Jon Spencer FOREVER BLUES-EXPLODING

What music are you currently grooving to?

Buck Owens And His Buckaroos – that’s some tough music. And Wynn Stewart, he really tugs at my heartstrings. Also, mid-late ’60s Tom Jones – he was a true student of American soul music. And I got to throw Charlie Rich in there, when he was over at Mercury. It just puts me in such a good mood.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

I want to say Eskimo by The

Residents because it’s such a perverse choice. (Ponders) Computer World by Kraftwerk, I love that record. And the first Devo record. What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire where there was a college bookstore where they sold records. I do remember buying Yellow Submarine, but I had to take it back, because I got some weird pressing with something else on one side. I was maybe 10.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? Tony Joe White. A great songwriter, fantastic guitar tone and harmonica player, fantastic voice, great use of the wah wah… that guy’s cool.

What do you sing in the shower?

I’d love to sing something in a bathtub – Tonight from West Side Story, or Ice Cube’s You Can’t Fade Me/ JD’s Gaffilin’. I don’t sing in the shower, I rap in the bathtub!

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

I love the Osees. And if it’s Saturday night, some punk rock – Black Flag or Misfits, and old-school rap like Public Enemy, NWA or Geto Boys. And Eddie Bo or Rufus Thomas. You want to at least be thinking about dancing, even if you’re too shy to dance!

And your Sunday morning record?

I wasn’t raised with a religion but I do like gospel music – the older and weirder the better.