Photo credit: Gary Isaacs
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
We drive a ’99 Chevy Express 3500 with a little over 240,000 Miles. We never break down and have never missed a show.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
We eat when we’re hungry. I don’t think any of us are particularly food driven. I like to eat Poutine in Canada. They even have it at McDonald’s.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I broke a toe once. I don’t know if that counts.
Where do you rehearse?
Sound check works great for rehearsal. We have a lot of fun.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
Everybody do the salami. Who you gonna do it for? Do it for Johnny.
Describe your first gig.
I remember I had a bad cold and a bunch of people from school who never talked to me were there. I was so nervous. It was 1983. It was snowing. My mom let me have a sick day from school the next day. She’s the best.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
I used to be introduced as the singing computer repair man.
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?
We do ok. In 10 years I might make it up to $20,000 a year.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
I would have told myself to stick with it. Playing music for the rest of your life with your friends is awesome. I’m not kidding.