The Los Angeles-based band known as That Dog formed in 1991, inking a proper record deal with David Geffen’s DGC label within two years. That Dog went on to release three albums with DGC, touring alongside major acts like Blur, The Wallflowers, Weezer, Beck and the Counting Crows. The quartet of Rachel Haden, Anna Waronker, Tony Maxwell and Petra Haden disbanded in 1997, although none of the members of That Dog ever abandoned music; for example, that is Petra Haden’s violin work you hear on Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).” A proper That Dog reunion happened in 2011, leading to more shows in 2012 and finally a new album slated for release later this year; at this time it appears that only Rachel, Anna, and Tony are onboard for the forthcoming studio effort.
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York? Was it as part of That Dog?
Anna Waronker: I think the first show we ever played in New York was opening for Beck and Evel Kneivel at The Grand. It was a tribute to Evel Kneivel and Beck was asked to perform. We were on tour with Beck at the time so we were also on the bill. All I really remember was that we learned our tour manager misplaced most of our merch cash, I tried to shield a very pregnant Kim Gordon from the crowd, and we had a lot of wigs backstage.
Do you have a favorite of the Totally Crushed Out outtakes? Are there other outtakes in existence, by the way?
AW: I love the acoustic version of “Silently.” And I love that Beck played banjo on it. We were such good friends and collaborators during that time. It was fun to have him on one of our songs.
Members of That Dog have contributed to the work of Weezer, Beck, Mike Watt, The Rentals, Jimmy Eat World, Todd Rundgren, Nada Surf…plenty of great artists. Did that have to do with hanging out with other artists often, as opposed to the work of agents and managers?
AW: Absolutely. It was a very creative and social scene. For us, it was fun to work with different people. Mostly friends. Some people we looked up to.
PromotingTotally Crushed Out outtakes aside, what’s coming up for you? Any chance of more That Dog shows in the future?
AW: Well, we are finishing a new album. It’s pretty close to being finished. It’s been a very cool experience making a new album together. It’s like we picked up where we left off when we were at our most creative state. We are also doing a 20-year anniversary show for Retreat From The Sun at the El Rey in Los Angeles on Apr. 8. We will have some fun guest stars.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
AW: Mostly with kids. Whether our own or with nieces and nephews.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
AW: Tony lives in New York, so he has lots of favs, including Barrio Chino (Mexican), Via Carota (Italian), and the Grand Central Oyster Bar (for Oysters, of course). New York can’t be beat for amazing food options, but I have to say L.A. is giving New York a run for its money.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
AW: Be creative however you need to. Take risks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, we all make them. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s a waste of time. Know when to make your own rules and then make them.
Troi Irons may be in her early 20s, but the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter is far from an overnight sensation. Her EP for Def Jam Recordings, Turbulence, has already gotten plenty of attention as the video for lead single “Today” was premiered by Interview Magazine. “Today” also has support from influential Seattle radio station 107.7 The End, which made the song its Discover And Download feature last week.
A few weeks after her trip to Austin for SXSW, Troi will be playing at NYU’s Bookstore on Apr. 7 at 6:00 PM. In addition to that show — which is free and open to the public — Troi will be back to Manhattan for a proper gig in the coming months. Downtown had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Troi not only about what’s coming up for her, but what drives her as a creative being. For more info on all things Troi Irons, follow her via Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram.
Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?
Troi Irons: My first show was this little acoustic set in an old church. I think at that point, I was still blacking out. I heard I did well but I don’t remember anything. I know I had brussels sprouts beforehand.
Troi Irons: It’s hard for me to choose a favorite, since I wrote all the songs and they’re about life moments that actually happened. I will say “Worst Habit” is my favorite song to play live right now. It’s the big finale in my show.
Around how many songs did you write when preparing your EP?
Troi Irons: I think any musician writes at least 1,000 songs for their first work. I’ve been writing and recording songs for years. You have your entire life to create your first album but only a year to write your second.
This isn’t your first record deal. How did you wind up with a record deal the first time around? Did you have a manager or lawyer shopping you around?
Troi Irons: Right, my first deal was with Jive, which collapsed into RCA [Records]. My mom is a songwriter and she started co-managing me with her manager. They shopped our demo around — I was in a band with my twin — and we quickly got a buzz within the industry. It was super-easy compared to the second time around.
I’ve read that the first album you ever bought was by Green Day. Was that the band that also inspired you to play guitar?
