Home » Music » Indie Music » Interview with Tommy Stinson

Interview with Tommy Stinson

© **

As a founding member of The Replacements and a hardly-founding but current member of Guns n' Roses, Tommy Stinson has had a storied life and career even by the embellished standards of rock and roll. His peak, however, may be yet to come, as evidenced by a sterling new solo record, Village Gorilla Head, in stores and available online now. Visit http://www.tommystinson.com for more information.

ADAM: Hey, Tommy, thanks for taking the time to do our interview...and congrats on the fine new album. How's life?

TOMMY: Things couldn't be much better.

ADAM: So the title begs the question: what's a Village Gorilla Head?

TOMMY: Village Gorilla Head was a working title for the title track, originally three separate pieces of music that I was trying to sew together. One piece reminded me of the Village People, the other the Gorillaz, and the third Motorhead. The Motorhead piece has since gone away, but the title stuck and the lyrics just followed suit.

ADAM: How long ago did you first start writing these songs? How was it decided that these were songs to keep for a solo record and not to include in the Perfect or Bash and Pop repertoires?

TOMMY: Some pieces of these songs date back ten years or so. They just didn't seem right for any of my other groups.

ADAM: You've said that this is the most honest you've been on a record. What inspired or allowed this open introspection?

TOMMY: My own money. When it comes out of your own pocket, you can do whatever makes you happy. Hence, I still enjoy listening to this record.

ADAM: Having spent time in two heavily scrutinized bands with rather tumultuous history and baggage, isn't it tempting to focus mostly on the solo career?

TOMMY: Not necessarily. They complement each other very well because I like to play different roles at different times. It keeps it all interesting.

ADAM: This year is drawing unprecedented numbers of musicians into the political arena. Have you thrown your hat into that ring?

TOMMY: Fuck Bush/Cheney.

ADAM: Aside from Radiohead, The Velvet Underground and The Beatles, I'd say The Replacements are one of the most commonly referenced bands I see on press one-sheets. Are there any young bands out there that, to you, really are kindred spirits?

TOMMY: Nope!

ADAM: Is the indie scene in better or worse shape than it was when The Replacements had their heyday? On one hand, the Internet has made it much easier for indie bands and artists to get their music to people. On the other, there are so many bands now-and it's so easy to find out about them-that it doesn't seem like there's room for the community we see in Our Band Could Be Your Life.

The copyright of the article Interview with Tommy Stinson in Indie Music is owned by . Permission to republish Interview with Tommy Stinson in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.