But, there was most certainly a reason for my wild dancing – I love Cake. I want it and I will eat it too!Cake has made a history of being a band known to think outside the box. Their lyrics are deep and difficult to comprehend, unless you really divulge yourself in their music. I have, and I love it.
So, hanging out backstage (yes, I had to brag a little), I had the chance to meet up with one of my favorite bands, so I figured I would share the experience with you. Also, the boys will be back in the studio soon enough to rock out another priceless classic. Rock on rock gods!
Lead singer John McCrea and trumpeter Vincent di Flore join me and my lovely date (we’ll just call her my lovely date to protect the innocent) for a wonderful chat. John just finished eating his din din.
You still hungry man?
John: Nah, I just got some food over there.
Want a slice of Cake?
John and Vince: (Laughs)
Vince: Yeah, good one (laughs).
You got to eat your dinner alone without anyone bugging you, what a life.
Vince: John got in a couple of bite.
Yeah, but no one bugged you.
John: I guess that’s true, but I still have to do this interview (laughs).
You guys are huge now. How does it feel to be such big rock stars?
Vince: We don’t feel the band is huge, When we play a festival we always draw a huge crowd because people can see us for free. We have never had a problem bringing people to our shows, but, you know, we are enjoying a nice level of success, but it has never gone through the roof. We are happy with the success that we have had.
Do you guys prefer it that way?
John: It’s sort of the way we have had it planned. We are not trying to blow up and be huge stars. Why would anyone want that, unless they had really serious childhood issues?
Everyone: (Laughs)
Vince: It’s always nice to pull off a big show. It’s nice to realize that you can do it.
Hey, I saw you guys today. And trust me, you pulled off a great show. I was the one out there dancing like a moron.
Lovely: Yeah, trust me, he really embarrassed me out there (laughs).
Hey, I had some moves. And me, unlike some other journalists, I am a huge fan of you guys. I was like 14 when I bought my first Cake album. You guys rock, man.
John and Vince: Thank you.
John: We have a lot of anti-Cake journalists. It’s sort of exciting in a way. We have had some negative press. Unfortunately, if we have a Cake song playing right next to a Creed song, a lot of journalists will ask what the difference is.
Unfortunately, that’s the way the business goes these days.
John: Yeah, today, you are guilty by association, It’s unfortunate.
So, does that upset you?
John: Honestly, uh, throughout the years there have been a lot of smart critics who have come to our defense. One of the first places where we got successful was in France. Uh, music journalists there were really brave enough to go out on a limb and say we love this band. America press didn’t know what to say, which sucked. But, having the journalists from France tell us about their appreciation has given us some benchmarks along the way that have shown that we are on track.
Right on.
John; But also, we like this kind of music. We wouldn’t play it if we didn’t love it. And you know, if there is someone who hates our band, I know I would hate the music they listen to. So, that’s why I didn’t become a mathmatician, because I like the fact that things are relative.
Everyone: (Laughs)
And, you guys are a different kind of music. People with open minds will get you guys. They will understand you.
John: It’s just music. In a way, the fan is anti-rock. We think rock is stupid.
Vince: Uh, yeah. It’s the same the practitioners of um the um orthidox responded as well.
John: (Looks at Vince with a blind face) Uh, there you go.
Nick: (Laughs)
Are you guys going to go out tonight?
John: Nope.
Vince: Unfortunately, we have to get on our bus.
Lovely: (Chiming in perfectly) Do you guys like Chicago?
John: We love Chicago. That’s not even a question. Chicago is one of our favorite cities.
Lovely: Yeah, definitely.
John: What’s not to like?
Lovely: I bet you guys can go out here and not get recognized and just enjoy the city.
John: Absolutely. Well, you become a cartoon character sometimes. Hey, there’s Mickey Mouse (laughs).
Lovely: So, when you guys do get recognized, is it difficult to distinquish if they are coming up to you because they actually respect what you do, or because you are famous?
John: You never really know. I mean look, you know, you can’t know what someone is all about in one second.
Vince: I like going up and talking to people. I was waking back from a gig in Nashville and I was stopped by three wonderful women. One was a mom and the other two were her daughters and they invited me out to their horse ranch outside of Nashville. I will never go, but it was nice to be invited.
Well, next time you are in Chicago, you can stop by my apartment and have a cold one (laughs).
Vince: (Laughs) Maybe if you dance for us.
OK, I can’t dance. I will admit it, but still it would be awesome to hang with you guys.
John: (Looking at lovely) You will have to dance with him.
Lovely: He dances crazy.
Yeah, I was up, enjoying your guy’s music and she was just sitting in the grass. What’s up with that?
Lovely: I was sitting out of embarrassment.
John: Well, I think you should dance with him. I bet he tries.
Everyone: (Laughs)
• Nick Powills can be reached at SayWhatPOWILLS@aol.com.
