This transcript is from Rolling Stone Online (keyword: RSO) on Monday, August 11, 8:00 p.m.
OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
OnlineHost: Your hosts for tonight's event are Bob XR (AOLiveMC15) and JudyJJM (AOLiveMC14).
AOLiveMC15: Rob Thomas and Paul Doucette, welcome to America Online and the Odeon!
AOLiveMC14: Welcome for sure. :)
RS Match20: Rob: Our name means nothing at all. We're from Florida and "Push" has nothing to do with beating women.
AOLiveMC15: Ready to start fielding your fan's questions?
RS Match20: Rob: Ready.
Question: How many records do you guys have out?
RS Match20: Rob: This is our first one.
Question: I love the song Push I was just wondering what or who inspired you to write the song?
RS Match20: Rob: I think maybe it was just partly being in New York the first time got my vibe going cause I wrote it my first two hours in New York when I was there the first time and I think it was made up of a few different relationships with one being the center one that I was focusing on.
Question: who has been your biggest influences?
RS Match20: Rob: Steve Burry Paul: R.E.M.
Question: Where are you guys from?
RS Match20: Rob: From Orlando, Florida.
Question: From Kori . . . Hey Rob! What's up, BABY?? :) What color are your nails today?
RS Match20: Rob: They're an ashy black.
Question: Have you all gotten any inspirations from certain books?
RS Match20: Rob: Yeah, all the time. I read like Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins. It's usually like offbeat sort of things. Paul reads Playboy a lot.
RS Match20: Paul: I don't own any Playboy really.
Question: What was your experience at the RockFest, playing with all those awesome musicians? (don't worry, you're awesome too!)
RS Match20: Paul: It was kinda surreal in a way . . . because it was so big, it was just such an honor to be a part of it.
Question: Where did you film the video for "Push?"
RS Match20: Paul: In L.A. baby.
Question: Do you plan on making another album later on in the future?
RS Match20: Rob: Of course . . .
Question: ok- here- the eternal question- boxers or briefs?
RS Match20: Paul: None Rob: Nothing
RS Match20: Rob: Right now, we're not wearing a damn thing . . . we're free baby and we're loving every minute of it.
Question: How old are you all??
RS Match20: Rob: We're all roughly . . . Paul: We range from 21 to 33 . . . Rob: You have to figure it out for yourself. Paul: Adam's the old one.
Question: How do u guys deal with your big success??????
RS Match20: Rob: It doesn't feel like a problem. You're doing the same thing every day. Saying you have to deal with something makes it seem like a negative.
Question: When did you all decide that you wanted to be musicians?
RS Match20: Paul: When I was ten. Rob: When I was like 13 maybe.
Question: There has been a lot of talk (I'm sure you know) about "Push" being about beating women. I don't believe that that's what it's about at all, but a lot of people are confused. Can you clarify what the song was meant to be about when you wrote it?
RS Match20: Rob: The song was just about a relationship and granted it was a defective relationship, but it was one when they were trying to control each other and manipulate each other.
Question: Do you guys have any tour dates in the near future? If so, will you be playing on the east coast?
RS Match20: Rob: Yes . . . Paul: We're planning on going there late October or November.
Question: Have any words of advice for a band just starting out in clubs?
RS Match20: Rob: Don't quit, because right after you quit, that's when it was gonna happen for you. If your band breaks up, start another one.
Question: How did you get the name "Matchbox 20"?
RS Match20: Paul: Just made it up one day.
Question: What advice would you give to teens trying to make it in the music world?!?!
RS Match20: Paul: The same thing . . . don't stop. There's not set way to do things. Rob: Just do what you like . . . if you're in it for the money, forget it.
Question: What song will you be playing on Leno? From MB20CL
RS Match20: Paul: We don't know yet . . . probably "Push."
Question: Where do you see yourselves in 5 years? 10 years?
RS Match20: Rob: Homeless (pause) Maybe on our third record . . . that's not up to us. Paul: That's a good point . . . it isn't up to us.
Question: What is your fav. Song to perform?
RS Match20: Paul: "Push" Rob: I don't know . . . I really like playing "Back to Good" a lot.
Question: Do you prefer touring or studio recording, and why?
