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What band did you listen to most during the eighties? Do you still like them?
Joel Reader: I developed a devotion to popular music somewhat late in life. Before that, I was a geeky cellist and I mostly played and listened to classical music. However, when I finally started paying attention in the late '80s, the first band I truly loved was the Beatles (maybe you've heard of them?), and I became obsessed. As I am to this day.
What is your worst memory of elementary school? Of high school?
Joel Reader: The whole experience is a blur of shame and defeat, but just for the record I think Junior High was even worse.
You're about to -- ahem -- get lucky. What album is playing in the background? Why'd you choose it?
Joel Reader: Something short so that the lucky lady would be under the impression the act lasted a little longer than it actually did.
What was the first thing you ever shoplifted? Why did you take it?
Joel Reader: You may not believe me, but I don't think I've ever shoplifted anything in my life. Sometimes I'll graze the bulk candy bins at the supermarket, and I'm sure I'm going to Hell for that already.
If you could beat up anyone in the world and get away without the usual annoying real-world consequences -- jail time, lawsuits, bad press, etc. --who would it be, and why?
Joel Reader: Fred Durst could probably use a good pop in the face.
What's the biggest risk you've ever taken? Why did you take it?
Joel Reader: I used to be in another band, which I loved and which was paying the bills, but I gave it up to have the Plus Ones. Not to overstate things, but it was a hard choice for me to make and I only did it because I felt it was important to write songs and find my own voice.
It's better to regret something you have done than it is to regret something you haven't done. What do you regret doing (other than agreeing to answer these questions)? Why did you do it?
Joel Reader: I regret not eating more vegetables. Wait, that's something I haven't done. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
Did you go to your high school prom? If so, who did you go with?
Joel Reader: No, instead I played a show at 924 Gilman St., and had a much better time I'm sure. One of my closest friends, Clair, wore a formal dress and accompanied me to Gilman, but I didn't get lucky or drunk until I was sick so it didn't exactly duplicate the prom experience of most people. (NOTE: My knowledge of prom night activities is culled exclusively from an old episode of Beverly Hills 90210)
What movie would you recommend to absolutely anyone? Why?
Joel Reader: Well, who doesn't love Raising Arizona?
For reasons we won't bother going into right now, you're going to be locked in the back of a truck for a sixteen hour drive between gigs. If you could have any musician, past or present, back there to keep you company, who would it be?
Joel Reader: There are some things I'd love to ask Elvis Costello, and I'm relatively confident that he wouldn't get fresh with me.
What is your strongest, most unshakeable belief?
Joel Reader: That we're all ultimately only accountable for ourselves, that the right thing should be done for its own sake, and that loud guitars are good.
What's the worst band you've ever heard? Why do they suck?
Joel Reader: I really, really hate Rush. One of the worst vocalists ever, ridiculous musicianship and laughable lyrics all contribute to this opinion. I also feel comfortable stating this because I know I'll never meet them face-to-face, unlike some other bands I could have named.
If you were a porn star, what would your "porn name" be?
Joel Reader: You could call me Les. Les DuThis.
You're on your way to a show, and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a huge four-way battle between pirates, ninjas, robots and intelligent apes from the future. Your only hope of getting to your gig is to pick a side. Who do you join, and why?
Joel Reader: I wear a lot of black, so I'd already be dressed for the Ninjas.
If you could sponsor any beverage -- appear in their ads, receive a lifetime supply and never be seen drinking a competing product -- what beverage would it be?
Joel Reader: Liquid Money.
What's the best venue you've ever played? What's the worst? Why?
Joel Reader: I have a sentimental attachment to the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, which I've probably played more times than any other club, but you know which place didn't live up to the hype? CBGB's. It wasn't that fun, and the sound kind of sucked, but at least the bathrooms were as dirty as the legend would have you believe.
What's wrong with Rolling Stone these days?
Joel Reader: Their recent, embarrassing "ROCK IS BACK!" cover featuring the Vines, Strokes, Hives and White Stripes just proves that they're about 18 months behind the British rock press in terms of spotting trends.
Why are frogs amusing?
Joel Reader: Um...are they? Do you mean the Frogs, as in the band?
You've traveled back in time and met yourself, age sixteen. What do you think?
Joel Reader: Lose the wallet chain, get a haircut, and find a shirt that fits you, kid.
Which would be worse: three hours on a bus full of four year-olds, or three hours on a bus full of eighty year-olds? Why?
Joel Reader: Worst of all: 80 hours on a bus with four three year-olds.
The US government is considering far more aggressive regulation of leather pants. Under the new rules, who should or shouldn't be allowed to wear them?
Joel Reader: I honestly think the world could do without leather pants altogether.
What, in your opinion, is the best porn?
Joel Reader: The barely legal stuff, but in a few more years it might be too embarrassing for me to still be watching that.
What food item could you eat every day for the rest of your life without getting bored of it? What's so good about it?
Joel Reader: Bread and butter is just never going to go out of style.
Will the next Star Wars movie suck? Why or why not?
Joel Reader: Yes. Because, frankly, none of them are all that spectacular, and George Lucas just shouldn't write or direct.
How many roads must a man walk down before they call him a man?
Joel Reader: One a year for 18 years.
Everyone's replacing their least-favorite body parts with cybernetic ones. Which part(s) of your body would you replace?
Joel Reader: Maybe a cybernetic set of wash-board abs wouldn't hurt.
What topics or statements would inspire you to call in to a talk radio program?
Joel Reader: I have to admit that I'd be too lazy to call in for anything less than a heated debate about myself.
What album(s) should everyone be given on their eighteenth birthday?
Joel Reader: The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, The Beatles' Rubber Soul and Revolver, Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True, Superdrag's Regretfully Yours, Weezer's blue album, AC/DC's Back In Black and The Zombies' Odyssey and Oracle.
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From the east bay, this amazing four-piece plays a mix of pop and rock in a similar vein as Weezer, the Beatles, and Elvis Costello playing twister. Oh, and Joel used to be in the Mr. T Experience
-- George Zahora
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