The interview was meant to have place on November 20 or 21, in honor of the jubilee of our community on vk.com & Electric Six' visit to Russia, but, as you could notice, it didn't happen. That's why, in order to change this mal entendu, I had to find the Doctor & travel back in time. I was lucky to meet Keith & Dave. The result is below.
On the new record, unfair questions, time-traveling & very many other things.
Enjoy.
1. At what age & under what circumstances
have you first realized you wanted to be a musician?
Keith: I think I was 5 or 6 years old. My
parents encouraged me to play music. My 1st memory of playing music is playing
a bass guitar. At some point after that, I tried to play a regular guitar. Then
in elementary school, I started playing the trombone. In junior high school, I
had a brief stint playing the French horn. In high school I played in the
percussion section. I also continued to play the trombone. In my last 2 years
of high school, I was also playing the bass trombone. In the late 1980s, I
started a band with my friend Chris. He played the drums and I played the
guitar. That's the 1st band I was in outside of my parent's house. My brother
and I have always played music together. In my life, music is like an imaginary
friend. It goes where I go. It never leaves me.
Dave: I got an electric guitar when I was
8 years old. That day I knew I wanted to be in Electric Six.
2. What is the most difficult thing in being a
musician?
K: The most difficult thing about
being a musician is that making music can be a reflexion of our fears. So it
can force us to deal with our fears. And there are times in our lives where we
do not want to be bothered. Sometimes music brings us joy instead of fear. It's
those moments that can be confusing. Because it's hard to imagine that
something that can bring us joy can also bring us fear. But such is everything
in this world.
D: It's pretty easy for me. I used to
spray hot urethane all day. I used to weld steel all day. I used to hang Hardie
Plank Siding through Michigan winters. This is the universe hooking me up. If I
had to choose one difficult thing it would be reminding myself that whatever I
might be mildly frustrated with, at least I’m not hanging Hardie Plank Siding
through Michigan winters.
3. How did it feel, when you first realized you
were becoming really famous?
K: Because I am not famous, there is
no way to answer that question. I still feel the same way I've always felt.
Nothing ever changes that much. My desire to find coffee and internet is
stronger than ever.
D: It’s not like that for me. I’m the
new guy. I like to meet new people, I like the excitement of a big ol rock and
roll concert. I think I'll like it forever. I’ve seen it go horribly wrong for
some people and I think because I get to do this later in life after any
lingering ego formation has been squashed by years of working hard for a
living, I'll be ok with whatever amount of recognition I receive. Check out how
blue my collar is. I’m like 3 Bruce Springsteens.
4. What of your songs (not only Electric Six’
ones, of your side projects’ too) is the most personal one?
K: I wrote a song under the name 52
Week High. The song is called Market Dictates. That is the most personal song I've
made.
D: Any tunes I have done have been for
entertainment purposes only. It's not personal for me. I’m turned off by the art of it.
5. Electric Six have so many songs about love.
When have you fallen in love for the first time? Was it mutual?
K: Love is always mutual.
D: I fell in love real young. It was
mutual. She broke it off. We were 14. I set her parents car on fire. Did 18
months in the Wayne county department of children and family services juvenile
detention facility. That’s why I’m so tough. But seriously folks, I’ve been
very lucky in love. My heart has never been broken. I was an emotionally
resilient young man.
6. What should we expect from the new record?
Will its style be wholly different from the previous ones?
K: You can expect that Electric Six
will give 100% of itself to the new record. You can expect that it will sound
like the band you know and love. But it will also sound new and exciting.
D: New record won’t be wholly
different than previous records although I do have a lot to say about how much
guitar I'll be laying down which is shitloads. Expect it to be one serious
motherfucker and to be available in late spring.
7. Are you going to sing another Christmas song
this year?
K: No. It's best to not do a Christmas
song every year. I'm sure will do another one in the future.
D: We didn’t sing another Christmas song.
Although next year I’m really going to insist that "Down with the Christmas"
become an international phenomenon.
8. What song would you like to cover next?
K: Trouble by Lindsey Buckingham.
D: "Gary's in the Park"
9. What is the craziest thing you’ve done on
the stage?
K: Never done anything crazy.
[Oh well...]
D: Crazy Horses.
10. The weirdest thing your fan did?
K: Everything our fans do brings us
joy.
D: Video games.
11. Have you ever had any different job, not
related to music?
K: I used to work in TV production. It
feels like a lifetime ago. I made the mistake of believing I could be creative
in the TV profession. It turned out it was like working in a factory. I was not
happy in that career.
D: I got on my high horse about that
in question 3.
12. If you could turn into your favorite
book/movie character for one day, who would that be?
K: Ferris Bueller.
D: Fantasy is lost on me.
13. What thing would you like to change in the
world?
K: I would like to live in a world
with time travel. I would change the fact that there is no way to travel
through time.
D: I would like for all of the world’s
children to put down their guitars and pick up a baseball glove. Go out there
and play some catch with your dad or uncle.
14. Favorite drink.
K: Coffee.
D: Coors Light.
15. Favorite sweet.
K: Donut.
D: Peanut butter.
16. The best beer is… [Note: Tyler says it’s
Michelob]
K: Don't drink beer. If I did, my
answer would be Coors Light.
D: Fuller’s
London Pride.
17. What do you like about Russia? Dislike?
K: I love everything about Russia. I love that it's a massive country,
spanning several timezones. I love that the people of Russia are wonderful and
crazy. Really, there is nothing to dislike.
D: Like: architecture, friendly
people, vodka. Dislike: you have to get your WiFi situation figured
out. I’m trying to maintain a happy marriage from thousands of miles away and
she expects a call or email from me.
18. St. Petersburg or Moscow?
K: Now, that is not a fair question.
Those 2 cities are unique and wonderful in their own ways. Imagine if you had 2
children. And one was asking you which you liked more. You know in your heart
you love them both with all your heart. Even if 1 of the 2 kids gets into more
trouble. You still love them the same. Maybe one kid grows up and spends some
time in a Russian prison. You still love them both the same.
D: This is a tough one. I’m sorry,
Moscow, but I have to go with St. Petersburg. My reasons I shall keep to myself.
19. What would you like to say to you Russian
fans?
K: To all of the Russian Electric Six
fans, thank you for your love. Thank you for your support. As a young boy
growing up in Durand Michigan USA, I never imagined I would be traveling across
the world to perform music. You bring me great pride. The pride and happiness
you bring me will be directed into the music I help create moving forward.
D: I look forward to maintaining the
cold peace with you all. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not a worthless
pile of shit like my dad said I was.
January 2013
Leela Landers
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