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Interviews > Garrett Williams Interview |
(Done
for this website, September 1999. All copyright laws apply.)
Garrett: Musical influences are a hard thing to
express. Most that influence you, you don't even notice, so
it's very hard to pinpoint. Really, any music that you've ever
heard is going to influence you in one way or another. Every
member of the band would answer this question differently. In
general, musical backgrounds and influences of the band were
quite broad. Both Kim and Cindy had some classical training
(voice and violin, respectively). I was in band and jazz band
in high school. I think John was also in his high school jazz
band. Individual musical influences ranged from classical to
jazz to show tunes to country to Rock 'n Roll. Myself, when
I was learning to play, I was very into Led Zeppelin, Van Halen,
bands with a harder edge. By the time the band got together,
I was into the jangly REM-type thing going on (what a shock!).
2) Were there any other names considered besides "Reivers"
when you had to change the name?
Garrett: We had a couple of notebook pages full
of names, and I really can't remember any of them.
3) What was your favorite Reivers gig that you remember?
The worst?
Garrett: There were a lot of local gigs that I
remember having a great time, so it's hard to remember one as
a favorite. On the road, I think the first time we played at
Cubby Bear in Chicago stands out as one of my favorites. Right
up there would also have to be at Maxwell's in Hoboken. Worst
- Playing in front of one person at the Antennae(?) in Memphis
on our very first tour was kind of a drag.
4 )Rumors are that there was going to be a follow-up to Pop
Beloved, and even that it was recorded. Any truth to this?
Garrett: Nope.
5) Do you think the Reivers could/would have continued after
1991 if DB Records hadn't folded?
Garrett: Did DB fold? DB had nothing to do with
our decision. We broke up because we felt like the thing had
run its course. We were having to work at it instead of just
going out and having fun.
6) Any good road stories?
Garrett: We had a Dodge Van with a standard three
on the tree transmission. On a particular trip to NYC, it got
towed. Something about unpaid parking tickets from a previous
trip. I think around $400 worth. Paid the tickets and got it
back. The next morning we were to leave for DC. We awoke to
find it towed again. Seems we had not been cleared from the
computer, so the driver towed us again. Once again we paid a
ticket and got it from the impound. John and I are driving back
from the impound to the hotel to pick everyone up and get the
hell out New York. We're on 42nd, right in front of the Port
Authority, and the accelerator quits working. We coast to the
side of the road. John pulls off the engine cover. On a van
there is that cover that is between the driver and the passenger
front seats, and you can remove it. He discovers that a little
piece of metal that links the foot pedal to the mechanism on
the engine that regulates that gas flow, is broken. John drives
the van back to the hotel by pushing the engine mechanism with
his hand. Keep in mind that this is a standard transmission.
He is driving by steering, shifting, and controlling the throttle
with his hands. If you've driven a standard, think of the coordination
you have to have between engaging the clutch while giving the
vehicle gas. Then consider having to transfer that function
to your hands...while steering...while shifting...in NYC traffic...while
breathing noxious fumes from the engine (remember, the engine
cover is off). Oh yeah, it was hot, too. Once back at the hotel,
we had to figure out how we were going to make it to DC. We
ended up tying a small rope to the throttle. we cut a hole in
the engine cover and ran the line through. We attached the other
end to a drumstick. To accelerate, you pulled on the drumstick!
We drove to DC that way. We found a replacement part in a junkyard
the next day. I loved that van!
7) What have you been doing musically since the breakup of
the band?
Garrett: Mainly, just listening to it.
8) And, what would be your top 10 favorite albums- your "desert
island discs"?
Garrett: In no particular order...
London Calling, The Clash
Led Zeppelin III
Stardust Memories, Willie Nelson
Up On The Sun, Meat Puppets
Trace, Son Volt
Let It Be, The Replacements
Murmur, REM
How Will the Wolf Survive, Los Lobos
Darkness On the Edge of Town, Bruce Springsteen
Armed Forces, Elvis Costello |
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