Jesse Dayton as Captain Clegg Interview: SXSW 2010

In 2007, Rob Zombie hired Jesse Dayton to write and compose songs for his movie 'Devil's Rejects.' In 2009, Dayton was hired again by Zombie and he released a full album as Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures for Zombie's new 'Halloween' movie, 'H2.' He also appeared in 'H2' as Captain Clegg. Dayton, who is no stranger to SXSW, is excited to return to the festival in March that takes place in his hometown of Austin, Texas. Spinner recently spoke with Dayton about his band, his musicial influences, and his past experiences at SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

My sound is like a hybrid of American music. Its 50s honky-tonk and rockabilly, with a rock and roll edge to it.

How did your band form?

I hired my guys. I'm a solo act so I went and found the best musicians in Austin, Texas.

What are your musical influences?

I have a bunch of different musical influences. I grew up on the Texas/Louisiana border listening to a lot of Cajun and old country music. Of course I listened to Elvis Presley. I love The Clash because when I was younger I loved that polk retro 50s thing they did.

How did you come up with your band's name?

Rob Zombie gave us that name.

What's your biggest vice?

[Laughs] I'd probably say whiskey. There are a few others but, you know. After I get everything done, I like to go back and enjoy a glass of Maker's Mark on the rocks.

What's in your festival survival kit?

I'd probably say a bottle of Maker's Mark, a blanket, an old Jimmy Reed record, a lighter, and a couple of joints.

Who is your first celebrity crush?

Wow! When I was a little kid I liked Adrienne Barbeau. I remember seeing her. She had this great rack and she was just hot.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

My musical guilty pleasure is playing in my studio in my pajamas.

Beatles or Stones?

It would definitely be the Stones. I'm a huge Rolling Stones fan. Those are desert island records to me. If I got stranded on a desert island I would have to have their albums.

What's the craziest thing that you've experienced while on tour?

Wow! I don't think I can repeat that in the interview. It depends on what you define as crazy. If it means like scheduling, I've been in 3 different time zones in one day. I've played three different shows in one day. If it's crazy like just being on the road. I don't really want to tell you that.

Is this your first year participating in SXSW?

No. I've done it many times.

Is there any particular thing that you're looking forward to at SXSW?

Well I live in Austin so I get to see all my friends. I normally just see them on the road in passing. Now I get to see all of them come in.

What's your best experience while performing at SXSW?

We played a sold out show at the Continental Club two years ago and it was really good. The guys from the Sex Pistols came out. That was really cool.

What's something that people probably wouldn't know about you?

I'm a great cook.

What do you like to cook?

I like to cook Cajun food. I'm from the Texas/Louisiana boarder so I do jambalaya and gumbo. All of that type of stuff.

Glennisha Morgan is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.