White Zombie guitarist J. Yuenger on music, expat life, and long-term travel

“Travel feels like a generational signifier the way rock music was when I was a kid. The whole idea of having experiences as opposed to accumulating stuff feels like this planetary alignment, the way rock was in the ’70s.” – Jay Yuenger

Jay Yuenger (@JYuenger) is a rock guitarist best known for his work with the Grammy-nominated heavy metal band White Zombie.

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Jay discuss Cuba and access to technology (3:00); J’s White Zombie backstory, and his travels with the band (13:30); the rise in popularity of White Zombie and the evolution of travel (40:00); the breakup of the band and Jay’s post-band years spent traveling (50:00); and souvenirs (1:01:00)

For more information on Jay, check out his website or his Instagram account.

Notable Links:

• Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts (book)
• Taxi Driver (film)
• Thunder Kiss ’65 (song, by White Zombie)
• Anthony Bourdain (chef and travel documentarian)
• The Practical Nomad, by Edward Hasbrouk (book)
• Hardcore Punk (music genre)
• Minor Threat (band)
• Metallica (band)
• Misfits (band)
• Ramones (band)
• Slayer (band)
• Cro-Mags (band)
• Suicidal Tendencies (band)
• Danzig (band)
• Headbangers Ball (television program)
• 120 Minutes (television program)
• Butthole Surfers (band)
• Faith No More (band)
• Get in the Van, by Henry Rollins (book)
• The Smashing Pumpkins (band)
• Fugazi (band)
• Jane’s Addiction (band)
• Walt Whitman (poet)
• Kurt Vonnegut (author)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.