Date: June 22nd 1997
Venue: The Bottom Line, in The Village, N.YWe would like to start off by saying this information is our most accurate account from memory. We did not have a tape recorder nor did we have a chance to take notes.
What You Have All Been Waiting to Hear: The Future of the B's. Fred would like to set the record straight. He is aware of all of the rumours floating around, specifically that the B's are forever defunct and that he was the party responsible for the break-up. In fact, The B-52's have not broken up! They are going to be doing a concert in New York, on the "Intrepid" (an aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum anchored in Manhattan). However the bad news for us fans is that the tickets can only be won. They are not for sale. We are unclear at this time how these tickets are going to be won. [Editorial note: Check out Air Crisps who we now know to be running the competition.] The date of this concert is Saturday September 27th 1997. Fred also added the good news is the B's will be possibly adding dates in and around the N.Y. metro area.
I asked Fred directly if he is planning to attend Party Out of Bounds 3. He said, "No. I live here now and rarely go back down South." adding that all of his friends are now elsewhere. I also asked if these possible tour dates do transpire, it would be in and around the time Party Out of Bounds is scheduled in Athens. The strange part of it all was when I asked him if he was going to be at Boneshakers (the site of Party Out of Bounds). Fred said, "Where?" I said "Boneshakers". He said "I do not know where that is." Greg & I just took a deep breath and said the club where the Party Out of Bounds is in Athens. He just said "Oh". I felt the twilight zone music dancing through my head. I said, "You know, the Ricky Wilson AIDS benefit on Columbus Day weekend." Fred was familiar with the event. I sort of pleaded with him to attend, but he restated it was unlikely he would be at POOB.
One issue I did bring up with Fred was the ever-ongoing debate over Hot Pants Explosion. I said I attended the Learning Annex and to the best of my recollection, the song was inspired by Kate's late night job she hated. Fred thinking "hot pants" were coming back into style suggested this assembly-line factory like place where the workers manufacture hot pants. He was very clear that this song has nothing to do with the gay community.
Also, since inquiring minds want to know what kind of car Fred drives, we asked him. He answered "A functional Toyota that can haul around his records and stuff". He also added that he takes public transportation just like the rest of us.
I mentioned to Fred that Rock Lobster was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of 500 most influential songs in the history of rock. Fred was truly surprised and said he did not know that. He was very pleased.
Greg sang Happy Birthday to Fred; a switch, I suppose, and Fred was really honoured that so many of us remembered his B-day is soon. He could not believe all of the countries that make up our Whammy Family!
In addition to the upcoming B-52's concert (perhaps concerts), he is also doing solo work. Fred was very clear that he wanted all of the Sour Grapes rumours to be dispelled. He added "You got that straight from the horse's mouth".
We did leave the flyer with him, that myself and Aaron created with the help of Joe P. Fred said he is not really an on-line kind of guy. He did not rule out checking out Whammy, but the on-line world did not seem to be his "cup of tea".
He was very, very kind to personally autograph the programs; those who signed-up for will be receiving snail mail shortly. Well, that's pretty much it. Again, we wish we could have had one big Whammy table at The Bottom Line; hope the autographs are the next best thing. Let's all look towards the Fall with cosmic vibes and hopes of some really cool music to come.
Follow Your Bliss, Nadine & Greg
Source: Nadine Brown and Greg Trocchia <nadine52@mindspring.com>