About the band:
How cool is Big Smith? The Springfield band has been the king of all Springfield bands since the mid-90s. Here are some reasons why:
- Washboard percussion.
- The tuba part in Backwater.
- Songs like Mockingbird, Trash, and 12 Inch 3 Speed Oscillating Fan.
- They have their own documentary (made by a German director).
- Legendary live shows.
- They recorded an album in a church.
- They recorded a live double CD at The Outland.
- They recorded a double CD for kids.
- Their looks have never been a problem.
There’s only one problem; most Big Smith shows are out of town. That’s why their Springfield shows are always a must-see.
About the show:
Big Smith featuring the Shotgun Brothers Band
When: Friday, November 28. Doors open at 8pm. Music starts at 9.
Where: The Outland Ballroom
Cost: $10
Interview:
Here’s what Jody Bilyeu, the mandolin/singer guy, told me about the Friday’s show, a new Big Smith record, and Brad Pitt.
What's the show going to be like? Are the Shotgun Brothers Band a hard act to follow?
Jody Bilyeu: The show's going to be high-energy, rootsy, laid-back, and fun. The Shotgun Brothers are going to be a wonderful band to follow. Good friends of ours for a long time, most of them. The Shotgun Brothers have the rootsy thing going, but at the same time they're different enough from us to be a good contrast. I myself am trying to learn, when sharing the stage with good bands, to be inspired rather than intimidated.
What can you tell me about a new Big Smith record?
JB: I can tell you that it has the songs written, and much of the tracking done, and that we're all really happy with the way it's going. I haven't been this happy with a studio CD since our first one.
How have the line-up changes affected your live show?
JB: I'd have to say we're the same band, only more so. Bill and Molly have brought a fresh gust of songwriting, creativity, andmusicianship to the band, but they've been pulling in the same direction as the rest of us from the get-go, to such a degree as to make the rest of us step up our pace a bit.
How were you received in France?
JB: It was amazing. The people at the festival, the 20th annual Country Rendezvous Festival, were very enthusiastic and warm. And they line-danced. We broke the record for CD sales, so they told us, and that's as compared to a pretty intimidating (or inspiring) slate of people they've had at the festival.
Is there a city that you try to avoid?
JB: The band? No. Me, personally, I am aware of no compelling reason for me to cast my shadow on any of the many pavements of L.A. again, at least in the near term.
How did you come up with the Big Smith sound?
JB: Completely by accident, including the accident of origins, be they genetic or otherwise.
I feel kind of stupid asking this. But is Brad Pitt a Big Smith fan? I guess I've always pictured him entertaining a bunch of Hollywood people at a party and then he puts in your CD and it blows their minds.
JB: I have no idea! I haven't had any contact with Brad in years. That's an interesting question, and a fun scenario.
What's the biggest misconception about your band?
JB: Probably that we play bluegrass.
Have you guys ever considered covering a 2pac song? I think it would be incredible. If not, what's the weirdest song you've ever covered?
JB: Not that I'm aware of, but I agree that it would be incredible. As to rap and hip-hop, however, and for instance, the day Jam Mmaster Jay got killed, I rapped snippets of Run-DMC during a performance of "Trash." My brother and I have both tried a little freestlye spittin' at various points in our career. But....we're not very good at it. And I've always wanted to hear a sample of Big Smith in a hip-hop song. But no 2pac. Yet.
Weirdest cover that springs to mind as I write this was "Hungry like the Wolf" by Duran Duran.
What have you been reading and listening to lately?
JB: We're all over the place. Reading: I know a couple of us have been reading Dreams of my Father and The Audacity of Hope. Having just finished Cash, the last Johnny Cash autobiography, and Everything that Rises Must Converge, Flannery O'Connor stories, I'm in the middle of Cold Mountain for my own reading, and reading The Lightning Thief and A Beatrix Potter Treasury with my kids. That's some dark stuff, by the way. The Beatrix Potter, that is.
Listening: I myself am in another Neil Young phase. And of course, there's always the Beach Boys. I've also been listening to boxes of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. My iPod got stolen, so I'm sad. I'm trying to think what the other people are listening to. The last song Bill had me listen to on his iPod was a Bonnie Prince Billy song. Molly's been playing a lot of Ryan Adams, Bob Wills, Hot Club of Cowtown. Jay will never get over Prince. Mark's been listening to Fairport Convention and Richard Thompson. We all like listening to Van Morrison say the word "bubbles."
What are the three greatest live albums of all time?
JB: Someone should've warned you that I know next to nothing about music. I am by no means competent to answer that question. I can tell you this: the three live albums that had the most influence on me were "Andrae Crouch and the Disciples Live in London," "Who's Last" (which was the worst album I ever listened to all the way through) and "Stop Making Sense," though the video of that was better because when David Byrne makes his acoustic guitar feed back you can hear what's going on, because the video is miked in the house. The album is from the board and there's no feedback, so it just sounds weird.
What are the three greatest inventions of all time?
JB: You mean besides sliced bread? That would be language, pottery and the scientific method.
