Jason Anders: What is the most annoying interview question you are asked on a regular basis?
Rachel Goodrich: What does your band sound like?
JA: What three adjectives best describe you?RG: Shake. A. Billy. There's three adjectives (laughs).
JA: Do you have any phobias?
Jeffrey James (Bass): Bugs in general.
Geneva Harrison (Drums/ Percussion): Airplanes, getting sick, salmonella, swine flu...
John Paul Ramos (Trombone/ Vocals): Snakes.
JJ: Diabetes, cancer, brain tumors...
RG: I think they know me better than I know myself. I fear yesterday and tomorrow. I fear right now. My phobia is you. Let's move on... I phobe this. JA: What are your favorite albums you are listening to right now?
RG: I love this question! I've been listening to the same albums for a while now- we are all listening to The Kinks at the moment. We're actually getting ready to become a Kinks tribute band, so in preparation for that we are listening to lots of their records. I love, love, love Solomon Burke... rock and soul. He's the greatest.
RG: Micachu & the Shapes are fucking great! Tune-Yards.
JA: What was the first song you ever heard that made you decide to pick up an instrument and learn to play?
RG: Well my father plays music, so I heard him play and that made me want to pick up an instrument. Obviously you don't want to do what your parents do exactly, so I kind of shied away and let go of it for a little bit. Then I saw this guy play a Kurt Cobain cover on a Fender Strat, with a tiny amp, and I was like "wow, that's pretty cool." That's what made me want to rock out with an instrument. I don't remember which song it was, I just remember the experience.
JA: How did all of you come together?RG: Coincidence. Whiskey.
JA: Do you collect anything?
RG: I don't.
JA: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
RG: I feel in-between. How about you, Geneva?
GH: Depends on the day. I feel like I sit in my age.
JA: What was your first real job?RG: I worked at an ice skating rink in Miami, Florida. I was a skate guard, saving all kinds of people.
JJ: Landscaping.
GH: My first real job was Honey Baked Ham (laughs). And then a movie theater, which was awesome because of the free movies. I really wanted to work at Toys "R" Us across the street though.
JA: Favorite television show?RG: I don't watch TV because I don't have cable.
GH: Arrested Development. Yo Gabba Gabba! all the way.
RG: Doug, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Spongebob Squarepants...
RG: Tennis, actually.
GH: Riding my bike and watching movies.
JA: At the same time?
GH: Yeah, I get in trouble a lot.
JA: Was there ever anything for you outside of music that you wanted to pursue professionally?JJ: Bowling.
GH: (laughs) That's funny because someone told me once, "Hey, you play with that guy on bass that looks like John Goodman from The Big Lebowski".
RG: We should move on.
JA: Favorite movie?
RG: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
JA: What do you love most about making music?RG: I love creating the vision in my brain. I enjoy being in a living room with a guitar, all by myself... it takes me to a place that these guys bring me to as well. What a serious answer (laughs).
JA: Do you prefer being in the studio or performing live?
GH: I can't pick. They both take you to different places. Being in the studio really takes you out of yourself- it's all about the interaction. It's just a different energy. Recording is all about capturing those moments that you're in. When you're playing live it's there as well, but you're constantly moving forward together. It's like riding a four man bike together.
JJ: We're like a bobsled team.
JA: Is there a city or venue that feels like coming home to play?GH: Austin, Texas and Nashville are great towns to play.
RG: Atlanta, and Florida just in general.
JJ: It usually ends up being the last show of the tour...
GH: Yeah, you savor that moment because it's the last one you have.
JA: Favorite color?JJ: Green.
JPR: Yeah! Mine too!
GH: Green is also mine. Purple is a close second.
RG: I like red.
JA: Do you play chess?
RG: I do! I like it. I own a chess board.
JA: Do you make your bed in the morning?RG: It depends on who is coming over.
JA: If you had to sum up your style with one word, what would it be?
RG: Well I kind of said it earlier, but I have no shame in saying it again: Shake-A-Billy!
www.RachelGoodrich.com