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Ten Ways to Get Thrown Out of Wilco

by ART EDWARDS
PORTLAND, OR
16 May 2010

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1) Show up to your first rehearsal with the cheapest, ugliest, most elaborately decorated guitar you can find. When asked about it say, “Ten bucks at a pawn shop!”

2) Stop rehearsal every time your cell phone vibrates.

3) At the announcement of a new gig, no matter the city or venue, make an exasperated noise, kick the ground and say, “Not that fucking place again.”

4) During a concert, yell “I got it” when the band slides into its first solo break. Do the same for every subsequent song.

5) Fart on the bus.

6) During the pre-production of a new record, suggest that the band work on one of your songs. When it's pushed aside say, “As long as we do it next time.”

7) At the photo shoot, keep positioning yourself in front of the rest of the band. Stare longingly into the camera lens. Reach towards the camera lens. Kiss the camera lens.

8) While cutting tracks, veer off tempo, faster then slower, rushing then dragging the beat. When confronted say, “It was just something I felt.”

9) At the arrival of any band news, good or bad, say, “I could've seen that coming.”

10) Try to talk your fellow sidemen into throwing Jeff Tweedy out of the band.

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Art Edwards ART EDWARDS has self-published two rock novels, Ghost Notes and Stuck Outside of Phoenix, both of which have been reviewed favorably by wonderful strangers on the Internet. He has written freelance articles for magazines like The Writer and Writers' Journal, among others, and has blogged regularly since 2006 on topics ranging from Marcel Proust to Judas Priest. He also teaches an online rock and roll writing course at the Basement Writing Workshop, which starts in early October. He is currently finishing his third novel, Good Night to the Rock 'n' Roll Era.

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19 Comments»

Comment by Jim
2010-05-16 14:26:37

Nice, Art. Welcome to the ward.

(11. Officially change your name to Uncle Tupelo.)

Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 14:35:47

That’s another good way to get thrown out.

“Hey, Jeff. Let’s play something off No Depression tonight.”

 
 
Comment by N.L. Belardes
2010-05-16 14:48:58

I love Wilco! My kid, Landen, plays a lot of Wilco and J. Tweedy covers…

Comment by Jim
2010-05-16 14:53:26

Landen is one talented musician, but Wilco is the poor man’s Blue Rodeo.

 
 
Comment by Jim
2010-05-16 14:50:44

Or, “Let’s do an all-Refreshments set! ‘Yahoos and Triangles’ — 1…2…3…4!”

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 15:12:15

Jim, that would definitely get you fired.

Thanks for the welcome.

Art

 
Comment by Zara Potts
2010-05-16 16:31:39

Welcome to TNB, Art.
I especially like the idea of hijacking the photo shoot. I think this is advice to use in everyday life. Whenever a photo is being taken - make sure you position yourself front and centre and ALWAYS gaze longingly.
Nice!

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 17:20:08

Thanks, Zara!

A brief pause as we honor the passing of Ronnie Jame Dio, someone who could gaze, if not longingly, menacingly with the best of ‘em.

Art

Comment by Zara Potts
2010-05-16 17:25:04

Funny you should say that - I’m just looking at a particularly menacing photo of him right now!

 
 
Comment by Cynthia Hawkins
2010-05-16 18:06:06

Good list. Particularly like #7. Is there any other way to behave at a photo shoot? And welcome!

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 18:09:01

#7 wins!

And thanks!

 
Comment by Joe Daly
2010-05-16 18:34:40

Good stuff, Art.

Don’t forget the one about arguing with Jeff Tweedy about small production issues and demanding that he acknowledge the merits of your opinion.

Welcome aboard!

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 18:42:23

Yeah, we’ve learned that lesson, haven’t we.

And whatever you do, don’t make him vomit.

Thanks, Joe!

 
Comment by Jeffrey Pillow
2010-05-16 20:07:49

I met Nels Cline a couple years ago covering his jazz trio. One cool cat. Two things that won’t get you kicked out of Wilco are:

1) Talking about staph infections
2) Talking about Thurston Moore

Welcome aboard Art.

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-16 20:16:01

Ha! Wow, who knew?

Thanks, Jeffrey!

 
Comment by Jordan Ancel
2010-05-17 00:05:37

Welcome, Art.

What about accusing Jeff Tweedy of yet another affair?

 
Comment by Simon Smithson
2010-05-17 04:48:30

“4) During a concert, yell “I got it” when the band slides into its first solo break. Do the same for every subsequent song.”

I want so much to do this.

Welcome to TNB!

 
Comment by Art Edwards
2010-05-17 09:40:36

Thanks!

 
Comment by lisa rae cunningham
2010-05-18 16:20:05

#3 is my fave :)

 
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