Move over Cameron Crowe – I’m going to interview a rocker.

Before we start, can I just say,  Almost Famous (based on his experiences touring with rock bands) has one of my favorite movie scenes of all times … ah yes, the Tiny Dancer bus scene.

Of course I can say that – because this is my blog.  And having said that – you should know that I don’t make a habit of interviewing bands, but,  like, omg guys, I totally know the drummer.  And singer.  Okay, we were married.  For 10 years, but only together for about 6 months.

The 10 year thing – probably a REALLY good thing, because before I quit drinking, the only reason I didn’t wake up not knowing where I was with a shiny new rock on my left hand was because I was legally married.  Phew!

He is happily married with children now and throughout the years, we’ve managed to drift in and out of each others lives and stay friends.

As pathetic as I am maintaining romantic relationships, I do seem to have a knack of being a great ‘friend who’s an ex.’

Adam (AKA: mOji from the SANE days) who seriously rocks vocals and drums, is joined by Mr. X on guitar and Brendon Ghiringhelli on Bass.

(“On guitar” What does that mean?  If I had a nice guitar, nobody better be ‘on’ it.  Get off my guitar.  Now I’m on a Spinal Tap tangent in my head and in Nigels guitar room)

But I digress (as usual)

Spinfarm headed into the recording studio last year and the result was the End Of The World Soundtrack.

You’ll see why on the cover.  Those wacky Mayans – they inspire you know?

I asked Adam if I could interview him, and he graciously penciled me in. (I’m typing this intro while waiting for the diva to IM me to do the actual interview … musicians.  Pfft.  You know how they are.) I jest.  He’s busy being a great dad, husband to his beautiful wife and working hard.

Let’s enjoy the music video for the first track from Spinfarm’s CD while we wait.

Boondox Video

I responded to my first viewing with ‘”I feel sorry for the dog at the end” 😦 (what every musician wants to hear from someone who just viewed their artistic effort huh?) but was assured that Henry was not left behind and even has his own Facebook page.

What follows is a back and forth interview between myself and my ‘ex who’s a friend’ about rocking out and about making a CD and other ‘stuff’.

There shall be shenanigans and I’m gonna make him name drop, because he’s not only a very talented musician, but a huge fan himself and has had the rare opportunity to jam with some note worthy people.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

Me: My first rock interview, I’m a little nervous.  May I call you mOji or Adam or do you go by Rock God these days?

Adam: Adam. LOL

Me: I recall, a little band called Rooster Stew.  Now you’re in Spinfarm.  I see a rural pattern …

Adam: Interesting … My current guitarist named the band Spinfarm, but I can see your point

Me: When I google Spinfarm, it wants to correct me to ‘spin farming’.  I’m afraid to click.  What’s the skinny on the name?

Adam: I’m actually not 100% sure myself … lol.  My guitarist likes to say Home Grown sounds with No GMO’s

Me: GMO’s?

Adam: Genetically Modified Organisms

Me: :-O I’m glad you have none of those.  They’d make the music odd

Adam: Indeed … Our music is pure and from the soul.  So I’ve been told

Me: Your songs always have been.  We’ll just cut to the chase.  I’ve given my readers some background – we have a brief history lol.  I had the honor of hearing Pantomime Circus live … a lot.  Are you proud of the CD version?

Adam: Yes I am.  I always thought the lyrics were some of my best.  But I thought the music was lacking.  What my guitarist came up with and the way we build the song finally does it justice IMO

Me: I really like it – but I’m partial to the solo version.  You recorded with Charlie McGovern … how amazing was it to be in the studio??

Adam: It was.  Charlie is a long time childhood friend, prior band member and an amazing producer and engineer with an amazing resume.  We were tight and well prepared and turned out all the music for all 10 songs in 5 hours.  I did all the vocals the following day in one take. 

Me: I was so excited for you.  You’ve NEVER given up on your music.  Hey – let’s play a game.  No cheating.  I’m going to throw something random (lol) at you and you give me the first words that come to mind K?

