With the release of its curiously titled
sophomore album Congratulations, I'm Sorry , pop rockers the Gin Blossoms seemed to be making a statement about the trials and
tribulations that came with the double-platinum success of their A&M
debut New Miserable
Experience. Despite the album's strong
outward performance, the band's internal problems culminated with the
suicide of their principal songwriter. The retooled GBs continued to
sell records, though, and with Congratulations... they proved
they had a knack for crafting catchy, melodic pop hits that satisfied
the musical appetites of mainstream programmers in the grunge-filled
'90s. The band's Robin Wilson and Scott Johnson shared some insight with
LAUNCH executive editor Dave DiMartino about their ascent up the charts
and their place in the pop music landscape.
LAUNCH:
Now that you've attained a certain level of success, do you
find there is any downside to being in a popular band?
ROBIN:
The downside of success, if you're not built for it, just
being recognized in a shopping mall can be a problem, but it doesn't
really bother me. It's an easy trade for me. I like where I'm at; I
don't mind being involved in the "nasty music industry," because once
you sell some records, you get what you want from it.
SCOTT:
It's a lot more work than I thought it would be. A lot more
work. It's not easy. It takes a lot of time traveling away from home.
It's not easy in any respect.
LAUNCH:
How do you classify your music...Would you agree that you
fall under the category of "powerpop?"
ROBIN:
I like the term powerpop; I like to be known as that. Because
we are a pop band, and we have our powerful moments. Powerpop to me
means the The Replacements and the Goo Goo Dolls. I like that. But I feel
labels are unimportant. I've always thought of ourselves as a rock and
roll band, a pop band. I don't care what format we get played on with
radio, although I will say, that in 1996, it's important for our band to
be played on alternative radio, you know, as a marketing tool, etc. We
kiss ass a lot when we have to.
SCOTT:
All music--if it's played on the radio--is popular music. I
seem to think of ourselves more as a straightahead rock band.
LAUNCH:
Now, you recorded Congratulations, I'm Sorry in
Memphis. Can you tell us a little about that experience?
ROBIN:
We've recorded both records in Memphis at Ardent; Memphis is
an incredible town. I mean it's the birthplace of rock `n' roll. You
know you're participating in a rich musical tradition. They've got great
barbecue, the best people. We'll always have a fondness for the folks of
Memphis, Tennessee.
SCOTT:
We had so much material, it was amazing. We went through
about 25 songs before we got to Memphis. And while we were recording the
record, "Till I Hear It From You" was climbing up the charts, so it
gives you a good feeling to know that's happening while you're making
your new record. We were pretty busy, but it was fun to eat in the
restaurants. The barbecue in Memphis is amazing. But we worked 10 to 10
every day. The first thing we do is play live during the recording of
the rough tracks and getting the drums. For the first few weeks, all
five of us are playing together. And then we add bass and guitar. It's
pretty busy. But the musicians in Memphis are really amazing; the local
house band at BB King's was fantastic. I saw a bluegrass band that was
just unbelievable. The talent there was just amazing. I don't know where
it comes from...it must be the barbecue.
LAUNCH:
Tell me about that title: Congratulations, I'm
Sorry.
ROBIN:
Our bass player came up with the title. We like it 'cause
it's funny, smart alecky. It sounds like a Replacements album title.
Like Pleased To Meet Me. It does symbolize that we've had a lot
happen to us in the last few years. We've experienced a whole spectrum
of emotions and events in the past year. That's what it symbolizes for
us.
LAUNCH:
Is there a marked difference between this album and your
last release?
ROBIN:
I don't know if there's a major difference between the
records. There's a different songwriting structure in the group now; a
different musical vision. Doug's songwriting influenced me a great deal,
and I hope his style, intentions come through in my songwriting.
LAUNCH:
What's your favorite song on the album?
ROBIN:
If we could have only put one song on the LP, it would be
"Follow You Down." The best and most well-crafted song is "As Long As It
Matters." That's one of our best songs, it could be one of our biggest
hits. Lyrically, "Not Only Numb" is the most personal to me, they're the
best lyrics I've ever written.
SCOTT:
I really like "I Can't Figure You Out" and "As Long As It
Matters." These songs were more groove-oriented, and it was really
challenging for me as a guitar player even to play them when the songs
were brought in to the rehearsal place. It was tough, but very exciting
for me as a player.
LAUNCH:
Tell me about your hometown of Tempe, Arizona. What's the
music scene like there?
ROBIN:
There's a great scene in Tempe. It's not huge; it's not
Seattle or Austin. It's small enough that you can make a living making
original music. There are a lot of gigs to be had. It's a unique scene
and it doesn't sound like anyone else's scene. It's pop-oriented and I
like that. What's great is that it didn't exist nine years ago...It's
something we built with these other groups...Like the Freedbags, Sticky
Things. We built something out of nothing. And now bands getting signed.
We were the first. I'm glad it's happening.
SCOTT:
When we were there in Tempe before we left to tour, I didn't
appreciate it as much. Once you get on the road and go to other cities,
you realize they don't all have a local music scene. It made me
appreciate being from a music town where people actually pay to see you
play and you can make a living being a musician.
LAUNCH:
Who do you guys get compared to?
ROBIN:
We always are compared to whoever's playing guitar on the
charts at the time--from Soul Asylum to Counting Crows. Last year it was
Hootie & The Blowfish. Labels mean nothing. Personally, I like to think
we're in same vein as Soul Asylum or the Goo Goo Dolls. Like we were
talking earlier. Powerpop. I think that's what we do.
SCOTT:
We used to get compared to R.E.M. a lot, and I never really
heard that myself. We hear The Byrds a lot and maybe that's so. Maybe we do
sound a bit like the Byrds, but it's definitely the Byrds 20 years
later. Actually, I think we sound a lot like the Plimsouls and I don't
hear that very often. I think they're a really good band. And I think we
sound an awful lot like them.
LAUNCH:
What would you say is the album that had the greatest
impact on you as an artist?
ROBIN:
I think my most important album would have to be Rubber
Soul by the The Beatles. There is so much I've stolen from that record.
It has to be the one essential album in my collection.
SCOTT:
There's been several, but Let It Be by the Beatles was
such an influence on me when I was little, 10 years old. It really
influenced me a lot.
LAUNCH:
As an artist, you must empathize with bands who you feel
haven't gotten the credit they deserved. Who's your favorite underrated
act?
ROBIN:
The Replacements. If they released Pleased To Meet Me
today, it would be the hugest album out there. The Replacements are
probably one of most underrated bands. The Meat Puppets as well. That
band is always breaking new ground and they should be selling more
records than we do.
SCOTT:
I would have to go with the Replacements. I'm a big fan of
Paul and the other guys' solo projects. They were such an amazing band
who put out some great records. They were just a straightahead rock band
who never got the credit they deserved.
LAUNCH:
If you had to describe each member of your band with only
one word, what would it be?
ROBIN:
Phil, his one word would be
LATE. Bill, his one word would be PISSED. Jesse's one word would be
ALOOF. Scott's one word--and I know he's sitting right there, but his
one word would have to be COOL. And if I had to describe myself with one
word it would have to be...DWEEB.
SCOTT:
Well, you know what? For me, this may really sound silly, but
whenever I think of these guys...I have four brothers. And being in a
band with five guys, well, they all seem like brothers to me. That's the
word that comes to mind.
