Robert Pally: May, 2001

In the Tunnel of the Webb Brothers

Christiaan and Justin Webb are the sons of legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb (The Fifth Dimension, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez). The Webb Brothers latest CD is excellent psych-pop. Justin spoke with me about the new recording and other things:

F: With the dramatic intro/outro and the break in the middle "Intermission", Maroon sounds almost like a concept work. True? If so, what is the main theme? If not, what was the idea behind the intro/outro and "Intermission"?

No, it's not a concept album. But it does have a theme. In our way our lives had become like a B-Horror- movie. So we thought the intro and outro were appropriate. Since records don't have an A side and a B side any more on the CD format. We felt the intermission would help bisect the album and give it that feel. We also planned visuals for the entire record and this was to be a break from them. Unfortunately that never happened.

F: Maroon has great cover art. What is the idea behind it?

Again, B-horror-movie. Part Hardy Boys, part «Beyond the Valley of the dolls», part big 60's/70's psychedelic record sleeve. We wanted to be seen as trying to find our way through this dark and seedy world. I think they did a great job.

F: There is a lot of contrast in your music.

Yes, contrasting happy melodies with dark lyrics or vice versa.

F: What is the "Liars Club" (opening song of Maroon)?

It's a bar in Chicago that a friend of ours owns. It's also a term that has come to relate loosely to a group of about 100 or 150 musicians, late night socialites and bar staff in Chicago.

F: Maroon has 3 meanings: Chestnut, Lonely Island and Light Rocket. What does it mean in your case?

It has more meanings than that. It depends on which dictionary you reference. It is the color most associated with night life in my mind. It also can mean being marooned or isolated which works with the subject matter. And thirdly means an idiot (like with the three stooges) Which is what you feel like after living that lifestyle for a few too many years.

F: "All the Cocaine in the World" is an Anti-Drug song. Have you had any experiences with drugs that inspired it?

It's purposefully left vague to apply to many situations.

F: How did you come up with the keyboard intro to "Low Grade Fever"? What is this song about?

The keyboard intro was not preplanned, Christian just started playing it in the studio and we went with it. He pulled that one out of his ass. Fantastic, it made the song. As far as the meaning, when you live the lifestyle the album dissects, You end up being in constant bad health. By saying "I won't be getting well anytime soon" the narrator is giving up on change and admitting that he wants or needs to continue to put himself through that.

F: When you write a song do you start with lyrics or the melody? How do you progress from there?

Usually one of us will hear a bit of melody and lyric at the same time in our heads and develop it from there.

F: Your music reminds me of Jason Falkner, Eric Matthews & some Elvis Costello in the voice. What are your influences?

We don't own an album by any of the artists you mention. Lately I've been listening to Air The Virgin Suicides. I really love that album.

F: How much does your father's work influence you?

It's influenced our general sense of craft, being traditional, and in the way we strive to make an emotional connection with the listener.

F: Can you please tell me a bit about the history of the Webb Brothers?

Me (25) and Christiaan (28) were born in Los Angeles, schooled in New Jersey, dropped out of university in Boston, and now live in Chicago, "where the rent is cheap and there are a lot of cool bars." Before we came together as the Webb Brothers we had played in various bands. In 1998 we released the single "Excerpts from Beyond the Biosphere", that sold out within a week. One year later we released the album "Beyond the Biosphere".

F: What song would you never dare to cover and why?

"Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding because you couldn't possibly improve on the original.

F: What song would you love to cover and why?

Cant think of one right now. If there were one on our minds right now I'm sure we'd be giving it a go.

www.thewebbbrothers.com

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