FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH MIKE FARRIS OF SCREAMIN' CHEETAH WHEELIES
2. CABARET WEDNESDAY WITH THE ROCK CHIX RETURNS
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Cabaret Wednesday with Terry Little (Wednesday), Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies (Friday), Blues Traveler (Saturday Evening), Jones (Saturday Night)
New on the Pony Calendar: Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (August 16), Default (August 20), Josh Todd of Buckcherry (August 23), King's X / Fishbone (October 11), Bret Michaels of Poison (October 17)
The multi-talented Mike Farris returns to the Stone Pony stage with the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies for a special event at the club on Friday, August 1st. Farris, who is also known for his work with Peaceful Knievel and Double Trouble, released his first solo album, Goodnight Sun, in 2002. The Wheelies, who have released five albums as a band since their self-titled debut in 1994, have a great base of supportive fans, who are putting on the Fifth Annual Wheeliefest in Rowland, PA on August 2nd, and the band is treating them with a special Asbury Park performance the night before. The band packed the house floor during their last show on Ocean Avenue, and fans were singing and moving along to the songs; so everyone should get there early for a spot near the stage to enjoy the show on Friday. Farris took the time to answer these questions for the Newsletter about the gig and his own creative process.
Most of your recent shows have been solo gigs, and fans at the Pony are being treated to a rare Wheelies gig on August 1st. Is there a special occasion that’s prompting this show, or is this the start of a new touring schedule for the band?
Well, for the past four years the SCW fans have put together a festival in our name, "Wheeliefest". This year marks the 5th anniversary of the festival and because we only do a few shows a year now, we like to put together a run of shows leading up to the "fest". It makes sense money-wise and fun-wise. Last year, we played the Stone Pony the night before and this year we're doing the same, so we may be witnessing the beginnings of a new tradition.
You’ve talked about how the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies are the only band you’ve been in. Is your solo project a reflection of music that you’ve always wanted to make and couldn’t previously, a sound that you couldn’t or didn’t want to perform with SCW, or simply an evolution of your music style?
Well, it's a little of all of that. The music that I've made with the Wheelies is music I really wanted to do, but some songs I write are obviously not "Wheelies" songs. At the time, we decided to take a break; I just felt the need to go out and explore music like I never had before.
Your bio doesn’t talk much about your early career, other than that you were born in Nashville, and first gained recognition as front man for the SCW. Can you share a little bit about how you first came to recognize the importance of music in your life, start playing and writing music and how you made the decision to make it your career?
I guess I first realized the importance of music when I was very young and on Sundays and Saturdays my dad would break out the records and we would listen to Hank Williams and Jim Reeves and Jerry Lee Lewis. Those were the only two days the record player got turned on, for some reason, but I remember how it made my dad feel.
As far as writing, I guess I started writing out of necessity. There were things I had to purge myself of and, miraculously, I started writing songs. Very weird.
You handled most of the instrumentation on “Goodnight Sun”, laying down each track separately. Who are the musicians who have been touring with you to perform live, and did you need to rework any of the songs in the transition from studio to stage?
Damon Johnson and I have done several shows together and Audley Freed has gone out when he's had the time. A band we have out of NYC, "Peaceful Kneivel", has played some of the songs out and, actually, Andy Hess, the bassist in PK, had a good idea for "Know Good Know How" that I wished I would've come up with for the record, but hey ... everything changes live.
Describe your creative process in the studio. Do you record with a clearly-defined structure that you want to achieve on each song, or does recording alone allow you to play around more and let the work evolve as you determine what works and what doesn’t? Do you enjoy the recording and production process, or is it just a means towards getting new music to fans in preparation for performing live on stage?
Some songs begin with a clear direction and you can envision the end result pretty well. At the same time, sometimes I'm flying by the seat of my pants and just rollin' with it, so it just depends on the song. As far as the process itself, I really love the studio. I've always enjoyed being in there, probably 'cause I'm tryin' to redeem myself from being so bad in science class all those years.
Your next announced project is an album with Double Trouble which you’re planning to record this year. How did the plans for that effort come together, and what can you tell us about when production will start, and when you think the CD will be available for fans?
