| INTERVIEW: Kid Krueger |
[Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 ] |
  Sitting down with Eddie Englund, I have to admit he wasn't what I expected to come from classically trained actor, Robert Englund. While he is no doubt his father's son - DNA and a birth certificate can tell someone that - Eddie definitely seems more in tune with his father's alter-ego, Freddy Krueger. When I got the "a-okay" from Eddie to sit down for an interview at his father's Laguna, California home, I half expected him to come donning some sort of striped sweater with a fedora and claw on his right hand, but, of course, got nothing of the such. Walking in, he seems just like your average kid down to the sneakers on his feet. In introductions, he seems like he could par political handshakes if he wanted. Sitting down, you realize he isn't about to go that sort of path in life as he takes on a rather laid-back slouch, one leg crossing to rest his ankle on his knee and his arms behind his head.
At a young 24-years old, Eddie is a complete kid at heart, proved by the grin on his face once he finally gets himself situated on the couch. One isn't sure whether he is going to pay attention to the interview at hand or turn his attention to the television to flip through the channels. That lack of attention, however, doesn't come acoss when it comes to his growing career. With two records released alongside fellow the bandmates of Nightmare Nouveau - all fellow Horror Kids under a title paying homage to his family ties - and plans in the works for a clothing line, Eddie is straying far from becoming just another kid in the horror scene.
FIRST THINGS FIRST, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK TO US.
No problemo, man. I live here anyway.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN THE ENGLUND HOUSEHOLD?
Don't you mean 'what was it like growing up with Freddy Krueger?' I would say it was just like any other kid's childhood, but then I'd be leaving out probably one of the more important parts of it. Studios were a common thing, sticking around my dad and seeing him in full makeup was typical, hanging out in Horror Kid Crew daycare with the Cravens was a day-to-day. That, of course, doesn't mean it wasn't filled with the usual going to school, running around outside only to get scraped knees, video games and cartoons on Saturday mornings and pretty much all the things that kids experience in their everyday lives. I just had an extra incentive to keep one eye open while I was sleeping just in case dad decided to scare the crap out of me by bursting into my room with that freaky Krueger claw. I don't think many kids get that experience in their lifetime, but - nothing against my dad here - I'm not sure how many would actually want that.
AND HOW ABOUT NOW?
Seeing as I don't even live here anymore, it is a lot more free. Easy-going when I have the time to be, but of course, when I need to buckle down be it for the clothes or the band, I can definitely do that. My apartment [here in New York] is in like a constant wreck, some like turnpike for all these projects with friends always coming in and my dog racing around, tearing eyes off stuffed animals and crap. Yeah, Freddy - yeah dad, my dog's name is Freddy - is a monster. I love it though, madness and all, but every once in a while I'll jump states and come down here to chill in California. It is where I grew up after all.
HOW WAS HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOU KNOWING WHO YOUR FATHER IS?
High school was high school. Simple as that. It isn't any different for people with a big name than it is for other kids. We might've had better books or, I don't know, I guess you could call them anemities, but as far as the day-to-day and drama goes? Same. I hung out with my friends, turned in my homework when I had it done and didn't use the excuse the neighborhood dog ate it while I was walking home, had the usual rivalries. Nothing special.
YOU SKIPPED COLLEGE FOR YOUR CAREER. GIVEN YOUR FATHER BEING A CLASSICALLY TRAINED ACTOR, WHAT DID HE THINK ABOUT THAT?
Well... I can't say that he was proud of the decision and to this day, I think, wants me to say forget the touring and settle down to continue my education, but he is nevertheless supportive of what I do and that I'm actually putting the work in to make something of myself rather than piggy-backing on what he does for a living. I'm not trying to be an actor or trying to follow in my father's footsteps down to every last detail after all. I love music and there is no way I'm going to give up the band, but hey, if that opportunity comes along where I find myself wanting or in need of some more schooling, so be it. Right now, I'm happy doing what I'm doing and not having a college degree hasn't held me back any.
ANY PLANS TO ACT YOURSELF?
I've thought about it. Believe me, I've thought about it, but that is more my dad's department than mine. I don't think I'd be able to handle being in the studios now that I'm older. When I was younger, it was cool, but now? Now I think I'd just get tired of the whole process. Taping take after take and listening to the same lines repeated over and over again to the same blocking and movements. Just... so not my style. The good thing about music is, I guess, it can be compared more to improv even though, technically, you have lines. You've got the songs, but you don't have to follow some director's vision. It is all your own. In the future, I might consider a few small parts, but that is if they can get past all the tattoos.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, HOW MANY NOW?
Oh man. I don't even know. I wouldn't be able to count them all on my fingers and toes. It is just one of those things I love. Its the art, its the meaning behind it all - what each and every one means to me. I've been getting them for about six years now and I think I'm starting to run out of room to put them. I do know when my twenty-fifth rolls around, I'm throwing up another one somewhere. Maybe I'll have to ask Nadia what she thinks just as long as she doesn't suggest I get something on my buttcheeks.
 WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK ABOUT THEM?
No idea, honestly. I've never asked them, but I'm sure they share the same, like, 'your body is a temple. Why would you want to do that to yourself?' sort of attitude somewhere down there. At least a little bit. They gave me life and all, so what I do with my skin is my own business, but hey -- This is how I'm decorating my temple, you know?
SO, TELL ME ABOUT THE "HORROR KID CREW."
That is easy. I can't believe you asked me that. [laughs] The "Horror Kid Crew" basically stems from myself, Langenkamp and the Cravens. Our parents are all horror legends. I mean, people can't think Wes Craven without thinking Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson - which, of course, is totally how I'm so close to Nadia and Daniel to begin with. With that sort of bond, it seems only natural, honestly, to be a little cliquish. We're all good friends, we all contribute to and support each other's pursuits in life in one way or another; If someone needs advice or someone to just be there and listen, we're there for each other. Doesn't get easier to explain than that. We share fake blood.
