Cursive Interview
So we were going to sit down with Matt Maginn from Cursive last time he was in Los Angeles, but Travis and I just ended up drinking way too many beers with the guy at The Frolic Room instead. We forgot about the whole “rock journalism” thing, beer tends to have that effect on us. So you’re gonna have to settle with this email interview we did… I’m going to guess you don’t need an introduction to the band. But for the record I want you all to know that Matt is somewhat of a newcomer to the interview scene. Not too many people are like “Hey, let’s interview the… BASS PLAYER! Well, we did. We think Matt’s got some bass lines (not to mention some killer one liners too) and he has also played with Bright Eyes, Slowdown Virginia and tons of other cats… Plus he helped run Saddle Creek Records and now helps Conor Oberst with Team Love Records. That’s what’s called “well rounded” kids, you might wanna check it out. Anyways, here’s proof that yes even the bass player can be cool…
How’s it’s going?
Shit is going pretty well. Just kickin it in Columbia, MO, my new stomping grounds. Watching my dogs chase a groundhog around in the yard. Luckily for Phil these dogs are city dogs so they wont want to eat or kill Phil who could probably kick their asses anyway.
Back in the day how did you guys settle on the name Cursive? What, if any, is the meaning behind naming the band that?
How did you settle on the name Buddyhead? I am sure it is more interesting than the story behind the name Cursive.
Yeah anyways.. What are some of the names you guys almost called the band?
Fuckface, Dickmaggot, Jerkwad, SensiMensi, Big Trouble in Little China, Old Yeller, Lot 90, Blondo.
Wow. What was the name of the first band you were in?
The Semi-Conscious (Yes, true).
What made you wanna learn how to play an instrument?
I loved music and wanted to do it as my hobby. Mess around with a four track. Hang out with friends and make sounds together.
What year did you guys start Cursive?
1995
Ahh, the 90’s! So help us get this straight… The band broke up after your second record, right?
Yep, we were done dealing.
What were the reasons you guys initially threw the towel in? Someone’s feet stink? Someone play hide the pickle with another band members lady friend? Give everyone the “Behind The Music” dirt that they want!
Tim and Steve had an affair with each other on each other. I wish there was something flashy going on. Tim was moving away with his wife at the time, Steve decided to go to Law school. And Clint and I decided to stay around in Omaha and play footsie with each other.
While you guys weren’t a band there for a bit, you guys started selling more records than when you were a band… Why do you guys think that happened?
Not sure if that happened actually. We were back together by Summer of 99.
Oh, ok. How did you guys end up getting back together and making music again?
Tim missed us and moved back to Omaha. :) We missed his ass too. Especially the pimples. Tim and I met up over a couple beers at the local Keno parlor and hatched some plans to either start a new band or continue on as Cursive. We decided to keep the name since we had put so much effort into naming us as you can see from the question above. We asked Ted Stevens to take Steve’s place and then we went to work writing Domestica in the basement of USA Baby in Omaha.
Is Cursive your only job? Or do you have another gig something else that brings home the bacon? What is it?
I worked at Saddle Creek for about 5 years and last Spring I moved over to Team Love where I am now. I do the label stuff pretty much whenever I am not working on Cursive.
What is there to do in Omaha, Nedraska?
I dunno, I bailed. Actually, Omaha gets better all the time. Great bars and we have new venues like Slowdown and the Waiting Room. We also have another independent film house.
Who in the band still lives in Omaha?
Ted.
The label you guys are on, Saddle Creek, has like a full on compound thing there right? We heard they have a killer office with a gold bottom swimming pool, a brand new rock n roll venue, a top of the line recording studio with expensive mics and a saddle creek yoga studio… What’s going on over there dude?
Lets see everything is accurate except the recording studio and yoga studio. Robb and Jason who run Saddle Creek built this big building that has a theatre, venue, label office space, coffee shop, retail store, and eventually a restaurant as well as I think 8 apartments and a couple condos for them. Its a classy little joint.
So you work for another label now right? Tell us what you got going on over there that you’re excited about….
Well, I like everything of course. But we have a record from Flowers Forever coming down the pipe that I am really excited about it. The cover art alone makes it worth the whole adventure. I am still loving David Dondero’s record Simple Love. The Man is an real life troubadour. Capgun Coup are some young guys from Omaha that are great now but will be amazing in the future. They have just the right combination of talent and irreverence. Later we will release a band called A Weather. They are extremely chill. I love em in the way I loved bands like Codeine. They don’t necessarily sound the same but evoke the same sort of response from me.
Cursive is always on tour man. How do you like life on the road?
I love to travel but I don’t necessarily like to tour. I love to play music but not sure I want to play every night. Its a love hate/thing. I think we just all sort of numb ourselves and get through it. There are a lot of friends and times that I experienced on the road and I would never trade those in. Also, miss my wife a lot when I am gone. If we were big shits we could just travel with our family but that does not seem to be our destiny.
You have any current favorite bands? What bands around today are you into?
Good question. I like all kinds really.
Your drummer, Klint, left the band a while ago. Who’s the new guy?
Cornbread Compton. He is a friend from way back who used to play in the amazing Engine Down. He’s been an awesome addition. Dude can play the fucking drums like a madman. He also has a lot of great input in the writing process too.
Right on. But, what’s in your fridge right now? Come on, give us the run down…
Turkey sausage, Diet coke, Wine, Beer, Pigs Feet, Chicken Feet, Frog Legs, Gizzards.
Who can drink the most in the band?
Used to be Clint. Not sure who will rise to the top now. My bet is on Ted. Clint was so awe inspiring he could drink a whole pint in 3 seconds. I over did it one night and kept showing him off to friends and nearly blinded the man.
Can you guys out drink Bright Eyes?
They’d give us a run for the money for sure. okay, not sure I want to be in any contests but we would pants em for sure.
Do you guys get as many chicks as Bright Eyes?
Of course. duh. Cmon you guys have seen us. Does it look like WE have trouble gettin the ladies? Balding is in and greasy is out.
Are you guys working on a new record or are you just sitting on your hands? What are you dudes up to? Give us the skinny.
We are actually working on a new record now. We are about 10 songs in and shooting to get 30 total to pick from. Not to be sensi mensi but I feel really good about this new shit. Tim has really brought us some great great tunes to work on. Its eclectic as hell. All the songs have Tim using a capo, and Ted’s got this wicked twelve string that is tuned like a Bazooki. Makes for some wild sounds. Cornbread is amazing and really adding a shit ton to the songs through beats and ideas. Finally we have a new dude, Nate Lepine, who is sort of our Sensai. He plays horns, keys and some winds. He’s a real pro and teaches us what the hell we are playing and why it works. We actually talk about notes at practice which is exciting.
Killer. I noticed that your website address is “cursivearmy.com“… Are you guys Kiss fans or what? Fess up!
Yep. That is actually exactly where we got the idea so I will not make any smart ass responses.
Ok Matt, you’re off the hook… Thanks!
Posted in Music |
December 14th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Shit yeah Fred! You popped your “Rock Journalist” cherry. feels good huh? Everyone, meet Fred… he runs the Buddyhead label with Aaron and I… he’s the one who knows what he’s doing. Fred rules.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:36 am
no not kiss no eww not kiss they suck come on!!!!!! However I can forgive, I like how they ran you guys threw the ringer with how they got their name. lol classic move! Good interview brah!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Howdy Fred! Interview as many bass players as you’d like; they rule.
And Matt seems like a fun guy.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
i never woulda thought i’d see the day where buddyhead backs bands like cursive and bright eyes.
cool, i guess.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
That dude one possibly the worst interviewee ever. Makes sense as he is in the creepiest band ever.
Hey Buddyhead! Go interview someone worthwhile like Greg from DEP and ask him what it was like to choke kids at shows or grab his bandmate’s pickles during their last photo shoot.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
cursive? seriously?
you guys 14 year old girls?
December 15th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Fred est un sac à Beck’s mais aussi un putain de bon journaliste…
Kisses from PARIS, the city not the crappy nymphomaniac…
December 15th, 2007 at 11:48 am
that was a good read on saturday morning.
well done gentelman!
December 16th, 2007 at 3:22 am
Yo dude, why this question in your interview: “who can drink the most in the band?” are you afraid? don’t worry Fred, you are the leader for ever…
December 16th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Hey… why don’t you interview QOTSA’S/WoF’S/JUBILEE’S BASSPLAYER?
December 16th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Hello Fred, good interview, but this band, cool guy, funny, but this song blows, whatever though. I like your piece guys in the LA WEEKLY, and maybe I should get some free shit for this, but I saw your ode to OASIS Travis, with the tambourine on your head, BOOYAH !
December 18th, 2007 at 2:38 am
Seriously, this site has lost all it’s street cred.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:32 am
Seriously, if you’re worried about ’street cred’ why the fuck are you reading a music blog on the internet?
I mean, do I have to point out the oxymoron?
December 18th, 2007 at 9:11 am
since when does BH has / had street cred?
December 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
interview andy bell, cursive sucks balls.
December 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
also, what is street cred, is that how rappers buy shoes?
December 18th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Good’un Dustyn.
December 18th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Is it just me, or does buddyhead seriously suck now? How many bob dylan and neil young bootlegs do we have to hear? There’s lost of good new shit out there, and Cursive certainly isn’t it people. I remember learning about badass new music from buddyhead but now, good god, all it has is old skeletons who don’t even play guitar live anymore. Get with the times buddyhead.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
it’s because most music today sucks dildongs, holy shit i just realized i’m starting to sound like my parents, except for the fact that i use words like dildongs.
keep up the half-assed work buddyhead (my favorite oasis fanpage)
December 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am
yeah i agree, but there’s some good shit out there nonetheless. Anywho, Cursive? Really? I thought the head would rape bands like this, metaphorically of course.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
HEY MIKE… SUPER GEEK !
If Buddyhead “sucks now” then don’t read it. Do you eat food that sucks? Do you watch movies that suck? Do you wear clothes that you don’t like? It’s all a choice man…
Secondly, Buddyhead isn’t here to cater to ANY of you crybabies. It’s always sort of been self serving yet they were all for it if people were into it.. which apparently you one time were.
Third thing donkey lips, if there’s lots of good shit out there like you claim there is, then shouldn’t you be at home eating it up rather than hanging out here any whining because Dylan’s too deep for you or whatever your fucking problem is.
If I were you and knew of tons of good shit to listen to(it doesn’t exist.. some…maybe even lots..but not tons) than I would listen to killer tunes all day instead of hanging out on the internet all day.
Don’t like Cursive? Cool.. move on then. Skip it, don’t read it, don’t listen to it.. whatever.
But for all everyone else’s sake.
STOP BEING ABOUT A BITCH.. BITCH!
Or ya know, you could always start one of those “blog” things and post your own shit.
From what I’ve always gathered from Buddyhead is that there isn’t like a checklist of things they can and can’t listen to. Maybe one dude likes Cursive and another doesn’t. Thats how a lot of groups of friends are.
Are you familiar with the word friends? If so, do you all like the same exact bands? And if so to that, which one of you nerds is the pitcher?
I peg you as a catcher.
Crybabies need not apply broheim.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
amen to that
December 20th, 2007 at 3:35 am
nope “fuck ya man”, mike has a point, i’ve been turned on to a shit load of bands through this site and gotten calls from pissed off members of papa roach through the head releasing their phone number to me, i’ve pretty much had a crush on this site for awhile and it sucks to see it come to this, a post about cursive. buddyhead is turning to suck. i’m just hoping they decide to do a list this year, even when they’re dead wrong about shit on their lists its still better than a useless post about fucking cursive.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
yeah because i just wrote a 3 page-rant that makes me look like i didn’t graduate from 3rd grade. Wait… that was you. I just felt the need to chime in that buddyhead has stopped posting new music.
This might not be tons of good new music but here’s a start:
In Rainbows
Animal Collective/Panda Bear
Califone
Pissed Jeans
Alcest
that new Ghostface
Black Moth Super Rainbow
the new Black Mountain
the new Dinosaur Jr.
the new Deerhoof
the new Low album
the new Roberty Wyatt
Les Savy Fav
Magik Markers
Thurston Moore’s solo album
8 Diagrams
Grizzly Bear
The new Iron & Wine is even decent
Black Lips
The new Caribou
the new Liars
Deerhunter
No Age
Health
M. Ward
Mission of Burma
Future of the Left (Mclusky)
Boris
I think I made my point, and that was just off the top of my head. Got that, dicklips? Have a nice day, and please eat shit.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Doris -
I totally MISSED mike’s point.. what exactly was it? Buddyhead has been around for like 10 years, meaning that the dudes who run it have done this thing called “growing up” a little bit. Let me explain to you what happens when you age from 18-19 to 29-30.
First and foremost, the biggest thing you probably stop caring about is “new music” because you get slightly jaded and couldn’t really care less what 139,465 other music blogs/magazines say is supposedly good music. It’s sad but yeah it happens. It also probably gets boring to prank nu-metal bands but apparently you’re still stuck in that phase.
If you were really a Buddyhead fan, then you would have noticed the changes over the years, understood them, and been fine with it… or you would stop coming to the site.
BUT WHINING serves no purpose.
MIKE -
I’ve never met anyone who has graduated from the 3rd grade. Pretty sure you gotta make it through 12 to get the nod but then again, maybe you’re from Kentucky or something where you get the benefit of the doubt in 3rd grade. Way to go!
