John Andrew Frederick is the intellectual's Robert Pollard. Wonderfully prolific, in 2020 alone he lead The Black Watch through two albums and an EP. Briilliant Failures, Fromthing Somethat, and The Nothing That Is expanded the sound of this band, and solidified the estimation in the main contributors to this site that John Andrew Frederick is one of the best American songwriters working today. These releases, and songs on them, made all of our "best of" lists in 2020, and I'm delighted to offer up this interview, from Jay Mukherjee, with contributions from Stan Cierlitsky, with John Andrew Frederick.
Interview by Jay Mukherjee with contributions from Stan Cierlitsky
Jay: Unfortunately, until now you have fallen into the category of massively under-appreciated bands. Hopefully that changes soon. What other bands do you think also fall into the category of massively under-appreciated ?
JOHN ANDREW FREDERICK: The Lucy Show, the band that, other than The Beatles, inspired me to throw my life away and become an artist: two incredible LP's and very little exposure or status. They had, as those who know know, two very cool frontmen/songwriters and a sound that married The Cure to The Beatles. Impossibly catchy stuff. Great guys too; we're friends. I've teased them about them inspiring me to have a band. I mean, I saw them play to maybe nine people in Santa Barbara and they played like they were playing some Enormodome. Great live band. Another is/was our old chums Downy Mildew. Beautiful, off-kilter, folky rushy, 4AD-ish pop. Michael Stipe took them under his capricious wing for a spell, and eventually they signed to a lame mini-major (just as we did in the 90's) and then disappeared. They also had two writers, two singers; and the bass player was/is gorgeous, as was/is the lead vocalist, Jenny Homer. Seek out a record called Broomtree if you're interested. You'll thank me. The thing about being massively underappreciated is it's kind of a laugh. We've been that for forever now and it's just amusing -- how long we've lingered in such a category... and carried on, you know. Somewhat merrily. Thank you for the hopeful words, but to us it's just comical. It's absurd, somehow; it's like a joke of Fate. But some characters (maybe me) were created just so they could languish. I never wanted to be rich or famous, anyway. And thus I have succeeded in not becoming either... admirably, I'd say! Ha.
Jay: I see on your latest single you have gone for a remix. Awesome. Some really cool guitar bands have expanded their catalogs with awesome remixes. Interpol and Stone Roses to name a few. What made you go this route? And why now? Scott Campbell did a great job with The Nothing That Is.
JOHN ANDREW FREDERICK: Oh, it might've been because Rob Campanella did this record and worked really hard on it and did a fantastic job but we kinda missed working with Campbell. Which is precisely what we're doing as we speak, recording the twentieth LP, tentatively titled Bye. And now that we're back with Scott we're missing Rob so we'll have him do some magic on the new album. I don't know. I really like extended 12" records and good remixes and dance mixes -- if they're good. They aren't always, you know. Plus we really like dance music. If by dance music one means New Order. Haha. Very kind of you to say that about Scott. I'll tell him. Everyone likes appreciation like that, especially coming from those who know... such as your bad selves at A Pessimist is Never Disappointed.
Jay: "The Lonesome Death of Mary Hansen" almost brought me to tears. My friend Stan was lucky enough to see her with Stereolab open for Spiritualized. (Kenixfan: And I saw her with Stereolab at the 9:30 Club with Tone in summer 1994.) She was amazing. Did you have a connection with her? What's the story behind this great song?
JOHN ANDREW FREDERICK: I said hello at some Stereolab gigs here in LA down the years. A frenemy of mine, Randy Kaye at Slash then Warner Bros., knew Mary and Laetitia and introduced me. She was really sweet, Mary, and humble. And when I heard how she died I was gutted. I used to ride a bike around the east side of LA where I live. After that bad news, I sold my vintage Raleigh three-speed or whatever it was. Devastating, her death was. London drivers are insane anyway. I'd never ride there or in New York City or LA. I thought she deserved a tribute that's not really quite a tribute 'cause somehow that seemed more fitting for such a nice, modest person. The song's very much about how none of us knows where we're going, what we're doing. And that's just as beautiful as it is terrifying. I think about death quite a bit, actually. It's kinda the question, isn't it? The only truly philosophical question. I mean, I don't have a Hamlet-ish skull on my desk at home or anything, but still.
Jay: I see you are still an avid tennis player. What artist would you like to bring to tears taking them 6-0 6-0 in a set?
JOHN ANDREW FREDERICK: Oh, Nick Kyrigos. I hate Nick Kyrigos; I think he's terrible for the sport. I just ran into a cut-out of him at the entrance of my local tennis shop. I was ranting to the clerks about what an abomination (they laughed a lot) they were committing having him "in" the shop. Haha. He's appalling. Never would happen, though; unless maybe someone spiked him with a dose of acid or something. I hate all the shriekers as well: Serena Williams, Vicktoria Azarenka, Sharapova (near the end of her career). Shrieking's for Yoko Ono records, and tragic car accidents, or fallings-off from cliffs, if you ask me. What do you mean "still"? I'll play tennis till I die. It's waym way more important than music. Kidding. It's just more important. Kidding again. Music is really the only sport.
* * * * *
On behalf of all of us here, a big Thank you! to John Andrew Frederick to taking the time to answer a few questions today. Stay tuned for more music from The Black Watch in 2021. I'm sure of it.
More details on The Black Watch via the official Facebook page.
[Photo: Brendan Holmes]