Feud for Thought

"I'm not a misanthrope," Stephan Jenkins insists, but he could have fooled us. Since Third Eye Blind hit it big nearly two years ago, their frontman has earned a rep as one of rock's biggest mouths. Rather than take anyone's word for it, we went to the source.

So what's the deal?

I love everybody. I love the Smashing Pumpkins. I like Garbage. But that's not very interesting, is it?

Not as interesting as what you think of Eddie Vedder. Did he criticize you for covering "Baba O'Riley"?

Pearl Jam were playing at Madison Square Garden, and he said, "[Third Eye Blind] had no right to play this song." It's funny, because I like Pearl Jam's songs. But this is Eddie, as usual, starting something he can't finish - like Ticketmaster. SO to have him policing who can play Who covers make him a power-hungry cop. He wants to wear mirrored sunglasses and write tickets.

What about the spat with Live?

We were playing a festival, and their crew was harassing people. I called 'em on it, and the band did the Hollywood hide-behind-the-bouncer thing. The band is a bunch of pussies. Once you've got guys clearing the hallway for you, you're a karaoke band.

What about the Green Day thing?

[Third Eye Blind bassist] Arion Salazar tackled [Green Day bassist] Mike Dirnt, and Mike ran 200 yards to push him back. It would be good if we could bury the hatchet. We drink at the same pub. You've never heard me talk shit about Green Day.

And Rob Thomas?

He's the guy in Matchbox 20?

Yes, he is.

He's obsessed; he won't shut up about me. I don't know him.

You never said he was fat?

I have no idea. But if I blew up to Elvis-like proportions, I would expect Rolling Stone to make fun of me, and I would take it in stride.

He called you "a good archenemy."

He's not my archenemy - I don't know him. I don't have any idea what he weighs.

He then said to you, "I just think you are walking, breathing, living cheese."

See? Even when he's talking about me, he has to use food references.


Thanks JO for sending me the article!!