When I saw that one of my favorite ska bands of all time had an email address, I had to write and try to get an interview. Art was kind enough to consent to an interview around September ‘96 and returned it promptly. Thanks a lot to the whole band!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RISING TIDE OF GANGSTERS IN THE SKA SCENE?
ART- ???
Yo, I'm down wit my homeboys!
Seriously, the Boston scene is pretty low-key. You get a few people dressed up like Walt Jabsco, and maybe a few skin-chicks and assorted mods, but most of the audience is pretty "normal".
ARE THERE ANY GOALS/ AMBITIONS/ PURPOSES FOR THE BAND?
CHILD ACTORS: PRO/CON?
WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER NOT DO: PICK SOMEONE ELSE'S NOSE OR HAVE TO POOP IN A PLACE WITH A DIRTY SEAT AND NO DOOR?
WHO IS CUTER: JANE JETSON OR BETTY RUBBLE?
DO YOU FIND I HARD TO PLAY AND STUFF WITH MEMBERS IN SO MANY OTHER BANDS?
WHAT IS THE BEST COMMERCIAL OF ALL TIME?
ASK ME 3 QUESTIONS AND I WILL ANSWER THEM.
ART- What is the most bizarre ska/reggae cover you've ever heard?
ART- Why is a raven like a writing desk?
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE RECENT RENEWED INTEREST IN SKA?
SO WHO IS EARNEST?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASONING AND WHY?
WHAT KIND OF SOCKS DO YOU WEAR?
SO DOES KRISHNA HAVE A PLACE IN SKA OR IS IT JUST INTRUDING?
REVERSE INTERVIEW!!! GIVE QUESTIONS FOR THESE ANSWERS
ONCE, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I WOULD DO IT AGAIN, BUT THEN AGAIN IT PROBABLY DOESN'T MATTER MUCH NOW SINCE THE OPPORTUNITY IS JUST NOT THERE THESE DAYS IT SEEMS.
IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND JUST A HASSLE TO ME, SEEMS A LOT MORE TROUBLE THAN IT IS WORTH. FINE FOR OTHER PEOPLE IF THEY CAN DO IT.
OH, GRAY DEFINITELY, THE OTHER ONES JUST DON'T CUT IT. NO PERFORMANCE.
OK, BACK TO NORMAL.
WHAT IS THE WORST SUPERPOWER TO HAVE?
ANY CLOSING COMMENTS / QUOTES / ETC.?
ART- Staying together long enough to record another album!
ART- Actually, three of the members of Steady Earnest are former child stars, so we're very much in favor (you have to figure out which ones!)
ART- Definitely the pick somebody else's nose. I've done the other a couple of times at local Boston clubs!
ART- That's tough... I'm going to vote for the tall chick on "Scooby Doo".
ART- Sometimes I find it hard to believe that so many of the same people can play in different bands... I haven't stuffed with any of my bandmates in so long...
I've often thought that if I were in only one band, (esp. Steady Earnest) I'd go nuts. S-)
ART- Dancing packs of cigarettes in the old "Doral" ads (before your time? -- maybe I'm just nostalgic!)
ART- What are the most important trends in American ska right now?
THE BISCUITS SERVED AT EVERY SHOW, DEFINITELY. I COULDN'T KEEP SKANKING WITHOUT 'EM! THE ADDISTION OF PROVISIONS IN THE FORM OF BISCUITS EASILY MOVED THE GENRE BEYOND THE PREVIOUS BOUNDRIES.
THE RUDIMENTS DOING MINOR THREAT'S "I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT" OR PERHAPS
WELL, THAT IS EASY, YOU BIG SILLY! BECAUSE SMALL BISCUITS CAN GO IN BOTH. OR THE OTHER ANSWER IS BECAUSE ONE IS IN THE SEA, THE OTHER CURES SEA SICKNESS.
ART- I'm in favor of it! Seriously, as a member of a ska band, I have no real reason to oppose it, y'know?
ART- Well, we're all pretty grave!
ART- Carling's Black Label, because it keeps our practice space smelling frat-house-fresh.
ART- Cheap ones.
ART- All is one. Noah is God.
ART- Has distributing cheese products proved successful for the band?
ART- Why did the band decide to stop performing in full drag?
ART- Name your favorite lunch-meat.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
ART- Going to sleep soon, and ultimately opening for Aerosmith on a world tour.
ART- Heavy-Metal Guitar Man:
He can move his fingers faster than the speed of light, but he can't carry a tune!
"Everybody get ready...
It's time to Rock Steady!"
Take it easy,
--Art