FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH DARREN ROBINSON OF
PHANTOM PLANET
2. NEW JOHN CAVANAUGH PHOTO GALLERIES ONLINE
3. MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: OPEN MIC
4. THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
5. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Phantom Planet (Wednesday), J-Henry (Friday), Streetlight Manifesto (Sunday)
New on the Stone Pony Calendar: Streetlight Manifesto (September 19), Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan (September 24), Rock For the Cure American Cancer Society Jersey Shore Chapter Benefit (September 26), Further Seems Forever (September 29), The Mix (October 1), Steel Pulse (October 9), Asbury Music Awards (October 20), Galactic (October 22), Matt Nathanson (November 3), Project Object (November 12), Ian Hunter (December 10)
PHANTOM PLANET'S NATIONAL HEADLINING TOUR MAKING A STOP IN ASBURY PARK
Having recently returned from a big show in Japan and currently working their way across the United States, Phantom Planet plays the legendary Pony stage on Wednesday evening, September 15th. Consisting of Alexander Greenwald on vocals, Sam Farrar on bass, Jacques Brautbar and Darren Robinson on guitars and Jeff Conrad on drums, the band is supporting their third (self-titled) studio album, as well as a new live bootleg CD. In addition, they're getting ready to produce a DVD of live footage from this year's tour, which is scheduled for release by the end of 2004. Originally signed to Geffen Records in 1997, and releasing their debut "Phantom Planet Is Missing," the band followed-up with "The Guest" on Dreamworks in 2002. Their most recent effort, released on Epic Records earlier this year, marked the transition from the band's pop-sounding initial efforts to a garage-rock attitude that's probably more at home in NY then in LA. Even casual fans might have seen their video for "Big Brat" on MTV, or heard their track "California," which serves at the theme song for "The O.C." on the Fox television network.
The Stone Pony Newsletter interviewed Phantom Planet's guitarist Darren Robinson on a rare day off (sorry, Darren), to talk about the busy year Phantom Planet has had so far, and when fans can expect to hear a fourth studio release from this very hot act.
The Stone Pony: The band has clearly embraced technology as a way of reaching your fans. You've got three excellent websites, write a blog, and keep fans informed not only by e-mail, but cell phone and pager as well. How important has the Internet been in promoting the band, and do you feel the time has come when any band that doesn't embrace the digital world will be unable to be successful on a national level?
The internet has become extremely important in promoting the band, and I think it would be very hard for any band to be successful on any level without a website of their own. Welcome to the future.
The Stone Pony: The band just released a new bootleg CD, "Live 2004," which contains a number of one-take recordings and acoustic tracks. Why do you think so many bands have embraced the official release of bootleg material, and do you think that the release of live material and bootlegs could actually replace the formal studio album?
DR: I don’t think live bootleg releases can replace the formal studio album, but they are nice to release during the time when a new album is yet to be worked on. It’s kind of like an appetizer before the main course. It keeps us excited and I believe it keeps our fans pumped up as well. I’d guess that’s why most bands release official bootleg material.
The Stone Pony: You recently returned home from a trip over to Japan. How did the shows go over there, and did the fans treat the band well? Does the band enjoy plane flights and traveling and have you found a secret to passing the time on 18-hour trips?
DR: Japan is always amazing. We’ve been there a few times for promotional reasons and for smaller shows. Last time we were there, however, we played the Summer Sonic Festival, which was absolutely huge. The fans in Japan are incredibly respectful and really listen to everything, rather than talk on cell phones, to each other, etc. There is a definite lack of ego there, which is great. As far as plane rides are concerned, we all pretty much have gotten used to them. We don’t enjoy them necessarily, but we accept them as a part of our lifestyle. The secret to passing the time on a 12-hour flight to Japan is simple -- get drunk as f*ck! International flights typically allow free alcoholic drinks, and for good reason!
The Stone Pony: Speaking of touring, this summer you did shows with No Doubt and Blink-182 and your blog mentions how much fun the tour was for you. Does playing with other great bands make you want to kick up your own show a few notches? It is more fun to be touring with groups like that, or do you like it when you're headlining on your own?
DR: Playing with other bands is always great, especially when they are doing really well. It’s just fascinating to see the way the crowd reacts night after night. It’s definitely inspiring to be a part of it all. Headlining is fun too, but it’s entirely different. You have more fans of your own at those shows, of course. Opening for any band is a bit scary, simply because of the new crowds of people you play for.
The Stone Pony: What do you like to for fun on the road when you get a day off? When you're touring, do you ever get to spend time being a tourist, or do the days tend to just be the inside of one hotel room after another?
