Z100's STUDIOS IN N.Y.C. - MAY 2000
Atlantic Records' matchbox twenty chatted LIVE from Z100's studios in New York City on the eve of the much-anticipated release of mad season by matchbox twenty. This follows the group's 13X platinum debut yourself or someone like you and has already garnered a popular single "Bent." Their first album featured huge hits like "Real World," "Long Day," "3am," "Back 2 Good" and "Push." Also, lead vocalist Rob Thomas has been rewarded with three Grammy Awards for his collaboration with Santana on the mega-popular track "Smooth."
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Host: AOL Live would like to welcome Atlantic recording artist matchbox twenty. Tonight they have joined to us promote their current club tour and new single, "Bent." Their release "Mad Season" hits the streets tomorrow. Do you have any opening comments?
matchbox twenty: Hello from the band. Hey, everybody. Thanks for hanging out with us. That was Adam.
Host: We have questions already starting to come in from our members. The first question I have here is from a member named Levy20: How does it feel to be back on the road?
Rob Thomas: It feels great. We've been off for like nine months or more. We've been off for a year total. It feels really good, especially because we're doing small clubs. The small clubs is like that super energy shot.
Host: The next question we have here is from AngelEyesNumber4: I love you guys. What's your favorite song off the new album?
Paul Doucette: I have to say my favorite song is probably "The Burn."
Rob Thomas: Mine is "You Won't Be Mine."
Adam Gaynor: For the love of God, I can't think of my favorite song.
Host: This is a question I heard before. It's from Swti521: What made you decide to change the 20 to twenty spelled out?
Paul Doucette: We didn't really -- we didn't change the name, that's the first thing. It's still twenty. We like the way it looks. We kind of always intended to do that. You could still use the numbers if you want. We're still going to use them sometimes too. It's the same word. Luckily you can represent it two different ways.
Host: OK. From Jonas360. He asks: Do you feel that you've grown since your last album? And if so, how? And why did it take three years for you to have a new album come out? Was it because of the Santana project?
Rob Thomas: No. The Santana project happened over the last three years. While when were out touring the last record, we couldn't go make this record. That was why it took so long. The record came out in 1996. But for the first year, it didn't really do that well. After "Push" came out, it really started to take off. It's somewhere in the middle.
Host: We have a question here from Neddie1989: How does the video "Bent" relate to the song? I love it, but the meaning of the song is so different from the video to me.
Adam Gaynor: I just want to ask how long it took him to get that question through.
Rob Thomas: This is Rob. I think Paul could best answer that. Paul?
Paul Doucette: I think, to tell you the truth, I don't really know. I can't answer it.
Rob Thomas: I think it was just because it was the feeling of the song to us. There was definitely an emotional undercurrent to the song that was about -- it had a hopeful tune to it. The idea of the video, it wasn't about me getting beat up. The idea of the video was me getting up after all these things and still going on, and getting up no matter what happens during the course of the day. That was the way the song made us feel. That was the feeling we got when we listened to it.
Adam Gaynor: Can you put a big smiley face and say I am just looking at everybody?
Host: Hopefully they can do that. There it goes. We have a question about Melisma Records. Is it a record label of yours or an imprint of yours?
Paul Doucette: Melisma Records is Matt Serletic, our producer. We don't have anything to do with Melisma Records.
Paul Doucette: Our old tour manager, Dean, runs that label.
Adam Gaynor: This is Adam checking out everybody in the room.
Host: Who were your influences when you were growing up, and are they still your influences? And who are your modern influences?
Rob Thomas: Growing up, it was all the songwriters that I still love, Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel. Songwriters still fascinate me, Joe Henry, Jason Faulkner. It's still the same vibe I latch onto.
Paul Doucette: The Beatles are probably the biggest for me as a kid. And still for this day. Modern, I would have to say Tom Waits, his entire catalogue is pretty big. And Wilco. We'll say it again, Wilco.
Adam Gaynor: My dad was a really big influence on me, but I don't know if that was good or bad.
matchbox twenty: Can we all use that, by the way?