All I can really say is that we are getting closer and closer each day to gettin' in the studio.
What about plans for the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies? Your last gig opening for Johnny Winter at the Pony was a big success, what are your future touring plans with the band? Any plans to go into the studio and release an album or any other projects with the group at any point in 2003?
We don't have any plans other than Wheeliefest and Stone Pony, but that could all change tomorrow.
Speaking of your last Pony gig, there must have been quiet a rush having a packed house singing along and following your movements on stage. At this point, it is more rewarding to have that sort of energy in a room, or those times when you’re playing solo and have an audience held in rapt attention by your music? Does one situation or another give you a greater feeling of connection with your fans?
I just love playing music. I really don't care what the situation is, honestly. I have as much fun playing in front of a sold-out crowd or playing in my yard around the fire-pit; but, playing with Bobby, Steve, Rick, and Terry has always been unique for me. I think it's a combination of the songs we have together, our love for each other, and the sheer enjoyment of being together. We can go six months or a year without seeing each other and we fall right back into place. Same shenanigans, same jokes, same feeling when we play.
When you’re writing music, what determines if a song is meant to be performed solo, with the SCW, or with another group of musicians? Do you write specifically for the upcoming project that you’re preparing for, or do you keep a collection of music in reserve that you can call upon to meet the needs of whatever you’re involved with at the time?
I just write and it becomes pretty obvious pretty quick where it belongs.
So much of the attention you receive is focused on your songwriting and performing that your musicianship may be overlooked. Which instruments do you actually play, and what are your instruments of choice when composing? What equipment do you generally travel with while touring, and are there any favorite pieces that you especially prize?
Well, I play a lot of stuff a little. Bass, I love to play and write on. I love to play drums but I'm not too dynamic. I'm an ok harp player and I play very little piano, and I have all these instruments in my studio; but my main instrument is guitar and bass, with my Martin D-16 being my primary road companion, along with my hand-held cassette recorder. I can't over-emphasize the importance of the cassette player.
The official Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies website can be found at www.wheelies.com. Mike Farris' online presence is located at www.farrismusic.com.
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Springsteen contests benefit city
Tickets to the 10 Bruce Springsteen summer concerts at Giants
Stadium sold out in record time, but fans can still win an autographed tour
book, a pair of tickets for the Aug. 31 show, or the opportunity to meet
Springsteen in person on the final night of the Meadowlands run.
This Wednesday, July 30, marks the return of the Wednesday-evening cabaret series to the Stone Pony. The first night will be a special all-night open jam, starting off with Mark Prescott. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments and take this great opportunity to perform on the legendary Stone Pony stage with other talented performers. The latest round of Cabaret Nights, hosted by Terry Little and featuring her band, Wayfinder, will feature musician workshops, which will start at 7 pm to start off the evening, as well as special theme nights. The first of these will be held Wednesday, August 13th with Surf & Sirens. This special summer evening will feature music from Dee Farace and Sharyn Seidel, female-fronted bands, a surf board designer, and a really hot bikini show and contest. The Chix invite everyone to dress to impress in your hottest summer fashions. Remember, guys, the sirens will be there! Musicians or other artists who would like to participate in these events can e-mail event co-promoter Jane Haas at jane@rockchix.org. Haas, a professional photographer, takes pictures of the participants at each event for posting on the Rock Chix website; so strike a pose for the cute blonde with a camera and you might find your photo posted online (and a great addition to your own press kit or website). For everyone else, $5 gets you in to hang with the Rock Chix and enjoy the show. For more information (and Jane's photos from two of the June shows), please visit www.rockchix.org.
Thursday Nights: Ladies Night
The best mix of house, trance,
progressive and vocal. 18 to enter, 21 to drink (ID mandatory). Drink
specials. Doors open at 9:30 pm. DJ Prime and B.G. are on the wheels of
steel ... Dress to impress - our promoters are tough on the door ... Come
see for yourself what all the hype is about. It's on every Thursday
only at The Stone Pony!
