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Read the headline again, because I mean every word of it. The best part? The band's front man, Will Johnson, is a knowledgable and intelligent sports fan, and I caught up with Will this morning to preview the show and talk about his team's newest Stanley Cup. His band, Denton, Texas' own Centro-matic, headlines an 8 p.m. show tonight at the Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. in Buffalo, with guests The M's and Semi-Tough.
Before we get into the interview, how would I describe the music of the band I want you to plunk 10 bones down to hear? Well, they are prolific, and if you like any of the following bands, you should be downtown tonight: Wilco, Old 97s, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, The Shins, The National, Spoon, The Drams or Band of Horses. Or The Beatles. Head here and check out the jams, starting with "Flashes and Cables," so you can sing along this evening (Yes, it's totally fine to sing along). Or go here and check out "Rat Patrols and DJs" from their new double album, "Dual Hawks," shared with Will's other project, South San Gabriel (I told you he was prolific).
Anyway, enough of me. Let's talk to the Texan who loved the Red Wings and Packers: Hope to see you tonight (Tuesday) at the 'Hawk.
Nick Mendola: So your Red Wings won the Cup again. Tell us championship-less folks in Buffalo what that's like. Is it getting old?
Will Johnson: "I didn't get to watch the first couple of rounds, We were touring over in Europe, and it's hard to get games over there. I got real locked into the Western Conference Finals. One of the kind of cool dualities about this particular team was the interesting mix of youth and experience. (You've got) the futures of Zetterberg and some of the kids, and you've still got some of the old guard around. I was concerned six years ago that the Red Wings would have to fade out for a bit. Even when they won before, they were a little long in the teeth.
"I haven't been quite the rabid fan I was before the lockout. It pushed me away a little bit, but if it's your team, it's not like you aren't going to watch. I am in touch with that (Buffalo) feeling until 1996, when the Packers won the Super Bowl."
NM: How has the Brett Favre retirement hit you?
WJ: "I'm definitely saddened by it to be quite honest. Over these last couple years, it's kind of taken on an aire that it's going to happen pretty soon. I was at the last game against the Giants. The thing I'm saddest about is that his last pass was an interception."
NM: So... Packers and Red Wings fan... in Texas. How's that going for you? Do you take a lot of grief?
"No stretch at all there. Especially come Western Conference Finals time (when the Red Wings beat the Stars in six games), being in the Dallas area. It's kind of par for the course."
NM: I suppose we should talk some music with your new record, "Dual Hawks" out now. I've consistently described Centro-matic to people as the best unknown band in America, which isn't to say you haven't made your impact on the country, but after 11 years, you've kind of organically built your audience to where it is today.
WJ: "I think sometimes it goes without statement and it comes through in action, in the way that we kind of run our show to the way we've built our band. Eleven years in, we've had a lot of good fortune, but at the same time, we haven't had a lot of things handed to us. We haven't had a lot of glossy magazine ads given to us. We haven't had anything bigger than what would be natural happen to us."
NM: I think it would be safe to say that your music has that same feeling to it as well. Even at its poppiest moments, there's still a resounding sense that you're listening to a Centro-matic album.
WJ: "That's what we strive for. It's definitely from the core of the songwriting process, even when it's in its barest, brass tacks form. Definitely raw. I want it to feel that way when I'm singing it. We all push for that as we're formalizing a song."
NM: I was listening to the "Flashes and Cables" EP, which has two versions of "Flashes and Cables," and one of your EPs after "Triggers and Trash Heaps" had two versions of a song as well. With the dichotomy of your music, with some slow, bare songs and some impacting, dense rockers, how many songs have several versions by the time we get the finished product?
WJ: "Sometimes we find ourselves sifiting through different recordings of each song. There's acoustic, 4-track, orchestral version on the record. Inevitably that helps you learn how to deliver the song exactly the way you want to."
NM: With you guys touring in Europe for a few weeks, and Euro 2008 going on, I'd be remiss if I didn't ask for your feelings on football, especially with Erik and Donny in Semi-Tough being Manchester United and Manchester City fans.
WJ: "I follow FC Barcelona, and there's a pub down the street from where I live that shows all the Premiership games. I kinda geek out on the soccer. I'm a little sad that I'm missing the Euro."
NM: I've always held that ESPN can make anything huge, but have chosen to largely ignore soccer because the conflict in advertising time with running 45-plus minute segments of game play. What do you make of ESPN carrying all the games here in the States, and thrusting it on folks? Do you think it will take, or is it foolish?
WJ: "It's interesting cause I think even going back to World Cup '94 and even further, it seems like the attempts have always been there. It seems like the intensity of those attempts have certainly increased. Of course, looking at the David Beckham thing last summer -- What a red carpet, Hollywood freak scene that was.
"It is hard to deny the beauty of the game itself when it's being played, especially listening to sports talk radio in Barcelona. I don't understand Spanish, but I know exactly when they're talking about the team. We're dealing with two hours of time, on a pitch. You have to at least give it that (beauty), no matter how much fluff they do build around."
NM: Did you catch the Champions League final between Man Utd. and Chelsea?
WJ: "I was happy for all my Man U friends, but I think I was even happier to see Chelsea lose."
Go to the show (if you're 18+), and let's clink glasses (if you're 21+). Email with any questions: nick@wgr550.com |
