Photo credit: Dave Brolan
Tell us about your tour vehicle.
When we started touring we had a Ford Econoline 15 passenger van. We modified it so all the gear fit in the back and there was a little bed you could sleep in. We got rid of it (gave it to charity) when there were too many miles on it and too many repairs. I don’t remember how many miles but guessing around 200,000. Now we rent a mini van and a car. I had one of the rental cars stolen in Rochester, NY…that was a drag because it happened the morning I was catching a flight home, end of tour. Don’t rent a KIA, those are the ones kids steal to make crazy Tik Tok videos.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
Try to eat healthy but let’s face it, it’s not always possible. Most of the time you don’t have a choice and you don’t have time so you eat what’s put in front of you. Nuts are a good snack to have with you, also try to drink a lot of water and avoid soda. Beer and wine ok, in moderation of course!
If you’re trying to save money on the road bringing PBJ’s is a good option, it travels better than cold cuts. I try to make up for bad eating habits on the road by eating salads when I’m home. I hardly ever order a salad at restaurants anymore because I just don’t trust the quality or who has been preparing it. If I have to order pub grub or if I’m in a dubious restaurant I’ll order a burger, you can’t mess that up.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I don’t count but I change my strings after 4 gigs sometimes sooner if I’ve been playing in a hot environment and my hands have been sweaty.
I have an endorsement deal with Dunlop, so I get my strings, pics, capo’s, tuners free.
Where do you rehearse?
When the band started in 1994 we all lived in Nashville and rehearsed at Danny’s house. There was a large room over a 3 car garage. Now we all live in different places so we rehearse at soundcheck at the venue.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
First song was an instrumental “Rampage” I was a big Link Wray fan and this was a result. The first song with lyrics was “Ballbuster Baby”
A sample lyric : I love you baby with all my heart but you really know how to tear me apart, you’re ball buster baby, you’re a ball buster baby, well you never give me no credit at all, all you wanna do is bust my balls
Describe your first gig.
Playing a birthday party at a volunteer firehouse in Prospect Heights, NY. I was 12; the name of the band was The Kreases. We played “Gloria”, “Hang on Sloopy”, and “Wipe Out”. I had a Hagstrom III guitar and a Fender amp. I still play those songs!
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
I worked for 5 years at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville. I was a doorman and bellhop.
Favorite non music job: I was a guest bartender on ladies night at The Hungry Duck in Moscow, Russia May 1998. I poured nothing but vodka for 2 hours to women only and then they let men in. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
I don’t pay much attention to money and never did, you don’t get into music for money that’s for sure, you get in it for FAME! Just kidding, sort of. It’s gotten better, club money doesn’t seem to change much but festivals etc pay a lot more. We’ve been touring with Nick Lowe for 10 years so that makes it seem better. A musician should have a partner who is smart with money. Live below your means and start an IRA early and contribute to it consistently.
5-10 years from now I expect to sell my catalog for a million dollars or have a song in a movie soundtrack that sells 30 million copies!
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Life is an experiment, pay attention