The Residents interview + Tarantula + Sand Pebbles

The Residents are an enigma wrapped in a riddle – a band that, over the past thirty years, has managed to maintain their mystery and intrigue. The identities of the members have never been disclosed and they continue to shun interviews. What we do know about them could be completely made up. Musically they’ve been described as parodists, deconstructionists, avant poppers, Absurdists. Or shit. Their obsessions spanning thirty-something albums have ranged from the Beatles, Elvis, Hitler, God to the lives of Eskimos and moles. Indeed, they may be a lot of things but they’re never dull. Its 25 years since they released their ‘Commercial Album’ – an entire LP of one minute songs, or commercials. It’s recently been re-released in DVD form with films accompanying the 40 tracks. This interview was done via email. Given the modus operandi I didn’t know who I was emailing. I suppose all I knew was that it wouldn’t be the Residents. It ended up being manager Hardy Fox of Cryptic Corporation, the band's representative body. Who, for all we know, could be a Resident.

There's a rumour that Frank Zappa is alive and well and playing in the Residents?
That isn't a question. But I won't discuss who is in The Residents even if it was one.

Is it frustrating or amusing having other people speak for you? Or, as the case may be, speaking on behalf of them?
I am a manager speaking on behalf of The Residents. No one is speaking for me that I have been told about. I suppose it would be interesting to hear what they had to say about me if some one ever did. I can't imagine that ever happening though, since I am completely happy to talk for myself.

Why is the idea of anonymity still important to the band?
Any chance that you have questions about The Residents that isn't about who they are? They have actually done some interesting projects over the last 33 years. They aren't anonymous. They are a group. They are The Residents.

How desperate have people got in trying to unmasked the band?
No one cares. Why should they? Either you like the albums and DVD's or you don't just like any other artist. Does it matter that Ringo Starr's name is Richard? If having any name is all that matters, then call each Residents A, B, C, and D.

Could the Residents go on even after they die? Like the Phantom - "jungle folk everywhere believe them the same men."
Yes.

What was the impetus to revisit the 'Commercial' LP for a dvd release?
25th Anniversary of the album

Last time the Residents were in Melbourne one of the eyeballs was stolen: what do they recall of this infamous incident?
That it was stolen from the dressing room after a show in Los Angeles.

Rumour has it it's still around - do they want it back?
It was returned after a few months, but The Residents would not wear it any
more figuring other people had put it on.

What can we expect from the show this time around?
It is an Anniversary show, so it will cover a lot of different material from the last 33 years.

What's your favourite Resident lp?
Mine? Animal Lover. I always like the most recent album the best.

What's your favourite Resident song?
I don't have a favorite song. The Residents aren't about songs. They are
big into concept albums.

The band has tackled many and varied songwriters from James Brown, Lee Hazlewood, Gershwin to Hank Williams, Leiber/Stoller, Lennon/McCartney and beyond. Has anyone ever got in contact to say 'great work'?
No.

On the flipside have any songwriters sent the message: 'you fucking assholes!'?
No.

What do you think is the best cover of a Residents track?
I don't think there are any.

What band do you think has been influenced the most by Residents? Is the word 'de-constructed' in every review written about the Residents?
I can't think of a single one. I seldom read reviews. Reviews are written for people who do not yet have an opinion.

Does the CIA have a file on the fans that own every Resident lp and single release?
The CIA doesn't tell you what they have.

The Residents attract some very intense, hardcore fans - have you ever been an intense, hardcore fan?
No. I have a busy life already.

Ever scare yourself with what you've written?
You mean in an interview like this? I don't think of myself as a writer. Like I said, I am already busy with other things. If you mean The Residents, you would have to ask someone in the group.

The Residents have certainly covered some ground in their work but what's a concept the Residents have tried to put into song and failed?
The Big Bang Theory.

Are first dates and the Residents - a natural combination?
I don't understand the question.

When were you last proud to be American?
You mean The American Composer Series? It has been on hold for many years now. It could always be revived though.