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DOS & DON'TS
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ALSO BY BOB NICKAS
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Now, we all know lots of stuff about that dreamboat Stephen Malkmus. We get it. He’s a lyrical genius, a hugely underrated guitar player, and he’s real cute. We also know enough, for now, about Spiral Stairs, Malkmus’s partner in Pavement leadership. He too can shred far above the usual indie-rock mope, he has a clean-cut, educated-frat-boy sort of appeal, and we won’t be surprised when he launches a sweet solo career at some point. It’s bound to happen. But what about those other guys? The guys who stand to the sides of the stage during Pavement shows? The unsung, secret-weapon, meat-and-potatoes Pavement soldiers! Mark Ibold, he plays the bass and he is the heart of the band because, first of all, basses make thumping sounds and so do hearts and, second, because he is second only to Malkmus in terms of indie sex symbols. He is a heartthrob who makes chicks with baby bangs the world over moisten their panties. Bob Nastanovich, who plays… stuff, like second percussion, is the soul of Pavement because onstage he is like Pavement’s collective unleashed id. He’s like a wild monkey, or at least a wild drunk uncle. He is to Pavement what Bez is to the Happy Mondays. So we talked to Bob and Mark because we love them and people aren’t asking them enough what they think about the fact that their band just put out Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, the best album of the year. (PS: Sorry, but their new drummer is still on probation as far as we’re concerned. We liked that psycho Gary Young who they used to have playing drums. So Steve West… we’ll see how it goes.)  interviewed by bob nickas Vice: Crooked Rain has a very California feel, but it was recorded here in New York. Is it true that the “studio” where you recorded was a windowless apartment on the 18th floor of a building in Hell’s Kitchen? What was that like? Mark Ibold: It was interesting. A bit cobbled together. Equipment was added and subtracted as needed. Much downtime was spent betting on harness racing at the Meadowlands. We lost a good bit of the recording budget there. We had hoped to double it. By the time the artwork for the record was being put together, the studio was still unnamed, so we had a contest among ourselves—“Name the Studio.” “Random Falls” won. “Electric Avenue” came in second, “Raw Book Room” third. And you used quite a bit of vintage equipment because the guy who gave you that space worked in a music store. Rogue Music is downstairs. Walleye worked there. Each day we’d go in there like it was a cafeteria and we were filling our trays. I’ll take this, a couple of these on the side, and—wow!—I’ll grab one-a those! What’s your favorite track on the album? Right now it’s “Newark Wilder.” I like the title. It is pretty of-the-moment, provoked by the latest wilding incidents involving gangs in New York City and New Jersey. I hope I never run into a Newark or, worse, a Trenton wilder! That’s my favorite too. I listen to it whenever I’m feeling bummed—“the forces against you,” and “I know everybody wants to put you down/But I know everybody’s gonna put me down.” Do you have a least favorite track? I keep thinking I’m gonna burn out on “Cut Your Hair” but it hasn’t happened... yet. “Cut Your Hair” is a really catchy song, an obvious choice for a single. It reminds me of this guy I met. I walked into a crowded museum opening and he was standing with some other people but I only noticed him. He had long hair, and right away I thought: We’re going to be friends. We hung out that evening and the following afternoon. The very next time I saw him he had cut his hair. It was and wasn’t the same person. I told him that he had made a big mistake. He said that he grows his hair long, then cuts it, and grows it back. We became good friends pretty fast, so I’m waiting for it to grow back now. Has anything like that ever happened to you? Oh yeah, I remember you telling me that story before. It made me feel a bit embarrassed because I used to do the same thing with my hair in my late teens. I was a skateboarder, totally into the SoCal “Dogtown” skate scene. My musical tastes were all over the place. When I had long hair I was more of a Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Judas Priest kinda guy. Then I’d cut it short a day later and start listening to Devo, the Ramones, and the Surf Punks. How has the album been received? Shrink-wrapped? Ha-ha, funny. You’re not the songwriter, but I have to ask—the very last line of “Silence Kit”: “Screwin’ myself with my hand.” Is that what I think it’s about? I did not write that. I imagine it being like when you make the “OK” signal with thumb and forefinger and then push your penis through the O. Or maybe it refers to when you wrote something you wished you hadn’t, thereby screwing yourself. I imagine you’re touring everywhere to promote the record. What places are you most looking forward to? We love to travel, especially since the US dollar is so strong right now. I think we’re gonna get to go to New Zealand. We’re hoping to meet the Dead C. Will you be going to Europe? This’ll be our second time in Europe. I’m really not that into English food. We’re sick of John Major. Love John Peel. The French like us. Belgium is great. We have more fans there, per capita, than anywhere else. Germany, we have only been to Bremen for some reason. Love Vera Club in Holland, can’t wait to go back. I know that you’re really into food. Any tips on great places you’ve been to on tour? Hmm. I love eating while traveling, but my favorite place for food is Singapore. Bands never play there. Too bad. I like Middle Eastern and Indian food in London. Other than that the food is shite, as they say. It’s a difficult city in which to find a good meal. Might as well be in Portland, Oregon, or Seattle—other shitty places for food. And rainy! Oh, I’d like to recommend, to anyone passing through Milwaukee, the Butter Burger at Solly’s Grill. It’s a meat-and-dairy extravaganza!!! “Hit the Plane Down,” Scott’s song, reminds me of the Fall, although not as much as “Two States” from your previous record, Slanted and Enchanted. That’s the one band that everyone in Pavement agrees on, right? If you ever covered a Fall song which one would it be? Yes, I guess it’s obvious that we like the Fall. Weirdly, most Brits that we know haven’t heard of them. Except for John Peel. I’d love to cover “No Bulbs.” I think Stephen would have fun singing that one. That’s a great choice. Either that or “The Classical.” Stephen could really carry that line—”I’ve never felt better in my life.” There’s one song on Crooked Rain, “5 – 4 = Unity,” that sounds like Dave Brubeck, a little tweaked, but still. Where did that come from? I call it “Dave Brubeck – Skills = Disaster.” Malkmus has said that this song “Heaven Is a Truck” is about the singer from Royal Trux, meaning Jennifer Herrema, I guess. You’ve referred to her as Jennifer Trux. Have you toured with them? What are they like? Actually, we’re about to go on tour with them. I haven’t seen them yet. They’re a straightedge band from DC, as far as I know. Not a lotta info on their record. They’re a couple, Jennifer and Neil, the former Pussy Galore guitar guy. I dig their single “Strawberry Soda.” You’ve previously played with the Dust Devils and are now in Free Kitten with Julie Cafritz and Kim Gordon. How different is it from those bands to be in Pavement? I guess the biggest difference is the way Pavement have been so well liked from our very beginning. As a result, we end up playing bigger venues and get to travel a lot more, which is fun, but also creates the larger burden of making more people happy. Playing smaller shows with Dust Devils and Free Kitten can be a bit more casual. Finally, I have to ask, what’s all this pseudo controversy over “Range Life”? I mean, no one really cares about the Trashy Bumpkins or Stone Pimple Toilets. Yeah, you’re right!!! What controversy? Let’s go back to talking about the Fall! See all articles by this contributor
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