Troi Irons: My grandparents bought me a guitar but I never played it. I actually picked up that guitar at 13 because we had just moved to L.A. and I was bored waiting for the semester to start. American Idiot was two years old by then so it was related but not causal.
How did you first become interested in producing? Do you have a home recording setup?
Troi Irons: Tyler, The Creator released “French” and I found it and was pretty crazy about it. I read the few interviews he had out and I thought, “Here’s this kid making his own beats and doing his own videos, living out his creative dreams — I can do that.” So I did. I saved up for a Mac and got Logic and ProTools and taught myself. I have a comfy home studio. Just got a new Prophet and Virus that I’m stoked about…
What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2017? Any idea if we’ll be seeing you live in New York anytime soon?
Troi Irons: I’ve got a few showcases at SXSW! I’ve never been so I’m pretty excited. I play the Melissa Etheridge & Friends Fest in Nashville after that. New York is happening first or second week of April. It’s funny, I didn’t know that until NYU Bookstore tagged me on Facebook in a post about my Apr. 6 performance. They gave it away.
Will you be touring solo? With a backing band?
Troi Irons: I’m definitely touring with a band. That’s what I grew up seeing, it’s such a fun dynamic. My upcoming album’s production will reflect that, some of my band members will probably be on the record. Jimmy Novocaine plays bass, Mike Avenaim is on drums, and Connor Doyle is backup guitarist. Not only are they great musicians, they’re also good people. That’s important since we’ll be living on top of each other for the next couple years.
When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
Troi Irons: I read a lot — never to escape though, just to think deeper. If I feel like escaping, I watch films, usually art house or foreign. I enjoy hiking too. Basically, I could be BFFs with your grandpa. (laughs)
What was your favorite album of 2016?
Troi Irons: Ah, man. Sufjan Stevens’ last release was in 2015. How am I supposed to give an honest answer here? I just checked and Julien Baker’s album came out in 2015 too. There were some amazing songs and visual art pieces in 2016. Not a lot of good albums, just for me personally.
Troi Irons: I work a lot. I’ve been supporting myself since I was 15. Everything is a task and a goal for me and it’s been hard for me to have fun. Even reading a book, sometimes I’ll be thinking, “This will bring new perspective and wisdom and then I can flip the situation I’m in and move further in my career.” I’ve had trouble shutting my career off. The more spiritual I become, the more God becomes the center of my life and I’m able to let go of that pressure — because I’m no longer the center of my life, it’s something higher. So that’s what I meant by, “I think I found balance.” I’ve finally become spiritual enough to worry about myself less.
Finally, Troi, any last words for the kids?
Troi Irons: Don’t live for any other person but yourself. The least selfish thing you can do is to take care of yourself.
The Church Street School for Music and Art — as located in Tribeca — is the area’s only non-profit school for the arts. The institution has served the downtown and outer community since 1990. On Jan. 4, City Winery will be hosting a fundraiser for the school with plenty of stars present. Performers are scheduled to include Sugarland vocalist Jennifer Nettles, Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo, screenwriter/producer Ed Burns, actor Harvey Keitel, DJ Spooky’s Antartica Symphony, and actor/author Eric Bogosian.
Downtown had the pleasure of conducting Q&A with not only Eric Bogosian in advance of the event, but also City Winery owner Michael Dorf and its marketing director Jillian Santella. Other performers at City Winery include Teddy Thompson (Jan. 1), Buster Poindexter (Jan. 13), Alejandro Escovedo (Jan. 19-21), Bettye Lavette (Jan. 29), and Marc Cohn (Feb. 14-15). Michael will also be presenting his annual benefit at Carnegie Hall on Mar. 6; this year will be a tribute to Aretha Franklin including performances by Todd Rundgren, Taj Mahal, Living Colour, Allen Stone, Kenny Loggins and Melissa Etheridge.
For tickets to the benefit show, click here. The Music Of Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall has a home at www.musicof.org. Eric Bogosian can be followed on Twitter via @Eric_Bogosian.
You have written and starred in plays, produced plays, written multiple published novels, appeared in a lot of film and television projects, and have even produced dance-related events. Do you have an easy way of describing how you earn a living?
Eric Bogosian: I describe myself as an author and actor.
Is there a particular project of yours that you are most proud of?
EB: The website 100monologues.com — currently featuring over 60 videotaped monologues by New York’s best actors — is a huge project we’ve been working on for over three years. I’ve very proud of it. We will keep building the site through 2018 when all 100 monologues will have been posted. The site is free and like I say, features many of the most popular and exciting actors who live and work in New York City. Take a look!
