BOBBLE TIKI: FINALLY CATCHES UP WITH JOE HAEGE >>>

In last week’s edition of the Weekly Volcano, Bobble Tiki took a moment to wax poetic about one of his favorite Portland based band, www.myspace.com/31knots ">31 Knots â€" who will play Hell’s Kitchen tomorrow night (Thursday, Sept 11).

While Bobble Tiki did plenty of waxing last week about 31 Knots, what he didn’t do was interview the band. If you read the column than you know the story, but suffice to say Bobble Tiki was awfully disappointed about the development.

This week, however, 31 Knots frontman Joe Haege took a moment to speak with Bobble Tiki about his band’s new record, the tour that currently has him in Japan, and his thoughts on the City of Destiny.

Here’s how it went down:

Bobble Tiki: You just released Worried Well. How does it pick up where The Days and
Nights of Everything Anywhere left off? It seemed like Bobble Tiki noticed a few new flares this time around. Where did your inspiration for this latest record come from?
Hage: Honestly, I don't know if we ever have a concrete influence for a particular album. Our influences or inspirations are always on and always pretty equal. We could want to sound like Bowie and the MinuteMen one day and the next day Sparks and some 80's new age composer.

Tiki: You're about to embark on an extensive tour - bringing you to Japan and Tacoma. How is the reaction to what you do in far away places like Asia? What was your impression the last time you were in Tacoma â€" at the Helm Gallery, if I'm not mistaken? Did you find the audience receptive?
Haege: We had  a great time in Tacoma. The show was a lot of fun and it was nice to see a scene in Tacoma that was its own burgeoning thing. We've always had people tell us, though, that Hell's Kitchen is where we should play, so we'll see. Its hard to top an all age antique gallery where people are getting their drink on.
      
Japan…wow. You can't beat Japan. The food is amazing and everyone is very nice. This is our 3rd time here so we also get to see some friends we haven't seen in a while. Tonight we're playing with Melt Bannana and our friends Balloons in Tokyo. The only downside I can think of is the humidity. It reminds me of the Midwest. Ugh.

Tiki: The last time Bobble Tiki saw you - which, admittedly was a long time ago at the
Doug Fir in Portland - the show was energetic to say the least. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve for this tour, or is the 31 Knots live show all off the cuff, spur of the moment stuff? Do you plan it or does it just happen?
Haege: By tricks I assume you mean my cheap stage antics. Yes, I have a few. It's getting hard to come up with new ideas that I really like and that don't involve large sums of money or adding a member. I just can't be a straight rock and roll guy anymore. Something seems disingenuous about it, or, rather if you're going to play the part of something or someone make it obvious you're playing a part. There is a lot of posturing that goes on in the world of bands and musicians and its just not my thing. Though, I fucking love to play rock music and have irony not invited to the dinner table.

Tiki: You told Bobble Tiki when you guys released the last record that it was the closest you'd come to satisfaction. How does Worried Well stack up?
Haege: I think this one we blazed through so fast none of us have been able to come up with an answer yet. People seem to not like the fact that every song is quite different from each other, but you can't please them all.

Overall, I think we're really happy with it, but I may be happiest because I feel like my voice is finally getting to somewhere that I feel is mine.

Tiki: Are you mainly in PDX these days, or is the band split between there and SF? I'm only assuming here, but why is PDX such a good home for what you do musically? It seems like you guys are just one of many ultra creative groups pushing the boundaries. Do you find this to be true? With all the attention on PDX these days, where do you think it's all headed for the Rose City?
Haege: Portland is a city that I truly love and feel is my home, but, man, is it a bummer to see it change so fast and get so much hype about it. Still, it's an amazing place to want to be creative and not have a lot of money. Hell, we still practice in my basement. That is truly great.  We spend most of the band time on tour or in Portland. Going to SF means 2 of us flying or driving down as opposed to 1 of us coming up. It’s finances that bind us.