|
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Pat on the Back / DVD & Live CD
Page 1
Page 2
Travis Speaks -
Part Deux
Page
3
The Bootlog
Page
4
Fan Profile / What Lurks Below
Page 5
What You Did & Didn't See At the Show
Page 6
Page 7
The Reviews
Page
8
Page
9
Page
10
Page
11
Page 12
Page 13
BTE Trivia
Contest Winners
Page
14
Page
15
Page
16
News & Links
Page
17
Map of Ezra
Page 18
TTOY Hall of Fame
Page 19
BTE Impressions
Page 20
THE ARCHIVES
Volume 1
Mar.
2003
May 2003
July
2003
Sept.
2003
Nov.
2003
Jan.
2004
Volume 2
Mar.
2004
May 2004
July
2004
|
|
TRAVIS SPEAKS, PART DEUX!
by EnglishDave
Imagine my surprise when I checked my email the other day only to
find the long-awaited second installment of the Serenade's
November 2003 Travis McNabb
interview.
Travis Takes a Moment at a Recent Show
(Photo: Peter T. Phan)
This portion of the interview focuses on Travis' musical influences and
the day to day life of rock 'n' roll drummer: Do you remember the first album you purchased?
The first single I purchased as a young kid (maybe 7 or 8) was "96
tears" by ?and the Mysterians. It was an oldie then but I couldn't
get enough of that keyboard part. I listened to my parents album
collection all of my life, then began taping songs off of the radio as I
got a bit older, so it wasn't till middle school that I bought any
albums. I think my first was the first Men At Work album.
And what was your first rock show?
As a very young child I remember gong to a music festival or two
with my parents. My first concert as a teenager was the summer
before my freshman year of high school. It was The Police with
Madness and The Thompson Twins. Great show.
Are there any favorite albums you usually recommend to friends?
Finley Quaye "Maverick A Strike" and the new one both are great.
Nora Jones of course. Any Beatles. Any Clash. Any Zeppelin.
The Meters "Look-Ka Py Py."
The Chili Peppers "The Uplift Mofo Party Plan" or "BloodSugarSexMagik."
Any TheThe. Any Crowded House. Any U2. Either Fiona
Apple. Almost any Randy Newman especially "Good Old Boys" and "Sail
Away." Los Lobos "Kiko," and most everything since. The
Neville Brothers "Yellow Moon." This is what comes to mind off
hand, some are all time faves some are recent finds.
Can you name one of your musical "guilty pleasures?"
I was a huge DuranDuran fan, but I don't feel that guilty about it.
Do you play any other musical instruments?
I learned a bit of guitar from my dad as a kid, but I cant really play
it. I tinker on the piano.
Which musicians would you give anything to play/record with?
The list is too long. See the above list of faves.
What's your favorite city and venue when you're on the road and
why?
New York cause its New York. D.C.- the 9:30 Club - a great venue and
my brother Mark lives there. San Francisco, one of my favorite
places in the world. Chicago- good friends (management and booking
agency) are there. And New Orleans, of course, as it’s home. |
|
Travis Delivers a "Quote of the Day"
(Photo: Rohry F.)
What inspired your recent "quote of the day?" Does this
mean you'll be getting a full-time mic?
I don't think the guys want to give me a mic, they want to perpetuate
the myth of drummer as caveman: "HIT DRUM! DRUM GOOOOOD-UGH!!"
Is being a rock drummer as physically challenging as it looks? Any
common ailments?
It is quite a workout. It can be hard on the joints. Carpel
Tunnel Syndrome. Occasionally you cut a finger or hand on a rim or
cymbal. Muscle cramps. The list goes on...
Who would you recite as your major drumming influences? Is that
story true about the tip you got from Larry Mullen, Jr. Of U2?
Top 3: Ringo (The Beatles), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Zigaboo Modeleste
(The Meters).
Other favorites are Larry Mullen Jr.(U2), Stewart Copeland (The
Police), Matt Chamberlain (has played on everything from Fiona Apple to
Macy Gray to The Wallflowers), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden), Stanton Moore
(Galactic among others), Jack Iorns (earlier Chilli Peppers among others)
and the great Jim Keltner (has played with everyone including John Lennon,
Pink Floyd , Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, Elvis Costello and the Bee
Gees).
And yes, Larry Mullen told me to "hit em hard" when I was about 16 or
17.
Think you'll ever move your drums up front Fred LeBlanc style?
No, but we've discussed putting me a little further up but to the side and
pointing in at an angle toward the the other guys with Kevin in the center
of the stage.
Which BTE song do you think best demonstrates your skills as a
drummer?
No one in particular. Its like children, no favorites allowed.
Really, the truth is that some things might be more technically
challenging but the same kind of concentration goes into everything. "Take
the work seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously" is something I
heard recently, and I identify with that.
Will you be getting your own section on the message board anytime
soon?
We'll see.
Thanks for the great interview, Travis.
Travis Sings a Fan's Guitar at Ortley Beach
(Photo: Erin)
|