Do you remember the first show you ever attended at City Winery?
EB: I have never been to a show at City Winery. Michael and I go back to The Knitting Factory days. Because I don’t drink alcohol, City Winery has been off my beaten path.
EB: I will perform a couple of monologues from the 100 Monologues.
City Winery is known for hosting a lot of benefits. Do you have specific criteria for when it comes to getting involved with a cause?
Michael Dorf: No criteria, there are so many issues in the world today. It is balancing out how we can spend our resources helping out. We have a platform to both raise money and awareness — I feel it is our responsibility to try and make the world a better place.
A lot of huge artists have played at City Winery in New York. I remember reading about Billie Joe from Green Day performing on-stage there. Gregg Allman had his recent residency…Is there anyone you’re still hoping will perform at City Winery?
MD: So many. We have a long list. I want Bonnie Raitt. We did a private show with Neil Young, would want that every night if we could. [Bob] Dylan, Bruce [Springsteen], oh yeah, Ryan Adams, how amazing would that be. How about a special night of Rihanna?
Before City Winery, you had The Knitting Factory. Do you see City Winery as a continuation of The Knitting Factory? Or are they entirely different venues in your eyes?
MD: Well, people have said, City Winery is a Knitting Factory for grown-ups. Yeah, there is some overlap. We had all standing shows mostly with a beer in-hand…That worked great then. Now being more calorie-conscious and having achey knees, I’d rather sit. It will be 30 years since I started The Knitting Factory and I guess both have worked in the lifecycle of myself downtown, serving many friends.
City Winery has locations in multiple cities. How involved are you in other cities’ locations?
MD: I run them all. And of course, when I say run, it is a great team running currently 750 employees growing to 1,000 employees in a year — take that Trump, that’s real job creation! I picked the name “City” so we could grow to many markets. Our business is very scalable and I am planning on aggressive growth over the next few years to more than 10 locations.
MD: A great burger goes with Bordeaux. But somedays I’m more in the mood for a white wine, so I go for a piece of fish. Our menu was really designed to complement your wine, not wine to go with your food. We inverted the typical process of ordering.
EB: My non-fiction book on Armenian assassins, Operation Nemesis, will come out in trade paperback in February via Little, Brown. Also I am guest starring in numerous episodes of The Get Down and Billions this coming season.
Jillian Santella: As always, we have music almost every night of the week! Some musical highlights in early 2017 include Art Garfunkel, Shawn Colvin’s January residency featuring Graham Nash, Richard Thompson and Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter and more. We’ve got a fantastic New Year’s Eve Party in our Barrel Room, featuring entertainment from Wasabassco Burlesque, open bar and light bites. In addition, we are open in the Barrel Room restaurant for dinner and drinks every day, lunch on weekdays and Sunday brunch — including a bottomless brunch drink option. We also have some exciting wine classes coming up, such as “Wine 101: Brunch & Wine Pairing” on Sunday, Jan. 8.
Will you be hosting another March benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in 2017?
MD: Yes, March 6 is the music of Aretha Franklin. It will be my 14th year raising money for music education programs, there are nine different organizations this year getting funds.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
EB: Gardening, jigsaw puzzles and model airplanes. But I don’t think of my time as free or not free. It’s all one to me.
MD: I love giving interviews. I spend time with my family, kids. Two are now in college and one still in school downtown. She still likes me… I will admit that I like to golf when I can early mornings, hiking and being upstate when possible.
EB: I have lived in Tribeca for over 30 years. Our neighborhood was built on music, dance and art. It is our lifeblood. For me, children playing music is a symbol of peace and love between neighbors.
MD: Shit, does that mean I’m suppose to be an adult? I don’t feel like one. Nah. I think what Lisa [Ecklund-Flores] is doing at Church Street School is critical for the community. It is more than an after-school music program and also more than just serving a rich Tribeca community. In fact, I think being in Tribeca hurts the perception of them needing funding. They offer many scholarships and the teaching staff give much more time and effort than they are paid for. They are teaching kids to practice, giving them self-confidence, unleashing an inner creative streak that they might not have developed at home or regular school. They serve a very important role in our community, especially as more music programs get stripped away from public school budgets. Add to that the very challenging Tribeca real estate issues, which really don’t allow a non-profit — or many creative for-profits — to exist. Rent and getting enough space is a huge challenge for the arts, especially downtown. Right now, they are seriously-challenged and I hope this benefit helps them through part of it. I encourage all to come.
If you ask five people what they are doing on Halloween, you are likely to get five different sorts of answers. One person may be staying in give out candy to the local trick-or-treaters. Another person may be hosting or attending a costume party. Another person may be going to a traditional annual event like a movie marathon. Another person may be concert-bound to see an electrifying live show. And maybe that fifth person wants nothing to do with the holiday, staying away from Halloween at all costs.
For music fans looking for something to do on Oct. 31 in Manhattan, there are plenty of options. The Interrupters, a Los Angeles-based ska-punk band on Hellcat Records, will be at The Highline Ballroom. The band — as comprised of vocalist Aimee Interrupter, guitarist Kevin Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona and drummer Jesse Bivona — formed in 2012 and is currently touring in support of this year’s Say It Out Loud. Every Time I Die, a metalcore quintet that is on Epitaph Records, will be headlining at Irving Plaza on the 31st. EITD formed in 1998 — vocalist Keith Buckley and guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley have been in the band since formation — with bassist Stephen Micciche and drummer Daniel Davison joining up in recent years.
Justin Bivona of The Interrupters: In 2014, we played a pool party for Fest 13 at the Holiday Inn in Gainesville, FL. It was a lot of fun!
Andy Williams of Every Time I Die: Chicago, like four years ago at House Of Blues.
Any plans for a Halloween costume this year?
JB: We’ve been tossing some ideas around, but we don’t want to give too much away. You’ll have to come to the show to find out if we pull it off.
AW: We haven’t talked about it. It’s in New York City this year. Maybe I’ll just dress up as me from 2001.
Do you have a favorite Halloween costume from your childhood?
JB: I was a ninja for like four years in a row when I was little. I have no idea what the inspiration for that was, but it was always the go to costume.
AW: I was a clown for the first five years of my life. That was cool.
Every Time I Die / Photo: Joshua Halling
What do you remember about the first show you ever played in New York City?
JB: The first show we ever played in New York City was at Webster Hall in July 2015 with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Street Dogs. It was an amazing night! It had taken us so long to play a show in New York, to finally be on-stage playing for the people of this great city was kind of a dream come true.
AW: It was a super long time ago. I think it wasn’t even with ETID. It was Dec. 12t, 2000 and I played at CBGB, on second guitar for Blood Has Been Shed
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
JB: I know it’s not the type of restaurant you can sit down for a nice meal at, and it’s probably cliché to pick a pizza place, but Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn is the best I’ve ever had. Or if you can consider the Comedy Cellar a restaurant, we’ve had a couple great nights there laughing and eating mozzarella sticks.
Is playing in New York City any different for you than it is in other cities?
JB: Of course! Obviously there’s no other city like New York City. The atmosphere, the energy, the people, and the overall vibe is always something we look forward to.
AW: Just a lot more hassle ’cause there’s really no place to park. The shows are great, but the city is just complicated.
The Interrupters / Photo: Ethan Edwards
What’s coming up for you after this tour wraps?
JB: In January and February, we’ll be supporting Green Day on their Revolution Radio Tour in the U.K. and Europe.
AW: I wrestle a few matches in Toronto and then we head over to Europe for a tour with ’68 and Drug Church.
When not busy with your band, how do you like to spend your free time?
JB: What is free time?
AW: I love training for wrestling and wrestling. Working out. That type of stuff. I’m old, so I’m also getting my bucket list stuff out of the way.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
JB: Don’t take candy from strangers, unless it’s Halloween.
AW: Always do what you do, like you mean it. Be you.
In advance of the band’s upcoming 12th studio album, Revolution Radio, Green Day is hitting the road for a rare club tour. On Oct. 8, Green Day will headline Webster Hall. Prior to that, the legendary group hits close to Manhattan with a gig in Sayreville, New Jersey at Starland Ballroom on Sept. 28.
The first single off Revolution Radio, “Bang Bang” — as released on Aug. 11 — quickly hit #1 on charts in the U.S. and U.K. It is the band’s 31st entry onto the US Alternative Songs chart, tying them with Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers for the third spot as the most charted artist in the history of the charts. The video for “Bang Bang,” as directed by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, premiered yesterday via Rolling Stone.
Revolution Radio will be released on Oct. 7 via Green Day’s long-time record label Reprise Records.
“We Got The Beat,” “Vacation,” “Head Over Heels,” “Our Lips Are Sealed”…It’s been close to 40 years since The Go-Go’s first formed, yet the music remains popular as ever. Unfortunately, 2016 brings the farewell tour of The Go-Go’s, and the group’s final New York City show will be at Central Park’s Summerstage on Aug. 13. Best Coast and Kaya Stewart will be supporting The Go-Go’s on those shows.
In advance of the Aug. 13 outing, founding guitarist Charlotte Caffey caught up with Downtown. Beyond her hits with The Go-Go’s, Charlotte has found success in other musical ventures over the years. After the first break-up of The Go-Go’s, Charlotte was part of The Graces, which featured a then-unknown Meredith Brooks and recorded for A&M Records. She composed the theme song to the television series Clueless with Anna Waronker, played piano on the Jewel hit “Foolish Games,” and co-wrote a #1 single for Keith Urban, to name only a few of her notable accomplishments.
The music of The Go-Go’s — which also includes vocalist Belinda Carlisle, guitarist Jane Wiedlin and drummer Gina Schock — will not only live on through video and radio play after this farewell tour, but as Charlotte alluded to within our Q&A, a Go-Go’s musical is currently in the works with a major team. She herself, along with husband Jeff McDonald of the cult alternative rock band Redd Kross, has passed the musical torch along as daughter Astrid fronts the L.A.-based band The Side Eyes.
For all things Go-Go’s, the group can still be followed on Facebook and Twitter, while its official website remains www.gogos.com.
The Go-Go’s – Photo by Carl Timpone
Any chance you guys might do one-offs in the future? Or is the absolute end of the band?
Charlotte Caffey: I always say “never say never” with this band. I would be open to one-offs!
You’ve co-written for notable artists over the years. When did you first realize that it was an option to write for other performers?
CC: Very early in my career with The Go-Go’s, because I started getting requests for songs.
Do you have a co-write that you’re most proud of?
CC: I’m proud of a lot of the songs I’ve written with other artists and writers, but the first one that came to mind was “But For The Grace Of God” with Keith Urban. It was his first #1 AND the first time I had written a country song.
Speaking of co-writes, I was a big fan of the co-write that Billie Joe Armstrong did with your band called “Unforgiven.” Prior to that collaboration, had you been aware that Green Day was influenced by your band?
CC: Yes! We were on tour in Japan at the same time as Green Day and Billie Joe was so awesome and fun to hang out with. He told us that we were an influence…I was honored, to say the least!
Is there a Go-Go’s accomplishment that you’re most proud of?
CC: So many (again) but the one that comes to mind first is the fact that we had a #1 album for six consecutive weeks with Beauty And The Beat. We could have never imagined that would happen!
Do you have a favorite song to play live?
CC: I love “This Town”…
What do you remember about the first gig that you ever played in New York City?
CC: I think it was The Mudd Club. I remember being VERY nervous because we heard the New York audiences were tough. But we had an incredible show and the audience loved us!
Your upcoming New York show is at Central Park, where you previously recorded a DVD. Was this being the site of your last New York City show on purpose?
CC: We were presented with the idea to play Central Park, and we said yes because out last show there was great!
Where did the idea to tour with Best Coast come from? Did you know Bethany before the tour was put together?
CC: I believe our management suggested it. I had heard about Best Coast from my daughter Astrid, who is a fan. She has great taste in music. I am thrilled about this tour and I’m looking forward to meeting Bethany.
After this tour has wrapped, what’s ahead for you?
CC: I am working on a couple of musicals. The Go-Go’s musical is in the development phase. We just did a workshop at Vassar College at the beginning of July with Michael Mayer and Tom Kitt. So amazing and fun! Even though we aren’t going on tours anymore, our songs will still live on the stage in a musical called Head Over Heels. It will be a must-see!
I’m also working on Hit The Wall, which is a play about the night the Stonewall riots started in New York City in 1969. Anna Waronker and I have worked some songs into the piece and now we have the go-ahead to turn it into a musical. The Stonewall was just named a national monument on Jun. 24 of this year.
What about more from Ze Malibu Kids? Any other writing?
CC: I am ALWAYS up for another Ze Malibu Kids record. But my daughter Astrid now has her own band, The Side Eyes, so I’m not sure when we could fit that in!
When you’re not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
CC: Go on hikes, go to the beach, watch trashy TV, meditate, read…
