1. THE RUMOR MILL by Angie Heaton, but that was her, not me. She finally made basically a straight country record, which clearly she should have been doing all along.

2. No idea.

3. Coda

4. n/a

5. A song is no longer an instrumental as soon as lyrics appear: in other words, "Telstar" remains an instrumental, because the vocals are wordless. Brief, delayed vocals in an otherwise instrumental song can be very effective: see Peter Gabriel's "Lead A Normal Life."

6. "Piggy in the Middle" by the Rutles, which is actually a better song than the one it parodies.

7. n/a

8. n/a

9. Harmonies

10. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND (Bob Zemeckis, 1978)

11. No. Yes.

12. Saw it on Christmas. Laughed our asses off. Went out for Chinese after.

13. ALL YOU NEED IS CASH, naturally. Although surprisingly many of the songs on WALK HARD are genuinely very good.

14. Becky Stark

15. Horns

16. Yes. Speaking of Camper Van Beethoven, during "Club Med Sucks" on their reunion tour, which was a surprisingly satisfying show.

17. Hm. Does it count if an artist has made approaches towards a fanbase of which I am part?

18. Stones

1. Rock Conversion Moment - probably Pavement.

2. 80's one-hit-wonder-Who-roadie - No idea.

3. Solo

4. New song key-in? - The Chorus - and now that I'm dreaming of playing more guitar - the guitar parts. (Since picking up the guitar in '06, I listen to music in a much different way than when I was just a drummer...)

5. Instrumental Declaration? Well in most cases it would be "why bother" but what about "Tequila". Instrumental? Yeah - to me it is.

6. Fav song by fictional band - "Goose-Step Mama" by the Rutles.

7. Onstage beverage? - Was recently amused by General Slocum's "Robitussin" tour story.

8. '07 release I worked hard for...N/A

9. Harmonies or percussion? - Harmonies (Tamborine is OK - but NO BONGOS OR CONGAS)

10. Beatles song movie title? - "A Hard Day's Night"

11. CVB ahead of their time? Maybe I'm biased but I don't think so. I think they have been somewhat "forgotten" but my sis said the show last year was great.

12. "Walk Hard" thoughts? None.

13. Best Fake Rocumentary Soundtrack? The Rutles.

14. Most endearing enthusiasm? I dunno...Matt and Kim? Eddie Argos from Art Brut?

15. STRINGS!

16. Sing along? Probably...Art Brut most likely.

17. Fanbase assisting my comfort? N/A

18. Stopped touring long ago? The Rolling Stones

Good point on "Tequila." Definitely an instrumental. I amend my definition of instrumental to include wordless vocals and songs with minimal words. Let's say for safety's sake that once the couplet makes its appearance, it's no longer an instrumental.

The Great 48 asked:

17. Hm. Does it count if an artist has made approaches towards a fanbase of which I am part?

Let's say it does. Please explain. Thanks.

I hope someone can help me out with the former Who roadie guy. I'm thinking he had an Italian or Greek name. The guy I am thinking of was very swarthy and muscular.

Then my answer for 17 is Common. When I first became aware of him, he had this aura of being one of those guys who was primarily concerned with uplifting his people. Which, y'know, I'm all for: I wish somebody could uplift us middle-class white guys too. But I just got the feeling that I was not in his primary demographic. But then he hooked up with the Roots and he had that one great track on THINGS FALL APART, "The Love of My Life," and ?uestlove produced LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, which was titled after a book I'd read and liked, so it seemed like he was expanding his audience a bit. And then his next album, ELECTRIC CIRCUS, had a collaboration with Laetitia Sadier from Stereolab, so it was like "Okay then, he's definitely going for the aging college rocker market now."

I haven't liked the two more recent albums, BE and FINDING FOREVER, quite as much as the two before them, because as much as I like Kanye's production style, I think Common was doing more interesting work on his own before he started working with him. On the other hand, "Mexicans love me like I'm filled with masa" is my single favorite hip-hop line of 2007, so there you go.

The former Who roadie in question is John Parr, of "Naughty Naughty," "St. Elmo's Fire" fame. Though I remember hearing Leslie West on Howard Stern years back claiming Parr was a compulsive liar (perhaps Parr wooed some girl from West's meaty clutches backstage in Peoria once?) so I always took the Who roadie claim with a grain of salt.

Thanks, pberkery. You have brought closure to my 2007.

Solo or coda?

hmmm... solo.

