Band of Horses

What has the response to your music been in your native Southeast, and how are crowds down there different from up here?

I actually enjoy those crowds a bit more. Those places we're playing, the kids are a bit rowdier and not so polite.

Do you think Burt Reynolds' Hollywood career veered off course on account of questionable script choices or questionable plastic surgery?

I like his movies, man. So I'm not really sure.

Which is the superior band name and why: AIDS Wolf or the Ass Ponys?

AIDS Wolf, just 'cause it's really funny. AIDS Wolf is like the best I've ever heard, actually.

Explain the impulse for bands to name themselves after powerful, feral animals?

Band names are terrible to come up with and deal with, so either way you're screwed, man.

Do you think Tom Petty gets the respect he deserves?

Yes.

A trusted source claims you pulled a knife on the producer of Everything All the Time [Sub Pop] during recording. What predicated this action? And what sort of knife was it?

It was a really long serrated bread knife. And the reason I had it in my hand was I didn't have anywhere to put it while I was singing.

Were you making a sandwich or something?

No, I just had it in my hand.

Is it true you ripped off the title of your record from "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles?

No, but now that you mention it, I do remember that lyric.

Do you think it would be therapeutic for relatively subdued acts like Pinback and the Starlight Mints to just let it rip?

Everyone's got their own thing. With Carissa's Wierd we were pretty minimalist, and that was the goal. I think those bands are doing a good job; they can just do whatever the fuck they want. Anyone can. That's America.

mseely@seattleweekly.com