Host: Next up we have Deathstar asking: Is the rumor true that after touring for this album, you will all pursue solo careers?
Rob Thomas: No.
Host: Anyone else care to comment?
Adam Gaynor: I was thinking of opening a taco stand next summer, but that's a long way aways.
Paul Doucette: Yes.
Host: Next question is from Rent3798: When are you guys starting the full tour? I guess that means after the club tour.
Rob Thomas: After the club tour is over, we're going to go to Europe for a month. When we come back, we're going to plan out -- it's going to be college arenas, is the route on that tour. That's going to be the next thing we wind up doing tour-wise in the States, but not the last.
Adam Gaynor: Just want to say to all our fans, thanks for being patient for our smaller club run. It's been really, really fun to get up close with everybody. We know some people have been frustrated for not getting in. We're going to be around for a couple of years touring, and you are going to get sick of us anyway.
Host: The next question is: I love "Bent." What is your next single going to be off the CD?
Paul Doucette: We don't know yet. It's too early to tell.
Host: We have a lot of people asking, too, how the new CD release is different from your past work.
Paul Doucette: I think -- I just think that we grew up a little bit. It just kind of -- it's the same band four years later, so it's whatever differences happen in four years.
Adam Gaynor: This is Adam, dot, dot, dot, sipping a nice beverage.
Host: Since there was so much time between your last CD and your newest release, did you ever get sick of the songs off your last album, and which ones?
Rob Thomas: I didn't get sick of any songs on the record, but you do get sick of ones you didn't want to play every night. There were some songs that are more fun to listen to than play live. Then there were some we thought we were tired of playing, but when we came back out, they were all fun again, you know?
Host: This is from Deathstar20 again. She's back. Does Kyle have any solo singing on this album like he did on the last? I think his voice is beautiful.
Rob Thomas: I this his voice is beautiful too. There are times his voice is featured almost like an instrument. He doesn't sing like he did on "Hang." Hopefully he will in the future. Hopefully he will sing one of his songs in the future.
Paul Doucette: We did record one of Kyle's songs. We didn't get to finish it in time to put it on the record. So hopefully we'll put that out at some point, or he's going to put it out, or whatever. It's a great song.
Adam Gaynor: On the album there are a lot of nice moments, whether there are featured parts or background parts, there are a nice amount of nice moments where you can tell Kyle's voice is chiming in in the back, and it's great.
Host: This was just a comment from someone in the audience. They wanted to congratulate Rob on his marriage and saw coverage of it on television and thought it was beautiful.
Rob Thomas: Thank you very much. We had -- it was one of our favorite days.
Adam Gaynor: I taped it.
Host: Excellent. Next up. I kind of know sort of the answer to this one already. What songs would you like to cover in concert and also, would you ever cover on any of your CDs?
Rob Thomas: I don't think we'll do any covers on our CDs. We're all so diverse in ourselves, trying to figure out a cover we all want to do is so hard. I wanted to do a Supertramp. Someone wanted to do a Beatles tune. If there is one we want to do, we'll wind up doing it sooner or later.
Adam Gaynor: With a band inside secret, the hardest thing for us ever to figure out what to do is pick a cover song.
Host: The next question is from AngelEyesNumber4: What inspired the title for your new album, "Mad Season"?
Paul Doucette: There is a song on the record called "Mad Season." The title -- it's a little different for the title. The title means the period of time that we went through from before, you know, we had a record out to where we are now, and all the crazy things that go on around you during that period.
Adam Gaynor: I would like Adam... tying shoes.
Host: He wants to know, Rob, what it was like working with a master guitarist, Carlos Santana.
Rob Thomas: It was great. He was a great guy. Obviously, he's a wonderful musician, and it’s something you can't ever forget. It was great. Not just the success of it, because it was great before it became what it was. It was great when we were in the studio making it.
Host: This one is from Sland8: *[THIS WAS ME EVERYONE!!!!!]* I notice the new album is a lot jazzier. I wonder if you have new influences on the album, and where it is coming from?
Paul Doucette: We get influenced every single day. I think everyone kind of combines, looks a lot more towards things that are released years ago. We looked a lot more towards the 1960s and 1970s and early 1980s for our influences on this record.
