Simple Music for Complicated Times

I've always been interested by the fact that some genres are referred to as "real music for real people" when almost no one listens to it. I'm not ripping on your article, Phil. I'm simply bringing up the notion that "real people" (real refering to average or common) listen to popular country or what could loosely be called Top 40. It's only those geeks like us who even know who Beachwood Sparks is.I like the scene in 1984 where a woman Prol is hanging up laundry and humming a tune. The tune is some simplistic drivel that Orwell's one party government pumps out to keep the masses entertained. Entertained and stupid! Likewise, the average Prol in western society will never listen to the White Stripes. They might know who Garth Brooks is, though.Does all this sound elitist or snobish of me? Why of course it does, for I AM a REAL person! PeacePS. Bono is God.

Actually, my reference to "real people" wasn't meant to draw distinctions between rock snobs and other, casual listeners. Rather, it was a reference to the music itself being real, rather than manufactured/produced/recorded/etc. by machines or by committee. Real people could be anyone who enjoys music; even those who like Garth Brooks.The Asteroid No. 4, and the other groups I mentioned, create a music without consideration of marketability and I like that. I also like some really contrived pop, but that's for a different article.

Great article, thanks for asking all the gear questions. I know that's not pertinent to all the readers of this site, but that was great to hear that the gear they're using didn't cost a fortune. It makes me rethink this Rickenbacker Bass I've been desperately saving for.

I can tell you that I played with a guy for years who had a 1973 Rick 3001 with a natural finish and I almost killed him when he sold it. Bets bass player I know though. Mike DeRuiter of the Vantrells. Save the dough, buy the Rick.

it was a pleasure to tour with the astroid no. 4 and look at their sexxy lead singer night after night.but really the bottom line is that they truely care about music and what they do and it shows.that to me is the deffinition of tradition.i whipe my ass with urban contemporary culture.truth is put me on a stage with creed or dave mathews or anyone and i will lay them to waste with one song.both our bands are as good as anyone has ever been,not better mind you,there are no grey areas in art(except much music,nme,mtv,popular or comeercial radio?) no way man,those outlets are not art,it is a buisness,they are selling product.bad product,but hey the joke is on you.all of my love,and some of my pain.anton alfred newcombe / committee to keep music evil / brian jonestown massacre / the invisable hand

Excellent interview, Derek.

Nothing rocks like a Steinberger headless bass!NOTHING!

Good interview! Met the band in Feb.02 andheard them in Cambridge,Mass.while on tour. Great sounds and loved the blonde!

To read a review of the Brian Jonestown Massacre show that the Asteroid No. 4 was supporting, go to http://www.gloriousnoise.com/index.php?2002_02_24_blogarch.php#10200683

Rock/Country/Blues/Folk Outfit Needs Drummer.We hope everybody is doing fine. The Asteroid No.4 have recently run into a bit of pinch, as we have in the past. But once again we shall overcome! Our beloved drummer for the past two years, Steven, has to call it quits with the group, for reasons we believe to be of the utmost importance and admirable at that. Steven has a beautiful one year old baby girl named Helena, and as I'm sure all of you can understand, has decided to be a responsible father. In other words, give up the rock'n'roll endeavors of the Asteroid No.4. However, he will continue to record our newest material, which we had performed on our recent tour with the BrianJonestownMassacre, so that we have accurate demos for possible release and definitely to help find a label who may be interested in our "countrifried" sound. Sooooo, here it is, since the drummer population in Philly is about as dry as a road-stop burger, we need help! In the next few months we will putting an APB (All Patrol Broadcast) for a new drummer. In a perfect world, this person would be open minded to all kinds of music. They would have an understanding of not only why we're doing what we're doing, which is a kind of country/blues/rock thing, but understand that its also a feeling were after. Now, when we say country, don't be scared, its the vibe first, its simplicity at its most complicated, its camping music, its for the summer and winter, and most importantly its about love... Everything from Gram Parsons to Tim Hardin, Bob Dylan to Merle Haggard, Neil Young to the Stones, from Whiskeytown to the Grateful Dead, and so fourth. It's everything! This person can be 18 to 80! and MOST OF ALL, like songs.We once heard an amazing musician say, "the best drummer is the one who knows when not to play", can you dig? If anyone knows someone in the Philadelphia region or abroad that may interested in playing with The Asteroid No.4, please let us know via email. Touring and the recording of an album is also in the very near future.Please contact us at info@asteroidno4.com if you have any input, comments, questions or so forth.Thank you all very much!Peace and Love,Scott, Eric, Jamie and Rachel, and Steven will love you too!

es una porqueria total y lo odip