A couple days after the beginning of this year’s Gigantour, Job For a Cowboy probably have a lot to say about being on one of metal’s highest-profile tours with Megadeth, In Flames, Children of Bodom and High on Fire. They’ve surely got some interesting stories about hanging out with Dave Mustaine, drinking with Children of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho and lighting up with High on Fire’s Matt Pike. But instead of asking guitarist Bobby Thompson such timely and relevant questions, we decided to talk to him about lassoing cattle, “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and headbanging in Australia.
Headbangers Ball Blog: Cowboys do everything from roping steer to irrigating land to baling hay. From your experience, what the best job for a cowboy?
Bobby Thompson: Drinking whiskey, buying and shooting guns, and gambling.
Your latest album is called Genesis. Obviously that’s the name of a book in the Bible. It’s also the title of an adult magazine. Which would you rather read in the back of the bus?
Adult magazine 100% — unless Genesis is a mag full of naked dudes. I don’t know anything about that mag I usually stick to Hustler.
What’s the coolest thing in Glendale, Arizona besides you guys?
Mr. Goodcents subs and pastas across the street from my house. I eat there at least six times a week.
Have you ever crossed paths with “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, who is also from your hometown?
I saw her at a show a month ago. Jonny [Davy], our singer, went to high school with her but I don’t think he knew her.
What was the craziest thing you remember from the Radio Rebellion tour?
Hmm. I don’t remember much from that tour that I can discuss publicly. Jonny got wasted one night, slept walked and pissed on behemoths guitar tech while he was sleeping in his bunk.
You did a cool video for “Embedded.” But some fans actually discovered you through the viral video “Job For A Spongebob.” What did you think of that video mash-up?
That thing helped us out, I think. A lot of people said that’s how they discovered the band.
What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Jonny puked on my shoes and pedals once while I was tuning.
Do you have any weird phobias?
Dying on tour when were doing a winter van tour. I’ve had one too many close calls. Other than that, getting food poisoning and s–tting myself on stage. I’ve almost done it a few times and freaks me out every time.
What was your scariest near death experience?
Umm, well the one I can talk about is when we flew off the freeway in Washington this year during a winter tour. I was driving going 45 and we hit a patch of black ice, did a 180 across the freeway, narrowly missed two giant light posts, slid into a ditch backwards, hit a snow bank and almost tipped over.
What’s your latest guilty pleasure?
Oreo pizzookie. Its a big half baked cookie with three scoops of icecream and oreo cream on top. Served at a BJ’s brewery near you.
What’s the last thing you did that you regret?
Hmm. So many to choose from. Getting wasted in Australia, blacking out, then passing out and hitting my head on a concrete wall at a bar. I woke up in a puddle of piss and vomit surrounded by 30 Aussies. I spent eight hours in the hospital and got a CAT scan. Everything was fine so they discharged me. Then I got the $855 dollar hospital bill. I think I got ruffied by a 50 year old coke whore that was creepin’ on [bassist] Brent Riggs.
