It takes a real man (or Crossfade's grandma) to grow a truly special mustache. And Adam Wills, multi-instrumentalist in widescreen synthpoppers Bear in Heaven, is just such a man.
Look at that 'stache! It sits astride his upper lip like the legs of the Colossus of Rhodes! Virility personified!
If like us, you are more concerned with the opinions of Adam's mustache than Adam's own, you'll be happy to hear that we've taken the liberty of translating his interview below into MustacheSpeak™.
When you have a chance to talk to someone like Adam Willis's mustache, you don't waste time talking about "music" or "interesting things," even if the mustache's band is playing Bardot on Thursday, August 2.
No, you talk to that 'stache about its history, when a mustache is not really a mustache, and what has become of the shorn whiskers of Bear in Heaven's frontman, Jon Philpot.
Crossfade: I understand that while Jon has shaved his mustache, Adam has not.
Adam Wills's Mustache: Jon's 'stache and I have been two very different mustaches over the years. On the last record, Jon had a full beard and cut it down to a mustache. I don't think he was meaning to keep it, whereas Adam has a tall upper lip and needs me to balance his face.
So do you feel like Jon's mustache was an attempt to copy you?
If he were on the phone, he would say otherwise. But it got to be a lot on stage. Joe [Stickney, the drummer] has got a beard. That was a lot of facial hair on stage. We'd get people shouting, "Mustache! Mustache!" every night.
Seriously?
All the damn time. Can you see how it's frustrating for a mustache who has been around forever to not even be noticed because everyone's looking at this other mustache that's not technically a mustache. Just shave the damn thing.
I've seen Bear in Heaven. And while I'll admit I never noticed you, Adam Willis's mustache, I do remember thinking how well-balanced Adam's face was.
Thank you very much.
As a mustache who travels all over the world, have you noticed it's harder to take care of yourself in certain climates?
I haven't noticed anything really like that. I could see it getting bushier in humid climates. In Miami, it might be a mustache afro.
Are you going to try to fight the humidity?
I'm just going to roll with it.
Do you know what has become of the shorn whiskers that used to be Jon's "mustache"?
Jon's mustache is probably in the sewer system in Australia. He shaved it off one random morning while we were touring in Australia, so it's probably still floating around there, somewhere underground.
It's another hot and humid August here in Miami. So mousse and fluff in the privacy of your own home and get your mustafro to Bardot for Bear in Heaven on Thursday.
Bear in Heaven. Thursday, August 2. Bardot, 3456 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets cost $20 plus fees via eventbrite.com. Call 305-576-7750 or visit bardotmiami.com.
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL
