I had the chance to meet up with Bohb Blair, frontman and activist for Chicago rock band Bicycle, Tricycle as he was recovering from New Year festivities, gorging ourselves on all you can eat curry at a dive Indian joint. For some reason he seemed a little distant, and was wearing huge sunglasses- you could have fit an entire Paris Hilton in each lens.
He was most excited about the release of Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry which has been receiving rave reviews from this and other media outlets.
We talked about winter storms, his kids, the wreck of his Vespa, and current events, and got down to the business of the interview.
MyCityBuzz: What is your New Year's Resolution?
Bohb: I never make those. If it's not a good enough decision to make any other day, why make it then? Besides, I have too much 2007 baggage...
MyCityBuzz: When did you first discover that you wanted to be a musician?
Bohb: It was late for me, not till high school that i started to play. I realized i liked writing songs more than playing one's that were already written.
MyCityBuzz: What was the first instrument you learned to play?
Bohb:: Piano, but my grandmother got me an acoustic guitar that i learned
how to play just good enough to strum along to my singing, i never
did learn how to play lead.
MyCityBuzz: Who are your greatest musical influences?
Bohb: The Pixies, Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Donovan
MyCityBuzz: Biggest musical guilty pleasure?
Bohb I probably listen to Kermit's rendition of 'Rainbow Connection'
more than most grown men
MyCityBuzz: Tell our readers about your most embarassing moment onstage?
Bohb: I was playing at Double Door, many years ago. It was a pretty good show, but afterward i was still excited and surprised when two members of the all-hot-girl-band 'Joygirl' came up to the stage to talk to me. Since i had just finished playing i crouched down on the stage, which was about eye level with the girls. We talked for a minute, and the entire time they were oddly distracted and giggly. After they walked away i looked down and realized i had a huge rip in the crotch of my pants, and that per usual i'd gone commando that day. Yes, my balls were dangling right in their face.
MyCityBuzz: Who cuts your hair?
Bohb: O'm a little upset about that right now, they really shouldn't be allowed to put it in the name if it isn't going to be 'Super'.
MyCityBuzz: Stuck on a desert island with an iPod with only 5 songs... what are they?
Bohb: 5 songs to listen to for 8 hours until the iPod battery dies... hmmm...
Burning Airlines - Brian Eno
Some Weird Sin - Iggy Pop
Perfect Day - Lou Reed
Superlungs my Supergirl - Donovan
The Slider - T. Rex
MyCityBuzz: Favorite book?
Bohb: The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson (and Robert Shea...)
MyCityBuzz: Best characteristic in a woman? In a guitar?
Bohb: Why are these together? let's see... i do like the 3/4 size models in each, they should make me sound better than i am, and I like both held on to me with a strap.
MyCityBuzz: Where is your "Spot"- Where do you feel the most comfortable? The most inspired?
Bohb: I have a little room in my house that i put all my gear in,instruments and recording and i painted it a horrific shade of green. right in front of my desk is a framed album cover of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts that is signed by both Brian Eno and David Byrne. it's my favorite spot.
MyCityBuzz: Where do you usually write? How?
Bohb: I write in the odd little green room, high as a goat and with a guitar or keyboard in hand. the music almost always comes with the words.
MyCityBuzz: What's so special about 23 anyway?
Bohb: The best part of the 23 phenomenon is the second part which is most overlooked. "The law of fives dictates that the viewer will find permutations of the number 23 everywhere they look IF THEY LOOK HARD ENOUGH" it's just an illustration of perception and filters and how everyone looks at this world and see's exactly what they want to or what they already think they will see. The number 23 is just a lovely icon for the theory.
MyCityBuzz: Your favorite live band?
Bohb: Right now? The best band i've seen live in a long while has been The
Arcade Fire
MyCityBuzz: What's the best movie you've ever seen?
Bohb: I always used to answer this question Motorama. it is a great movie, and really rare so it makes me look cool. but i really haven't seen it in quite a while, the one i find myself putting back into the DVD player over and over has been Velvet Goldmine. i love it.
MyCityBuzz: What motivates you?
Bohb: The endless pursuit of validation.
MyCityBuzz: If you could have one person in the world listen to your most recent record all the way through, who would it be?
Bohb: Brian Eno - he is the master, he plays the studio like an instrument.
MyCityBuzz: Most annoying celebrity?
Bohb: I really wouldn't know, I don't know any celebrities. but I've had disappointing encounters with many rockers.
MyCityBuzz: Favorite food- in Detroit? In Chicago?
Bohb: Detroit: Coney Island Dog, but i order the 'loose burger', GENIUS: a sloppy joe on a hot dog bun. Chicago? Kuma's Korner, gourmet burgers and made to order mac n cheese.
MyCityBuzz: Best Live venue?
Bohb: Anywhere? damn you, I just got a bad flashback to my touring days
trying to remember all the clubs. Now my brain hurts.
MyCityBuzz: How old were you when you first self-intoxicated?
Bohb: I started late, I was an exchange student in Germany my Junior year
of high school, my first taste of lots of things over there. But ever since then, I've made up for lost time...
For more Bohb, head over to www.bicycletricycle.com |