Puddin' (in everyday life he goes by the name of Daren Hahn) has been part of the EELS in the year 2003. He played the drums on the famous "Tour Of Duty", which took the Eels to more than 80 cities all over the planet. As the tour was in progress the fans realised, that Daren had similar abilities to rock our asses with his drum set as his famous cousin Jonathan "Butch" Norton.
Rocking Eels is proud to present an interview with him:

First of all, thank you Daren to take some time for our questions. We are very glad to have this opportunity.

The pleasure is all mine! And please, call me Puddin.

What was your first experience with music and why did you want to become a musician?

My dad was a drummer when he was younger. When I was very young I used to watch him play in his band. He stopped playing and years later I found his drums in the attic. From then on the love affair with drums was on!

The Rocking Eels headquarters are in Vienna, Austria. Can you be seen in our neck of the woods in the near future?

Nothing on the books yet. Would love to be out there soon.

Which bands and records are your all time favourite? Which CD is playing on your hi-fi system right now?

My biggest influence is probably Stewart Copeland of The Police. That band will always be one of my favourites. In my stereo right now is Ray LeMontagne's first album.

It's kind of difficult to find accurate information on your career on the internet. From what we found out you are no consistent member of a band right now. What artists are you working with or are you going to work with?

I'm doing the freelance thing… Hustling up gigs wherever I can. Lately I've been touring with a singer/songwriter from Boston named Melissa Ferrick. I played on her new album and will be touring with her to support the album. Also, I have a live hip hop band called the Break Mechanics. You can check them out at www.myspace.com/darenhahn. I'm hoping to get the gig with Jessica Simpson. I'd love to kick her boyfriend John Mayer's ass and steal her away from him. I think my chances are pretty good on that one. John Mayer is like the Meg Ryan of popular music. I could probably kick Meg Ryan's ass too, I think.

What is appealing to you in working with different artists rather than being in a band right now?

It allows me to play many different styles of music, and keeps me on my musical toes.

Tell us about the craziest thing you've ever experienced since you're in the music business!

That would have to be the time that Koool G Murder and I had a threesome with Jessica Simpson…. Oh wait, that was the dream I had last night.

Did you get into the Eels via your cousin Butch? How did you meet E?

Not only was Koool G my hook up with Jessica Simpson, but he was also my in with the Eels. Koool G and I go WAY back. Butch Didn't know I had the gig with the Eels until he saw me on TV with them. We don't talk so much anymore since he slept with my sister… You know, his other cousin.

What can you tell us about the "Tour of Duty" in 2003. Did you enjoy being on tour with the Eels? Would you agree for being part on another tour, if E asked you?

The Tour of Duty was so much fun. It was great because the band rocked! Great players and great songs! If the situation presents itself, I would very much like to tour with them again. But E would have to promise to stop touching me in an inappropriate manner.

Can you tell us something about the process of recording songs with the Eels for the Blinking Lights album? Did you have any influence on how the songs should be performed? What was it like to work with E?

The songs that I recorded on Blinking Lights were completely written by the time I got into the studio. Right down to the drum parts. E sent me some rough versions of the tunes with drums recorded on a drum machine. He wanted me to pretty much play what was already written. The music was more open to interpretation in a live setting but not so much in the studio.

Did your time with the Eels have any positive or negative effect on your abilities as a musician?

Positive. Learning good songs and playing with good musicians is always a positive experience.

What image did you have from E as a private person? Can you confirm the rumours of E being a solitary lone-wolf.

The Eels music may make E seem private, but he is a total extravert. I've seen him naked at parties at least 14 times.

What can you tell us about secret albums like "Licence to Eel" or the lately released song "I Want To Protect You". Have you participated on any of these tunes?

Actually, I haven't been a part of any of those secret albums. Blinking lights and 16 tons are the only recordings that I'm a part of. Unless there is an album so secret that I don't know I'm on it.

Are there plans to work with E again? How is your current relationship with him?

We have a great relationship. We see each other at this quaint little bathhouse in L.A. every once in a while. He always shares his towel with me. What a gentleman he is! I'm sitting by the phone, waiting for the call to join the team again. Come on E! Call me! I haven't eaten in 5 days.

To wrap things up, we want to add that we loved your performance on the "Tour of Duty". We'd be really happy to see you on stage with the Eels again. We wish you all the best and want to thank you again for this great opportunity.