Tim Ahlberg and his band - Interview: September 14, 2000
Why did you start
TAB/How did you become a member?
What's your favorite memory of being a member of TAB?
What's the best album recorded by TAB? Why?
What's the best song recorded by TAB? Why?
Is TAB a collective effort like most bands, or is there one person who acts
as a creative spine of the group?
If you could do the first 3 albums over, what would you like to see done differently?
What's in the future for TAB?
Why did you start TAB/How
did you become a member?
Tim: I started this band so I could have an additional creative outlet for
myself. I've acted on stage, hosted my own variety show on stage, written &
directed my own videos… there were only two venues left: writing music or a
novel. Well, I'm not gonna sit around writing some stupid book, so naturally
I began recording my improvised musings and, like everything else I do, it was
brilliant! So, I found myself some silly monkeys to help me with the technical
side of recording and here we are… Tim Ahlberg and his band.
Archie: I had to agree to be in TAB in order to make the intense pain in my scrotum go away.
Rob: it's a bit hazy now, actually. I vaguely recall an angelic-looking Tim in my bedroom late one night. The curtains were blowing lightly behind him, and he was only half-lit by the moon. I remember the words "I need you." I never questioned it, and I've been by his side ever since.
What's your favorite
memory of being a member of TAB?
Tim: There's no one memory that comes to mind, other than I enjoy having
the power creatively to make my music what it is. And with that power came numerous
instances of my yelling and berating my band mates. Those times were good for
me to allow my darkness to leave the deep recesses of my soul and project directly
on the minimally intelligent Archie and Rob.
Archie: Recording "Greasy Pavement" was a highly electric time and I felt the strongest connection with my band mates.
Rob: They're all so magical, really. Especially in hindsight. Tim's so good to work with. But I suppose to pick one, it would be the day that Tim returned from the dead to record "Back Home Again." I was just so happy to see him.
What's the best album
recorded by TAB? Why?
Tim: Personally, my favorite album is "Nuckinfutz." It was inspired by a
large amount of blistering pain and thus was very raw. It also was originally
done without a lot of computers and other artificial aids that so many modern
assholes use now in their little electrical studios. When I say this, what I
truly mean is that Archie and Rob couldn't fuck anything up with the mastering/recording
process - they just played their little instrument like I told them to and that
was it; not like the overproduced mess that was "Back Home Again," which most
of my fans rejected.
Archie: "Back Home Again"! (I say this while the newest album is still in production, so who knows?) this is the album that goes the deepest and affects me the most and scares the shit out of me. The other are great fun, but BHA is a true masterpiece!
Rob: I'd have to say "Back Home Again". I think there was a need to go beyond what had become people's expectations, and the place we went was very strange and beautiful. It's the only album that gives me chills when I hear it. I think that going "back home" could be returning to a place deep within one's soul. But who knows, our next album is well underway, and I'm very excited with what we have so far.
What's the best song recorded by TAB? Why?
Tim: Hmmm… My personal favorite song was probably "Christmas in a Train
Station Bathroom" from "Nuckinfutz". It's a very honest song expressing the
true meaning of Christmas.. many fans have told me that I should sell that song
to WAL-MART because they would think it's funny and play it in their stores
around the holidays.
Archie: I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's the title track from BHA. [It has] The most politically-charged lyrics driven by some of the strongest playing by the original lineup with Dustin Sladcik! This one rocks harder than all the rest!
Rob: I'd say "Lullaby." I think that childhood holds the answers to our happiness as adults, and that song sort of represents the magic of being a child, experiencing the world curiously and with wide-eyed fear.
Is TAB a collective effort like most bands, or is there one person who acts
as a creative spine of the group?
Tim: Well, huh! It has always been and always will be me. I write
the songs. I demand how the music will sound. Ultimately, it's my album,
featuring my songs. They're my feelings, my emotions,
my pain… Not Rob's, not Archie's… Mine! After all, it is Tim Ahlberg
and HIS band. The other two are there because I can't be everywhere at once!
Hell, even Phil Collins lets that Chester guy play drums for him sometimes,
and nobody questions Phil Collins! Right?! Jeez…
Archie: Creative spine? Not sure. But Tim is definitely the asshole - Ouch! [laughs] Don't print that!
Rob: It's as if we're one person, really. Of course, part of "us" may be more creative than the parts that simply control things like breathing and bowel movements, but all the parts are integral to the final view of what "we are. I've always been happy with my role in the band.
If you could do the first 3 albums over, what would you like to see done differently?
Tim: I probably would have accomplished a lot more had I been able to actually
abuse Rob and Archie physically. They would have produced more, better, and
faster had they been under constant threat of real, stinging, harsh pain. For
instance, this box-set thing is being done how many years later? What the fuck?
Archie: I always wanted to help sing back-up on "Back Home Again" and generally fix up other vocal chorus parts, but we're doing just that with the box set, so my dream is coming true!
Rob: Well, on the technical side, I wish we had been able to hire some help. I signed on as the primary sound engineer on "Nuckinfutz" and "Back Home Again" when about all I knew how to do was press "record." But as we're now in the process of digitally re-mastering, I believe we can compensate for many of my shortcomings, but not all. Musically speaking, it's hard to say. We've grown, of course, but it'd be hard to look at what we've done with any sense of regret. I'm very proud of it all, really.
What's in the future for TAB?
Tim: Well, the future may hold a new album. We've recorded several new tracks.
Actually, I recorded several new tracks that Archie and Rob did some
stuff on… But because they are lazy, unmotivated and obviously don't give a
shit… Well, anyway, we've spent about a year and a half doing on-and-off production,
and maybe in 2000 TAB will ride again!
Archie: I will see to it personally that a music video will happen and selected recordings will find their way onto TV and movie soundtracks!
Rob: The next album is the first step. I don't want to give much away, but the project is very much related to the wonders of the sea, and we've been in contact with National Geographic discussing some possible tie-ins, collaborations, whatever. There's a project called "Remembering Cousteau, 2000" that we'll probably contribute material for. We've also discussed doing some underwater concerts. Beyond that, the future is wide open.