Tom Hanks: Actor, Filmmaker… Carcass Fan?

Metal Hammer has published their new interview with Carcass frontman Jeff Walker — y’know, the one where he took partial responsibility for nu-metal — in its entirety. And as it turns out, that nu-metal thing isn’t the only interesting quote to come out of that chat.

Here are some highlights…

Asked if ever had an offer to join any other well-known metal bands besides Carcass:

“I did get the odd phone call. Morbid Angel’s manager asked if I was interested in flying out to Florida ’cos David Vincent had left that band. I was, like, ‘No, you’re alright mate.’ Why would I want to go from Carcass to another band in that style?”

Has he ever met medical professionals who say they were inspired by Carcass?

“Yeah, actually. Doctors, pathologists, vets, people who work in funeral parlours. We’re only talking a handful of people, but if it only inspires one person and makes them want to become a doctor, that’s fucking brilliant. It’s probably the most positive impact I’ve had on anyone in my life.”

On being name dropped on an episode of Friends:

“Somebody had tipped us off, so I was watching it at the time. And before the programme, the person who was introducing it over the old Channel 4 logo goes, ‘And now Phoebe fancies a bit of Carcass…’ or something. I was, like, ‘What the fuck is going on?’ I never found out why. I even emailed the producer from Friends years later to find out, but he was none the wiser. If they wanted a high-profile act, they wouldn’t have picked frigging Carcass.”

And on celebrity Carcass fans:

“I remember years ago reading in a magazine that Tom Hanks used to have parties in Beverly Hills, and that he used to play Reek of Putrefaction to his friends. Maybe some softarse got it wrong and they meant [reputed death metal fan] Jim Carrey. Or maybe my memory has just made it up.”

I have a really hard time envisioning Tom Hanks listening to Carcass, even ironically. But who knows? Stranger things have happened. Maybe that’s how he got into character to play homicidal mobsters in Cloud Atlas and Road to Perdition.

Read the entire interview here.

Carcass’ new album, Torn Arties, is out now. Listen below.