself miserable.
VI. What's planned next for Human Animal?
E.M.S.: We're playing Pittsburgh 4/15 with some heavy-a$$ bands. 5/5, we're heading to Virginia for our first show ever in that area. Late May, we're back in Pittsburgh playing a mixed bill at a newer venue for us, which I'm stoked on. I'm always down to play to different crowds with different bands. We're not just trying to cater to one type of person. In [August], we're playing in Clearfield, PA [at The] Upstage [Music] Fest with Sick of It All, The Take, and Life of Agony, so that's an amazing one to look forward to.
As far as releases, we have a small stack of songs that we'll be releasing once a month this spring. "LimonCello Fellow" was the first of that batch. On 4/7, "The Great Revealer" will be dropping and I'm hoping to put together another video for that one, too. We recorded another Erie Hardcore classic cover song and got a pretty sick guest vocalist on it from a very big, well-known Hardcore band, so that will be out this summer. We're planning on putting all of the Erie covers and this batch of new songs all out on one LP/CD as soon as we get some final mixes. I'd guess late summer for physical copies, but everything will be up [on] digital beforehand. We got sick of sitting on the songs that were all wrapped up.
After that, I'm working on a new Erie Scene Report 12-inch LP. So far, it looks like 14 different local bands: Hardcore, Punk, and Indie. Mixed genres of all of our friends' bands. We'll be recording a new song for that. I hope to have that out by next winter. It's gonna be a lot of legwork, but I want to do something to lift up all of the local bands that rule! [Thanks] for this opportunity, kind sir!
