Interview with Evan Dando

From The Charlotte Observer, January 2007

5 QUESTIONS FOR
The Lemonheads

After a nearly decade-long recording absence, the alternative rock band returned in 2006 with a self-titled album. Frontman Evan Dando spoke with the Observer in advance of the trio's show at Amos' Southend.

It's been 10 years since the Lemonheads' last studio album. Why did you decide to give it another go? 
Just for fun. What sparked it was this festival (I heard about) in Brazil of young Brazilian bands doing Lemonheads' songs. It might've been real small, but it was enough for me to want to get the band together in some form and make another Lemonheads' record.

How did you hook up with your new bandmates, drummer Bill Stevenson and bassist Karl Alvarez (of All and the Descendents)? 
It got finalized when I (did 41 shows in 2004) with the MC5 guys. We went through Fort Collins, (Colo.), and I talked to Bill about it. (Stevenson operates Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins.) We booked some time, but Bill says later that he didn't think I was going to show up.

Why are you touring with different musicians -- Vess Ruhtenberg and Devon Ashley? 
The plan was to go out and tour when we made that record, but it was dragging a bit for Bill. I wasn't finishing the songs fast enough. He produced Rise Against's record. And he got an offer to do another Geffen release. Vess and Devon are great, though. They play the heck out of the old stuff.

So fans can expect the old stuff, too? 
Totally. We even play stuff from (1987's) "Meet Your Friends."

Is this a one-off project or will you do another record? 
I want to do another one very quickly. Rhino is going to reissue "It's a Shame About Ray" and get together some extra stuff for it. My own label and my manager, we're going to put out the other ones. Use the cover we wanted to use and put out "Come on Feel the Lemonheads" into the nonexistent record stores. It's sort of back to the future.