hollywood's publicity dept. called me wed. morning to confirm that my
interview w/the band (for my college station) was confirmed for 5pm at the
club. the trip to w-s was shorter than i thought it would be, so i was
early, but the band was already at ziggy's. shortly thereafter i was treated
to a private concert just for me! (actually, it was soundcheck, but lemme
dream!) a few points:

no one on this list has any right to diss Steward again, even if u don't
know, 'cause i'm telling u now. he's a badass. i'm a drummer and i wouldn't
call myself a badass, but i think i have good technique, time, decent chops,
etc. so i know what i'm talking about here. watching him warm up was a
clinic. took me to school, made me briefly consider quitting music and
taking up crocheting or something, and finally, making me woodshed behind my
own drumkit for probably 5 hours today, soon as i go get lunch (breakfast?).
a bit later, he, McKight and Spacey were playing this INTENSE funk-metal
workout, which i found out was totally improvised! we all know spacey's
mastered his instrument, but McKight is damn good too- he played keys and
guitar in this jam and held his own w/the others, even on 2nd guitar. Wood
told me later that the 3 new cats would be just as involved in writing new
material as the orig. 3, and this is good news from what i heard.

the interview was the most fun i've had interviewing a band. Wood, Steward,
and McKnight, over hot wings and greek salads at the "pig place" or
something like that. i purposely stayed away from rehashing history stuff,
it's all well documented. i started with the recording of the new lp, & Wood
talked about how hard it was coordinating the project until Gwen, Perry, and
RHCP came in, then everyone else came running. they discussed working
w/steve (wood had nicer things to say than what's been told on the list),
told some interesting stories about the recording process and touring w/the
current lineup (the stripping nun!). wood also discussed how the "machine"
has changed w/the new guys, and steward & mcknight talked about their prior
bands, how it led to Fishbone (or, in McKnight's case, didn't), how the
ride's been for them and how musically fullfilling it is for them. wood
capped off the interview discussing how he feels about being so revered and
respected in the industry and (therefore?) not moving a lot of units- he
said he wouldn't have it any other way. he's in it for the long haul, and he
feels this is nearly guaranteed- most who make huge $ quickly don't have it
when they die. once i've edited the interview (removing the waiter and
pauses, leaving in Wood talking with a mouth full of chicken wings!), i'll
send the tape to whoever wants to encode it an put it on their site.
josefek? dave?

the show was great- good turnout despite very little promotion. the pit was
weak, though. a few of us were gettin' our skankin' and moshin' on but not
enough for Angelo to swim. i'd want to know i wouldn't hit the floor also, i
guess...! i don't have a set list, 'cause when i looked at it after the show
they had varied from it and i hadn't written it down (dancin' too much to
bother). it was a good mix from their career. they played everything from
the new lp except "dear god", and didn't play anything from GAMAB even
though Unyielding was on the set list. a lot of stuff was played slower than
the recorded versions (Problems, Shakey Ground, Date), which i thought was
an interesting change from all the other shows i've seen, including the new
lineup last fall, where a lot of stuff was played faster than normal.
Sunless Saturday, the closer, was still blazin' fast though!

so, another day at school for me, but w/a teacher conference between the
lessons! can't wait 'til the wilmington show tonight. Garrett, i'll be
rolling into town around 8, i think, i'll try to give u a ring. i might also
try to get over to Saxon's pre-show also- hopefully with some band members
in tow- for a couple of rounds (if u don't know, take Market to Front, hang
a left, and it's a cpl. of blocks down on the right). My friend from back
home co-owns it and we'll get hooked up there.

i need a nap before i go. i'll let Garrett fill y'all in on tonight's show
if he wants. peace, -T.