John Waters talks Mosswood meltdown, AI lighting, the Pope and more

“Punk is my buddy,” says infamous director John Waters. John Waters’ transgressive, low-budget films of the ’70s helped birth the late-night movie phenomenon, at a time when punk rock offered an equally raw alternative to mainstream music.

Waters, who eschews tattoos and lives in suit jackets, told Billboard that he feels more at home in punk bars than gay bars. “Punks are usually never right. Some gay people are right. And the gays I like are often in punk bars and depressed. I think that’s kind of refreshing in today’s world where everyone knows everything about their lives.”

The cult icon is currently gearing up for a hosting gig at the Mosswood Meltdown Festival in Oakland, California from July 17th to 19th. He first emceed Punk Fest in 2015 and has been hosting ever since, thanks to his kinship with festival-goers and his affinity for the Bay Area city. Mosswood Meltdown 2026, headlined by Iggy Pop (July 18) and Bikini Kill (July 19), and with a pre-party performance from Pavement (July 17), will feature a goofy beaver, a mannequin Pussy, The Return of Jackie and Judy (a Ramones tribute band by Sleater-Kinney and Fred Armisen), The Dead Milkmen, Wednesday, and the Vivian Girls will perform. (You can see the full lineup on the festival website.)

Ahead of this year’s fest, Waters spoke to Billboard (after announcing he was a subscriber, he quipped, “No. 1 with a bullet,” before adding, “It’s very expensive”) and talked about the writing process for this gig, what he thinks about using AI to create, and which punk musicians he’s considering appearing in the film.

You’ve been hosting the festival since 2015. Was your music punk back in the 70s? Were you listening to the Stooges, the Dead Boys, Jane County?

I loved them all. I think it’s a pink flamingo [1972] It was a punk movie before such things existed. Certainly the punk attitude has been in all my films from the beginning, but finally there was a movement to celebrate it. I love music, yes. I am still friends with Jane County. I recently saw Jayne County in Atlanta. I hope to be able to bring her to Mosswood within a year.

The pink flamingo comparison makes sense. If Babs Johnson were at a punk festival, she’d be in her element.

When she screams, “Filth is my politics, filth is my life,” it’s a pretty punk cloak of power.

This year’s lineup also includes Iggy Pop, who directed “Cry Baby.” Is there anyone else in this year’s lineup that you would want to have a cameo or star role in if you were to make a movie?

Oh, that’s nice. Well, let’s see… I’ve never seen Pavement live, but I know there’s a lot of excitement. I think there are definitely some groups of women who could be in Dreamland. [Waters’ frequent collaborators are called Dreamlanders.] Peach Christ is an old friend of mine. peach christ had a mink stole [on] to tour with him. So if we were to include someone, I don’t know, it would probably be one of the female singers or trance singers from one of the groups I haven’t seen yet.

Which of the artists on this year’s lineup have you seen the most?

Who has ever played it before… I think Snooper has played it, and of course Iggy has seen it too. I’m currently writing an introduction. Since I have to introduce about 20 groups, it’s difficult to write, so I try to write something different every year. I remember when I met Amir and the Sniffers. She was the closest thing to Iggy Pop of all the legends. I think she would be the number one person I would want to appear in a movie.

So your introduction is always pre-written and never written on the spot?

Every year I write introductions and new comedy material that will be tested for the first time at Mosswood. It will later become part of my show. No, I spend weeks writing. This is hard work.

How do you do that? Do you look up bands online?

An assistant will look into each one for you. Mark Rybak, who books the festival, gave me a personal note and I’ll read all about it, listen to it, watch some videos, and then write about it.

Have you ever been asked to say something at the last minute? “Hey, tell me there’s a new album coming out?”

[Chuckles.] The answer is no. I ask them a question right before continuing. They say things like, “I want to check if this fact is correct.” But I usually do a fact check beforehand. No, they’re always really nice to me introducing it, so that’s great. I’m the dirty old man there. I’m still the oldest there – Iggy is a year younger.

He is a young puppy. He is legendary for his particular performance style. Will peanut butter cause self-laceration?

I’m not going to spoil it for you. I’ll surprise him. Every year he does more amazing and interesting things. It’s a parody of himself, but it’s still a great performance that shows he’s an absolute legend. He still does nude stage diving.