Adam Gaynor: Tell everyone to come to the web site tomorrow and say hey, because we're excited about opening up our web site, matchboxtwenty.com.
Host: Another keyword, MATCHBOX TWENTY, links directly up to their web site. Check it out.
matchbox twenty: AOL! AOL! Is it available in Australia?
Host: It is.
matchbox twenty: Is AOL available in Mongolia?
Host: For the privileged few. Our next question is from FungusAmungus: How did you get your first break?
Paul Doucette: I fell roller-skating.
Adam Gaynor: I would recommend Desenex and it will probably go away.
Rob Thomas: It was a lot of playing in crappy little bars and for no money whatsoever, is really the best way to get a break. A break is really just someone giving you a chance. The first real break is getting a record deal, you know? And that was -- that happened just from a string of events that were half luck and half just knowing the right people.
Host: This one is from NessaBear424: How long were you guys in a band before you became famous? Were you in a band called Tabitha's Secret?
Paul Doucette: Rob and I were in Tabitha's Secret. We were with that band for three years and quit that band and formed matchbox twenty. That was six years ago. How long ago? I am sorry, it was five years ago.
Adam Gaynor: I hope you enjoyed my earlier work with the Monkees.
Host: We have Fem4Panty....
matchbox twenty: Nice.
Host: What is the best route for up-and-coming bands to get recognized? Who did your bookings in the beginning, and how tough was it for you to shop your material around to the bigger labels?
Rob Thomas: It's a whole other world out there today. There are so many ways you can get your band known. You can start selling records right over the Internet when you are a new band. That was an option we didn't know we had when we were out. When we were out it was just...
Paul Doucette: We didn't have one of those Internets. We had to carry our gigs with our bare feet.
Rob Thomas: That was sarcasm. He grins. The thing is, the only other way is, we would go in ourselves and we would go to clubs and find out when we could play there and bring a tape. They would have to call you and let you come and play. You would have to play at some crappy time when no one was there and you would try to get a good night. You have to do it because you love to play music. For the longest time, you don't make a dime. You wind up paying money to play.
Paul Doucette: I would like to make a comment about this. Take control of your careers from the day you start. Always know what's going on. Always.
Adam Gaynor: You know, I give you some suggestions. I talk to a lot of people in the industry of music. I found out that -- try to write some nice songs. If you can write some nice songs, people will respond. Don't grow your hair, kids. It's not about growing your hair and putting on them fancy clothes. It's about writing them songs.
Rob Thomas: Three things that matter...
Adam Gaynor: Three things that matter...
Rob Thomas: The three things that matter are the song, the song...
Adam Gaynor: Paul, what is the third one?
Paul Doucette: Don't sign anything without showing it to your lawyer, a good lawyer! The biggest mistake you will make before you have a record deal.
Adam Gaynor: This is Adam wondering if he has a problem he should be more aware of...?
Host: Sounds like some good advice. Next up we have JayWorkees asking: What kind of guitars do you use?
Adam Gaynor: Kyle and I...
Paul Doucette: New ones. Fresh ones right out of the forest.
Adam Gaynor: Kyle uses PR and deals with Music Man. I just started dealing with G&L. Actually, we all kind of use Taylor acoustics, which make us very happy live.
Host: Next up we have a question about the new album. Do you feel threatened by all of the praise from "Someone Like You"? Did it intimidate you to have to put out another album?
Paul Doucette: No. It actually made it easier. A lot of the concerns we would have if our record wasn't widely accepted aren't there. We didn't have to worry about, are we going to get to make another record? We could take our time and do it right.
Adam Gaynor: I am listening to Rob play his xylophone by the telephone.
Host: We have TDYunker asking: How is it being newly married and putting out a new CD, Rob? Is it hard to be on the road right now?
Rob Thomas: It's actually quite easy to be on the road because my wife is with me on the road. I never have to call her and say I am not going to be home for two weeks. Instead I have to call her at the hotel and say honey, we're not going to be home for two weeks. We don't have that separation anxiety.
