By Eileen Tilson
Boston alternative band, Guster, has maintained their staying power since their 1995 release of Parachute, due to their relentless loyalty to their fans. More than a decade late, the band is continuing to entertain their fans by doing things like sneak previewing songs from their On the Ocean EP on turntable.fm. Following their footsteps, Jack’s Mannequin is active in giving back with their foundation, the Dear Jack Foundation, which aims to raise awareness and support organizations and charities that research treatments and improve quality of life for young adults. We spoke with both David from Guster and Andrew from Jack’s Mannequin before their show tonight at Chastain Amphitheater.
What is the the first gig you ever went to?
G: I saw Air Supply on a revolving stage in Connecticut when I was 10 years old. I was screaming “All Out of Love” the whole time, and was paranoid that they weren’t going to play it. They played it as the last song of their encore. I still feel the sweet sweet relief of that moment every time I hear the song (or sing it with Will Forte).
JM: Billy Joel! It was in Cleveland, I think I was like in the 5th grade. It was a Christmas present from my parents, and we were in the 20th row!
Best gig you have ever played/performed at?
G: A few gigs stand out in my mind — it’d be hard to beat the time we played at Symphony Hall in Boston with the Boston Pops orchestra backing us up. But then there was a show we filmed for MTV years ago where we covered the entire first Violent Femmes record and members of the Femmes joined us for “Gone Daddy Gone.” Once we opened up for P-Funk in Philadelphia in front of a mostly black audience, and we went over really well, to our suprise. Pretty much anytime we play the Tabernacle it’s a special show too.
JM: We played this one show in Milwaukee for Summerfest, and this crazy storm blew in right before we played, pounding the crowd with hail. All the bands started packing up and canceling their shows. An hour before we went on stage it turned into a beautiful evening and all of the remaining 10,000 audience members came to our stage. All these people just decided to roll with it, it was awesome.
Best gig you’ve ever been to?
G: See “Air Supply on a revolving stage,” above…
JM: Ben Folds Five, my sophomore year in high school. They were on tour with Travis.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
G: We played Bonnaroo once and we’d love to get back. Nice to be a part of a festival that’s run well and fan-oriented.
JM: Well I wouldn’t say no to opening for The Heartbreakers.
If you could put your dream lineup on a gig, who would it be?
G: If Neil Young really wanted Guster to open up for him, we’d have to oblige. But I don’t think Neil Young really wants Guster to open for him.
JM: It would be an old school bill, filled with bands like Fleetwood Mac, or really any of those awesome ’70s and ’80s bands….and then we would throw in some Metric and Phoenix.
Guster and Jack’s Mannequin play Chastain Amphitheater tonight.
