Everclear Interview

Fronted by Art Alexakis, the Portland, Ore., power-pop-rock trio will bring an arsenal of choice songs, most of which come from the band's last two albums - 1995's breakthrough "Sparkle and Fade," with the smash "Santa Monica"; and last year's "So Much for the Afterglow," which has spawned current rock hits "Everything to Everyone" and "I Will Buy You a New Life." Last week Pop Muse Central caught up with Everclear's mastermind, Alexakis, 36, on the road near Charleston, S.C.

Q. What musician-singer would you bring back from the dead if you had that power?

A. Hank Williams Sr.

Q. That was fast.

A. You probably didn't expect that, did you?

Q. Well, no, but I'm not surprised. Your music has a strong country influence.

A. Country has always been in my music. It just comes out a little stronger at times.

Q. When is the launch of your long-anticipated record label? Was this a project that you began when you were an A&R guy at Capitol Records?

A. Yeah, but I didn't get a chance to sign the bands that I wanted to sign, so now I'm starting my own label.

Q. What's it called?

A. Popularity. It's going to be distributed through another major label - not Capitol - so I can't talk about it until it's inked.

Q. What are you looking for in a band?

A. My only prerequisite is just great songs, distinctive voices, interesting arrangements and the ability to diversify and change. I want to have artists that are going to have careers. I'm not interested in one-hit wonders, no matter how much money it will make in the short run.

Q. What's currently your favorite song to play live?

A. I'm really into playing "Everything to Everyone." And "Santa Monica" is always fun. But I'll tell you what the funnest song is by far: "El Distorto de Melodica," the instrumental (from "So Much for the Afterglow") that we play live. It just rocks.

Q. Will you be doing an acoustic set?

A. Oh, yeah. We'll do a three- or four-song acoustic set.

Q. What about "Heartspark Dollarsign" (from "Sparkle and Fade")?

A. We usually play that acoustic. If we don't do it acoustic, we do it electric in the encore.

Q. What's that mean, anyway - "Heartspark Dollarsign"?

A. I like to mess around with phonetics sometimes. It did communicate to me what I was feeling; just the value of the heart, the value ... that's where in a relationship it doesn't matter how much money you make, it matters how much you're willing to commit emotionally. It's one of the more autobiographic songs I've done.

Q. Do you name your guitars?

A. I don't name my guitars, but I do have some favorites. On stage I play a 12-string Taylor. I love it, but it's not my baby. I have a used '70s Guild sunburst that is just amazing.

Q. Any new music videos in the works?

A. We're doing one for "Father of Mine," the next single (from "So Much for the Afterglow"). I'm trying to come up with the treatment for it. I think I'll direct it, or co-direct it, like I have the last two.

Q. Anything else in the cooker?

A. I've been asked to be in a couple of movies by a couple of directors. I can't say who because I don't want to jinx it.

Q. Do you have any acting experience?

A. I've acted, and I went to film school. I've directed stage plays. I don't want to be a full-time actor, but I wouldn't mind doing it for these guys.