Micha: What’s happening, Woody? How’s life and what have you been up to?
Woody: Life`s not so bad these days really, just rolled back from a trip up to the N.C. Mountains for a few days. Kind of a short break before we get back on the tunes. I`ve got a lot of homework to do so I was sort of procrastinating a little. But some time up in the thin air seems to help the ol` brain come back to where it needs to be.
Micha: Are the `Let Lones just a side project to keep yourself busy, or will something more (a release, etc.) come of it?
Woody: Mike and I have put a lot of work into those songs over the last couple years, I hope something can come out of it all. Of course the Corrosion album is on the front burner for now, but there are about 12 or so `Let Lone tunes recorded and several more demos. The stuff is pretty earthy and kind of a departure from our normal vibe. In a good way, I believe.
Micha: I heard you guys are demoing material for the next album. Will it continue in the same vein as the last three albums, or is there some credence in the rumor that this was going to be an old school swan song?
Woody: We`re done with all that demoing and writing business and have already laid the foundation down on tape. About 14 songs, if I remember correctly. That week is kind of a blur to tell the truth - the end of July and early August is just plain hot down in New Orleans, but the brews were really cold. So you can guess what went on. We started out with the notion of making a completely flailing, all out, all over the place album. I`m thinking we`re well on the way. It`s wild how tunes migrate and change once you actually start to lay them down for real.
Micha: Any working titles for songs or the album?
Woody: Not really true titles, just weird names for us to remember them by.
Micha: Is Mike handling the recording and production this time around?
Woody: Some of it for sure, he`s gotten pretty good at working all the stuff.
Micha: There was a rumor that you guys got dropped from Sanctuary. Set the record straight please.
Woody: Nope, this is gonna be a Sanctuary release. At least that`s what I’m thinking since they`re paying for studio time, etc. Those guys are into the new tunes so you can`t ask for much more. The label`s gotten pretty big since AVD (America’s Volume Dealer) was released but everybody still seems cool by me.
Micha: I really dug the track on the High Times comp. Kinda reminded me of Wiseblood-era COC. Was that recorded exclusively for the comp, or was it an unreleased tune?
Woody: It was done for that deal, we also demo`d a few other tracks at that same time and a couple are on the new album in a slightly different form. I`m thinking it was about mid-2003 when we laid that stuff on tape.
Micha: Do you have anything to say to the America’s Volume Dealer naysayers (in terms of the glossy production)?
Woody: I kinda agree somewhat, some of the tunes were really great, but the production could have been a little more in your face. You know like when compared to Wiseblood or Deliverance, it`s not quite as heavy.
Micha: So, who’s playing drums now?
Woody: Stanton Moore from New Orleans loaned us his monstrous talent for the album. He does a lot of different styles and wanted to check out something in a heavier vein. His approach to it all was great, totally added his own swing to the songs. People can check him out on his own solo albums and also the band Galactic, amongst other projects.
Micha: I’ve heard tales of Pepper having a pretty unique bar. It’s a jazz club?
Woody: It`s a cool, old bar on Magazine St. in New Orleans. I wouldn’t call it a jazz joint though. Just a good place to go swill brews. You can eat a hamburger at four in the morning there too.
Micha: What kind of bike you riding these days and any famous last words?
Woody: To all the kids out there, keep both wheels on the ground and don`t drink and drive. I`m bike-less right now for the time being, got my eyes out though. I`m waiting for NC to repeal the helmet law.
Micha: And any good road stories from the last tour?
Woody: You know how that goes, it`s hard to remember the good stuff and some of it that does come to mind should probably be forgotten anyway.
Micha: If Pepper had gotten the gig as Metallica`s bassist, would you guys have continued COC?
Woody: We didn’t really get that far with it, man. I know we would have kept going in some form or another cause that`s what we do.
Micha: Any new bands you`ve been digging?
Woody: Outlaw Order.