Here's one for the musicians (of any ilk - don't be unnecessarily humble): When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

The guitar - I usually focus on where the breaks are in singing too. It's my worst habit, following singing rather than the instrument. My 2008 resolution is to form a bond of blood with my bassist, where we become a serious rhythm section who actually listen to each other.

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental? Think of Television's "Little Johnny Jewel", for instance: by the time the vocals enter, do you think to yourself, "Why bother?"

Sub Pop's Kinski has a song or two like this on their new album. I would say that it needs to at least be declared before a repeated change in progression - like before the fake chorus comes in that you're like, there should be singing here - and so you make up some words.

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

The Recess Monkeys covering Canadian band Chilliwack's "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)" John Candy, Eugene Levy and Rick Moranis are geniuses. Geniuses! Eugene Levy actually isn't bad on tambourine...

Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddIq7p-nAVQ

What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take notice?

n/a

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga, fan of the old, just not the new...

Harmonies or percussion?

Harmonies.

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

I'm going to have to go with Winona Ryder, John C. Reilly and Lukas Haas in "Boys".

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time?

Perhaps? They are still making music though, so is the music that they are making now, ahead of it's time - or behind the times in terms of its style? I guess their last album was '04 when they reunited, but I think it's kind of funny that just last night they played someplace called The Belly Up Tavern in California...

Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

People will always remember Take The Skinheads Bowling, even more so now because of its use in Michael Moore's docu.

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

Ever since seeing that image of Dewey Cox as Brian Wilson with the goat, I've been wanting to see it. A rollicking good time, I'll bet.

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

That Thing You Do!

Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats or James McNew of Yo La Tengo, a short third is my friend Ken Mauri from the band Ribboncandy - he has the most endearing enthusiasm in whatever he is playing on/band he is playing in. Oh, and my guys in my band - Neal and Beach.

Strings or horns?

Horns. All the way!

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

Most recently? Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings... but I can't remember which song.

Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had been outside your comfort zone?

Genesis.

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

Badfinger.

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

I'm gonna go with The Beatles. I finally bought Revolver so now I own a Beatles album on cd. I thought it was mostly pretty enjoyable, too. I may buy another one.

I'm trying to remember the name of a 1-hit wonder circa 1980 who was formerly a roadie for The Who. I seem to recall an American flag guitar and a gray pompadour. I'm almost certain it's not Jon Butcher Axis I have in mind. Who is this artist whose name I cannot remember?

Dunno.

Solo or coda?

Dunno.

Here's one for the musicians (of any ilk - don't be unnecessarily humble): When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

I'm not a musician,but if I played one on TV I'd think about it from MY part.

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental? Think of Television's "Little Johnny Jewel", for instance: by the time the vocals enter, do you think to yourself, "Why bother?"

Dunno. Does that matter? Do songs "declare themselves?"

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

I don't like fictional bands, so I don't like their songs, either. They're usually just jokes, so once is usually enough.

What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take notice?

Dave Thomas drinks a lot of Guinness. I mean, he drinks more than me and I don't have to make any sense or anything.

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

Okkervil River's The Stage Names. It's worth it, though.

Harmonies or percussion?

Percussion. More noise!

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

I have no idea.

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

Sometimes and were they ever really known?

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

Looks like it's worth three bucks to rent.

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

None. I don't like fake stuff except while I watch it. None of the music really holds up outside the context of the movie.

Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

Keith Richards.

Strings or horns?

Horns!

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

Yes, I've been to Stones concerts, that's one of the things you do. I will not wave my arms above my head in that I love rainbows dance.

Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had been outside your comfort zone?

Sure, Drive By Truckers. I still think their holy grail is at least an hour too long, though.

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

The Stones, I guess. But the 2002 tour was really great, so not that long ago.

Happy New Year! Time to drink all the Great Lakes beer I can get in my formidable gullet!

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

I don't recall one "I coulda loved this band all these years!" moment, but that series of old Ethiopian music I downloaded earlier this year made more willing to check out the music of other cultures with songs in languages I don't understand. Oh, wait - the long, instrumental songs from the three Neu! albums really impressed me after not caring for that band the few times I'd come across them previously. The rest of those albums still don't do much for me, but they've got a half dozen great, long instrumentals.

I'm trying to remember the name of a 1-hit wonder circa 1980 who was formerly a roadie for The Who...

So it was John Parr. Thanks again, Townsman pberkery - and fine drumming the other night.

Solo or coda?

I love a good coda as much as anyone, but a great solo is a feat I cannot duplicate or in any way match.