Host: The next question is: If you could tour with any bands, what is your wish list?
Rob Thomas: Everybody give a band. Paul?
Paul Doucette: I'll say it again, Wilco. I'll say it again, Wilco.
Adam Gaynor: You know, it's sad to say, kids, that I had a band in mind four days ago, and I can't -- I am going to stall and talk and it's not going to make any sense. You're going to read this and say, what is he talking about? Rob is going to give you an answer.
Rob Thomas: I would go out with James Brown.
Paul Doucette: On the road every night, sitting out watching James Brown?
Adam Gaynor: And throw in some Jackson Five.
Rob Thomas: I want to go out with some bands that aren't together. I would like to go out with the Beatles.
Adam Gaynor: I want to go out with the Beatles.
Host: The next is: Hey, how do you think your lives have changed from before you were famous to the present?
Adam Gaynor: A lot more catering. Better hotel rooms.
Paul Doucette: My life hasn't changed at all. I still live at home with my mom. I don't know. It's funny because -- I mean, I don't feel famous. Like we just do our thing.
Adam Gaynor: The coolest thing about having any kind of success is being able to hand your underwear to somebody and it comes back the next day clean.
Paul Doucette: There you go. I think he said it all.
Host: Next question is from -- you guys are definitely comedians, I've got to say. It's from MBJKMbow: If you weren't in a popular band, what would you be doing right now? Could you see yourselves doing anything other than being musicians?
Rob Thomas: I would be delivering flowers, maybe. I am not quite sure. That's a sad thing. That's the thing that puts everything in perspective for me. I am not really good at anything else other than this. I don't put a lot of stock in it. It can't be that important. I don't know anything about cars. I am an awful waiter and an awful construction worker, and I am not that good of a driver.
Paul Doucette: I would go to film school.
Adam Gaynor: Nice. I have this idea for a taco stand in South Beach with 108 degree weather and freshly ground beef. good combination.
Host: Definitely. Next question is simple: Have you ever used AOL or the Internet?
Paul Doucette: I officially got my first AOL account a couple of weeks ago. ::applause::
Adam Gaynor: This is Adam and Rob clapping wildly.
Paul Doucette: I have then got a computer and not turned it on.
Rob Thomas: I have an account. No one knows my address. The only person that knows it is my wife. We only use it for the simple stuff like shopping and porn.
Paul Doucette: You get the second one of the day.
Adam Gaynor: I think that I have my computer with me and I -- on a daily basis, I check my mail two times. I think it's very important that I find out what Rob's e-mail address is to send him pictures.
Paul Doucette: The guys in the band don't know mine either.
Rob Thomas: If I gave Adam my e-mail address, he would e-mail me every day. He has my phone number. When we're apart, he would never call me. He would e-mail me every day. There is something wrong with that. You are on the other side too much.
Adam Gaynor: I think I probably would.
Host: The next question: Since you guys toured all over the world, do you have a favorite country or place, or favorite venue?
Paul Doucette: My favorite place that we ever toured is Australia. I love playing in Melbourne. That's my favorite town in the world.
Adam Gaynor: Why is it Melbourne? Paul has a shocked look on his face. Paul doesn't know what to say. He looks like a deer in headlights.
Paul Doucette: I just really like that city. It's a great city. It's a wonderful place.
Adam Gaynor: This whole wacky planet is a wonderful place, but we have a lot of fun in Australia.
Host: Sounds like a secret of sorts. Let's see. This next question we have here...
Rob Thomas: Are you OK?
Host: It's all good. Someone is asking, their screen name is MBox20MB: Why wasn't “Heavy” on the new album?
matchbox twenty: Ooh!
Rob Thomas: I think that's a good question. We never thought about it. I like that song. We worked it up for a couple of times live. We worked it up for a couple of times live because it was something we worked up in sound checks and started in sound checks, and we never got around to it.
Host: And this is another follow-up one from MBox20MB: What do you think of MP3 trading and all this free music on the Internet?
