Phil Hunt is one creative dude. He spends his days in the office writing copy and thinking outside the box. Though he loves his job, Phil’s job is to express things for other people. That’s why, after hours, Phil tunes into his punk rock side.
“If you’re a creative person, I think you need to find your own outlets—even if you’re just bashing out silly songs and hollering,” Phil explains.
He discovered punk rock as a 12-year-old skateboarder. “The skating has subsided with age, but I still have an insatiable appetite for music.” Attracted to the seeming ease of punk rock (a genre of music where sheer gall counts at least as much as actual talent), Phil and friends started playing music in garages and quonsets about 19 years ago.
Phil, second from left, chills with his band, Les Dirty Frenchmen.
He’s had “little to no break in the action” since. Phil has played in four real bands that played local and regional stages—and a couple of one-off, fake bands. He’s only toured widely with Trans Ams, a group he played with in college. “None of the groups were very popular, but we’ve had some good reviews.” You can listen to Phil’s current band, Les Dirty Frenchmen, on Myspace or find them on Facebook.
Phil concludes, “It’s like writing or drawing or anything else. It’s just fun to sit around and pound out the little ideas in your head.”
Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Phil
What’s your dream job?
It’s a copywriter cliché, but I’d like to write something substantial one day, like a novel or a screenplay—even if it’s not my day job. I have a bunch of half-baked manuscripts on several hard drives.
Which job would you not want to have?
Anything that requires using a telephone for more than a few minutes each day.
What was your first job?
I bagged and carried groceries at the Farmer’s Store in Hallock, Minn.
What did it teach you?
Put cans on the bottom. Place bread on top. Bananas should be protected from the elements in a paper bag. Dry ice is fun and also dangerous. If it’s not busy, straighten shelves.
What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day?
Drawing. I used to draw all the time but only recently got back into it. I’m rusty but it’s relaxing.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
I’ve always liked this line from David Eggers a lot. I think it’s good advice.
“I like new things, projects, plans, getting people together and doing something, trying something, even when it’s corny or stupid. I am not good at saying no. And I do not get along with people who say no. When you die, and it really could be this afternoon, under the same bus wheels I’ll stick my head if need be, you will not be happy about having said no.”
What sound do you love?
1979 by Teengenerate
What scent do you love?
For some reason both my wife and I love how K-Mart stores smell.
Got a question for Phil? Leave it in the comments.