Everclear has joined forces with other acts that may be best describes as ‘90’s Rock and Pop groups for the Summerland Tour 2012 to get rid of the stereotype and prove their music still resonates today. They saw their biggest fame with the release of the album Sparkle and Fade and the chart topper “Santa Monica.” They have continued representing their West Coast roots and have just released their eighth album Invisible Stars and show no signs of stopping any time soon.

 

Amy spoke with front-man Art Alexakis to preview the show coming up in Cincinnati. They discussed the tour and made Alexakis face a lighthearted game of quick-fire questions leading to some very comical and real responses. Everclear will be performing at the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend on Wednesday night alongside Sugar Ray, The Gin Blossoms, Marcy Playground and Lit when Summerland hits Cincinnati.

 

Amy: You guys have been out on tour for a few weeks since June. What is the craziest band on the tour?

 

Art: The craziest band on the tour? Crazy in which way? My band has probably got more time with therapists. Does that count? I don’t know. I’ve got to tell you, every band is crazy in their own way. The Sugar Ray guys are just knuckleheads because they are playing ‘80’s music and 90’s Punk and singing it at the top of their lungs before every show. Lit are the party dogs. The Gin Blossoms are just old school pros and sweet guys and we are just a bunch of knuckleheads. I don’t know. It depends on what time and what day you are looking.

 

Amy: I have been listening to your new album Invisible Stars. My favorite song on the album was “Santa Ana Wind” and I wanted to see if you could tell me the story behind that song.

 

Art: It’s funny because that is one of the co-writes on the record. I had wanted to write a song about moving back to L.A. and I don’t force things. If it doesn’t come, I don’t force it because it always sounds disingenuous when you do. A friend of mine, David Walsh who is in a band with my old bass player, came by my studio just to hang out a little bit. I remember him sitting there and he picks up the guitar and goes, “I got this music that I just can’t figure out a melody or words to it” and he just started playing it and I just started singing the melody. Within two hours, we had a song. I took it home that night and finished it, finished all the words and got all the nuances and then we went in and recorded it a week later. It is my emotional favorite song on the record, it is definitely my favorite even though I love all the songs. I am really proud of this record but I am glad you like that song. That song means a lot to me. It’s weird because when I turned that song in, no one was talking about it as a single. I was kind of disappointed, but since the record came out, it has been the number one song people write me about on Twitter and with the band and on Facebook. That is the number one song I think, that and “Jackie Robinson” is probably neck and neck. I am glad it resonated with you. I like that a lot.

 

Amy: You guys have had produced major hits. I grew up with your music and love you guys. When you are writing, do you know when you have a hit?

 

Art: That is a real good question. I think a lot of people would be hesitant to answer that. I know when a song writes itself. I don’t know if you are familiar with my song “I’ll Buy You a New Life,” but that song basically wrote itself in like two hours and “Santa Monica” kind of wrote itself like that, and “Santa Ana Winds” kind of wrote itself like that and “Jackie Robinson.” I had the idea for it in the music but I didn’t write the lyrics until later, but when I wrote them they came out in like about an hour. Songwriting is the creative thinking. The craft part is easy for me but the creative parts you can’t control it.

 

Amy: There are definitely political tones on the new album, and I know you can be political at times. We are heading into a big election. Are you planning to do any campaign work or work with any candidates?

 

Art: No one has asked me. I am a tried and true Democrat and a huge fan of Barrack Obama, was in 2008 and still am. I think he has done a great job. He is trying to climb a mud hill up hill, straight up hill, and he is doing it. It’s a hard job. I sure as hell wouldn’t want that job. I’ll campaign if people ask. It’s not like I go out of my way. I am political because I believe everybody should be political. It is our role. It is one of our key responsibilities, it is like falling in love or working or eating. Voting is so important. I feel like it is our right and our obligation as an American. I have always felt that.

 

Amy: You guys are going out with all of these iconic ‘90’s bands and touring. What do you feel is the state of Rock music today?

