Lets get right down to it – Mark Eitzel is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. The trio of albums in the middle of the first incarnation of American Music Club, California, Everclear and Mercury rank up there with anyone’s poetic canon. For the well-read legion of pessimistic drunks (of which I was certainly one) it was the equivalent of Saint Patrick leading the snakes from the island. We knew the journey would be bleak and likely not end well, yet we could not resist following anyway.

I had the pleasure of seeing the band playing with a manic energy, obviously annoyed at the crowd piling out following their opener’s set, in Baltimore on the Everclear tour and then later several times with triumphant shows in DC with major label backing and a bright red shirt (die-hards will get the reference.) I even fractured my ankle outside the Cat on the way in to one show but insisted on staying and drowning in sympathetic bourbon. Following the release of San Francisco, Eitzel began an inconsistent solo career and the other members kept a low profile. Mark remained an entertaining (and moody) stage act but the records sometimes lacked that Vudi guitar coloring or pedal steel and rhythmic drive of AMC.

I hadn’t realized how important the band really was to the songs.

It was with great joy that I rushed out to see the revitalized AMC at Iota on the back of their reunion release for Merge, Love Songs for Patriots. They were certainly older – and maybe even a smidge wiser. The songs hadn’t missed a beat and Eitzel seemed refreshed by having his mates back by his side. I was surprised to see that soon after the band would be shaken up a little bit moving forward. Spurred by Mark and Vudi now residing in Los Angeles and the other members back in San Francisco, the sessions involving The Larks rhythm aces, Sean Hoffman on bass and Steve Didelot on the skins, evolved into what now is American Music Club.

The resulting The Golden Age continues the spirit of Love Songs perhaps dulling the edges just a tad lyrically while Eitzel remains the finest of emotional vocalists. It turns out all the worrying was for naught. But hey – what would an AMC album be without the backdrop of fretting though the night?

We managed to catch the man, the myth, the Mark, waking up to our e-mail half way around the world in yet another foreign hotel. So pour some coffee (cynically black of course) and cozy up:

How surprised were you at the backlash from the hardcore fans of the change in band members?

Well it really hasn’t been as bad as I thought. The music still sounds like AMC…

(It should be noted that time (or the previous night’s festivities) has softened Mark on this response as he sent out a long e-bulletin when the new band was announced shouting down the doubters.)

How has recording differed with this crew and how have the boys from The Larks seemed to differ in interpreting and coloring your song?

There wasn’t so much hand wringing - or computer doctoring. These guys can really play.

Has it been exciting to have new opinions in the mix and do you think you are more accommodating than the early days of the “band” dynamic?

Well no, I am just as accommodating as I have ever been - which means the music the band plays has to reflect at least a little of the feeling I have about the song. These guys are great and usually the first thing they play makes me happy.

(I’m not sure Happy and Eitzel go together – hmmm.)

How is Europe treating you on tour (colorful stories please!!! Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy joining you, looking forward to Mexican Elvis)?

Well there are no great stories - Neil was (as always) a sweetheart and a gentle man - and a very good pool player as it turns out. Honestly we just work and by the time we are done the bars are closed so we go to the hotel and sleep. My throat gives out very easily so I really can’t party like I want to. Had some Eau de Vie last night here in Northern Spain and watched a great indie artist perform and this very cool little nightclub.

We had talked before about a show in the Everclear days where you were the only band member not to sign my swiped set list (you say relaxing, I say tomato - haha) and then I recall a show here where you stayed and talked to everyone for an hour afterwards - how have you changed on tour as the years have gone by?

It really is contingent on my throat. I sing so hard that I lose it really easily and sometimes talking to people in a loud club KILLS it – Other times I might have a day off the next day… This tour is really tough so I usually don’t talk to anyone after… I like to meet people but damn I am always focused on the fact the next day I have to get up early and drive to another city and do a show - and the day after that another…

Has the internet changed the way you connect with the audience and made the band mach2 more financially viable compared to the 80’s touring and promotional grind and even the 90’s non-push on a major?

Well, we still have to work our asses off.

This is back-to-back covers with rowboats - any particular significance?

Nope - it was a concept the photographer had.

You know Vudi is getting old and frail - why would you make him sit in cold water for a photo shoot (haha)?

It was his idea - he jumped right in.

Can we expect any cool posters for sale this tour (last go-round had beauties from The Small Stakes and Lure)?

I really hope so!

What are your hopes for the election coming up?

Obama would be great.

Do your political views coincide with those of your family (I recall those songs about defending your sister during the early solo tours)?

Yeah, my sister and I have the same cynical view of the world…

You have had some great shows in the past here in the DC area and really seem to have settled into the perfect venue at Iota. (They will be back April 29th.) What do you enjoy about playing there?

The people are not TOO burned out - and their friendliness extends out to the show.

Having seen you play numerous times, part of the joy is not knowing in advance what subject has caught your focus that evening. What have you found yourself discussing on stage the last few nights?

Well honestly… it is just the routine of introducing the songs…

(Insert road weary eyes here.)

Get your mope on and pick up The Golden Age now on Merge Records

 Send to a Friend