Young and Lost #4 - Young Governor

Ben Cook is a busy man. When he is not playing guitar in Fucked Up he's in a band called The Bitters. When he's not playing with The Bitters he's doing his solo thing under the name Young Governer. When he's not doing that however it seems he is admiring Courtney Love and watching terrible Alice Eve movies. I caught up with him shortly after he left SXSW for another year...

First band you ever saw live?

The first show I saw was a matinee in Toronto at a club called Lee's Palace. It was all ages, my mom took me and my friend Alan. Alan was the kid who gave me a guitar when I was 12 and showed me a Nirvana and Guns N Roses Cassette. I was listening to Snoop Dogg and gangster rap exclusively at the time. He "saved" me, he likes to claim. The Killjoys, an amazing forgotten pretty much unheard of by the rest of the world indie band from Hamilton Ontario headlined the show, and Hayden played an acoustic set.. Look these bands up. Looking back on it, both of these bands had huge effects on me and I still love them (only Haydens first record tho).

What was the first instrument you played as a child?

I would watch my granddad play piano at family xmas's and stuff, and then I would go on and try to teach myself what he played. I always remember being awful but he would always act amazed at what I was doing, but he was just being a nice grandfather.

First song you wrote as Young Governer?

25 With a Bullet.

Where was the last show you played? How did it go?
The last show I played was Fucked Up's showcase we threw at Red 7 in Austin Texas for SXSW. Bill Murray was there. Someone stage dove while talking on their cell phone. Employees of Matador records were moshing. It was strange, but a good one.



First album you ever bought?

Thats tough. Maybe "DOGGYSTYLE" cassette, or something shit like the Dream Warriors.

Last time you got drunk?

Like really drunk?? At my art space/studio party. I share a space in Toronto with other awesome musicians and artists. I was the last one dancing. I think it was to Drake or some shit.

First crush on a famous person...

She-ra. Or Betty and Wilma. Do they count? First boners fo sho.

The last band you saw live recently?

I just saw HOLE in Texas. It was amazing. She is the real deal. I dont give a fuck if her face looks like Joan Rivers. Spot on, great voice, great persona. Love it.

Tell me about the first ever Young Governer show

It was in China and it was also in the future.

Last time you swore...

This morning when I flew from Austin back to Toronto and my cab was late.

Last film you saw...

God this is embarrassing.. I just saw "Shes Out Of My League" last night. It was WORSE than you think would be!!!!

Young and Lost #4 - Young Governor