YOU, NADIA AND DANIEL EVEN GOT TOGETHER FOR NIGHTMARE NOUVEAU.
That we did. It was just sort of something we fell easily into, I guess. With the Nightmare on Elm Street movies being directed by Wes [Craven] and my dad being the villain of them all, running around scaring the shit out of Heather [Landenkamp], we were pretty much around each other all the time while filming, just hanging out at the studio when we didn't want to be sitting around at home. The whole 'we grew up around each other and are pretty much best friends' sort of deal. I love these guys. Nightmare Nouveau wouldn't be the same without them.
SO, RING POPS AND CHEAP PERFUME?
You read her MySpace, didn't you!? She's my best friend - just an amazingly awesome person if not a little creepy, but I can't blame her for that, I guess - and while I could always retaliate with something like saying 'I'm not cheap, she is easy', but I don't need people thinking they can get in her pants at the drop of body spray and candy. Hands off the pantalones!
YOU GUYS JUST RELEASED A SOPHOMORE ALBUM, SKELETONS. WHAT'S THE OUTLOOK?
Desired outlook is that we reach platinum rather than sticking around the aluminum level. No. Honestly, we just wanted some that was a little different from the first without loosing that pizzazz that fans of the first album enjoy. Have to keep fans while trying to make new ones. While we always want to bring in new fans and get more and more people listening, the original fans are always a help. They're the ones spreading the word, they're the ones sharing the cds and burning copies for their friends, they get kids to go to shows to get the full experience. I will say though that the whole superiority complex some fans seem to have aggravates me to no end. I love fans, but since when did going to the first show mean that you had to be a complete prick to anyone who might've just heard the band on the second album?
ANY MESSAGE TO THE FANS ABOUT IT?
Don't be jerks. Just enjoy the music and buy a teeshirt. That is why we make it. Not to give people bragging rights.
WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR NIGHTMARE NOUVEAU IN THE FUTURE?
I'm hoping that we can get together with a couple other bands and eventually go on tour. Maybe even join the ranks of the Warped Tour and tour all summer. I'm not exactly sure. That is something that I have to talk to Nadia and the rest of the gang about, see what they want to do and go from there. We definitely had a good time touring around when we were just an opening act with one album a couple years ago, so I can only imagine how it is going to be now that we've made a little more of a name for ourselves. We don't see it as something we do on the side of everything else... at least I don't. This band is pretty much my life. If I wasn't doing this, I'm not exactly sure what I would do. [pauses] No wait... I might have an idea, but yeah. I'm doing music instead.
SO TELL US ABOUT THIS CLOTHING COMPANY WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT.
Ah... That is a project I've been trying to pull together for a while. I've still got a figure out a couple minds and artist to bring into it, but it is definitely something I want to do. A friend of mine has some pretty awesome designs to start off with. Some have been hits, some misses, but either way, I'm planning on something namely the teenage crowd will get into. Plenty of horror aspects, graphics inspired by those works that made all these old guys famous, definitely some new flavor. We'll probably go the web route for a start, sell online and at the shows, set up booths wherever and whenever we can to spread the word. The sure bet thing I can say at the moment? Keep a look out for it because its coming.
ANY OF YOUR DESIGNS GOING INTO IT OR YOU JUST THE BRAINCHILD?
If it was up to me, we'd just end up a teeshirt company since those are just about the only things in my wardrobe alongside some jeans and a pair of shoes. I'm throwing a few pieces in here and there, but those I'm collaborating with have a heavy influence on what is going to make up the bulk of the line. But yeah, you can definitely expect a few green-and-red scarves and whatever else.
 WHAT OR WHO WOULD YOU HAVE TO SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES ON THE PROJECT?
Movies, by far, are probably the biggest influence on everything. Be it horror or crime or psychological thrillers, the film industry is pretty much what my life had been made up of over the years. There has always been something around from it, be it through my dad or enjoying movies myself. I absolutely love tattoo art - something that should be stupidly obvious by now - and that is going to have a major standing in the clothing line at least. And music. Can't keep music out of this. I can't do anything without it, be it through my career or just driving somewhere on a trip or doing stuff around the house. I've always got my cd player on or mp3 player plugged in with headphones stuck in my head.
FAVORITE MUSIC AT THE MOMENT?
See... Like, I'm one of those weird kids where the music I like listening to doesn't necessarily reflect what I play like some people think it might. I love the Beatles right now. It seems to be the only music I can listen to to chill out to actually focus and get some work done. But, of course, there is the usual Metalica and The Rolling Stones. Oh and movie soundtracks pretty much run my playlist right now. Any and all that I can get my hands on. I guess if I was ever going to do anything in movies, it would be something for a soundtrack. Maybe.
LAST QUESTION, ANY GENERAL PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I like living day-to-day and just waking up in the morning with the question of what I'm going to be doing with my time. It isn't like I don't have anything to do, so it isn't like I get up going "I have nothing to do with my time, so I'll see what comes up." It is more like "I have all these options. What do I want to get done today?" If it means just chilling with the Cravens, then so be it. If it means getting band practice in, awesome. If it is comparing designs, way to go. I'm up for it all. There just isn't enough time in the day, I guess, to get it all done at once.
IT HAS BEEN QUITE A PLEASURE TALKING WITH YOU. THANKS AGAIN.
Well, thank you for stopping by and listening. Can't wait to do it again. Maybe next time we'll do lunch.
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