We listened to other CDs and other songs that night, but she kept asking to hear “Whatever I Fear” again. She bought the CD the next day. We’ve both influenced each other a lot over the past — wow, we’re a few days short of 10 years – and this is just one of the first examples. I gladly take credit for improving her taste in music. She takes great pride in turning me into something almost resembling a human. To most of you, you’d have to say advantage:her. For me, humanity is highly overrated. Music is far more important.
Spring/Summer 2001: The newlyweds. We were in our first apartment together in Athens. I was noodling around on the internet, she was across the hall scooping the cats' litter box. I stumbled on to Glen's web site where he had a song from his debut solo record available for sale. That song was "Train Wreck." I sat staring at my computer's monitor, my mouth hung open. My body was buzzing. I didn't even get up from my chair. I called across the hall and asked if we had enough money for me to order a CD. I ordered Abulum that night. As a sidenote, I ordered Lapdog's Near Tonight that same night. Lapdog was formed by Todd Nichols, also of Toad the Wet Sprocket.
6 ill-fated hours attending a Toad reunion show in Atlanta. We spent three hours trying to find the Cotton Club once we got to Atlanta and another six trying to find our way home. Along the way we got wrong directions from the locals at least three times and were verbally accosted by some unfriendly looking people outside a nightclub. There was fear, frustration, cursing and crying on that trip. I wasn't real happy about it either. The show, however, was wonderful. I'm still afraid of Atlanta and have never driven there without getting lost.
Spring 2006: I received an advance copy of Glen's upcoming album Mr. Lemons, an album he recorded just up the road from us in Nashville. I was working my way through the record, scribbling notes to myself, and trying to find a way to express my thoughts and feelings about the record. In the middle of that process, my wife's grandfather was moved to a nursing home. A few days later he passed away. During those days I continued to listen to Mr. Lemons, trying to keep my mind focused on something other than the helpless feeling of watching someone you love lose someone she loves. Just about everything I'd written and thought about that album went out the window because now I was hearing the record through new ears. Words that registered with me before now provided comfort and perspective. The music didn't answer all of my questions, but it helped. I like that record a lot but it's not always easy to listen to anymore, haunted by memories and emotions I neither wish to hide from nor dwell on.
What's remarkable about that list is how many "major" events one band has tied itself to in my mind. What's more remarkable is that it doesn't even factor in the anonymous times I popped one of their albums into the CD player or queued them up on my iPod just because I love the songs. Toad the Wet Sprocket is part of the soundtrack of my life, and I get the chance to tell Glen Phillips about it. I guess I should add one more:
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Great Article...
for me it goes further than that and when it gets inside you, songs, albums, and artists become a part of your life because they're a part of your memories.
Being a MetalHead,for me, was more about finding music that had passion & musicianship and in the late 80's there were plenty of underground Metal bands producing far more passionate & meaningful albums than what was on the radio. Dream Theater Images & Words got me through some horrible times.
That said, Toad.. was one of those bands that had a unique sound & passion for their brand of rock. Fear was also the beginning for me with the songs "Pray Your Gods" & "Stories I Tell" , the latter being just as heavy as alot of the "Hard Rock" of the late 80's. That album was a crutch for during my hardest break-up. When I found Bread & Circus, that's when I truly became a fan & Pale just made it that much easier to stay one.
That is freakin awesome that you were able to interview Mr. Phillips!! I hope the guys get back together for a few more albums & tours. I would love to get the chance to catch'em live...
2 - Phillip Winn
That was a fantastic interview, Josh!
3 - Phillip Winn
I should add that the article is fine work, too.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Brian, my thanks for the kind words, sir. You know, I never thought of how heavy "Stories I Tell" is, but you're not wrong there. There is a heaviness to the sound of that. It's not metal in the classic sense, yet there is a heaviness to it. I listened to that song twice yesterday. it's definitely a favorite.
And as for passion and musicianship, as a "retired metalhead" I understand that as well. Toad was never a band of virtuosos, but those albums they did with Gavin MacKillop always had a very professional sound to them. The music stands up very, very well.
Phillip, thanks for your kind words and for being there to listen. I hope I asked some questions that led to some interesting responses for everyone who tuned in. If you missed it, the show can be downloaded in the archives.