First, just so I don’t have to loose sleep wondering, how did the softball game go? (for those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about, which should be most of you, Less Than Jake was supposed to face off against Suicide Machines today, but it was a little rainy, so I don’t even know yet if the game happened at all)
Actually, it got rained out. Well, the game itself got rained out, but we just went down there and hit the ball around.
Me: If you could be on a tribute album for one band, who would it be? (pointless note: I’m now missing my favorite Pollen song, Carmel, as Roger and I struggle to talk loud enough to get picked up on my recorder. Got a good recording of Carmel, though)
Iron Maiden.
What’s your favorite LTJ song to play live?
Uh…I don’t know, that’s hard. I really like to play the old stuff like Automatic, Happy Man, songs like that. But it’s really cool to play new songs too.
What do you think your hardest song to play is (in means of the bass line).
Hard bass lines? For me?
Okay, so if I was to try to play one…
I don’t know, I guess some of them are fast, they’re a little tough. There’s some random fast stuff in there. It’s all easy, it’s all boring.
So how long have you been playing bass?
Actually, I never played bass until I met Chris and Vinnie. I met those guys, I would jam with them, I played guitar, then they kicked out their bass player, so they told me to go out and buy a bass and learn how to play. I’ve been playing bass since I joined Less Than Jake, so that’s about seven years.
Did you ever take a lesson, or did you just take it one step at a time?
I took piano lessons when I was a kid, I took violin lessons when I was a kid, I’ve always been around music. But as far as bass and guitar, I’ve just taught myself.
Who was your most influential artist growing up?
Iron Maiden. Actually, I was really into the Descendants. And stuff like Circle Jerks, that mid-80’s type of stuff.
In means of just anybody, who was most influential in your life.
(after a long pause): My uncle. He was a drummer, he played in a band for nine years, but they never really did much, never released an album, so I’m kind of taking that to the next level.
When you actually have free time, what do you do?
I collect Pez, I collect toys, I surf the net. Actually, I’m really dorky…what can I say? I fly remote control planes; that’s me, I like that kind of stuff. Actually, I have a studio also, in my basement, so when we’re not out touring and stuff, I try to find time to record other bands.
Do you have any special/hidden talents that people don’t know about?
No, everybody knows about my talents. I just like fixing stuff. My grandfather was a TV repair guy. Actually, something a lot of people don’t know is that I’m the guitar tech. You look on stage, you see those guitars, I set those up.
What’s the best way to mellow out when you’re having a bad day?
Just put on a record. Notice I didn’t say CD, I said Record. I’m into old music that’s good, you know? Like the Beatles, the Guess Who, BTO, Steve Miller Band. As well as Maiden, Poison, band’s like that.
Okay, other than yourself, who do you think the best bass player in the world is?
Other than myself? I’m not that good. I really enjoy Matt from Rancid. But the number one influence of all time is Carl Alverez. He’s the man, if anyone wants to learn how to play bass, he’s the man. I reiterate: Carl Alverez.
In means of equipment, what do you use?
In means of equipment, a bass and a bass amplifier. Huh? Oh, more specific…. okay. I’ve been playing Ernie Ball, I use Ampeg stuff a lot.