One on One with Drake Bell
Most one-time child actors don’t boast a resumé as illustrious as that of Drake Bell. Sure, many might recognize him from his teenage years, when he co-starred opposite Amanda Bynes on The Amanda Show and then his own show, Drake & Josh. But before Nickelodeon came calling, Tim Allen did (he played Little Pete in a 1994 episode of Home Improvement), Cameron Crowe did (he had a supporting role in Jerry Maguire), and Jerry Seinfeld did (as per his cameo in the 9th season of Seinfeld).
During Drake & Josh‘s third season, Bell made the oft-risky choice to delve into music, releasing his first album, Telegraph in 2005. This wasn’t a rash decision, though, as the actor received his first guitar lessons from Roger Daltrey, of The Who fame, when he co-starred with him in the 2001 film, Chasing Destiny. A year later, Bell released his second album, It’s Only Time, but instead of a full-on foray into the on-the-road rocker life, Bell found himself soon involved with other projects, The Fairly OddParents and voicing Peter Parker/Spider-Man on Disney XD’s Ultimate Spider-Man. But now he’s back in the music game, releasing the rockabilly-infused Ready Steady Go!, executive produced by music legend Brian Setzer and anchored by the lead single “Bitchcraft” (and its NSFW video companion).
We sat down with the winner of a record ten Kid’s Choice Awards to discuss the new album, his bizarre connection to the real-life Bling Ring, the time Justin Bieber crashed his album release party, his appearance on reality diving show Splash, and a slew of other topics.
Essential Homme: What’s the biggest difference musically between the Drake Bell of 2005 and the Drake Bell of today?
Drake Bell: This is definitely a record that’s being approached outside the box. It’s not your stereotypcial cookie-cutter pop. It’s more stripped down, revved up, rock ‘n’ roll. That’s my roots, the music I grew up with, and the music that inspired me to start playing.
EH: How did you recruit Brian Setzer to work on the album? That’s no small feat.
DB: I was a huge fan of Brian growing up, I’ve always been obsessed with The Stray Cats and rockabilly music. I approached him and said, “I’d love to make a record with you, some music, a song” and he said, “Wait, you want to make a rockabilly album? You don’t want to do a Top 40 radio album?” I thought he was going to laugh it off, but he loved the idea, and came out and worked on the record with me.
EH: That must’ve been intimidating.
DB: It was surreal. It’s almost like you’re on a ride simulator. You can’t believe you’re in the room with him and he’s sitting there and you see all his gear and he’s playing guitar on your record. It’s a trip. It’s amazing that it came full circle the way that it did.
EH: “You’re done with all the bitchcraft.” Might you be singing about a specific lady?
DB: Not anyone specific, I think it’s an amalgamation of all of my relationships.
EH: Was it difficult convincing the record company to feature a topless girl in the video? I know it’s been something of a trend with Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines and Justin Timberlake’s Mirrors both featuring nudity.
DB: Surfdog [Records] has been really great in allowing me to have a lot of creative control. They thought it was a cool idea. That’s funny, though, maybe this is just the year for [nudity].
EH: Your early acting work is pretty robust, between appearances on Home Improvement, Seinfeld, and a small role in Jerry Maguire. Which of those do you retain the fondest on-set memory of?
DB: That’s a tough one. Working with Tim Allen and the whole cast of Home Improvement was awesome. I would have to say working on the set of Jerry Maguire — with Cameron Crowe, James L. Brooks, and Tom Cruise — was the most amazing experience. I remember exactly where the camera was, who was behind it, who was off-set, where I was looking, all that stuff.
EH: We have to talk about Splash. What was that experience like?
DB: I loved it. I still dive. I still hang out with my coach. It was an awesome experience. I fell in love with diving.
EH: Was it scary?
DB: It’s a three-and-and-half story building, and not only do you have to jump off of it, but you have to perform some maneuver. It’s terrifying.
EH: Can you explain to me what the deal was with Justin Beiber crashing your launch party? Huh?
DB: [Laugh] He showed up, I guess. I was getting changed. Somebody came to the security guard up front and said Justin Beiber was trying to get in. I assumed it was a joke, so I said, “No, that’s bogus.” Apparently he was there, but there was guest list confusion — I don’t know what happened — and by the time I got out, he had taken off. But it was cool he came by.
EH: You once knew real-life Bling Ringers Alexis Neiers and Tess Taylor. I have to ask, do you keep in touch with either of them and did you see Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring?
DB: No, I didn’t see the movie and haven’t spoken to them at all. It’s so funny the way the media and tabloids are. I met them one night at a friend’s restaurant and they were like, “We’re headed over to the Roosevelt.” I was like, “Oh cool, I’m meeting some friends over there too,” and we walked over. First time I ever met them. The next day it’s all over, “Drake Bell Dating Tess Taylor.” I walked from a restaurant across the street with that girl and that’s all I ever knew of her. It was literally as if I met them in the middle of the street and they took pictures of me.
EH: Last movie you streamed on Netflix?
DB: Actually it was Jobs, the Ashton Kutcher movie. It was definitely a dramatized version of what happened, but I thought Ashton did an incredible job. I’m surprised how overlooked his performance was. The movie: eh, but there were some moments where I couldn’t tell him apart from the real-life Jobs. He walked like him, talked like him, looked like him. Pretty impressive.
EH: Is there someone in the industry that balances the dual role of actor and singer that you really emulate? Jared Leto comes to mind for me.
DB: Jared Leto is a great example: someone who’s incredibly successful on the music front and an Oscar-winning actor. As far as people that influence me and inspire me: Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, are the careers that I look at. Justin Timberlake, too; a great live performer, incredible songwriter, musician, singer, and actor.
EH: A lot of former Disney and Nickelodeon stars have spoken about this, and I’m curious: what’s it like transitioning from child/teen star into adulthood?
DB: I don’t really think about it. I just do what I do and hope the fans come along. They’ve been able to grow with me, that’s the cool thing. I’ve never had someone put me in a studio and have me sing songs I didn’t want to sing. I haven’t had to do a transition, “No guys, that’s not me, this is the real me.” It’s always been the real me.
EH: Instagram tells me you’ve been hanging with Leguizamo, Emile Hirsch, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Do you have a favorite amongst your famous friends?
DB: Kareem is a really awesome guy (we worked together on Splash). Emile and I used to go to acting class when we were really young together. If I had to say who the coolest, nicest actor I’ve ever worked with on a set is actually probably Jerry O’Connell. He’s by far the most welcoming, kindest, down-to-earth person I’ve ever worked with. I’d work with him a million times if I could.
EH: Thanks for the chat, Drake.
Photos courtesy of Parker Steele.