 

Art: I don’t know. That’s a big, kind of ten dollar question I don’t have the answer to. From my perspective, one of the reasons I wanted to start this tour, the reason I called Mark to get involved and be my partner and do this thing with me was I felt there was a need for this. I was talking to a lot of people who felt very disenfranchised by contemporary Rock and Pop and felt a huge connection with the ‘90’s era more than from a nostalgic point of view. This type of guitar Rock resonates with them and resonates with me as well. I think those are the people that are picking up on our record. We aren’t on a major record. We don’t have a major promotion. It seems like they are picking up every week which is bizarre because they usually go down at first. It just shows me, especially the way word of mouth on this tour has been, has shown me that my hunches were right. This isn’t nostalgia. This is a valid connection with people and music. People still feel excited about it and have a great time, and I think that is what it is all about.

 

Amy: I just got a new table game and I have “Lightning Round” sort of type of questions for you.

 

Art: You just what type of game?

 

Amy: It’s a table game. You pick it up and ask questions. You should get one for the bus. Have you ever ran away from home?

 

Art: Have I ever ran away from home? Ok. Yes. You should do your homework missy.

 

Amy: I know. I did. That is why it is kind of funny that I drew that one first.

 

Art: That is why you were laughing when you asked the question, you already knew the answer too.

 

Amy: Sort of. What habit would you like to break?

 

Art: I can’t say what just came to mind.

 

Amy: Yes you can. We print anything. That’s the point of this. Don’t think.

 

Art: The habit I want to break is my aversion to world peace. That didn’t work did it. The habit I’d like to break is hitting on my drummer. I think it bothers him, makes him feel uncomfortable.

 

Amy: I thought you were going to say getting married or something along those lines.

 

Art: I see where you are going. Maybe it is getting married to women half my age.

 

Amy: That may be a good habit to break.

 

Art: I see. Just live with the band.

 

Amy: Have you ever been fired?

 

Art: Yes. I have been fired, several times.

 

Amy: What adjectives do you hope describe you at 75?

 

Art: Alive, is that an adjective, that’s not really an adjective is it. Virile. Exciting. It’s a working dream. It’s not that far away. 75 is probably a long way off for you, it is not that far off for me.

 

Amy: I’m not that young. I’m 36.

 

Art: You’re not that young? You’re older than my wife but you are younger than my ex-wife.

 

Amy: What is your best excuse when pulled over for speeding?

 

Art: To be honest with you, I never make an excuse. I always come clean, and I always get off. “I have no excuse officer. I was speeding. I was just excited to go where I want to go. I broke the law. I’m sorry. Give me the ticket.” I never get a ticket. The truth is good but being in a multi-platinum band probably helps too.

 

Amy: I’ll try it but I don’t think it will work as well for me.

 

Art: When girls say that, they try to cry. My ex-wife, beautiful, she was beautiful, she was an actress and she would try to cry and get away out of tickets and she always got the ticket.

 

Amy: I don’t cry. I just try to make up an excuse and that doesn’t work either. I am the worst driver.

 

Art: I believe you.

 

Amy: What is the most unusual gift you ever received?

 

Art: My wife now, when we were dating, gave me the gift of a party on my birthday that was like a role playing game, you ever done that?

 

Amy: I have done murder mysteries.

 

Art: This was a murder mystery but this was cool because I was a Columbian drug lord and she was a Columbian drug lord and we became partners in killing and murdering and it was awesome. It’s a game. It’s awesome.

 

 

Amy: I love it. Obviously I am playing the table game with you right now. I like games.

 

Art: I think you are making this up off the top of your head.

 

Amy: I am not. It is called Table Topics: Questions to Start Great Conversations. Any crazy Cincinnati stories from the past?

 

Art: Oh yeah, but I am not telling them to you.

 

Amy: Why?

 

Art: I have some really good Cincinnati stories. Just because. I will tell you one. I was in my room and I was at some posh hotel and I was fooling around with some people and I hit the door and metal got in my door and I got that, what’s that called…Staph Infection.

 

Amy: Well we look forward to seeing you this time. Be safe.