May 04 2000 @ Ziggy's Winston Salem, NC

hollywood's publicity dept. called me wed. morning to confirm that my interview w/the band (for my college station) was confirmed for 5pm at the club. the trip to w-s was shorter than i thought it would be, so i was early, but the band was already at ziggy's. shortly thereafter i was treated to a private concert just for me! (actually, it was soundcheck, but lemme dream!) a few points:

no one on this list has any right to diss Steward again, even if u don't know, 'cause i'm telling u now. he's a badass. i'm a drummer and i wouldn't call myself a badass, but i think i have good technique, time, decent chops, etc. so i know what i'm talking about here. watching him warm up was a clinic. took me to school, made me briefly consider quitting music and taking up crocheting or something, and finally, making me woodshed behind my own drumkit for probably 5 hours today, soon as i go get lunch (breakfast?). a bit later, he, McKight and Spacey were playing this INTENSE funk-metal workout, which i found out was totally improvised! we all know spacey's mastered his instrument, but McKight is damn good too- he played keys and guitar in this jam and held his own w/the others, even on 2nd guitar. Wood told me later that the 3 new cats would be just as involved in writing new material as the orig. 3, and this is good news from what i heard.

the interview was the most fun i've had interviewing a band. Wood, Steward, and McKnight, over hot wings and greek salads at the "pig place" or something like that. i purposely stayed away from rehashing history stuff, it's all well documented. i started with the recording of the new lp, & Wood talked about how hard it was coordinating the project until Gwen, Perry, and RHCP came in, then everyone else came running. they discussed working w/steve (wood had nicer things to say than what's been told on the list), told some interesting stories about the recording process and touring w/the current lineup (the stripping nun!). wood also discussed how the "machine" has changed w/the new guys, and steward & mcknight talked about their prior bands, how it led to Fishbone (or, in McKnight's case, didn't), how the ride's been for them and how musically fullfilling it is for them. wood capped off the interview discussing how he feels about being so revered and respected in the industry and (therefore?) not moving a lot of units- he said he wouldn't have it any other way. he's in it for the long haul, and he feels this is nearly guaranteed- most who make huge $ quickly don't have it when they die. once i've edited the interview (removing the waiter and pauses, leaving in Wood talking with a mouth full of chicken wings!), i'll send the tape to whoever wants to encode it an put it on their site. josefek? dave?

the show was great- good turnout despite very little promotion. the pit was weak, though. a few of us were gettin' our skankin' and moshin' on but not enough for Angelo to swim. i'd want to know i wouldn't hit the floor also, i guess...! i don't have a set list, 'cause when i looked at it after the show they had varied from it and i hadn't written it down (dancin' too much to bother). it was a good mix from their career. they played everything from the new lp except "dear god", and didn't play anything from GAMAB even though Unyielding was on the set list. a lot of stuff was played slower than the recorded versions (Problems, Shakey Ground, Date), which i thought was an interesting change from all the other shows i've seen, including the new lineup last fall, where a lot of stuff was played faster than normal. Sunless Saturday, the closer, was still blazin' fast though!

so, another day at school for me, but w/a teacher conference between the lessons! can't wait 'til the wilmington show tonight. Garrett, i'll be rolling into town around 8, i think, i'll try to give u a ring. i might also try to get over to Saxon's pre-show also- hopefully with some band members in tow- for a couple of rounds (if u don't know, take Market to Front, hang a left, and it's a cpl. of blocks down on the right). My friend from back home co-owns it and we'll get hooked up there.

i need a nap before i go. i'll let Garrett fill y'all in on tonight's show if he wants. peace, -T.

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