Montreal jazz funk band Jazz Pharmacy are currently celebrating their new release, "Amnesia."
Current fixations:
The PBP Funk, beurre d'arachides cornichons a la funk, "the clitoris", listening to his records (Ed), sunshine.
Mind altering work of art:
Jean Tinguely's "Meta-Machines", "Solaris" a sci-fi film by Tarkofsky.
Most memorable or inspiration gig and why?
Dave: Henry Threadgill's new band at the Knitting Factory in NYC. Only the foremost composer in the universe, this show was so mind-blowingly intricate and free and funky that I was rendered speechless. Luckily, Eddy spoke to the tuba guy and suddenly we were backstage and Henry and I had a 40-minute conversation about contemporary dance, recording, the music biz, free jazz, and life. Totally inspirational.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Montreal Jazz Fest 2000. Low: Not winning a Grammy again what the fuck!
What should everyone shut up about?
Everyone should just shut the fuck up!! Us included!
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Child poverty, environmental issues, anti-WTO events, amnesty international, Tibet and/or the Annual Jazz Pharmacy Vacation Festival Telethon Benefit.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Phil: myself. Dave: my phone-a-phobia. Ed: myself.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Uncontrollable snoring that is way too loud to ignore and yes I have, but sheepishly. (Dave)
When I think of Canada, I think:
We think of Canada being closer to the equator and/or John Candy, and we think about complacent people who couldn't give a rats ass if the mega companies sue the Canadian government about our socialised health program and win because our liberal government wants to take advantage of Central and South American countries just like the States. Hey, let's sell all of our water and soft lumber too. Anyone want our oil? Well what about the new Jazz Pharmacy disc?
Your vital daily ritual?
Phil: wake up, fall asleep. Ed: "Edga", personalised yoga by Eddy. Dave: "I ride my bike."
How do you spoil yourself?
We leave ourselves outside of the refrigerator for three days.
Your most memorable day job:
Eddy: Packing tongues and hearts in a meat packing plant. "I'm vegetarian." Dave: "I worked at an art gallery in Koln, Germany as a furniture designer and seamstress." Phil: not awake during day.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Dave: welder with my own shop. Eddy: "I'd be swimming in a lake." Phil: music.
What is your greatest fear?
Dave: "All of my friends and family suddenly ganging up on me and telling me all of my faults." Phil: "I'm trying to be fearless, and it's hard." Ed: letting go, and running out of chocolate.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Ed: Telepathy. Phil: Telekinesis. Dave: "an uncanny ability to balance myself."
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Phil: chancelle, fake moustaches. Dave: intense eye contact and erotic flirting. Ed: the brothel scene in episode 12 of "Bonanza."
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
The feeling on stage when everyone is dancing to our music and the vibe is slamming and the band is tight and loose in all the right ways is better than sex because it is with so many more people. We want to to have a naked sushi party all the time really.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Phil saw Mr. T's head outside toys'r'us from 400 yards away when he was eight. Dave: sold Scary Spice 738 pounds (sterling) of orange and silver mirror mosaic bobbles for her 150 ft high Christmas tree in the Tottenham court road branch Paperchase store. I gave her a gold ink pen and asked if she wanted to sign her autograph in gold. Ed: as a bus boy I once served Uma Thurman bread and butter in NYC.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Eddy: Jimi Hendrix, acid. Dave: John Cage and hopefully he would cook and I would also invite Picasso. Phil: my great grandfather, and I'd make him whatever he wanted.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Our moms just want us to be happy.
Current fixations:
The PBP Funk, beurre d'arachides cornichons a la funk, "the clitoris", listening to his records (Ed), sunshine.
Mind altering work of art:
Jean Tinguely's "Meta-Machines", "Solaris" a sci-fi film by Tarkofsky.
Most memorable or inspiration gig and why?
Dave: Henry Threadgill's new band at the Knitting Factory in NYC. Only the foremost composer in the universe, this show was so mind-blowingly intricate and free and funky that I was rendered speechless. Luckily, Eddy spoke to the tuba guy and suddenly we were backstage and Henry and I had a 40-minute conversation about contemporary dance, recording, the music biz, free jazz, and life. Totally inspirational.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Montreal Jazz Fest 2000. Low: Not winning a Grammy again what the fuck!
What should everyone shut up about?
Everyone should just shut the fuck up!! Us included!
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Child poverty, environmental issues, anti-WTO events, amnesty international, Tibet and/or the Annual Jazz Pharmacy Vacation Festival Telethon Benefit.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Phil: myself. Dave: my phone-a-phobia. Ed: myself.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Uncontrollable snoring that is way too loud to ignore and yes I have, but sheepishly. (Dave)
When I think of Canada, I think:
We think of Canada being closer to the equator and/or John Candy, and we think about complacent people who couldn't give a rats ass if the mega companies sue the Canadian government about our socialised health program and win because our liberal government wants to take advantage of Central and South American countries just like the States. Hey, let's sell all of our water and soft lumber too. Anyone want our oil? Well what about the new Jazz Pharmacy disc?
Your vital daily ritual?
Phil: wake up, fall asleep. Ed: "Edga", personalised yoga by Eddy. Dave: "I ride my bike."
How do you spoil yourself?
We leave ourselves outside of the refrigerator for three days.
Your most memorable day job:
Eddy: Packing tongues and hearts in a meat packing plant. "I'm vegetarian." Dave: "I worked at an art gallery in Koln, Germany as a furniture designer and seamstress." Phil: not awake during day.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Dave: welder with my own shop. Eddy: "I'd be swimming in a lake." Phil: music.
What is your greatest fear?
Dave: "All of my friends and family suddenly ganging up on me and telling me all of my faults." Phil: "I'm trying to be fearless, and it's hard." Ed: letting go, and running out of chocolate.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Ed: Telepathy. Phil: Telekinesis. Dave: "an uncanny ability to balance myself."
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Phil: chancelle, fake moustaches. Dave: intense eye contact and erotic flirting. Ed: the brothel scene in episode 12 of "Bonanza."
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
The feeling on stage when everyone is dancing to our music and the vibe is slamming and the band is tight and loose in all the right ways is better than sex because it is with so many more people. We want to to have a naked sushi party all the time really.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Phil saw Mr. T's head outside toys'r'us from 400 yards away when he was eight. Dave: sold Scary Spice 738 pounds (sterling) of orange and silver mirror mosaic bobbles for her 150 ft high Christmas tree in the Tottenham court road branch Paperchase store. I gave her a gold ink pen and asked if she wanted to sign her autograph in gold. Ed: as a bus boy I once served Uma Thurman bread and butter in NYC.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Eddy: Jimi Hendrix, acid. Dave: John Cage and hopefully he would cook and I would also invite Picasso. Phil: my great grandfather, and I'd make him whatever he wanted.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Our moms just want us to be happy.