Posted by sourdough on July 22, 2006 at 12:53:15:
Q: For anyone who hasn’t heard your music, describe your sound.
A: We're a cross between the Sun Sessions Elvis/Johnny cash, Early Los Lobos, Link wray, and the Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie christian
Q: How did you react the first time you heard yourself on the radio?
A: It felt very satisfying to listen to my music jointly with so many other people...it's like watching your home team win the championship from the stands.
Q: What song do you consider to be your hit song?
A: Ol' E's Comin' Back
Q: Who wrote it?
A: Mostly myself, and a little help from Balzac(Ulysses S., that is).
Q: If someone else did, how did it come about that you recorded it? If you did, where did the idea come from, & how long did it take to write?
A: The idea was from optimistically imagining if Elvis became enlightened enough to kick his addictions and live to the present, what would he do with that knowledge.
Q: What song do you wish you had written?
A: "Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael
Q: What are you most proud of when it comes to your album?
A; That it says something relevent rather than generic.
Q: What setbacks or downfalls have you encountered?
A: Putting out a political CD is not much good for booking paying gigs.
Q: Who is your dream duet partner?
A: Chaka Khan
Q: Who is your musical hero?
A: Duke Ellington
Q: What was the worst gig you've ever had?
A: I played in The Tommy Crank band years ago(Les Claypool passed through them when I was in it) at a Halloween Party where some people thought it was humorous to come dressed as the Klan. Then, the trumpet player got so drunk, he urinated on stage while we were playing.
Q: What is the largest crowd you’ve played for?
A: We did a live broadcast on KPFA years ago. At a club, maybe 500.
Q: What is unique about your live performances?
A: We stretch out arrangements of rockabilly classics, obscure Elvis tunes, and vintage country songs so the individual players can shine. It's like a late 50's, early 60's, country tinged jam band.
Q: What do you sing in the shower?
A: Whatever she wants me to sing. Usually Elvis ballads.
Q: What is your pet peeve?
A: People who request "Brown Eyed Girl", "Respect", and "Mustang Sally". I love those tunes, but the best renditions of them are on the radio every half hour all day long. Clubs pay the same as they did 20 years ago...not enough to be the human kareoke machine. We're there to put more miles on our thing, and to entertain the people with at least half a brain.
Q: If you could have only 1 possession, what would it be?
A: At this point, my guitar.
Q: What actor would portray you in a movie about your life?
A: Orson Welles
Q: What moment in your life would you relive if you could?
A: My decision to drive to a winter gig in the mountains with a damaged, leaking car door. I've never fully recovered from the illness I came down with after that.
Q: There’s always something an artist would like to talk about that the interviewer doesn’t know to ask. Here’s your chance to answer the question you wish I’d ask:
A: It's just something I've been thinking about a lot. I love singers who sing in a way that reflects their spoken word. Sinatra, Nat King Cole Stevie Wonder, Hank Williams, Cheryl Crow, John Lennon, etc. This whole era of put on vocal accents like John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and even Garth Brooks, and on and on, is so disingenuous. It's almost like our cue carded, remote controlled politicians who can barely communicate on their own. I know opera singers learn other languages, but affected vocals seem to be becoming the norm in the non-classical world. Then again, knowing what I don't like is a gift in that it clarifies the choices I make on my own musical path. Thanks.