Considering his age, stage diving is no easy feat.

No, it’s not. I was going to do it, but I thought, no, I’d have to rehearse it too much. And they didn’t catch me.

Have you ever stage dived?

No, I didn’t, but I did. Sure, there was a scene in Serial Moms with L7 where Sam Waterston had to stage dive, and it was funny. No, I personally haven’t seen it, but I like watching it. At Mosswood Amphitheater, if you fail, you’ll fall onto the concrete. But we’ve never had a problem.

I’ve never made a mistake, and I’ve never had any blood.

Oh, and if there was blood anywhere, it was self-induced for fashion.

Some of the bands on this year’s lineup have returned from hiatus or disbandment, such as Bikini Kill and Vivian Girls. Are there any bands you would like to see reunite and play at Mosswood?

I have known the Donnas for a long time and they were at my home in Baltimore. I want to be with Donna and the others again. It’s going to be really great. And Jane County on stage, no matter how cranes got her there. She should come out in any way she can. These two are probably the most popular.

You know Donnas, and you know Jane. Have you asked them?

No, that’s not my job. I know we’ve certainly been trying to get Mr. and Mrs. Donna for years. who knows! 1 year. I’m not speculating why they won’t, but I hope they do within a year.

If you’re at Mosswood and you’re not on stage, are you watching the band or relaxing in your trailer?

I’m watching the band to a certain extent, but I have to find the next act. Sometimes I meet friends backstage, but mostly I watch shows here. And I can see the audience very well. I love it as much as numbers. Last year, the merchandise sold out for the first time, but new merchandise will be introduced this year. It’s all Seth Bogart’s work. [of Hunx and His Punx]a person who does a really great job. I’m the only one who has a rag from a celebrity’s commercial or a dirty handkerchief from a celebrity that already has snot on it.

Wait a minute, are the cm rags already used?

no.

Batteries are not included. What about Auckland? I think you are a fan of this city. Are you going to a punk bar?

Thee Stork Club is a super cool bar. I’m having a great time there. There’s definitely a little bit of Baltimore in Oakland.

What does Baltimore mean?

It’s cheap and a bit dangerous. But being bohemian requires risk. We need cheaper neighborhoods so gay people can come and rebuild their homes.

I think that’s true. You are called the Pope of Trash—

Well, that’s what William Burroughs called me. I didn’t call myself that.

Of course you are called that, but you do not recognize yourself. After all, the new pope is an American. If Leo showed up at Mosswood, do you think there would be anything for him at the festival?

you know what? I don’t like any Pope. I was raised Catholic. They are infallible and can do whatever they want. Say gay marriage is legal, let women into the church, don’t keep insinuating and being liberal, just do it.

Amen to that. You are a very well-dressed man. I think it will be hot for a few years. Have you ever thought about not wearing a full suit? Have you ever gone out in shorts?

never. …A man my age should never wear a T-shirt. I’m wearing a suit jacket, but it’s very light. I bought summer clothes because I wanted pockets. And I think when people pay money to come see me, they expect me to dress for them.

It’s about a month until Mosswood. How much did you write?

I just wrote this this morning. I wrote an introduction to Iggy this morning, [I’m on] The second day. All introductions for Friday and Saturday have been completed. [still] There’s Sunday.

oh. You are not a procrastinating writer.

No, I’m going to be late.

Is it harder to write to someone you know, like Iggy, or to someone you don’t know?

It’s a little difficult for Iggy because I’ve introduced him so many times that I try not to say the same thing.

I ask questions that I think I know the answers to. Have you used AI to assist with your writing?

It’s not to help you write. I’m going to use AI to cure cancer. But please don’t write, no. I’ve seen things that I think were written by an AI for me, and they were like really bad first drafts. But yes, that was the first draft. For me, it’s not. I wouldn’t do that. I don’t know what to do even if I want to. I think I always thought it would be good for porn, but you get the idea. It looks too good. I thought I would like it, but I didn’t. It looks too good.

What was the most interesting thing you saw or experienced at Mosswood?

I love seeing the three generations of grandpa, dad, and punk kids. I think that’s very moving and quite rare. I guess families that smell glue together stay together.