---by Rick Flynn © 2008 |
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Rick: We want to welcome you gentleman into The Madison Theater this evening and thank-you for selling out this house faster than any group that we've had here in months. Matt Hensley: Thank-you very much! Rick: How do you think the show at The Madison went tonight? Bob Schmidt: I thought it went great. The crowd is fantastic. Rick: Do you like our venue? Bob Schmidt: Yes. It's beautiful here. Rick: Is this your first time in at The Madison? Bob Schmidt: Yeah, first time here. Rick: How did the show go tonight, at The Madison, Nathen? Nathen Maxwell: Well, you know, it was definitely...it was a unique show tonight! It was a real special show. Rick: What was unique about it? Nathen Maxwell: Well, first off, the day started with our lead singer, Dave King, going to the tattoo parlor nextdoor and getting a big tattoo right on his sternum bone and, if anybody has tattoos, they know that is a fun time! And from that point on...it's just...if you haven't been tattooed in over six years...it was a real beautiful experience. He was celebrating something very dear to his heart and I could see that in him tonight on stage. Rick: What was he celebrating? Nathen Maxwell: His undying love for our fiddle player, Bridget Regan. Rick: Now, I'll tell you, THAT'S something to celebrate! Nathen Maxwell: There you go! It's Valentine's Day and it's kind of a special night. Rick: How long have Dave and Bridget been together? Nathen Maxwell: I don't really know exactly--not too long. |
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Rick: Matt, You've been with the group since the beginning? Matt Hensley: Yes sir. Rick: Back in the old Molly Malone's? Matt Hensley: That is correct. Back in Fairfax. Rick: Back in Fairfax? Matt Hensley: Yes, on Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood--Molly Malone's Irish Club. Rick: Bob, haven't you been with the band since the days at Molly Malone's? Bob Schmidt: Yes I have. Rick: Oh, I thought you're one of the original members. Bob Schmidt: Yes. Rick: That was how many years ago? Bob Schmidt: It's going on twelve years now. Rick: Do you ever go back there and play? Bob Schmidt: We haven't been back there to play in a while but we go back there at least once or twice a year. Rick: Now, during the first days...when you started there, when you would show up there, did you actually have rehearsals under your belt and you'd play? Or, did you just put the act together, little by little, at Molly Malone's? Bob Schmidt: We used to rehearse, when we were trying to get everything going together, but playing that weekly show, at Molly Malone's, really helped kind of gel the whole thing a lot faster maybe. We'd rehearse maybe once a week and then we'd do the show once a week which is one more rehearsal than most people got and then the Molly Malone's crowd, and the whole scene there, was pretty relaxed. Like we'd just get there and have a holey and it was a good time. Rick: They're still in business? Bob Schmidt: Yep. Yeah. Rick: In L.A.? Bob Schmidt: On Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. Rick: When you come there and play, do they announce that, or do you just kind of show up? Bob Schmidt: Most of the last few times we've gone there we just kind of showed up or planned a little secret thing under a different name or whatever cause when we were playing there it held maybe eighty or a hundred people and they'd cram maybe a hundred and twenty in there. Since then, they've expanded it so now it holds maybe two-hundred people all together. That's still a small show for us in L.A. Rick: Would you like to know how many people packed The Madison tonight to see you? Bob Schmidt: How many people were here today? Rick: Seventeen-hundred. Bob Schmidt: Nice size--very. Rick: And we had exactly ten tickets for sale today. Bob Schmidt: (laughing) Rick: You sold the venue out faster than any of the other acts we've had here in months. Did you feel the energy that exuded right in your face tonight? We had 1,700 people out there. Matt Hensley: I love it! I love it! I wanted to give it! I love it! Bob Schmidt: That's exciting to know, man. Rick: That is sure commendable. Bob Schmidt: Thank-you man! Rick: Now, I understand, from some of the other members of your group, that you have a brand new album coming out? Bob Schmidt: We do. March 4th it's coming out. Rick: It's called? Bob Schmidt: It's called ''Float''. Rick: What do you think about it? It's in the can? It's already produced? Bob