Adam: OK … shoot

Me: Boondox

Adam: China Town

Me: Peacemaker

Adam: 45

Me: lol, I knew I’d left that off.  Electric Chair

Adam: Straight Jacket

Me: Pantomime Circus

Adam: Ghost Town

Me: Sunset Serenade

Adam: Spaghetti Western

Me: Take your Toll

Adam: Hmmm … Don wrote and sang that one.  But I think Vampires

Me: Like Edward Cullen or Vincent Price?

Adam: Vincent Price

Me: K.  Higher Low

Adam: Hmmm … Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Me: Nice!  Loaded

Adam: Dive Bar

Me: and um … Satan Jam

Adam: That’s a song that our guitarist relatives used to play back in the 70’s.  It’s an Ode to …

Me: Okay, phew! Then there’s a bonus track that’s a secret – I’ll be buying my copy and will then know the secret, but can we have a hint?

Adam: Baba O’Reily by The Who … lol

Me: OMG! I LOVE the version you guys do.  Seriously well done.

Adam: Thank you 🙂

Me: I just sounded 14.  Jeez.

Adam: TEEN BEAT flashbacks

Me: LOL.  You know my entire room was plastered in hair band posters

Adam: Indeed my Crue loving friend

Me: Speaking of other artists – I was saying you’re not only a rocker, but a huge fan.  You’ve had the opportunity to jam with some pretty amazing artists.  Name drop please.

Adam: Love/Hate, LA Guns, Junkyard, Rhino Bucket, Blue Oyster Cult, David Lee Roth, Tesla

Me: Did David have his farm bib pant things on?  That would have been apropos

Adam: He was actually wearing a Popeye type sailor suit … but badass as always.

Me: LMAO!  He was my first concert.  I wore a sweater and heels.  Yeah … I didn’t know how to ‘concert’ then.  So, when you’re playing arenas, what’s going to be in your rider?  No brown M & M’s?

Adam: Hmmm … Beef Jerky, Atomic Fire Balls, lotsa Double Bubble gum and Mt Dew

Me: I knew there would be gum. 😉  What happened to fruit stripe??  Have you abandoned the zebra?

Adam: Flavor doesn’t last as long as Double Bubble. lol.  But, not Zebra the band. lol

Me: True, very true.  Okay, serious question.  How DO you keep time on drums and sing??

Adam: As I tell my step daughter (who plays drums) Practice Practice Practice.  Seriously, lots of practicing thru the years

Me: Why do you close your eyes when you sing, but have them open when you’re drumming w/out having to do a vocal?

Adam: Actually, I’ve been told recently that I do the WHITE EYES thing while I’m singing and drumming too.  lol … it’s quite odd.  But I disappear into the music

Me: LOL! I know those eyes.  You do tend to do an early Eddie Vedder when you’re at the mic.

Adam: One of my influences

Me: I know – do you still cover Pearl Jam?

Adam: Not in Spinfarm, But I did do this a few months ago solo

The only cover we do is the Who song in Spinfarm

Me: I was going to ask if you were still doing any solo things as mOji

Adam: Just as Adam.  mOji is my old Santa Cruz moniker from my days with SANE

Me: I still have the lunch box somewhere

Adam: Nice

Me: You have a lot going on this Summer – lots of gigs

Adam: Yes, we’re excited

Me: did you create all the fliers?  They’re really good

Adam: Yes, I create all the fliers – book all the shows … But I really enjoy it.  Connecting the dots.  AND the fliers I do with ancient programs, no photoshop here

Me: Too much talent for one person Atom

Adam: LOL

Me: Dream tour … who’s on it with you?

Adam: Hmmm … lets see.  Pearl Jam, Love/Hate, Janes Addiction and Ace Frehley

Me: Nice!  I’d go.  Can the Gin Blossoms and Dave Matthews come too?

Adam: On my acoustic solo tour lol

Me: Yes!  Hey … Atom?

Adam: Yes

Me: Where’s your gum?

Adam: Right here —->

Me: lol.  Did you want to add anything?  Say something mind blowing?

Adam: Beware the lollipop of mediocrity – lick once and you’ll suck forever

Me: And on that … we have a wrap.