CHRIS WALKER VS. BANDS AND BOOZE, THE SECOND ROUND: DODGE FROM MY OLD KENTUCKY BLOG

I’m doing something different today, instead of interviewing a musician I’m interviewing a blogger. Specifically, I’m interviewing Dodge from My Old Kentucky Blog: one of the most successful, prominent, trustworthy, and taste-making music blogs around.

A couple months ago, while I was trying to get Tapes n’ Tapes to do Bands and Booze (something I’m still in the process of doing), Josh Grier from the band told me if I wanted to get some good drinking stories I should interview Dodge. Josh was right, Dodge’s answers are awesome. Today on Bands and Booze Dodge talks about drinking with bands, backwood cops, the drunken mayhem that is SXSW, and provides what could be the best answer to the ninja, pirate, Viking question.

Let’s start by getting a little background on you, how and when did you become a music blogger?

Dodge: My wife, MJ, and I were having problems and I was listening to loads of music, as I do, because it makes me feel better. Anyway, I needed an outlet. I was working as a Creative Director for a small web development firm, and we weren’t doing so well, so I had a lot of time on my hands and I was surfing the web like crazy. I stumbled across *Sixeyes which led me to all sorts of great blogs. I thought, these are great! I want in on this. I contacted Alan at *Sixeyes, and Herr K. at Totally Fuzzy and they helped me get started. I didn’t know the rules or anything, I was just throwing up music I was loving and talking about it. I was hot-linking and fucking up all over the place. I’m still learning and thankfully some people out there like what I’m saying, or how I say it, or what I like. I don’t know what it is but I don’t take it for granted, I just want to enjoy it and make the most of it. It’s my connection to this community that teaches me way more than I teach it. There are some angry people out there though, but I have a thick skin. Not everyone likes me or MOKB, but that’s how the world works. I’m just grateful that some people do.

Well, I think it’s safe to say more people like it than those who don’t. Now onto the drinking questions! Let’s say you’re going for an all-nighter, what is your alcoholic weapon of choice?

Dodge: I usually roll with Bell’s Two Hearted when I’m drinking beer and Vodka Tonics when I’m drinking liquor. I love a good Sparks now and then, too. Jager is quite delicious and always leads to really good times for me.

Jager turns me into the devil. We’ve all got a type of alcohol we won’t touch, what’s yours and how did it become the alcohol you refuse to drink?

Dodge: Aftershock. Oh man, I threw up red for two days straight after drinking too much of that shit. Another time I had a buddy who drank way too much, at least a fifth, of it and seriously was close to very bad things. I literally had to stick my finger down his throat to make him throw up and it was red shit all over my hand and arm. He thanked me later, but I still haven’t forgiven him. Whiskey and bourbon can make me a bad drunk, so I try to avoid them. I like being a fun drunk a lot more and no one punches me in the face.

So, Josh from Tapes ‘n Tapes told me – two times, in fact – I needed to include you in Bands and Booze because you have some great drinking stories so, don’t let me down! All kidding aside, do you have any clue what he’s talking about?

Man, I’ve been good and sloshed with those guys a few times. I’m like the dancing beer at times, I guess. Next thing you know I’m drunk and yelling and dancing and making an ass of myself. They’re rocking out on stage and I’m banging on the stage and the wall and just rocking the eff out. One show in Chicago, Josh just kept looking over at me, he said, and he couldn’t stop laughing on stage. I didn’t even know, I was just rocking out.

I got real attached to their old bassist, Shawn. I love him, he’s a great guy. I mean they all are, so when Erik was moved in, I wasn’t so happy really. I kinda got good and drunk at that Chicago show and gave Erik the business a couple times. It was all in good fun, I mean, it wasn’t his call. He had nothing to do with it but I was giving him a hard time. Telling him his “Ah HAH’s” during “Just Drums” just weren’t as good as Shawn’s. He didn’t know me from Adam and was just sort of like, “Wha?! Who is this guy?" Also at that show, Ryan Schrieber was backstage with TnT and they were like, “Dodge, this is Ryan from Pitchfork!” I was drunk and I’m pretty sure I was just like oblivious. I kinda blew him off I think. I didn't mean to. I didn’t know who Ryan from Pitchfork was. Seriously, I hardly read it. Not for any particular reason, I just forget most of the time. Anyway, I might not have made the best first impression and the next night when I kinda figured out who he was I could tell he wasn’t into being buds. We’ve communicated over email a couple times since so maybe I didn’t act like as much of a knucklehead as I thought I did.

That’s awesome. Not knowing who you have and haven’t hung out with, aside from Tapes ‘n Tapes, do you any other stand-out, band related, drinking stories?

Dodge: Nah, nothing too exciting. Normal ol’ drunk in bars bullshiz. St. Patty’s day is probably my favorite day of the year and I always get a good drunk on for it. I was down at SXSW this year for it, so that was really fun.

One of the guys in Dios (Malos), after a few drinks, hit on my wife pretty hard right in front of me. That was weird.

Matt Pond and Cary Brothers are fun drunks. I shared some beers with them.

