Bill Hader, punk rock aficionado, wants his daughter to love the Misfits whether she likes it or not

On January 9, 2025By Littum

The actor and Saturday Night Live veteran Bill Hader appears on the latest episode of Amoeba Music’s What’s in my bag?.

The 46-year-old, who admits he asked to be a guest on the YouTube series, offers an almost 20-minute dive into his musical tastes. He discusses predominantly punk bands – such as the Bad Brains, Minutemen and Ramones – and experimental artists including Frank Zappa and Beak>.

At the beginning of the episode, the actor/comedian says he grew up a fan of hair metal, specifically naming Def Leppard. “So when I turned 12, my dad gave me this big box of, like, different music,” he continues.

“He’s the only guy I know who hates the Beatles,” Hader adds, “because he was a teenager in the sixties and he said, ‘All you heard was the Beatles and the Doors!'” So he gave me this box , and it was like Pink Floyd and Overnight Sensation by Frank Zappa.”

Arguably the episode’s most entertaining moment comes at the end, when Hader picks out t-shirts for his three daughters, aged between 10 and 15. He shows off merch from pop stars Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo before choosing, specifically for his youngest, a Misfits top with the band’s iconic skeleton logo.

“I have to start them early,” he smiles. “It will make her cry. It will scare the crap out of her. I don’t care! I want to be like my dad – this is my version. Nothing against Olivia and Taylor Swift … but hey!”

Watch the full episode below.

Hader further spoke about his appreciation for Def Leppard in a 2019 interview with Fork.

“In 1988 there was no bigger band than Def Leppard and I wanted to listen to mine Hysteria tape top to bottom,” he said.

“That album reminds me of the fair in (Hader’s hometown) Tulsa, where they always played hair metal – you’d go on a tour and it would be Pour some sugar on me. I always think about those guys with the Iron Maiden t-shirts – they were the cool older kids.”

And The and Saturday Night LiveHader is known for his performances in such comedy films as Super bath, Forgot Sarah Marshall and Pineapple Express.

He has since moved more into voice work and is set to star as the title character in an animated adaptation of Dr Seuss’ The cat in the hat next year.

Bill Hader – What’s in my bag? – YouTube
Bill Hader - What's in my bag? - YouTube

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