After an hour on the phone, we both realized that we just had a great conversation about everything from music to movies to sports to life. It was almost as if we were friends.OK, stop your laughing. The point is, Scott was awesome – and willing to touch on any subject I wanted him to. Unfortunately, Say What?!?! doesn’t fill up the entire publication, so, our interview/conversation will be kept to a minimum. However, if you dig what Scooter is saying, then go check out his band, Red Wanting Blue, as they rock out for Chi-town. Word!
Whaddup, man, how’s the tour treatin’ ya?
Man, it’s been great. Everything has been fantastic. We have been going a mile a minute for the past two months, so, it was nice to have off a few days here before playing Chicago.
Sweet. We all need a break in life.
That’s for sure. I have been taking it easy and have been hanging out with my girlfriend in New York City. It’s the first time in what feels like forever that I have been allowed to actually relax.
Right on. So, I got to ask, since you guys aren’t the biggest band around, is the road tougher? I mean, you have to work a little harder for your fans?
Yeah, we are working pretty hard, man. Like the last trip we did, we played all over the country, from one ocean to the next. And, I think we have been doing a great job of building a solid fan base. We still have some cities where no one knows us. We can play to a crowd of a thousand in Ohio and then 50 in San Diego. But, that’s what it is all about. Hopefully our fan base will continue to expand as we tour more.
Sometimes it does take time for a band to mature with fans. I think you guys are on your way.
Thanks Nick.
So, how are the ladies on the road?
Um, well, I have a girlfriend, so, I can’t really think about that one.
(Laughs) That’s right, you do have a girl.
(Laughs)
Well, I was meaning more like are they coming out to see their wannabe hot rocker boyfriend, you, on stage?
(Laughs) Everyone is very sweet and, um, unique on the road. I can’t say anything incriminating (laughs). There are far too many people who might read this.
That’s for sure. I wouldn’t want to ruin your career.
Well, it’s funny cause on our message board people say the craziest things. It’s ridiculous. I love the fan’s support and love how supportive they are, but I wonder how they find the time to talk about what they talk about on our message boards. Don’t they have busy lives, too?
The Internet has changed the name of the game.
(Laughs) That’s for sure. I envy the bands in the '70s who got to live and play before the Internet came around. It’s just ridiculous.
Going back to the girl life.
Oh, man.
(Laughs) It’s got to be tough to leave the gf and go on the road.
Oh yeah, but she is very respective and supportive of the band, so it works.
And if she wasn’t?
Well, it would probably feel like when a kid has a father who is not supportive of what he does. The same rules apply to the girlfriend. If she is passionate about it, then you find a way to make it work. A lot of times the girlfriend is there to support you, especially in times when you don’t want to go on the road anymore. I’m checking in at three in the morning, driving straight through the night, desperately needing a shower, it gets tough. But the girlfriend is always there.
A solid.
Exactly. I think I would be a lonelier person if I didn’t have a girlfriend. I would be more emotional.
So, does your writing style change depending on whether you have a girlfriend or not?
I’m sure it changes.
And, I bet you write better songs, at least for you, when you are in a relationship.
Oh, absolutely. It’s a real easy thing to write a song about being heartbroken when you are sad and depressed, but I really enjoy writing about the other end, the happiness.
OK, so I have to start a war.
A war, huh?
Yeah. A few weeks ago I interviewed the Ghettobillies.
Who are they?
A band out of Chicago.
OK.
Well, they said everyone from Ohio sucks and no one from Ohio knows music. Since you are from there, I think you could probably fight back.
(Laughs) Hmm, people from Ohio suck and they don’t understand music.
That’s what they said.
If Ohio sucks, then I feel bad for Alaska and Arkansas (laughs).
Uh oh, now you’re starting a war with another band from another state.
(Bleep) Maybe I should have said Rhode Island. We could probably beat them up.
(Laughs)
(Laughs) It just seems a little narrow minded for them so say something like that. Isn’t the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio? And the song about Cleveland rocking? (Lauighs)
This should be a great war, dude. I’m sending the Ghettobillies over to the Double Door when you are in Chicago to start this war.
(Laughs) Oh yeah, rumble in Chicago.
And, then I will get all the TV stations and Rolling Stone to cover it and make you famous – for kicking their (bleeps).
(Laughs) You are the man. You are the man.
• Nick Powills can be reached at SayWhatPOWILLS@aol.com.Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
