Pat McGee: Of course, that is what I love about these intimate shows; the freedom to play the song however I feel it that night. Chardy and I go way back, and he possesses a very freeform attitude. I love playing with the band, the energy is always unpredictable and amazing to help create, but in the acoustic setting you can really dig deep into the melody and the lyric, and I find that very cool.

The Stone Pony: Your debut album, "from the wood", was an all-acoustic affair released in 1995.  How does the songwriting from that album hold up seven years later and how would you describe the evolution of your writing from that period to the material you're working on now?

PMG: Well, those songs on "From The Wood" are still some of the fan favorites live, so you can expect to hear them in NJ, but I do really think that the new stuff is more intense and more intelligent -- who knows, maybe ignorance IS bliss? But I do really enjoy the new stuff -- it's more challenging. I hope the fans see that when the record comes out next year.

The Stone Pony: A few months ago, you posted on your web site that you write all of your music on an acoustic, and you're still writing on the same guitar you used to record "from the wood."  What is the make and model of the instrument you use when you write, and do you bring that guitar with you on tour to perform?  Since you've started to play more on an electric guitar, has your approach to recording and performing changed at all, with regards to electronic effects or any of the other toys that guitarists enjoy so much?

PMG: Great question, I could talk all day about guitars!  I write most my stuff at either soundchecks on my Takamine EAN 15 C, my only live acoustic guitar of choice.  Or, I write at home on my Volbrecht Dreadnought or my two favorite Lowden's, my D32 or Jumbo. I have to say that I have played some new guitars in some stores that have blown me away -- Morgan, Breedlove and Martin, all OM body style, all amazing instruments. Not sure what I'll do if I have the dough to blow on all the great acoustics out there one day, YIKES. I'll have more guitars than Spinal Tap.

And as far as live goes, yeah, I love playing both acoustic and electric, I have recently sold all the guitars I rarely played and narrowed it down to three electrics, a '55 Les Paul Special (TV yellow!), a real '62 Strat, and a re-issue 60's Fender Custom Shop Strat that I love. I hope to obtain more cool ones once I win the lottery.

The Stone Pony: Your fourth album, "Shine", released in April 2000, was the band's first on a major label.  As you prepare for a new CD release, has the major-label experience lived up to your expectations and how much of a difference has Warner Brothers made in promoting the album versus your earlier efforts?

PMG: Well, ask me that question once we release the new one. So far were very excited and so is WB.

The Stone Pony: You recently reported that you've recorded three songs slated to appear on your next album and have plans to enter a New York City studio in November and December to finish the record.  Can you share any details about where the album stands at this point, what the working title is, and when fans can expect that it'll be released?  Are there any ideas or styles that you're hoping to explore on this album as you put it together over the next couple of months?  Will any of the new material be included in the gig at The Stone Pony?

PMG: I plan on playing a lot of new tunes at the Stone Pony. I'm really very excited to play there. I'm a huge NJ and Bruce fan, so I have to ask you ... is it a bad call to cover Bruce in the homeland?  If so, tell me. I don't want a drink thrown in my face. I respect him so much and wish I could write tunes like he does. Wow. [Publisher's Note: Sure thing, Pat, covering Bruce is fine.  Just be sure to do it well.  The fans will let you know if you don't.]

This new CD will have a new vibe to it, of course. My favorite bands have new sounds on every record. Who wants to make the same record twice? I can't really guess when it (the new CD)  will come out since we haven't finished it yet. "They'll be time enough for counting, when the dealin's done" or something like that, right? No title as of yet either, sorry.

The Stone Pony: How much control have you been able to maintain in your creative and recording process since signing with Warner Brothers?  How have the producers, engineers and other principals in the recording process been selected for Shine and for the upcoming CD?  Shine had some high-profile names with credits on the CD, can you share who will be working with you in New York next month?

PMG: We have full control, no doubt. On Shine, the producers and such were all pretty much decided on between WB and the band.  We were happy to work with Jerry Harrison and Karl Derfler, they rocked! This time around we are really happy with our team, Marti Fredericksen on three tunes and Gregg Wattenberg on the rest of it. They both are amazing, and I can't wait to get back into the studio in November. Both of these guys have worked with the best artists in rock and roll.

The Stone Pony: After selling 100,000 albums as an indie group, you must have felt some pressure to live-up to major label expectations when Shine was released.  Since that album was a critical and commercial success, are there a different set of pressures awaiting the release of the new album, or do you feel more comfortable with a loyal fan base behind you, and a series of established albums?  Having achieved everything that most bands would consider to be a success, what are the goals and challenges that you still feel in pursuit of?

PMG: Well, we are still in pursuit of that one tune that catches on.  We hope we have it this time around, but honestly we want a career in this crazy biz, so I just hope we can keep on keeping on, and our fan base continues to grow.

The Stone Pony: When musicians are first learning to play music, they are taught that they must eventually create a sound and a style of their own; taking all of their influences and somehow creating something distinctive.  Critics often comment on how the Pat McGee Bands sound is difficult to clearly classify, citing comparisons to everything from classic rock to Dave Matthews, yet acknowledge its uniqueness.  Having created a large body of work, do you feel any obligation to keep to the Pat McGee sound, or do you find yourself consciously trying to avoid formulas in your writing and performing?

PMG: Well, that's a tough one. I write what's in my head, and I LOVE classic rock. Dave Matthews -- as much as I admire and respect that band -- is not really an influence on this group or my writing. I think we're often compared to DMB because our band is named after some guy named Pat and we are from VA and we play to the same sort of audience, people who like live music.

The new stuff has so many influences that I can't even begin to start naming them. Look up the best 100 albums of all time, we pretty much stole stuff from those records.

The Stone Pony: "Shine" includes a few notable guest performances, including Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes on slide guitar.  How did Haynes come to be included on that recording and was it intimating to work with someone whose guitar work is so legendary?  Are there any plans for guest musicians to sit in on any of the tracks you're preparing for the new record?

PMG: Well, you don't really plan on guests until the record and the tunes come together in the studio on tape. Then you start hearing things like, "oh boy, it would rock to have 'so and so' on this song." With Warren, I just flat out asked him. I am the hugest Allmans fan out there so I knew of him through those guys. He could not be a nicer person and a better musician. I was in heaven when we played on our album. He is unreal.

The Stone Pony: On your website, there are a series of photographs of the band meeting celebrities, including Jack Black of Tenacious D, Dennis Rodman, Gwenyth Paltrow and Run-DMC.  Have you become comfortable with your own celebrity, and do you feel like one when meeting people such as these in your travels?  Two of the photos that you include are with President Bill Clinton.  What were the circumstances of your meeting with President Clinton, and where did John Podesta get that shirt?

PMG: Yeah, that shirt on John Podesta is pretty crazy, don't know about that one.  I think Chardy advised Clinton on how to handle some serious issues during his term ... no, wait, somebody from the White House called us, and we performed for a party for the White House staff. Either way, it was totally surreal to stand in the presence of the President of The United States. It really was amazing, and he was very cool to us. As far as meeting those other celebs, we always try and take advantage of those opportunities at shows.  Hey, we can't help it if Gwenyth and the D love the PMB. Yeah, right.

In closing, Chardy and I are very stoked to play the Stone Pony. It will be something that I have been thinking about for years, since I bought the Bruce box set in the 80s. Rock on.

"Rolling Stone's report of our imminent demise is premature because we firmly believe that the challenges to the long-term viability of Asbury Park as an entertainment destination can and will be overcome. Thanks to all of you who've supported us through the years, and in case you didn't get the message, The Stone Pony will rock forever. We are immortalized."