If I had the opportunity I would love to drink with A.C. Newman and Jason Collett. That’d make a hell of a drinking team. If you could drink with any band or musician who would it be and why?

Dodge: Cary Brothers told me Tommy Lee is the best guy he’s ever drank with, and I can see that. I’d probably go with Snoop Dogg, Jason Statham, and Christopher Walken. I don’t know, hell, there are a load of people I’d love to drink with, honestly.

How about sans bands? Any good solo Dodge drinking stories?

Dodge: My best drinking stories are from the time I was 16 to 18. I had a buddy who had a basement and parents that went out of town a lot. I bonged one and a half 40s, back-to-back once at his place...immediately throwing them right back up. I mean, it was gross and not something I am proud of. All these people at a party and I’m just heaving massive amounts of malt liquor up into the air as soon as the second 40’s going down. I ran into trouble with the law more than a few times, surprisingly. My friends and I were stupid enough to hang out in the parking lot of some big corporate building once, just drinking and playing frisbee at like two in the afternoon. All these people are in this office building, working, looking out at these drunk 17 year olds. Of course, they called the cops. Lots of “I’m an idiot” stories like that.

Once, I got pulled over, I was 16, with booze in my Bronco, three buddies with open containers, ran a red light, didn’t have my registration or proof of insurance, was speeding and all they did was call Mama Dodge and make us pour out the beer. It was insane. I thought I was going to jail for sure. After mama got done with me though, I wished I would have gone to jail. My only saving grace was that I passed the breathalyzer.

I was underage in a van once with five other guys. We were driving around, drinking gin (never good for me either) and had a spotlight. We were pointing it at other cars. I mean, what kind of idiots do that?! I am so ashamed. Of course, we got pulled over. The cop walks up to the van, we roll down the window. Now my buddy mowed lawns, so there were two push mowers and two cans of gasoline in the back and I guess that’s all the cop could smell. He said, “GODDAMN! I’m surprised you boys ain’t asphyxiated by the smell o’ gasoline!” We had stuffed all the booze under the seats along with the spotlight. He goes on to tell us that he received a call about a van matching ours that was shining a spotlight on other drivers. We told him it wasn’t us and that we had just left a party. This is always good because then the cop sees that he can go bust the party and a bunch of underage drinkers instead of you. It was a good attempt at deflection, but it didn’t work. Anyway, he chastises us, makes us get out of the van. One of my buddies is hammered and just starts walking down the road. It was a big, busy road. Finally the cop, who has continued to chastise our friend the driver looks up and say, “Hey, Wherrr the hell the other one of you go?!” We just shrugged our shoulders. Next thing we knew another cop car drives up. The cop relays our story to him. He then get in on the chastising, asking if we’d been drinking. We continued to say we each only had one beer and the party and left because they didn’t have beer. He gets back in his car to go look for our friend, so he leaves and about 15 minutes later our friend walks back up! On his own. No cop. Just drunk and walks right back up and gets back in line with us. The cop who has moved to his car now with our driver friend gets out and is like, “Wherr the hell’d you go, boy!” My buddy just shrugs and mumbles something about having to pee. Anyway, that pissed him off good and he kept us there for a good hour, never searched the van though and eventually just let us go! It was so effed up. We should’ve gone to jail.

Some of the best are from Kentucky Derbys – in the infield. Passed out in a port-o-john once for about an hour. Pushed a guy around the infield in a shopping cart once for an hour for $100 and free beer. Stole a keg once at the Derby, but couldn’t tap it, so we had to leave it. Left everything I took twice now (chairs, cooler, shoes, blanket) because I was too sloshed to carry anything afterwards. Passed out and got sun poisoning once at the Derby...that was not fun.

You’re from Indianapolis and big into the Indy music scene. Are there any bands we should be listening to/looking out for there? – aside from Margot and that whole camp, of course.

Dodge: I like Those Young Lions - a great Indianapolis band. Musical Family Tree (http://www.musicalfamilytree.org/) is full of awesome artists from the area so make sure you check in that. Bloomington is right next door and there are some great bands based there. Catfish Haven and Early Day Miners...The Secretly Canadian label is based there, and many of their bands are amazingly good. Muncie has a good scene too. Indianapolis has a growing scene, but unfortunately most kids are into Dave Matthews Band and bad rap music due to the awful, shameful, radio stations. Terrible shit like Fergie and Black Eyed Peas or really band stereotypical rock station rock. I don’t know who is even popular on those stations though. DragonForce? Flyleaf? Shit like that.

Speaking of Margot have you been privy enough to hear anything aside from “As Beautiful As Ever” off the forthcoming Panic Attacks! album yet?

Dodge: Not yet. I’m friends with Margot’s management. I helped with Midwest Music Summit this year and will again next year...they put it on. Anyway, they haven’t shared anything with me. I’m not sure Margot’s label (V2/Artemis) is in love with Richard and his other projects. I don’t know, really. That’s the feeling I get. Anyway, I haven’t even caught Panic Attacks! live yet, but I will as soon as I can. “As Beautiful As Ever” sounds great though, so I can’t wait to hear what else he’s been working on.

What is the best bar in Indianapolis?