Here's one for the musicians (of any ilk - don't be unnecessarily humble): When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

I guess I first try to imagine how I might fit into the rhythmic scheme - especially starting with the drums and the overall thrust of the song.

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental?

Someone mentioned before the theme repeats. I think that's a great answer. It's the song's instrumental "letter of intent."

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

Probably The Rutles' "Between Us". I like it more than The Beatles' song it's based around.

What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take notice?

Saturnismine had a glass of red wine onstage with him at a recent Photon Band show. He even had it in a stemmed glass. It was the talk of some RTHers in attendance. One mentioned that only Bryan Ferry and Sat could pull this off.

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

I worked real hard on that Modest Mouse album and came away with some respect but little joy.

Harmonies or percussion?

No-brainer: percussion.

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

A Hard Day's Night

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

I think they might have been in some ways - not that it was a time I necessarily wanted to rush ahead. I do sense that they've been left behind in the Great Digital Dump. It's weird, to me, to see bands that were pretty influential in their time get left behind like this.

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

I'm sure I'll rent it. One thing that has turned me off from seeing it in theaters is the fact that John C. Reilly is so homely. Who can believe his character was a rock star with that mug?

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

The Rutles.

Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

When I saw them on the Under the Big Black Sun tour I'd still have to say X. Each member gave off the sort of enthusiasm that Springsteen and his crew have made their living hoping to give off.

Strings or horns?

Good question. Both can be effective when used creatively. Both can easily be added for no good reason. I'd say I often prefer horns, but strings are less-often abused. I'll give strings a slight push.

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

I may have sung along with The Police during one of their showstoppers on the tour for their 3rd album. I do not share this information with any pride.

Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had been outside your comfort zone?

Wow, I'd never thought of this before. Seeing things like Clash documentaries, in which Brits rave about reggae artists from the '60s and '70s, helped me get into reggae music much more than all the Americans who used to blast Bob Marley's Greatest Hits between the Dead and Jimmy Buffet records during my 20s. In other words: white, middle class American reggae fans = turn off; English punk reggae fans = turn on.

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

I've never actually seen them live, but I have rarely seen a live clip of The Kinks from any period that I thought was great. They are always a studio band for me.

Mr. Mod said: "Saturnismine had a glass of red wine onstage with him at a recent Photon Band show. He even had it in a stemmed glass. It was the talk of some RTHers in attendance." That made me laugh so hard! I guess I've seen Photon Band and Art play a couple of times now, drinking wine onstage - it seems kind of him to do that though, because he's Art, he's an artist, and because he's Art;) Art, you're the coolest! You know who else drinks wine on stage, and I didn't think about it until you mentioned it about Art - but Tim Rogers, my very favorite lead singer from You Am I drinks wine on stage! But I think he's a straight from the bottle kind of guy;)

Is this the longest Dugout Chatter ever? Must be extra innings.

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

I can't think of a 2007 example, but The Fall is the last time this happened to me.

Solo or coda?

Either soda or cola is fine with me.

Here's one for the musicians (of any ilk - don't be unnecessarily humble): When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

The lyrics, since they're the most likely element to need some work.

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental? Think of Television's "Little Johnny Jewel", for instance: by the time the vocals enter, do you think to yourself, "Why bother?"

Actually I think rock with mostly music and just a tiny amount of lyrical content seems all of a sudden like a territory that could be explored fruitfully.

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

Spinal Tap's Hellhole.

What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take notice?

I seldom go to shows, but I was just reading in Mojo about Janis Joplin ruining Pink Floyd's SF debut by plying them with Southern Comfort. That kind of drink is good for the voice, if you can stand the delayed kick after the adrenalin wears off. That happened to me once when I drank Cherry Bounce because I had to sing with a sore throat. It was Al Hirt's drink of choice, kept in a flask. So you'll have some next holiday season here is my recipe as a (late) Xmas gift to RTH.

Get a nice big glass container (about a gallon and VERY CLEAN). When cherries are in season (May around here), wash about a quart's worth of fresh, stemmed but unpitted cherries and put them in the container with a one-pound box of brown sugar poured over the top. Over then next month the cherries will fizz and ferment, so make sure you leave the top of the bottle loose enough to let off steam. Occasionally swirl the mixture around to make sure it blends. About a month later, after all the gases have escaped pour in a fifth or a quart of bourbon. Feel free to use a 100 proof variety, and the quality of the bourbon is not an issue. Seal the bottle, and let it sit for five months. (Swirling occasionally is a good idea, as is unscrewing the cap to make sure there's no gas still building up.) Then, just when the weather is getting cold, strain the entire mess through some kind of cloth, throw away the cherries, and you're left with a very sweet but very strong medicine. It goes well with coke, and over ice it will let you sing through any kind of illness.