Schmidt: It's in the can. I think it's the best sounding thing we've ever done. I think it comes the closest to what we sound like as a band. Rick: Who produced that? Bob Schmidt: We co-produced it with a guy named Ryan Hewett who was our engineer and kind of co-produced it with us. Rick: Really! So, you're real confident about the fact that it's the best thing you've ever done? Bob Schmidt: I feel great about it. I've listened to it. I've listened to the other albums, as well, but this one--I just love the way it sounds. Rick: Nathen, what are your feelings about that new album ''Float''? Nathen Maxwell: It's the best thing I've ever been part of! Rick: Really? Nathen Maxwell: Absolutely! Is that in stores yet? Nathen Maxwell: March 4th. Rick: Well, you certainly have one hell of a band. Bob Schmidt: Thank-you very much! Rick: If I said that Cincinnati dd not like you, I'd be the biggest liar! Bob Schmidt: We love Cincinnati, so... Rick: Matt, You did an in-store appearance, I understand, today. How did that go? Matt Hensley: It was super cool. The place was packed with people. Bob Schmidt: We had a really good time. Rick: I heard about that in-store. You did that at 5:00? Bob Schmidt: Yeah. Rick: How did you think it went, Bob? Were there a lot of people there? Bob Schmidt: Yeah. There were a lot of people. We had a good time. It went great. Rick: Cincinnati loves you guys. Bob Schmidt: They do. We love coming here too. Rick: What is it about Cincinnati, that you guys do so well here, you think? Bob Schmidt: I think the people just love a good time and we try to give it to them. Rick: You're to be commended for, when the show is over, you're one of the few acts that actually comes out and shakes hands and actually meets with the people. Is that important to you? Bob Schmidt: It is. I hope we're not one of the few acts that do it but our fans are important to us and they're no different than we are. We just happen to play instruments. I remember when I was a kid and I got to see bands I liked and got to meet them and it meant something to me and the way people respond to our music means something to us. Rick: Were you aware of the fact that The Madison was sold out tonight when you were there at the record store doing the in-store appearance? Matt Hensley: I was actually. I was aware of it this morning--that we had sold out the venue. Rick: Have you had a chance to actually see the venue yet or just the backstage? Matt Hensley: Oh yes, we had sound check. Rick: What do you think of The Madison Theater? Matt Hensley: I think it's beautiful. I knew right away it's going to be a good time and it's going to be a great show. Rick: It was a fabulous show. Matt Hensley: Did you get a chance to watch it? Rick: By all means! I wouldn't have missed it. Matt Hensley: Excellent. |
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Rick: We were talking earlier about your lead singer, Dave King, and his infamous tattoo work, but I see, Nathen, you have a lot of ink work done there, too. Nathen Maxwell: Yep. Rick: Did all that hurt? Nathen Maxwell: Yep. Rick: So, where did you get that done? Nathen Maxwell: All over. Rick: All over the place? Nathen Maxwell: All over. Rick: What do you think of The Madison Theater? Nathen Maxwell: All the people that work here are really great people. Everyone here was really kind. Rick: Did they take care of you? Nathen Maxwell: They did. They did our laundry. They turned us on to that really nice Korean restaurant down the street and it's a beautiful place and I'd be happy to come back. Rick: Well, I'm glad you think we have a happening venue. Nathen Maxwell: A happening venue--yeah! And uhh...Esther, is that her name? Rick: Esther is The First Lady of The Madison, yes. Nathen Maxwell: It was a real pleasure to meet her. She's really nice and kind. She has a good spirit and this whole place-- it was a good vibe. Rick: Will you come back and play for us? Nathen Maxwell: Hell yeah! |
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Rick: Well, it's great to have you here and we hope you come back to The Madison. Bob Schmidt: Thank-you very much, man! Rick: You've done a tremendous job. Bob Schmidt: We had a great time. Rick: Thank-you for taking time to speak with us. Bob Schmidt: Thank you guys! Matt Hensley: No worries! Thank-you very much. Rick: Thanks for taking time out to say hello. Nathen Maxwell: You got it! Rick: Nathen, we appreciate it and we'll see you next time in. Nathen Maxwell: Thank-you! |
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