Dodge: Boy, that could be debated for days I’m sure. There is something for everyone. I like Birdy’s and The Vogue for showgoing. The Alley Cat is really popular with the indie crowd. I like it a lot too, of course. I love a good pub, though...Plump’s Last Shot is one I like. Slippery Noodle is a great blues club. Bourbon Street Distillery and Rathskeller are good for just hanging out with friends. Beer Cellar is one of my favorites on the northside. The Dugout down in Fletcher Place. Nicky Blaine’s is good if you have a lot of cash to blow, wanna look nice, and smoke a great cigar, or love great martinis. Broad Ripple Tavern is good for the sorority girl scene. Chatterbox down on Mass Ave is tiny, but has some awesome jazz. Corner Wine Bar and Brugge Brasserie are great food. The Wellington next to Corner Wine Bar is great. Average Joe’s is good for watching sports, playing pool or darts. MacNiven’s is a Scottish pub/restaurant that has good beer.

Aside from your local scene what are you listening to/care to recommend right now?

Dodge: Well, it changes daily so it’s best to just go to MOKB. I’m big on Jedi Mind Tricks right now for rap. My Morning Jacket’s new live double disc, OKONOKOS. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, Ratatat, Ben Kweller, The Best of Merle Haggard for country and Jane’s Addiction’s new greatest hits cd. M. Ward, Early Day Miners, and Catfish Haven. Of course, Margot.

Drew Mottinger from Wintergreen described SXSW as “being run over by a semi-truck full of alcohol and Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburgers. It’s kinda like Mardi Gras without the boobs.” Would you say that’s a pretty accurate description?

Dodge: This year was my first time, but I’m sold. I’ll be there every year as long as my wife is cool with it. We had an amazing time. It’s just a nonstop party filled with the best music you can imagine. Your favorite bands walking around just like you are. Celebs hanging out at shows. Great, great food everywhere...at least BBQ. It’s just the best. I wish every city could have something like SXSW but I that’s what makes it so special, of course. There are things everyone should experience, you know? SXSW, The Kentucky Derby, Mardi Gras, Nashville honky tonks, Las Vegas on a winning weekend, trips to other countries, etc. It’s just one of those things that should be on every music fans “Do Before I Die” list.

What kind of drunken stories do you have from SXSW?

Dodge: The thing about SXSW, for me this year, was that I was running around so much trying to see everything I could, I never had time to get really drunk. No wait, I got really drunk and ate a shitload of crawfish with Chris from GvB and was pretty loud and obnoxious in the restaurant, I remember. I think the waitress thought it was charming, or is just used to it, but a promo guy was eating with us and it was the first time we had met and I think he was just like, “Whoa, this guy is wacko.” I don’t know, maybe he didn’t. I hope I didn’t put him off. I love drinking with bloggers at SXSW. They are already on this huge music high so beer only makes it all better.

I went to this Yahoo corporate gig and got good and drunk off the free booze. It was full of seriously corporate stiffs – nice people, but stiffs. They had Spoon and The Subways playing and I got to be front and center for Spoon, which was a dream come true, and I was just jamming out. All these record exec types seemed to be just standing tight lipped and stiff around me...it was kinda weird. I got to meet David Cross too, so that was pretty awesome.

Oh, my most terrifying moment was standing backstage at a Flaming Lips show next to Peaches. I was like, “Damn, Peaches is leaning up against this wall with me and I have no idea what to say to her.” So I just stood there with Peaches, in her pink tutu. She’s tiny, but looks like she could rip your face off. Next thing I knew she was on stage with Wayne and the band doing Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”. That was sweet. MJ and I got to help throw all the big balloons out to the crowd at the start of the show. That was fun.

Do you plan on hosting any musical showcases next year?

Dodge: I don’t have anything planned, no, but I’ll be at everything I can get into. If anyone wants me to be part of something though, give me a ring. I haven’t seen Beck live yet, so maybe he’ll come down this year. The best part of SXSW is discovering bands you’ve never heard of and the worst part is missing bands like that too.

All right, that about does it; thanks for playing along. Are there any other more fun stories, tales, words of wisdom, imparting gifts you’d like to share before we finish up?

Dodge: Just try and live like you have nothing to lose because really, you have nothing to lose. If you’re not married, get out there and have a lot of sex, try all the things you can, do all the things you want to do. Travel overseas, follow a band, tell that girl you really like how you feel. Just do all that stuff. Sooner or later you get older and all you can say is either “I did all that stuff!” or “I wish I had done all that stuff!” Life is only as hard as you make it. You can recover from anything. Nothing is the end of the world. If you are married, realize that you don’t have to follow convention. The fun doesn’t have to stop. You don’t HAVE to buy that house and a better car and impress anyone. You don’t HAVE to do anything, so concentrate on having fun.

Awesome. Finally, which are better: ninjas, pirates, or Vikings?

Dodge: Viking Ninjas...that would be sweet. I’d love to see a royal rumble of Vikings, pirates and ninjas.

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To read one of the best music blogs on the internet, download MP3s, and learn more about the man, the myth, the legend, follow the link:

My Old Kentucky Blog.

Oh yeah, you can also be Dodge’s friend.