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

Ricardo Villalobos' Fabric 36 mix, and I still don't really get it.

Harmonies or percussion?

Percussion.

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

Helter Skelter.

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

Not really. Now they just seem like a weird byway no one else wanted to go down. I do love that song of theirs We're A Bad Trip, though.

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

I like Reilly, but I think I'll pass on this one.

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

The Filth & The Fury. The Sex Pistols were a fake band, weren't they?

Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

Fred Schneider.

Strings or horns?

Strings.

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

My favorite anecdote here is seeing the Beach Boys in the late 70s, and hearing everyone, including me, sing along to Good Vibrations, and all of the various harmony parts were covered by different people in the audience. People sang along to every song, but that was the one that was the most impressive.

Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had been outside your comfort zone?

I don't know about fanbases, since i rarely come into contact with such people, but reading Pitchfork has certainly turned me on to lots of electronic stuff, especially dubstep most recently.

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

I think everyone should stop touring. Anything more than a couple of weeks is likely to ruin your homelife, and I never want to hear another song about life on the road.

cherry bounce sounds like what I needed this year with all that flu going around! great recipe bigsteve, can't wait to get it started - in may... ha ha;)

Ditto on the Cherry Bounce!

BigSteve, any particular kind of cherries? Bing?

I'm not exactly sure about the cherries. We generally only get the dark red type (are those bings?) in the spring. I know they have some that are more pinkish now, but I've never tried them. I'd stick with the darkest I could find. The whole point of the drink is the darkness of the cherries mixing with the dark brown sugar and the dark brown bourbon.

Wow. That sounds delicious! I wonder what it would taste like with a bit of coffee flavor thrown in...

or chocolate syrup for that matter...

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

Neil Young. This was a huge shock for me, I never thought I’d come around to him.

Solo or coda?

Coda!

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental?

I’m actually a fan of songs that trick you into thinking the vocal is never coming, and then throw one in at you. It’s a tricky stunt and can blow up on you, but Quasi pulled it off multiple times on one album. Really long instrumental builds, then a single verse and out, that sort of thing.

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

“Mouthful of Sores” by Willups Brighton

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

I haven’t really worked that hard at it to be perfectly honest, but probably Kala by M.I.A.

Harmonies or percussion?

Harmonies

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

Help!

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

I think that I have no desire to see it.

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

All You Need Is Cash

Strings or horns?

That’s a tough one. I like strings better, especially if we’re talking ominous cellos. But as both can be abused pretty easily, I’ll go with horns, since it’s usually easier to tell from a distance a good band using horns from a bad band abusing horns.

Our friend HVB, still mysteriously locked out from his exotic location, sends the following answers:

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

Dunno, can´t think of one. This was a banner year for closed-mindedness!

I'm trying to remember the name of a 1-hit wonder circa 1980 who was
formerly a roadie for The Who. I seem to recall an American flag guitar and
a gray pompadour. I'm almost certain it's not Jon Butcher Axis I have in
mind. Who is this artist whose name I cannot remember?

Aldo Nova.

Solo or coda?

Almost always coda.

Here's one for the musicians (of any ilk - don't be unnecessarily humble):
When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of
the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

¨structure¨/various downright kentonite elements

How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the
song has to "declare" itself an instrumental? Think of Television's "Little Johnny Jewel", for instance: by the time the vocals enter, do you think to yourself, "Why bother?"

I think things should declare themselves by, oh, a minute or so.

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

Off the top of my head, ¨Tonight I´m Gonna Rock You (Tonight)¨ by the Tap

What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take
notice?

I was at the first show in Tahiti 80´s last tour, and the band poured the whole front row of the audience free champagne from a bottle they flew over with from France, to celebrate the occasion. I thought that was a nice touch.

[More:]

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

See answer to 1.) above.

Harmonies or percussion?

Harmonies

What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

Happiness Is a Warm Gun, yet to be made. The question is: by who?

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to
some extent?

Never really ¨got¨ them, and maybe. I saw a reunion show of theirs at SxSW a few years back, and it was pretty slammin´. Or was that the Meat Puppets?

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

The star seems like one of those look-at-him-and-laugh kind of guys, which is usually a good sign.

What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

Oh, come on -- what are you trying to get us to say?

Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

Paul Weller had some real high points. Angus Young, when he really meant
it.