Adam Gaynor: It's a really strange deal to really talk about this too much. In one aspect, it's an illegal process that's going on. It's about distributing copyrighted music, which is against the law. In that respect, I mean, unless that thing was legal, I really don't know if I could support it. It's sad because that would be a way that maybe local bands or people can get turned on to different kinds of music that maybe aren't copyrighted. And maybe that's the way it should go. It's really not going to kill us, and it's not going to attack our pockets dearly, but at the same point, it's something that is pretty much against the law. It kind of sucks.
Paul Doucette: I think -- Adam is a politician. I think that Napster is a wonderful technology that came way too early, and none of us are ready for it yet. Until they came up with laws that would save people who don't sell a lot of records and need what they do do to survive, they would...
Adam Gaynor: Paul said do-do.
Host: We have a couple more questions for you. We'll ask you for closing comments. JimHammer3727 asks: What are you guys going to do next? I guess he means your plans are...
Rob Thomas: We're going back to the hotel. We're going to play. That's our whole job now, is just to play. It's the easy part now. We're going to play and travel and go somewhere else and play, then get on a plane and go somewhere else and play some more.
Adam Gaynor: When we're done, we're going to probably play again.
Rob Thomas: Paul?
Adam Gaynor: Paul remains silent.
Host: How did all you guys meet?
Paul Doucette: We met in prison.
Adam Gaynor: I think we met in the lobby like four hours ago and got in a car and came over to the chat.
Rob Thomas: You know, we're doing the “Hollywood Squares” thing again. I've known Paul -- I met Paul when he answered an ad for a band I was in before.
Paul Doucette: Like seven or eight years ago.
Rob Thomas: We were in that band for a while. We met Adam because we were looking for a guitar player. We were all paid from music, out of the ashes of music.
Adam Gaynor: I was looking to stop answering phones, and I was very happy that the band stumbled upon me. I couldn't think of anything else to say. This is politically correct, saying none of us have really served hard time.
Host: The next question is from RockyRaccoon.
matchbox twenty: Good name!
Host: They are saying, hey, and they want you to do a shout out to the UK. They stayed up late to be on the chat.
Paul Doucette: Anyone with a Beatles reference name is kick-ass.
Rob Thomas: This is Rob giving a shout out to the UK, and thanks for staying up.
Adam Gaynor: We'll be seeing the UK really soon, and look forward to coming over there and causing trouble.
Host: This is from IcyPunkNostalgia: How is the limited edition "Mad Season" different from the one that is the regular version?
Rob Thomas: It's...
Adam Gaynor: It's funny because -- I am going to let Paul explain it to you. On the preorders, man, I think everybody has to understand we're getting more preorders for the real CD than the limited edition one. If you were going to order the limited edition, do it fast. That is the one that will not be around too long. Paul will tell you why it's different.
Paul Doucette: They are the same price, right? The only difference is in the actual cover. The limited edition, it's not like a regular CD case. It's actually designed like a book. It's a different color. It's nice.
Rob Thomas: It's a nicer package. It's fun, and it's limited.
Paul Doucette: We wanted to do the entire record that way, but unfortunately it cost a lot more money.
Adam Gaynor: $15,000 a copy, says Adam.
Host: That was our last question. Do you guys have any closing comments?
Adam Gaynor: I wanted to say I...
Rob Thomas: I wanted to say I am sorry for anybody who didn't have a chance to get on, because I know the way this Internet crazy thing works. Anybody that didn't, I am sorry.
Adam Gaynor: Thanks to everybody for hanging with us. We'll see you on the site, and we'll chat with you over there. Thank you for your time. We love you guys.
Paul Doucette: Ditto what they both said. Thank you.
Adam Gaynor: This is Walter Kronkite. Good news. This is Adam's cell phone ringing. Very cool.
Host: It was a pleasure having you guys. I wanted to say thanks so much to matchbox twenty for joining us this evening. For more information, check out keyword MATCHBOX TWENTY or their web site at www.matchboxtwenty.com. Thanks so much again, and have a good night. Also be sure to check out AOL's Eminem listening party at keyword MUSIC tomorrow night, and the chat with En Vogue tomorrow, as well.
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