Jack White and The Dead Weather interview themselves (debut album "Horehound" out today).

A little Boing Boing exclusive for you. Embedded above, "The Dead Weather, Their Oral History and Future Plans, an explanation and apology from the band themselves." We received this video produced by the band, about the band -- an alt-supergroup of sorts that formed in Nashville earlier this year. Their debut album, Horehound, hits the proverbial streets today.

The Dead Weather consists of Jack White, most widely known from White Stripes and Raconteurs; Alison Mosshart of the Kills; "Little Jack" Lawrence, bassist for the Raconteurs; and Queens of the Stone Age keyboardist/guitarist Dean Fertita. They are touring the US and Canada: info here.

The video answers many questions, but raises far more. What is this creepy basement they're all sitting cross-legged in? Who did that weird kitsch painting of the dude on the wall next to L.J.? Where do those ickily carpeted stairs lead? And what does L.J. say at the end of the video? Do let me know in the comments.

Inset (Wikipedia): clockwise from top left, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, Jack White and Jack Lawrence.

Below, a video directed by Jonathan Glazer for the track "Treat Me Like Your Mother," off Horehound (Amazon link) (Thanks, Tom Osborn).

Discussion

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#1 posted by thechicgeek, July 14, 2009 6:28 AM

Entertaining for a Tuesday morning.

#2 posted by cryptique, July 14, 2009 6:31 AM

As with most things I've heard from Jack White, the hype far outpaces the quality.

#3 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 6:42 AM

Dunno, I really wanted to (and expected to) hate them, but I kinda like them.

#4 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 6:43 AM

@#2 Well they were absolutely fantastic at Glastonbury. Highlight of the festival for me!

#5 posted by ifyoumakeit, July 14, 2009 6:55 AM

The best part of the tour is that everyone gets to see Screaming Females. Marissa absolutely rips at guitar.

#6 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 7:37 AM

"Puuuuure salt water!"

#7 posted by reginald, July 14, 2009 7:43 AM

corey hart would love this

#8 posted by Nezrite, July 14, 2009 7:46 AM

I'm sure that's actually Dean Fertita, but that b&w pic sure looks like Jon Lajoie.

#9 posted by umgrego2, July 14, 2009 7:57 AM

oh, hell yes

Thanks, Xeni

#10 posted by thisisnotatest, July 14, 2009 8:01 AM

pure tapwater

#11 posted by umgrego2, July 14, 2009 8:02 AM

and, I'm sorry, but since when did rock and roll care about anything other than hype?

#12 posted by Ernunnos, July 14, 2009 8:13 AM

I didn't realize Alison Mosshart was in this. Damn, now I have a new album to buy.

#13 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 8:17 AM

I'm so far behind the times; I didn't know Allison from Discount had a new band.

#14 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 8:17 AM

Good

#15 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 8:31 AM

For someone who expresses such an interest in "authenticity" (analog tape, vintage gear, etc.), Jack White really strikes me as disingenuous ... entertaining, but disingenuous.

#16 posted by greytone, July 14, 2009 9:40 AM

Alison Mosshart is in this presumably because the real Polly Jean was unavailable.

I saw them last night. Pretty good though they only played for an hour, including the encore, which is kind of lame. Would have loved another half an hour or so and the chance to hear their Pentagram cover in person.

Also, I think your Wikipedia Inset is in error. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that's actually Rainn "the Rocker" Wilson in the bottom right corner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Schrute).

#17 posted by Anonymous, July 14, 2009 10:29 AM

LJ says "Pure Saltwater" at the end.

#18 posted by Nezrite, July 14, 2009 12:00 PM

Well, if that's Rainn Wilson then I'm going out on a limb and saying that IS Jon Lajoie. :p

#19 posted by TroofSeeker, July 14, 2009 12:07 PM

I like Jack White, but horehound drops are gawdawful! Like sugar coated cod liver oil pills!

At a family gathering one Christmas, I gave my dad one of those hermetically sealed ceramic containers full of them. Dad said "When I was a kid, this was the only candy we ever got."
My sister chimed in "So that's why you're so mean!!"

#20 posted by Takuan, July 14, 2009 12:17 PM

HOREHOUND CANDY

1 pt. water
1 qt. chopped horehound leaves and stems
3 c. white sugar
1/4 c. butter

This bittersweet candy can be used as a cough suppressant as was used in days of old... Boil leaves in water for 30 minutes to make a strong brew. Strain and discard leaves. Add white sugar and bring to boil. Add butter and continue boiling until syrup forms "hard ball" stage - 265 degrees (121 degrees Celsius) on a candy thermometer. Pour into a buttered shallow pan. Cool. When hard, cut into squares and wrap in waxed paper individually. Store in closed container.

#21 posted by hohum, July 14, 2009 1:58 PM

@13, You mean two new bands? As you refer to her as Alison from Discount, I'm wondering if you somehow skipped over The Kills as well?

I quite like The Kills, like a more held-back implementation of The Raveonettes, only without the two-part harmonies as well.

This may not be White's best project (certainly not VV's) but it is working for me, I think VV's voice has always fit well with dirty guitar.

#22 posted by TroofSeeker, July 14, 2009 4:40 PM

I'd sooner eat the spider pizza than another horehound drop.

#23 posted by phoenix21, July 14, 2009 6:03 PM

@16 - You say Rainn Wilson, I say Jacko. Seriously, I've seen some pics of Jack White out & about with dark hair & white skin that make him look like Jacko's doppelganger.

#24 posted by jedweb, July 15, 2009 6:08 AM

I think LJ says "That's not water."