Strings or horns?

Horns, by a hair.

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

Frequently, though not often when asked to do so. Last time was the
Zombies.

Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had
been outside your comfort zone?

Nope

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and
stopped touring long ago?

Man, I dunno, there are loads! A more interesting question would be: which band seems able to tour forever with no loss of ¨cool points¨? The answer to this question would be Steely Dan, coincidentally featuring you-know-who and his beard."

1. ""rock conversion moment" of the year?"

I like Randall of Nazareth's solo stuff *better* than Pearls and Brass!!! And i LOVED Pearls and Brass's first album with a fierce passion.

2. Solo or coda?

All things in their place. Both can be quite effective. I'm not so good at writing the latter, and I'm sloppy at the former, however.

3. When you're being introduced to a new song by a songwriter, what parts of the song and/or which fellow musician do you typically key in on?

The overall feel of the song is the most important part. It determines what mood I want to bring to my playing. And that, in turn, determines decisions like whether to use high or low strings, how hard to hit them, whether to be staccato or languid. I also keep my eye out for ways to bring contrast to the different parts of the song, unless that seems inappropriate.


4. How long of an instrumental intro to a song should be allowed before the song has to "declare" itself an instrumental?

It's a tough call! The vocals have to be strong to match a good instrumental intro. It has to sound like it makes sense for them to be there. I do think that the first time I heard "Song Remains the Same", I wondered why the hell they had slowed down and let Plant wimp out all over himself before getting back to business. However, my opinion of that "I had a dream..." part has since mellowed. At least Plant comes in with some commitment there.


5. What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

Emmit Otter's Jugband Christmas featured the following heaviness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4H8cW7sVuo

I would have never remembered this if early 90s Lancaster / Philly punk geniuses, Kitschchao, hadn't covered it when I recorded them.


6. What musician's onstage beverage most recently made you sit up and take notice?

I'm amused by the comments about my wine! And thanks for coming to the show RTH'ers. It was great to see everybody.

Normally, I don't have a stemmed glass onstage. I usually get it in a high-ball glass. Those stemmy glasses are so fragile, I usually break them.

I never really notice or think about what people are drinking onstage, which is why I guess I never thought twice about bringing wine onstage. JT used to drink grain alcohol that he brought with him to the bar from home. Nobody where we played ever gave him a hard time.

I guess I don't like it when self-conscious bands all dive for their pints and bottles of beer while the last note is barely finished, still ringing out. But that's not about the beverage itself.

7. What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

Wheat's new album.

8. Harmonies or percussion?

Oh, man...this is where I become the prick and say "why are these two paired as if mutually exclusive alternatives to one another? false binary! false binary!"

However, if I had to choose, today I would go for harmonies of the non shag variety, if ya know what i'm sayin'.

9. What's your favorite movie named after a Beatles' song?

Helter Skelter!

10. Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

I loved "Telephone Free Landslide Victory". It's still their masterpiece to me. And I hate saying that, because I'm all for artistic development and that. And there was a more Barrett influenced album right after that, which I also liked. But they were unique. I think of them as being outside of time, even though they refer to very contemporary subjects.

11. Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

Going to see it soon! Can't wait!

12. What fake-rockumentary has the best soundtrack?

The Rutles are hard to beat, aren't they? But so say we, you've gotta give Spinal Tap its due.

13. Which musician projects, for you, the most endearing enthusiasm?

Hendrix.

14. Strings or horns?

This is *not* a false binary. However, I choose guitars. Les Paul, Hendrix, Beck, Page, Branca, and Thurston all agree with me. Guitars!

15. Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song..

Yes! Joan Jett, "Do You Wanna Touch", JFK Stadium, 1983.

16. Has a band's fanbase ever helped you get into a band that previously had been outside your comfort zone?

Can't think of any. My comfort zone is pretty huge.

17. What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

The Stones.

What band or album that you'd previously not cared for or got finally hit you in 2007? In other words, what was your most significant "rock conversion moment" of the year?

This will probably have to be 2008 since I was watching it after the ball dropped, but I have to go with Bruce Springsteen and specifically my eureka moment was the performance of "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" with the extended band intro, though I loved the whole show (it was a broadcast of a show from Madison Square Garden with the E Street Band in 2000).

Solo or coda?

Definitely the coda as I'm not really one for solos. My favorite coda ever has got to be the "P.S. I Love You" bit in "Pidgin English" from Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom. Or is that an outro? Is there a difference?

What's your favorite song by a fictional band?

