In Slice of Life, we outsource the za talk to our friends, notable Wisconsin residents, and anyone else we feel has an interesting perspective on the pizza pie.
Our inaugural edition finds us talking to Aaron Vold. Beyond drumming for Decibully — one of the state’s most accomplished and beloved bands — Vold is also a pizza connoisseur. When he wasn’t busy playing in support of his band’s latest record, World Travels Fast (available at pay-what-you want digital download HERE), he was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.
What are your favorite Wisconsin pizza places?
I’m from Racine originally and we are home to some of the best thin crust pies known to mankind. Wells Bros, Infusino’s, certain DeRango’s, Mike and Angelo’s formerly Butch’s now Bernie’s. In Milwaukee my vote is for Mama DeMarini’s, never been around the corner to the other one though. I lived in Madison for a couple years and the Glass Nickel is where you want to go for quality ‘za but if you have a four AM hole in your stomach the Pokey Stix from Gumby’s will pull you through. We’ve also had the pleasure of playing Cranky Pat’s in Neenah a handful of times and they slice a circle into little squares like you wouldn’t believe.
You’ve toured across the U.S., as well as parts of Europe and Asia. What are some of the best or more interesting pizzas you’ve consumed during your travels?
The pizza wasn’t that great, necessarily, but after our first show in Germany, we went out to a Discotheque to drink and dance the night away. Eventually I tired of the throbbing bass and drunkenly wandered back towards our sleeping quarters for the evening. Along the way I encountered an open pizzeria and stopped in for a late night slice. I came out and realized I had no idea where I was, but luckily Kenny came along moments later and we got back to where we needed to be, eating pizza the whole way.
If you had to liken a specific pizza to your newest album what would it be?
I couldn’t pick a specific pizza, but rather, I would compare it to Stonefire Pizza Buffet as it has a little bit of something for everyone, you can have as much or as little as you like for a very reasonable price, and you know at the end of the day you will emerge satisfied.
Your band’s singer, Will Seidel, told Shepherd Express that World Travels Fast is an album about growing up. What’s the most grown-up pizza you can think of for a grown-ass man like yourself?
I think for a grown ass man such as myself the only pizza that is truly appropriate is one which features as many meats as the crust can hold. Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon, Ham, Chicken, Venison, Whatever. No vegetables allowed, Cholula — or other Mexican hot sauce — strongly encouraged.
