Goodnight, Bob Evans

“It’s how I like to start my day, bit of breakfast, a few interviews...it’s pretty rock and roll over here, I can tell you”

“What did you have for breakfast?”

“Actually, all I’ve had is three really strong coffees; I have a bit of a caffeine problem”

“One day they’re going to find traces of blood in your coffee system”

“(Laughs) I like that one; did you make that up?”

“I’m not sure! I probably stole it, or at least stole and edited it”

“No offence, but that sounds stolen, I do like it through!”

It’s okay, Bob Evans, I probably did unconsciously steal it. Today, Bob and I are chatting about his latest record, Goodnight, Bull Creek! (set for release April/May 2009), amongst other sordid things. For those who don’t know, Bob Evans is the jingly alter-ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell. The dual artiste has put Jeb work aside for past coupla years to make decidedly softer, earthier music. Though not hippie music, let us make that clear.

“I wanted to keep the same personnel but I wanted to make a record different than the last one, wanted to play the electric guitar a little more, wanted to get away from the singer/songwriter thing a bit, so I think I’ve ended up making a record that has a little more electricity running through it, it’s a bit weirder than the last one. It makes the last one sound very straight. There’s a bossa nova song on there. I suppose it’s not that weird, it’s not some avant-garde thing; it’s just weird for Bob Evans”
What do you want people to take away from your shows?

“Someone’s number? (Laughs) I hope they take away a buzz, whether that’s a musical buzz, or one purely derived from alcohol....or someone’s number, I love bringing people together! I want there to be love in the room, like sexy love, not hippie love like at a Michael Franti concert. I want my love to end in raw sex back at someone’s house. That would be a great outcome! I just want people to have a good time”

So no intense Iggy Pop breaking-a-bottle-over-your-head antics then?

“Breaking a bottle...well, I’m usually drinking from the bottle. And I don’t normally finish it until after the show backstage. And, breaking a bottle, someone’s gotta clean it up, I don’t wanna clean it up, I don’t want anybody else too either. No one enjoys cleaning up smashed glass. I’ve never met anyone who does! If there was genuinely someone who enjoyed cleaning up smashed glass, I would break a bottle on my head for them. 'Cause I wanna bring everyone in”

Like a spider. So where lies the fate of Jebediah?

“Were still writing and getting together and playing, but we haven’t made a record since 2004. We are making a new record, but it could take a while before it comes out because everyone busy doing other things. Everyone still wants to make a record and go on tour together because we love it. After this Bob record, there will be a Jebediah record. I promise. Exclusive!”

As well as his breadth of solo shows, Bob and Co. are also joining the stellar lineup of the Pyramid Rock Festival (Philip Island, Victoria). How does our Bob take the festival life?

“We did the Big Day Out, we did Homebake, we did West Coast Blues and Roots, they’re great fun, like a party. I think when you do your own show and it’s a small, kind of intimate venue, in some ways it’s a little more rewarding because everyone is there to see you and it strokes your ego (laughs). But having said that, festivals are pretty much about as much fun as you can have. The parties are always great, there’s always a billion other bands playing...”

An innocent question re songwriting influences could lead Bob in musical jail; “Who do I rip off the most? I’ve always ripped off Tim Rogers, I rip off John Lennon, I’ve ripped off Luke Steele, I’ve ripped off Elliot Smith a bit, the Beatles a lot, I’ve tried to rip off wilco but I don’t think I did a very good job, though I did use Wilco’s ex-drummer. I’m ripping off people left, right and centre. Strangely though, I’ve never felt like I‘ve ripped off Bob Dylan. Though most people make that assumption”

So don't.

Bob Evans plays:

15 Nov- Nukara Farm Bush Ampitheatre- Geraldton, Western Australia
20 Nov- The Troubadour- Brisbane, Queensland
21 Nov- Bon Amici- Toowoomba, Queensland
22 Nov- Oxford Art Factory- Sydney, New South Wales
23 Nov- Clarendon Guesthouse- Katoomba, New South Wales
26 Nov- Fowlers Live- Adelaide, South Australia
27 Nov- Toff in Town- Melbourne, Victoria
28 Nov- Northcote Social Club- Melbourne, Victoria
29 Nov- Escape in the Park @ King’s Park- Perth, Western Australia
4 Dec- Deville’s Pad- Perth, Western Australia
29 Dec- Woodford Folk Festival- Queensland
30 Dec- Woodford Folk Festival- Queensland
31 Dec- Pyramid Rock Festival- Phillip Island, Victoria

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