The Wonders/Oneders "That Thing You Do"

What 2007 release did you work hardest to understand and/or like?

I have to go with Wilco's Sky Blue Sky. After having spent a significant amount of time with it, I understand what Jeff Tweedy and company were trying to do and for the most part I think they succeed. Nevertheless, the same thing happened with me regarding their last album A Ghost is Born. Initially I thought it was a really weak follow-up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (which I thought was amazing from the first time I heard it), but now I love it and admire its ambition and desire to grow artistically at the expense of possibly alienating their fans (which they didn't, of course; like Radiohead, they became more popular than ever). Thus, in two years I'll probably think Sky Blue Sky is a masterpiece but for now I merely like it. Why? Sure all the other reviews I read said "return to form" or "back to basics" but it's really not. It's a
retreat album and as such it's much more subdued, hushed and muted than any of their first 3 albums. Of course this means that it takes a long time (for me at least) to get into an album, esp. if there are no rockers to counterbalance all the quiet!

Harmonies or percussion?

Both! Why do I have to choose?

Was Camper Van Beethoven ahead of its time? Has the band been forgotten, to some extent?

Yes and yes. It's unfortunate that David Lowery has, for the most part, chosen to suck it up in Cracker for the better part of the last two decades. Part of me thinks that their derivativeness/blandness means that his previous band has a lessened reputation. I did think it was great when Michael Moore used "Take the Skinheads Bowling" in Bowling for Columbine, though.

Any thoughts, yet, on the rock-biopic spoof Walk Hard?

Great question as I just saw this movie last week. I loved certain scenes (esp. the hippie, Dylan and Beach Boys/Brian Wilson parodies) and I generally liked the movie as a whole, but some running gags were overdone and it wasn't all great. Still it's definitely worth seeing and some of the scenes are just pee-in-your-pants funny. I'll probably rent it just to watch my favorite scenes again.

Strings or horns?

Umm either one. It depends on the song, doesn't it?

Have you ever sung along with the crowd during the chorus of a song, such as when the singer holds the mic out into the audience? If yes, please specify which artist/song.

I used to do this on a weekly basis when I was a teenage hardcore kid. More recently, I remember an Elvis Costello concert about five and a half years ago where he did this and I'm sure I probably sang along at some point, as much as I hate this audience-baiting, Billy Joel-esque trick.

What band that you love should have followed the Beatles' example and stopped touring long ago?

I guess the Stones are the obvious choice here, but I can't think of a better one. Also, Art, you get a big thumps up for the Emmet Otter reference. I like that song, too!

Matt, I'm glad I'm not a voice in the wilderness where the merits of that RiverBottom Nightmare band song is concerned!

But oh, man! "That Thing You Do" is GREAT.

Speaking of which, has anyone else noticed an uncanny similarity between the the blonde, bespectacled bassist in that flick (who goes on the lam from the band in order to fulfill his army commitment on the eve of their first TV appearance) and our very own E. Plurbis Gergley?

And speaking of Mr. Gergs, I nominate my "Peruvian Flake" post to him (from some time over the summer) as one of my fondest RTH memories of 2007. Just crafting that post took at least half a bag of the stuff....

oops. it was the guitarist, not the bassist: even MORE like E. Plurbis!

Let me just say how disappointed I am in Plurbie. The whole Xmas holiday has passed, usually a period when his extremely full schedule relaxes enough for him to contribute in some way, and not one RTH post. Je suis desole'.

Berlyant wrote:

Definitely the coda as I'm not really one for solos. My favorite coda ever has got to be the "P.S. I Love You" bit in "Pidgin English" from Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom. Or is that an outro? Is there a difference?

My man! That's one of my all-time faves as well. I love hearing the bass rattle on the frets durings that coda.

BigSteve wrote:

Let me just say how disappointed I am in Plurbie. The whole Xmas holiday has passed, usually a period when his extremely full schedule relaxes enough for him to contribute in some way, and not one RTH post. Je suis desole'.

Right on, brother. I'm reminded of a post from earlier in 2007.

Matt, I'm glad I'm not a voice in the wilderness where the merits of that RiverBottom Nightmare band song is concerned!

No, not at all and same here! I have to be honest, though, and admit that Anne turned me on to it a few years ago. She loved it as a kid and had it on video, so we watched it one year around this time of year. Then I got her the DVD as a holiday gift the year after that.

My man! That's one of my all-time faves as well. I love hearing the bass rattle on the frets durings that coda.

I'm glad I'm not alone on this one, too!