Next, your list is utterly embarrassing. Not because there aren’t a few good bands in there but because you are so bland and unoriginal that it’s painful to read. You without a doubt heisted that list off of Pitchfork or some other site. You are the epitome of a NERD dude. Get it? You read music mags and blogs ALL DAY long looking for new good music. You bend over daily and let the “underground” stick its big, scaly cock right up your loosened asshole. If mainstream music people say listen to Kanye West, Jay-Z or whoever else is big these days, you would say NO WAY MAN… I’m not into to mainstream shit nor being told what to listen to. While at the same time you buy into EVERY SINGLE word that the so called indie rock sites and would-be journalists write.
What would some little cunt like you do without the internet? What would you possibly do with yourself if you didn’t have people telling you what to listen to. You are SO TIRED man. I bet you and your two friends all dress in ways that you think are hip and you listen to music that you think is hip and you say the words that you think are hip and you do everything that you possibly can to hide the fact that that without being spoon fed your entire style, taste, music senses, and everything else in your life, you really have absolutely nothing to say. You have nothing to offer this world and you’re deathly afraid of being exposed. So you, like many of your brainwashed peers, just continue to live in a fantasy world. You know nothing about music on your own. You don’t really understand Neil Young but you like every band formed after 2002. Congratulations.
Someday maybe you will crawl out of your shell and maybe become a man, nevertheless a man who has his OWN opinion. Until then, I suggest sticking to the “cool” websites since Buddyhead sucks.
The underground is a lie. And so is everything about you. Calling you a poser would be the understatement of the year.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
who’s buddyhead?
December 21st, 2007 at 11:36 am
Poser? Don’t understand Neil Young? Okay, here goes:
1. I’m from southern california and graduated college (a UC mind you) so i think i know a thing or two, but that’s just a maybe. All i really learned in college is how to not care and still get good grades.
2. That was just off the top of my head. Sure, i get music from different sources, but really, who doesn’t?
3. I actually like quite a bit of mainstream music (Including Jay-Z and Kanye West).
4. I’ve dressed the same way since i was in high school. If you saw me you’d probably think my “style” doesn’t reflect my musical taste whatsoever.
5. Calling people a poser only reveals your own poser tendencies. I genuinely like music more than just about anything. I listen to music as an outlet, a way to channel whatever emotions i am feeling, not as some sort of scene-points gaining agenda. I like what i like, and i dislike what i dislike. Sure, i find a lot of music online, but what do you expect? There’s like two good music magazines out there, the bands i like tour with other bands i already know and like, so what’s wrong with using the internet to find other like-minded people who share my love of music?
6. Baseless accusations are abound on this website when people know nothing about the people they are attacking.
7. What “underground”? The “underground” hasn’t mattered for well over a decade. When every independent label scoops up any band that sounds like pavement or MBV or radiohead, i think the “underground” has become just as homogeneous as the mainstream.
Anyway, have a good one, i respect your opinion, as wrong and unfounded as it is.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:45 am
P.S. All i was trying to say is that we’ve all heard Neil Young. I love his music and Bob Dylan’s, but i find that trying to relate to it is hard considering their musical prime was some time before i was even born. So what really bugs me are these neo-hippies that try to relate to the 60’s like they were there
December 21st, 2007 at 12:31 pm
since when did name dropping the college you went to make you know shit about music and life? totally funny. you suck, man..sorry.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:59 pm
The thing about that is that i know i suck. No need to apologize, i kinda wish i didn’t mention the college thing now that i think about it. I’m not gonna post anymore comments, this brings me back to when i was 17 and people thought picking fights on the internet was fun (not that that’s what you were doing Alex). I have a headache.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:36 pm
MAN, you guys have no life.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
fuck all y’all motha fuckas
December 21st, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Hey Mike. You don’t suck.. and probably aren’t a poser. You just kinda became the poster child for all the people who complain on here all the time so I sort of leveled my argument against you.
I mean a lot of what I said but am not sure if it was fair to direct it towards you. You seem genuine.
So with that being said…
I’d like to curb the negative vibrations.
Happy Xmas (war is over)
December 21st, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Aaaw, the 2 trolls kissed and made up.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:46 am
thanks man. That feels good on my spine… huh? Honestly, i’ve been following buddyhead for way too long and i understand their maturation is different than mine because i’m in my early 20’s so i still have that anger and frustration… which is why i still listen to converge and DEP but that’s a different story. So i guess i kinda lashed out cuz i don’t feel like i want to mellow out as i get older, but that seems to happen regardless of my will. Thanks.
later.
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March 29th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I dig cursive, Domestica grooves my tits off.
March 29th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
yeah!
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