1.0 – How is the European tour going so far, having fun?
Well, i’m back at the shack right now, but i’ll be over there again in 3 weeks. confusing, but yeah, we’re having fun.
2.0 – Any chance of running into Dixie Beauderant over there?
Nope.
3.0 – Do you have a philosophy when it comes to the stage?
Yes I do. Bring it absolutely as hard as you can and your night’s “happiness level” will allow.
3 levels of happiness:
High level – band is feeling good, audience is receptive, monitors are happening and you find a flow. we don’t use a set list as i think song selection is a part of the flow of the night. this should make it possible to do a great set. it does not guarantee success, but places the onus on the band.
Medium level – one or two of the above mentioned factors is lacking somehow. Doesn’t matter which ones, but you’ve got work through something to do a good set. this is most shows for all bands. they can be the best nights of all. If you do pull through whatever problems it can really be a galvanizing force, and then you feel like roots-rock superheroes!
Low level – pretty much nothing is going right. the club has you in a hostel, fed you alpo on noodles, inept sound man hates you, monitors are best turned off, it’s a sauna on stage and there are 15 rabid fans there that you really don’t want to disappoint, but you’d really, really like to tank the show. we’ve all been there. Hopefully a certain professionalism will kick in, or your guitarist will go “dan, don’t do it” (geez i wonder if this exact scenario has ever happened). just a suck it up and go night.
So in the end, maximize happiness level, and go like hell.
4.0 – Any tips to surviving a world tour in one piece? Oh boy, as a band; take care of each other – you’re all you really got out there. To the permanent pain in the ass in the band – stop it now you stupid butthole, we’re all you got.
Individually – rest as much as you can, eat 4 hours before the show if possible so the drummer and singer don’t puke onstage, unless that’s your thang. Make the other guys in the band laugh as often as possible. don’t be the permanent pain in the ass.
It also depends on how old and beat up you are. You’ll need to stop “having fun” as much as you used to. Sorry.
5.0 – What English players, if any, were you most influenced by?
Good grief – too many to list. the obvious Stones, Faces. Steve Marriot, Clapton; it’s endless.
6.0 – Any plans for a follow up to the rockin’ Dan Baird & Homemade Sin debut?
Yup.
7.0 – Any new tunes or titles you can tell us a bit about?
Nope.
8.0 – How do songs start for you most often; with a riff? a subject?
A groove or chord change that talks to me.
9.0 – What was the first rock concert you ever attended and what do you remember about it today?
The original Fleetwood Mac with Green, Spencer and Kirwin. See, there’s some more english guys.. the “Then Play On” tour. they did “oh well” without the hobbit dance theme thingy that was on the end of the record and the audience didn’t like that, so they cranked it up and did “rattlesnake shake”. Whining over.
10.0 – If you had to blame someone, who really got you hooked on rock & roll?
This will be a funny answer – Johnny Rivers.
See, when I was 13 and was learning how to do it, I knew I couldn’t be in the Beatles or Stones. I was smart enough to know i wasn’t that cool, but maybe, just maybe i could be as cool as johnny rivers singing “Memphis” or “Seventh Son” and have James Burton play in my band. and then the chicks would dig me.
Yes, I identified with a cartoon character when he said “come to butthead”. – 10.0 Interviews
