001.1995.002

Fri Apr 28 1995

43:16 - DAT Master, WAV and Mp3 on Server and Cloud

00:35 John Popper and Chan Kinchla are introduced 01:30 Talks about how the band met in highschool. 01:50 After highschool, the band went to New York and started to play together. 02:20 The band has been together since graduation in 1987 02:30 Audience member shouts he was there. Some banter. 02:40 Discussed how the band grew up together and they talk about they learned to play off each other but they don’t really know how they have stayed together all these years. 04:00 They talk about struggling when they first start out as just kids crammed into the back of a van touring the country. 04:30 Its changed in the sense that they feel like they are much better musicians now. 05:48 John talks about his ambition to be a comedian. He tells a joke. 06:15 Chan talks about how he was going to be a football player after highschool but says the drugs and women are better as a musician. 06:30 They talk about the relationship between the band and drugs. Mostly they play straight on stage then do whatever afterward. They talk about how they mostly experimented when they were younger. They continue to talk about the Grateful Dead and the feeling of “social music” and how people want to dance. 08:31 Discussion of their logo, the Screaming Cat. 09:00 Their recent album “four” gets discussed. They talk about how they feel that it is their best studio effort to date. They felt that they were aiming more for the radio compared to their older albums. 11:22 Audience Question: “Why did you choose to release singles of this album and not others?” The band responds that they actually did, they just didn’t get played often. The band continues to talk about playing with The Dave Matthews Band and why they have been getting more radio play lately. The feel that its hard to identify why that is they feel more mature and focused. 13:00 They talk about the difference between playing for the record and playing live. 14:43 Audience Question for John: “Do you remember John from the rehab center?” John proceeds to tell a story about breaking his leg on a motorcycle and how that man helped him walk again. Some audience banter happens. 16:22 Demonstration: “Price to Pay” 22:32 They talk about the meaning of the song and how its about a madeup character of a dude who is lost at one of their shows. 23:02 They talk about their “regulars” that they see repeatedly at their shows. Gina is one of their first fans who they eventually hired and took on tour with them. 24:31 Audience Question: “What do you guys think of New Orleans music and where do you guys like to go here?” The band responds that it doesn’t really matter as its always fun here. Favorite venues include Tipitina’s and the House of Blues. 27:00 Audience Question: “Can I have a harmonica?” A mild frenzy happens as the band proceeds to give out a bunch of harmonicas to people watching. 30:00 Audience Question: “Can we tape at your shows?” Band says yes but as long as its not DAT format. 30:41 Audience Question: “What was it like jamming with Elwood (Blues of the Blues Brothers)?” The band responds that it was amazing. John was especially impressed because Dan Aykroyd was an inspiration as a comedian. 31:17 The bands relationship with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam is talked about. 31:37 Audience Question: “How old were you when you started playing harmonica and was it the Blues Brothers who inspired you to do so?” John responds that yes it was along with Paul Butterfield and the songs he would play. Muddy Waters was mentioned as an influence as well as Jimi Hendrix. He started to play harmonica when he was 14 or 15 years old. 32:40 They talk about how its like touring the country right now. They say its nice to see people having fun together and just letting loose. 33:59 Audience Question: “Can you play the Star Spangled Banner like Hendrix?” 34:34 Demonstration: “Star Spangled Banner” Harmonica Cover 36:56 Demonstration: “Hook” 41:59 Closing remarks 43:16 Interview Ends.

Blues Traveller (two members). Grant Morris interviewer.

sound recording

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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive