Art Alexakis Myths And Early Years
Everclear Front Man Dispells Rumours About The Band And Nirvana
When Everclear front man Art Alexakis sat down with Suite101, it was a chance to clear up a few muddled stories. In this second part of our series, he does just that.
- Genre: alternative / indie / rock
- Art Alexakis (vocals / guitar), Davey French (guitar / vocals), Sam Hudson (bass / vocals), Josh Crawley (keyboards / vocals), Brett Snyder (drums / vocals)
- Sounds like: Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen
- Home: Portland, Oregon, US
- Everclear
A Gentleman And A Scholar
In the fickle world of rock music, there are few artists who can genuinely say they have inspired a generation of fans-turned-performers. There are even fewer who don't pander to their egos and shout this from the rooftops. Everclear front man Art Alexakis is one such man.
Currently touring to promote the new album Welcome To The Drama Club, released on their new indie label Eleven Seven Records and seeing the band return to the sound that was their trademark, Art sat down with Suite101 to discuss everything from his early years to dispelling stories about the band. Articulate, funny and humble, and never one to shy away from any subject, Art's is probably one of the most enjoyable interviews I've ever had the pleasure of conducting.
In this second part of our special interview, Art tells us the real story behind being signed to Capitol Records, and clears up the Nirvana comparison myth.
Art Alexakis Interview Part 2: Myths And The Early Years
Suite: You were signed to Capitol by Gary Gersh, who was responsible for signing Counting Crows, Sonic Youth and of course Nirvana. Did this prove to you and your doubters that you were doing something right?
Art: Okay, I'm going to have to go into debunk mode here (laughs)! Sure, Gary was head honcho at Capitol and yes, he was responsible for signing these bands to the label, but he never "signed" me. Now, I can say a lot of good things about Gary, and I can say some bad things about him, but what I do like about him is that he's a music man, through and through. He's not into all this corporate bullsh*t, he is a serious music fan. Anyways, one of the guys that worked for him came out and saw us play live, loved us, loved the way I sing for some reason, and took the CD back to Gersh. That's the way it happened.
Suite: So Gersh had little to do with it then?
Art: Oh, don't get me wrong, I got seriously "Gershed"… (laughs). I go to this meeting with him, and he's coming out with all the pitch, you know – if that guy ever went into politics, I'd hate to be in a one-on-one confrontation with him, you know? Man, that guy is persuasive (laughs)!. But apart from what he told us he could do for us, I also got the vibe from him that he was a music guy, he loved good music, and wasn't just in it for the money, so it was a good time for the label. Plus he's one of these few CEO-type guys that aren't afraid to surround himself with strong people who can offer opinions. Then Capitol took on guys that wouldn't know a song if it knocked them down in the road, they were the real corporate assholes that were just moneymen, and yes men. It's good to be away from all that.
Suite: In those early years, you were often compared to Nirvana. How much did this irritate you as a band?
Art: Well, you know, it didn't really irritate us as much as it's been made out. I mean, we were three angry young guys making rock music; I had blond hair, Kurt had blond hair, so I guess I could see where the comparisons were coming from, although I don't think I was quite as angsty as Kurt was at that time. Maybe I was, I don't know. But you know, sometimes it's labels that give you these comparisons too, to help them sell records. But music-wise, I don't think you could compare; we were doing completely different things. It got to the stage that Dave Grohl actually said in an MTV interview, when asked about what he thought of us sounding like Nirvana, that he thought we sounded nothing like them, and told the interviewer Bush sounded more like Nirvana (laughs). So you know, we never took it that seriously, and they never took it that seriously, and we were actually friends with them. It was a good time.
- Art Alexikas Interview Part 3: Alternative Radio And Crazy Tours
- Where To Buy Welcome To The Drama Club
- Contact Everclear
- Art Alexakis Interview Part 1: Inspiration And True Fans
