Jizzy Pearl is a man of few words. Or at least he is on this late Thursday morning Zoom call. The Love/Hate singer would much rather let the rock n’ roll do the talking, which there’s no shortage of on the band’s upcoming studio album, Punk Rock Fiesta! As the sole original member of this long-running powerhouse, Pearl continues to stick to his guns, dealing in nothing more than stripped down, straightforward, bare bones hard rock at maximum volume. Unsurprisingly, this interview follows the same “less is more” ethos. We sat down with Pearl to discuss the making of Punk Rock Fiesta!, 35 years of Blackout in the Red Room, and the differences between English and American audiences.
Greetings Jizzy and welcome to Defenders of the Faith! How are you doing today?
Jizzy Pearl: Good.
Awesome. Thank you for taking the time to do this, especially considering what a busy schedule you keep. Love/Hate are about to release a brand new album entitled Punk Rock Fiesta on March 1st, which is a Friday, I believe…or is it a Saturday?
JP: I have no concept of time.
How soon after the release of the last album, Hell, CA, did ideas start coming together for this one?
JP: I just really started work on this record recently. Literally a month ago, I was still mixing it, so the whole thing has been done very quickly.
Considering the way bands take their sweet time making records these days, do you see your approach being most productive to craft a solid hard rock album?
JP: I like the fact that I’m not on a record label that is shelving me for a year until the record’s release. That’s what I like.
When it comes to writing songs, do you buckle down and put yourself in a particular headspace to do so, or are you continuously coming up with song ideas that will eventually find their way onto a Love/Hate album?
JP: I go away to a quiet place and that’s how I do it. I get away from all this *shows iPhone*.
Absolutely. Let the rock n’ roll do the talking.
JP: Well, yeah, to write good songs, you can’t be watching Netflix at the same time.
I want to talk a bit about the title, which I find interesting considering I’ve always felt Love/Hate had a strong punk influence in the riffs and attitude. Growing up, did you relate more to metal or punk?
JP: I liked everything. I liked classic rock. I liked punk rock. I liked the Chili Peppers. I liked everything! That’s probably why the Love/Hate music is so different.
I’ve heard from other musicians during their formative years how there was this schism between metal and punk, depending on where they grew up. Clearly, that was never a bother to you?
JP: I guess. A good song is a good song. It doesn’t matter who wrote it.
Love/Hate have released many kickass hard rock albums over the years, and Punk Rock Fiesta! is no exception. For you, what are the key ingredients to an all killer, no filler hard rock album?
JP: Good writing. In a sentence, good writing. If your songs suck, then your record sucks.
Joining you on this album is guitarist Darren Housholder, who has a history with the band going back to roughly ’92. How would your describe your working relationship with him now and what does he add to this record?
JP: I would say that the relationship is really good. He’s done my last three records. We get along great and he’s done a great job.
Would you say your chemistry has grown over the years, or is it roughly the same as the old days?
JP: I would say it’s gotten better. Yes, I would definitely say it’s gotten better.
Expanding upon the last question, how does the current incarnation of Love/Hate compare or contrast to the band’s original lineup from the ’80s and early ’90s?
JP: It’s hard to say because the other guys are retired and they don’t do music anymore. It was a great band back in 1990. It was a really good band, but they don’t play anymore. As far as music goes, their time is sort of then and now, I’m still doing music.
From your point of view, are there differences in terms of how the band operates or approaches music?
JP: Well, it is different because I’m the sole survivor guy. It’s not a democracy anymore. It’s sort of just me making the decisions, so yeah, it is a big difference.
You’re about to head to England for a tour commemorating the 35th anniversary of Love/Hate’s debut album, Blackout in the Red Room. While we could do a whole interview based off that album alone, I was curious how you recall the reaction of English audiences upon its release as opposed to American audiences? I know it was well received in Kerrang! and Metal Hammer.
JP: Well, you just answered your own question. The English audience embraced it. They loved it and they still love it to this day. That’s why I’m able to still go back and tour there 35 years later.
Was there a difference between the English fans and the American fans in terms of attitude or mannerisms?
JP: English fans like music that’s difference. They like Jane’s Addiction. They like the Chili Peppers. They liked us. They like bands that are different, so it was good for us.
When you listen back to Blackout in the Red Room now, are there any details within the songs that stand out to you now that perhaps didn’t upon the album’s release?
JP: I don’t really think of it like that. Once the record’s done, it’s done. It is sort of a classic record. I like it. I don’t look back on stuff I could’ve done better, if that’s what you mean.
Oh no, pardon me, what I meant was when you listen back to it now, is there a riff or musical idea that’ll leap out to you that perhaps didn’t back then?
JP: Oh yeah, there’s certain songs I like better than other songs, of course. “Blackout in the Red Room” is a great song. “Tumbleweed” is a great song. There’s songs I personally like better than some of the other ones, but that’s every musician.
Do you tend to revisit the old albums, or do you remain focused on the future?
JP: I don’t listen to my old music as a listener. Right now, I have to relearn all the songs because I’m going on tour and I’m doing ’em. So I am listening to them because I have to relearn a lot of lyrics, but I don’t sit around the house and listen to my own stuff. I think that’s a little weird.
We can’t talk about Love/Hate without talking about the famed Whisky a Go Go. Of all the shows you played there, which one was the most memorable and why?
JP: I guess the one where I got my record deal. That was probably the most memorable.
Was that a standalone show?
JP: Yeah, yeah.
Had the band been courting the labels for a while, or did everything come together at that show?
JP: Courting is not the right word. Rejected by all the labels is the right word. I don’t know. All of a sudden, people liked us, and then the labels liked us and then we got our record deal, so it was good.
In closing, what does the rest of 2025 have in store for Jizzy Pearl and Love/Hate? Could we perhaps see some American dates later on this year?
JP: Yes, American dates are coming. I’ll be touring with Quiet Riot most of the year. I’ve got a video coming out in a week. You know, we’re gonna push the record and see what happens.
The new Love/Hate album, Punk Rock Fiesta!, comes out Saturday, March 1st on Kenyon Records. For more information on Love/Hate, visit www.facebook.com/JizzyPearlsLoveHate/.
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