We actually recorded a double album in 1998 with Mike Watt playing bass on it that never came out so maybe someone�s got tapes of that but I don�t know what happened to it. We just decided not to put it out, we didn�t like it. I don�t have copies of any of my records, especially the ones that never came out, I just have to much stuff to carry around with me.
As you can see we haven�t really prepared this we just thought we�d do it off the cuff for the fanzine�
Yeah, yeah, I like that spirit, I appreciate that. I think a fanzine is a really cool endeavour. You guys must really love music to do something like that. That�s why I still do it too, because music gave me a life. Y�know when you�re a kid and you love music and you love to do what you guys do, you probably feel exactly like me and hopefully you�ll always do it because there�s nothing better than doing something in music and I think it�s good for people alright?
Right! You talk a lot about whiskey, what's your favourite whiskey?
Me? Now? I don't drink whiskey anymore uh-uh.
What's your favourite record then?
You guys are putting me on the spot. I got too many, can you name just one? Can you name even five?
Maybe�
Yeah but the minute you get done naming them five you're going to think of about 50 more. I love a lot of records, nothing I could say I loved more than anything else. There's a few, maybe "Black Sabbath Vol.4"
It's funny you should mention that as the standard Nova Wreck interview question is to ask about Black Sabbath.
You like 'em? (eyebrow raised suspiciously)
Hell yeah!
That's good.
Any other musicians you admire?
Well, you've got the greats. People like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson. Again there's too many to name y'know?
What about Tom Waits?
I think it's a great blessing that Tom Waits is on the earth. Does that answer your question? Although I'm not his greatest fan for some reason. It's cool that he's there y'know what I mean, there's a difference. I totally appreciate him but I don't necessarily like it. My girlfriend likes him a lot so I have to hear him all the time anyway. (I just want to point out that as well having a similar singing voice, Mark looks eerily like the young Tom Waits- Jamesy)
Did you ever listen to Billy Childish or The Headcoats at all?
Yeah, but do you what's even better than his music is his poetry. It�s amazing. They just put out this really amazing compilation in the states called "I'd Rather You Lied" It's taken from all across his poetry career. It's good shit.
Yeah, we saw him just last week.
Wow! Doing music yeah?
Music and poetry. He was brilliant, really honest�
Cool.
What is it about Gospel music that inspires you?
A friend of mine has all these Gospel records and makes me these CDs and that's all I've been listening to these last couple of days. The singing on them is just incredible y'know, these guys today think they can fucking sing, it's embarrassing. When you hear that shit you don't even want to sing. The singing on that shit is just outrageous.
Do you like Spiritualized?
Do I like sports?
Spiritualized!
Oh, I like sports better than I like Spiritualized. One of my favourite records of all time is �The Perfect Prescription� (Spaceman 3) so I�ve always had a soft spot for Spiritualised even though Spaceman kicks the living shit out Spiritualised but don�t fucking quote me on that. Jasons� a nice guy and I don�t want him to think I�m dissing his thing but y�know the whole rest of the world loves him so fuck it.
Did you ever hear a tune called "Dragnet For Jesus" by Sister Winona Carr.
Uh-Uh.
If you like Gospel or Soul music you should get that record. It's amazing.
Yeah, I'll check it out.
Do you still live in Seattle?
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