BigBlueTarp.US: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Fansite

BigBlueTarp.us interview with:

Alan Anton

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, I was privileged enough to have a few moments of time with Alan Anton of the Canadian alt-rock band Cowboy Junkies. Alan was very kind and patient in what would turn out to be my first interview for Big Blue Tarp. So here is how it went:

BBT: Who was the most influential bass player to you, in your childhood?

AA: Well, I guess it wasn’t my childhood but a little bit later, but like when I started playing, when the punk of the 70’s it was really happening, it was probably still a bunch of influential guys, Peter Hook from Joy Division, and Jean-Jaques Burnel from The Stranglers and probably Jah Wobble from Public Image. Those three guys at that time were just doing something really different and cool. Something that’s never been done with a bass before in the context of that music.

BBT: What kind of bass do you play with?

AA: Fender 73 Jazz Bass

BBT: So, on May 8th you guys will be playing Bethel Woods. Did you ever dream of being able to play at a venue that has this much of a historic background to it?

AA: Not really, just because it was such a unique, one off thing. No one expected that it would be revisited, because it was such a thrown together thing at the time, and it’s kind of interesting that it came around to be this iconic place again. So, yeah looking forward to it, makes it exciting.

BBT: You guys have been together for about 23 years now, and kept all of the same band members. It’s a feat that has not really been accomplished too many times in musical history.

AA: You know we were thinking about that the other day, about how many bands are still together, still putting out records. It’s a pretty rare occurrence with their original line ups and it is not a lot. U2 came to mind first and then there are not many other ones with their original line ups left.

BBT: How does it make you feel, does it make you feel like you have achieved a great accolade?

AA: No, not really much of an achievement more of just something that people point out make you go, oh yeah. Don’t think of it as anything that we have done that is special.

BBT: Along with yourself of course, the other three members of the band are all related. Does that cause any friction at any time since you are not related?

AA: No not really because I have known Mike, the oldest, since kindergarten so we have been together pretty much our whole lives. I think the family element keeps it all level and keeps it all together in a way.

BBT: In America, you guys are pretty much mainly known for your cover of Sweet Jane by Velvet Underground. Have any members of the Velvet Underground ever given you compliments on your version?

AA: Yeah, when we came out with the Trinity Sessions that contained that song, the record company went around trying to solicit something from them and they got Lou Reed to endorse it. He said something like it’s the best cover of Sweet Jane I’ve ever heard, so we used that line to promote it so that’s kind of nice.

BBT: As you guys have gotten older, how has your playing developed? Has it gotten more sophisticated?

AA: Well the thing is when we started it was the punk era, where know you don’t have to play an instrument just got to have an idea that’s good enough. So at first we couldn’t really play very well, very limited in what we could do so we were just trying to go for a sound, work with our limitations and over the years of course we have been able to play our instruments a bit better so it has opened up some kind of further possibilities. Yeah I believe so, we are slow learners as far as musicians or musicianship goes, but it’s been kind of fun.

BBT: Last question I have for you is, you guys are working on some new material. Any chance that we are going to get to hear any of these new songs live on this tour before the album is released?

AA: Yeah, I think we got about 4 or 5 songs that we are going to play, not all 5 every night but definitely 3 or 4. Been looking forward to it. Its from the album that’s coming out next month.

This interview was a great experience for me. I learned many things during this discussion and would like to thank a few of the people who helped out. Thank you to the always helpful John Tobin from WPDH, Liz Campanile for setting up the interview, Talya Shlang for help with editing, and of course Alan Anton for giving me his time and patience in what will be something I will always remember.



BigBlueTarp.us interview with: Alan Anton On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, I was privileged enough to have a few moments of time with Alan Anton of the Canadian alt-rock band Cowboy Junkies. Alan was very kind and patient in what would turn out to be my first interview for Big Blue Tarp. So here is how it went: BBT: Who was the most influential bass player to you, in your childhood? AA: Well, I guess it wasn’t my childhood but a little bit later, but like when I started playing, when the punk of the 70’s it was really happening, it was probably still a bunch of influential guys, Peter Hook from Joy Division, and Jean-Jaques Burnel from The Stranglers and probably Jah Wobble from Public Image. Those three guys at that time were just doing something really different and cool. Something that’s never been done with a bass before in the context of that music. BBT: What kind of bass do you play with? AA: Fender 73 Jazz Bass BBT: So, on May 8th you guys will be playing Bethel Woods. Did you ever dream of being able to play at a venue that has this much of a historic background to it? AA: Not really, just because it was such a unique, one off thing. No one expected that it would be revisited, because it was such a thrown together thing at the time, and it’s kind of interesting that it came around to be this iconic place again. So, yeah looking forward to it, makes it exciting. BBT: You guys have been together for about 23 years now, and kept all of the same band members. It’s a feat that has not really been accomplished too many times in musical history. AA: You know we were thinking about that the other day, about how many bands are still together, still putting out records. It’s a pretty rare occurrence with their original line ups and it is not a lot. U2 came to mind first and then there are not many other ones with their original line ups left. BBT: How does it make you feel, does it make you feel like you have achieved a great accolade? AA: No, not really much of an achievement more of just something that people point out make you go, oh yeah. Don’t think of it as anything that we have done that is special. BBT: Along with yourself of course, the other three members of the band are all related. Does that cause any friction at any time since you are not related? AA: No not really because I have known Mike, the oldest, since kindergarten so we have been together pretty much our whole lives. I think the family element keeps it all level and keeps it all together in a way. BBT: In America, you guys are pretty much mainly known for your cover of Sweet Jane by Velvet Underground. Have any members of the Velvet Underground ever given you compliments on your version? AA: Yeah, when we came out with the Trinity Sessions that contained that song, the record company went around trying to solicit something from them and they got Lou Reed to endorse it. He said something like it’s the best cover of Sweet Jane I’ve ever heard, so we used that line to promote it so that’s kind of nice. BBT: As you guys have gotten older, how has your playing developed? Has it gotten more sophisticated? AA: Well the thing is when we started it was the punk era, where know you don’t have to play an instrument just got to have an idea that’s good enough. So at first we couldn’t really play very well, very limited in what we could do so we were just trying to go for a sound, work with our limitations and over the years of course we have been able to play our instruments a bit better so it has opened up some kind of further possibilities. Yeah I believe so, we are slow learners as far as musicians or musicianship goes, but it’s been kind of fun. BBT: Last question I have for you is, you guys are working on some new material. Any chance that we are going to get to hear any of these new songs live on this tour before the album is released? AA: Yeah, I think we got about 4 or 5 songs that we are going to play, not all 5 every night but definitely 3 or 4. Been looking forward to it. Its from the album that’s coming out next month. This interview was a great experience for me. I learned many things during this discussion and would like to thank a few of the people who helped out. Thank you to the always helpful John Tobin from WPDH, Liz Campanile for setting up the interview, Talya Shlang for help with editing, and of course Alan Anton for giving me his time and patience in what will be something I will always remember.