fastball
Having released a very enjoyable slice of rock-n-pop. Ireallylovemusic got the opportunity to set a few easy q’s to fastball's miles zuniga
What’s been the driving factor to get the band going through it all again? Of the three of you who required a little more coercion to join the party again? And why?
We played a big Xmas party in Atlanta. I hadn’t played with Tony and Joey in a while. It was so much fun and it made me want to get together again. I probably needed the most coercion just because I was so miserable before.
Re ‘in The Way’ : was the intensity of the initial breakthrough rather too much for a band to survive? Have you fallen in love, out of love, back in love with the song, or, has the song become your own ‘Creep’ (a la Radiohead). Did the song nearly kill the group off forever? Or, are you forever grateful for what the song did for you?
I am forever grateful for what the song did for us. It put us on the map.
Then after the initial rush of that song – all went quiet?
It probably seemed quiet to you and the rest of the world. We were still working just as hard. In the music business, if your record flops, you disappear.
I recall seeing a follow on album briefly on the shelves but heard nothing from it.
What happened?
The first single “You’re an Ocean” didn’t become a smash hit. After that, Hollywood Records pulled the plug .
So what brought the three of you back together? What have you been up to in the hiatus?
We got back together because Tony still had my lawnmower. I moved to Nashville to write Country Songs.
The new album has a consistent flow throughout of solid songs and a clean ‘live in the studio’ instrumentation type of feel. Was this how you wanted the album to sound?
The live in the studio feel came from us. We did the record live. The clean feel came from Bob Clearmountain. He really put a nice sheen on it.
What - no radio friendly pop punk number to get the youthful masses on board? Surely some mistake?
We’re too old for that shit.
What are the influences on the bands sound in 2004?
Red Wine, Tobacco and Marijuana.
There is little in the way of modern production techniques do you not have the urge to go a little wild sonically from time to time?
Yes. We’re almost done with our 1970’s period.
I have noticed that you have supported Cowboy Junkies and Jim White, interesting choices, are you really an alt.americana band at heart ? (‘airstream’ certainly indicates classic rock vibes are not far from your passions)
Well, I really do love Lucinda Williams. I also really like the Jayhawks. That’s good company to be lumped in with. I’d rather be an Alt-Country band than a pop-punk band. Any day of the week.
The songs on the album seem to be full of regret and sorrow, with, the mismatch of happy sounding songs with sad lyrics being a key factor throughout an album called ‘Keep Your Wig On’ indicates that you have humour within despite the downtempo emotional groove (though ‘Red Light’ aint too serious is it !) ?
We’re actually really funny people. We’re not as serious as we might sound. We decided to try and show that aspect more often.
Re the creation of these songs, were you actually going through particularly hard times or are the songs sung via imaginary characters, or, are these songs directly personal?
The best songs are usually very personal. Life’s a bitch. It’s also a lot of fun. We like minor chords and pretty melodies. A recurring theme in our music is a longing to escape.
Are you wanting/expecting another massive radio hit from this album, or, are you wanting a more steady type of rock-n-roll career?
I certainly wouldn’t mind another radio hit
And with that the band dashed off into the virtual ether.
The bands fine new album ‘keep your wig is out now on rykodisc. reviewed here.