RS Match20: Paul: If you ask when we're in the studio, we'll say touring, if you ask us on the road, we'll say in the studio.
Question: Hello guys. Welcome. I was just wondering how you felt about people saying that "Push" promotes physical abuse towards women?? I myself, being a women, love the song and do not pick up any negativity from it. Keep up the great work and the great songs.
RS Match20: Rob: Thanx. I think when anybody comes back with that version of the song, it means they didn't really listen to the song.
Question: What was the Coolest Moment while on tour?
RS Match20: Rob: Hanging out with Kato Kaelin.
Question: Who is "my heather" in the thank you part of the album?
RS Match20: Rob: And getting up on stage with Verve Pipe . . . Rob: My ex-girlfriend.
Question: Rob, when you were at the end (radio station in Ohio) today, what was your little bit about mr. potato head ?
RS Match20: Rob: They had a Mr. Potato head there and it had funky things coming out of it . . . it's ears were bit off like Holyfield . . . it was just an accident Mr. Potato head.
Question: Just a general comment to all the guys. Is it just me, or did all this controversy come out of thin air? Is all this "hate mail" truly rolling in?? Anyways, ain't the free publicity great? :)
RS Match20: Paul: Yes, it is. Rob: We found out through management . . . we've met women who won't listen to it because of that. MTV blew it out of proportion . . . it's not like people are picketing it . . . but we don't know.
Question: Are you going to make anymore videos from your new album?
RS Match20: Paul: We're gonna make one in about three or four weeks.
Question: I have your CD and I love it!! Rob, you are so cute, when is your next album gonna be out?
RS Match20: Paul: When he gets cuter. Rob: Next year some time.
Question: How long did it take to get your first album out?
RS Match20: Paul: All our lives. Rob: As long as we've been playing, I guess . . . up until about now.
Question: Saw your show in Austin and it was AWESOME!! But what happened in San Antonio to make you so mad????
RS Match20: Rob: Just some group of jerks and they were harassing me from the front row and no one was doing anything about it and I had a hard day and didn't feel like listening to it, but we'd just like to forget about it.
Question: How long has your band been together, and how did everyone meet?
RS Match20: Paul: Me, Rob and Brian have been together for five years. Adam and Kyle met about two years ago . . . we met them through a mutual friend.
Question: Are they currently in a relationship?
RS Match20: Paul: With each other? Paul: Yes . . . Rob: Yes.
Question: How have you guys handled the negative response gotten from the song "Push" ?
RS Match20: Paul: We haven't heard anything about that.
Question: Weasel1217: When writing songs, do you tend to write the lyrics first or the music?
RS Match20: Rob: I write them both at the same time, I sit down write the song like it already exists and I'm playing it . . . just sorta pops out.
Question: What is the meaning of the song "long day". I love that song and it reminds me of a past relationship and I want to know if it means what I think it does . . . you guyz rule! thanx! =)
RS Match20: Rob: Long day was a relationship song that was about how every moment can take forever.
Question: Hi guys! Great show at Waterstreet in Rochester, NY. I was wondering- who's baby picture is at the back of the CD??? Thanks!! Trinette (aka- "the Evil One" and "Pants Girl- you signed my corduroys!!)
RS Match20: Rob: That's Cody.
Question: How did it feel to be on national tv? The exposure was great but were you nervous?
RS Match20: Paul: I was more nervous to watch it.
Question: Where you in different band before you became Matchbox 20?
RS Match20: Paul: We were all in different bands at some point in our life.
Question: What is there e-mail address? do they have a website? are they going on tour soon?
RS Match20: Rob: www.matchbox20.com Rob: Write into our guest book.
Question: I heard counting crows helped you get your start. is this true?
RS Match20: Rob: No.
Question: What ambitions do you still have to fulfill?
RS Match20: Rob: We never met them until RockFest . . . Paul: Seeing Counting Crows . . . Rob: I don't know . . . Paul: Have a career . . . to not wind up on the whatever happened to list. Rob: I don't care about that . . . just wanna have a good time before I do.
Question: I heard a rumor that at your Rochester show you stayed and gave autographs until every fan was gone, which I thought was really decent. Is that rumor true? And if so, do you always do that?
RS Match20: Paul: When we can we try to. Rob: The only time we don't and when we have no time. We've been known to stay for hours and just b.s.
Question: are you coming to Atlanta any time soon??
RS Match20: Rob: If you see us and we don't sign it's because we have someplace to get to. Rob: We will at some time, but we love Atlanta . . . Atlanta is like another home to us.
Question: Rob, my friend calls you a sex symbol for the 90's. How would you react to that?
RS Match20: Rob: I think your friend is blind.
Question: Over the years I've noticed with fame, some bands tend to get BIGGER than the music, how are you guys trying to avoid that . . . if you are trying at all? Stay Spicy and Doubt Dawn :~)
RS Match20: Paul: Longer songs.
Question: Your music seems to hit home not to just me, but with a lot of other people I'm close to . . . which I guess is the whole point of the cd. but anyway heres my ?, when writing lyrics to your songs, are you writing about yourself or others?
RS Match20: Rob: Both. Paul: That's kinda why the record is called "Yourself or Someone Like You"
Question: Since your a fab group has being famous changed you in anyway?
RS Match20: Paul: We have more fun. It enables us to do more things. Rob: It gives us a little more freedom in our lives.
Question: What is your favorite part of the act?
RS Match20: Paul: The puppet show . . . I like the beginning, middle and end on a good night. On a bad night I don't like any of them.
Question: Hi my name is Regan, and I'm a big fan! I was just wondering how long yall have been together, and if you are planning on doing a concert in Texarkana, Tx anytime soon. All we have here is country and Matchbox 20 would be a great change!!!!!!
RS Match20: Rob: We're playing Houston and Austin at the end of the month, but that's the only time we're playing there . . . for now.
Question: Is there some special significance to 3 a.m., or is it just a middle-of-the-night time you picked? (Hehe, dumb question!)
RS Match20: Rob: It just seemed right after 2 a.m. and all the bars close at 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. is when you roll back in.
Question: Do any of you have any side projects? (ie: producing, helping other bands)
RS Match20: Paul: Rob and I are starting a side band called Elephant Heads Spicket Kings . . . it's rockabilly . . . it's with Cary from Jackopierce.
Question: Where was the bands first big performance?
RS Match20: Paul: It depends on what you consider big . . . our first performance was in Atlanta. Probably Dallas -- the Edgefest was our first big one.
Question: Hey, guys. Ya'll thanked Ed Roland of Collective Soul in the liner, and he's mentioned MB20 before as well. How did you guys get to know each other?
RS Match20: Paul: Through our producer Matt Serlecic . . . he produced the first two Collective Soul records.
Question: Which city so far has been the fun to play for?
RS Match20: Paul: That's a hard one . . . there are so many. We have a good time everywhere we go. Cause we're fun guys.
Rob: We are fun.
Question: Did you choose your own wardrobe for the Push video?
RS Match20: Paul: We had a stylist there that brought clothes, but I can't let anyone dress me, I have to dress myself.
Question: I felt so bad when the mic dropped on Rob on letterman . . . he recovered quite well have there been other situations where "tech" difficulties have prevented you guys from playing???
RS Match20: Rob: In concert you have to deal with that stuff on a constant basis . . . it's never happened on anything that big, but we've never done anything that big before.
Question: It's rumored a band member has nipple rings . . . , is that true?
RS Match20: Rob: No.
Question: Is there one piece of advice or criticism that sticks in your mind?
RS Match20: Paul: No one has anything pierced except our ears. Rob: Stay focused . . . it matters.
AOLiveMC15: We have time for one final question.
Question: In each song you sing about a girl, is there someone in particular that you are singing about?
RS Match20: Rob: No. It's never the same person. Sometimes it's about someone in my family, sometimes it's a girlfriend. I've always been around women all my life . . . everything is tinged from a female perspective. We know we didn't get to talk to everyone, so anyone we didn't talk to we're sorry. Eat your vegetables. Buy the Cool For August and the Cunninghams records and listen to more Ani DiFranco. That's it.
AOLiveMC15: Thanks for joining us here tonight guys, it was very entertaining.
AOLiveMC14: Was a pleasure to have you here with us, hurry back! Nite!
AOLiveMC15: Thanks to each of you in the audience for being here also! Good night!
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