DR: We try to explore different places we visit, especially during our days off. It’s not always so easy though. At times I get so tired I just want to sleep all day, or we’ll be far from where all the shops and restaurants are, which leads some of us back to the bus to watch a movie or read. It really varies, depending on our location. Today we have a day off in North Hampton, NY, and all I can think about is taking a shower once I am done with this here interview!
The Stone Pony: You were originally signed to Geffen Records, and are now with Epic. Having worked with major labels for several years, what advice would you give to new bands shopping for a label or getting ready to sign their first contract? Have you felt that your major-label experiences have generally been positive?
DR: My advice is to stick with it if you love doing it, because it’s going to be a long ride. There will be ups and downs on extreme levels. Signing to a label is the first step, but it really doesn’t change anything. Maybe try getting signed to an independent label first to get the ball rolling. I can’t say the major label experiences have been positive or negative really. Hey, got any Advil?
The Stone Pony: Are there any plans for a studio follow-up to "Phantom Planet"? Do you have any idea of when you'll be heading back into the studio, and fans will be able to get their bands on new material?
DR: We plan to begin recording for our 4th studio album at the end of this year. We’ve been working on new songs for a while and plan to begin preproduction almost immediately after this tour is over.
The Stone Pony: When you record, do you tend to go into the studio with all of the tracks ready to go, or does the band like to write while in the studio and develop songs as you go along? Do you generally enjoy the recording and production process, or do you consider it a necessary evil to get new music out to the fans so you can tour?
DR: When we record, we generally have most of the parts flushed out and ready to go. We always change parts in the studio, though, and try to do what is best for each song. The recording process is a bit boring at times and slow, but it’s also very rewarding and challenging, too. I don’t consider it a “necessary evil” to get new music out to fans so we can tour by any means. If we didn’t love playing music, we wouldn’t bother making albums.
The Stone Pony: You've got a link to "Rock The Vote" on your website. Are you interested in politics, and do you feel that music and politics should mix? What do you think about movements such as the "Vote For Change Tour," where musicians are being so overt in supporting a specific political message?
DR: I’m not personally into politics at all. I don’t enjoy when music and politics are mixed. I say more power to those bands that are involved in such movements, but I just don’t personally enjoy such events.
The Stone Pony: Are there any new projects that the band has coming up in the next few months and you'd like fans to know about? How long do you expect to be on the road for this tour, and are there any further touring plans outside of the United States?
DR: We are currently on our last touring segment. We will be done with this tour at the end of the month, with a few sporadic shows throughout October. There are no touring plans for outside of the U.S. at the moment, but after the 4th album is out, that can change.
The band's official website can be found at www.phantomplanet.com.
We've recently added several new photo galleries from past events at the club to the "Photos" section of the Stone Pony's website. All of the photos were taken by the club's staff photographer, John Cavanaugh, who usually shoots his excellent work from a perch on a chair in front of the Pony stage. Check out the photos to remember some of the great shows you've attended or just to see what you've been missing!
The Great Bamboozle June 6, 2004 (featuring Patty Smith and Sonic Youth)
Joe Grushecky July 17, 2004 with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes July 4, 2004
Soozie Tyrell July 17, 2004 with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Historical group sponsors design contest: Want
to help make Asbury Park history? The city Historical Society is looking for
a design for the third in its series of annual holiday ornaments.
MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: OPEN MIC
Acoustic, electric, solo, band performances welcome. Backline provided by MUSICMAKERS, just bring guitars. Hosted by PETER SCHERER of HWY 9. Guest DJs from 105.5 WDHA, 105.7 The Hawk, 95.9 WRAT, Sirius Satellite Radio, 90.5 The NIGHT and more. Voting by everyone in attendance.
Prizes from the Pony, Budweiser, Max Cruise, Yoo-Hoo, Compact Disc World, Music Makers, Funk and Standard, Starbucks, Jack Daniels and more. Happy hour 8-11, $1 off all drinks, 25-cent drafts 8-11, $1 drafts after 11, shot specials all night.
Doors at 8 pm. Sign-up begins at 8:30 or e-mail openmic@stoneponyonline.com to sign-up in advance. Admission: $5.
THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
The hottest Thursday night continues with LADIES NIGHT at The Stone Pony.
Music by DJ PRIME spinning the best in house, hip hop, reggae and trance. 18 to enter, 21 to drink. ID a must! Doors open at 9:30 pm. Dress to impress. 25 cent Budweiser drafts 'till 11 pm. $1 drafts after 11. $2 shot specials all night.
Come see for yourself why Thursday nights are the hottest with Ladies Night at the Pony!
