20 Questions with… Jesse Malin

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He’s mates with Ryan Adams AND Bruce Springsteen… Jesse Malin must be one self confident dude. So, with the release of his semi acoustic live album imminent, what better time to put him to the test with our 20 Questions. He even offers some relationship advice, isn’t that nice?

1. Describe your sound in 3 words.
HAPPY SAD STUFF

2. What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?
Corvette’s Department Store, Elton John “Crocodile Rock”

3. What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Working out, sex and ice cream.

4. What’s on your rider?
bottled water, vegetarian food, tequila, wine, beer and 9 volt batteries for electric socks.

5. How do you get ready for a live show?
Listen to lots of music I like very loud. I walk the streets of the city I am in and get a vibe for the town. Sing and jam with the people in the dressing room whom I’m about to play with and bond with them. A shot of tequila and we’re off.

6. What’s your favourite song to play live?
It changes every night. Sometimes its “Wendy”, sometimes it’s “Cigarettes and Violets”.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Billy Joel records.

8. Who would win in a fight, a stoat or a goat and why?
I’m a pacifist – pass the ammunition. This guitar kills fashion.

9. Who’s your favourite new band at the moment? Tell us a bit about them.
Gaslight Anthem. A young rockin band from New Jersey. Tough pop songs. A pumped up Springsteen meets the Cure meets the Replacements with a nod to the past and a foot in the future.

10. Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Not Will Farrell.

11. Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
The Clash, Sam Cooke, Wilco, Flaming Lips, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, The Dickies

12. If push comes to shove, what is your all-time favourite album?
London Calling

13. What’s your most memorable on the road story?
Going to jail after playing Madison Square Garden the night I opened for KISS.

14. If your life flashed before your eyes, what would be the highlights?
Everything – the whole deal.

15. What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Don’t come to quick.

16. If you had to leave a body part to science, what would it be?
They can take my soul.

17. What’s the best book you’ve read and film you’ve seen in the last 6 months?
Best book:Nine Stories – JD Salinger Best film: Dream of Life – Patti Smith

18. What three things could you not live without?
Music, laughter, love.

19. Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I don’t live downtown Manhattan any longer. I’m not voting for McCain.

20. And finally, we’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Anger is an energy – theme
You Got Your Cherry Bomb – Spoon
It Ain’t Me Babe – Bob Dylan
We Will Not – the Bad Brains
Sonic Reducer – the Dead Boys
This Land is Your Land – Woody Guthrie

Jesse Malin on Myspace