Josh: I should clarify. We didn't make an appearance — I personally organized a concert in Central Park featuring Nick's music in July 2005, with me on guitar and Julie on vocals, two guests doing a couple of songs each, and Robert Kirby, Nick's schoolmate, arranger and collaborator conducting our 10-piece orchestra — plus a two bassists, backup singers, a pianist, and percussionist.

We got Central Park Summerstage to sponsor the show, and I borrowed 6 guitars from Gibson, each tuned a different way, in order to perform this music, and we flew Kirby in from England for the show. 3,000 people showed up, and it was one of the most significant nights of my life.

That said, I really have no interest at this time in playing anything but my music, the occasional cover, and the music of my Great Uncle Al Hoffman, but that's because I know something like 3,000 songs and have been playing others' music most of my life. I went through a period from 2001-2004 where I kept forming one-night tribute shows – I was Elvis Costello in a band called "Elvis Prestello and the Distractions", for example, complete with Elvis Presley Las Vegas '75 costume, and we performed Costello albums in their entirety. I also formed a Zeppelin band and a Beatles band that did really well for awhile.

The Nick Drake thing was the pinnacle of that period, and I officially closed the book on the tribute thing after that. If Cuba opens up again to tourists after Castro's death, we'll go over there with an hour show of Cuban songs, but other than that, 'tis over.

What inspired your rockin' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" cover?

Josh: I was messing around with the riff, decided to try it live, and it got one of the biggest reactions of any song we've ever played, especially as we speed up at the end. When we first recorded it, the riff was done on acoustic and there was mandolin in the choruses. Electric sounded more freaky, and mandolin was too hot-dang-I-tell-yuh-whut.

At this point, the Maxes appear to essentially be you two with a rotating set of back-up musicians. Are there any plans for a more "permanent" full lineup?