Legendary rocker Bob Mould is back with a new album and Seattle show

by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

BOB MOULD
SHOWBOX
AT THE MARKET
September 18

I wouldn't go so far as to say Bob Mould has had a 'quiet' music career. He is, after all, an original member of Hüsker Dü, and those guys weren't all that quiet. But although he has inspired a bevy of fellow artists, including Nirvana and the Pixies, overall this native New Yorker has kept a relatively low profile. Openly Gay, Mould has enjoyed success as both a bandleader (for Sugar as well as for Hüsker Dü) and as a solo performer, while often collaborating with colleagues on live shows and benefit fundraisers - he co-organized a Freedom to Marry concert several years ago. One of the first alt-rockers to come out, back in 1990, the acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist proudly associates himself with the bear community. Mould is now touring his latest album, Silver Age, with a Showbox Market show scheduled for September 18 (details at www.showboxonline.com). We recently caught up with him via e-mail, and here's what the legendary Bob Mould got off his bear-y chest inside 'The Music Lounge.'

Rodriguez: Do you have any fond memories of playing in Seattle over the years?

Mould: Lots of Seattle memories. July 1981 at Gorilla Room, WREX, and Showbox (where I'll be playing 30 years later!). November 1989 at Moore Theatre with the Pixies. Many visits to KEXP. Most recently, hanging with friends at Pony.

Rodriguez: Give us a little background on the new album, Silver Age. Is this a concept album, or do any of the songs reflect recent events in your life?

Mould: It's a 10-song, 38-minute blast of rock guitars, pop melodies, and simple words. That's as conceptual as it gets!

Rodriguez: For those who haven't seen you perform live, do you play a mixture of music from both your solo and band careers?

Mould: The upcoming rock band tour is a mix of past and present. Me and the guys (Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster) will be playing 1992's Copper Blue album start to finish, selections from this year's Silver Age album, as well as a handful of staples from my solo and early songbooks.

Rodriguez: Do the bears come out in full force to your live shows? How about cubs?

Mould: The bears represent, and the cubs always cause mischief - for me and the other bears.

Rodriguez: How many songs from Silver Age do you anticipate appearing on the Seattle set list?

Mould: We played five songs from Silver Age last month in Europe. We may add more for the U.S. tour.

Rodriguez: Do you follow any current pop or rock artists?

Mould: My current faves are Bear in Heaven, Chromatics, Eternal Summers, Violens.

Rodriguez: Nirvana cited your former band Husker Du as one of their influences. Were you a fan of Nirvana?

Mould: Yes. I was on the long list of potential producers for Nevermind. I'm glad Butch Vig got the call - the album turned out great, and it definitely changed the course of popular music. If not for that album, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.

Rodriguez: Let's talk men. Who would you say is the sexiest rock star at the moment?

Mould: Babydaddy of Scissor Sisters. Is it OK to say that about a friend?

Rodriguez: Gay marriage is on the verge of becoming law by a statewide vote in November. If it does pass, what song would you dedicate to all of our same-sex couples here in Washington state?

Mould: 'We Are the Champions' by Queen.

Rodriguez: You've collaborated quite a bit with Foo Fighters. Are there more collaborations with them or other artists in the near future?

Mould: I hope there will be more collaborations with Dave [Grohl] and the guys in the future. I don't want to wear out my welcome, but we sure have fun when we play music together. I've done a couple casual things with Ben Gibbard, and it would be cool to work together on something after he's done promoting his new album.

Rodriguez: Who's your favorite female musician of all-time, preferably someone still alive?

Mould: Nico left us many years ago. Shirley Manson of Garbage is awesome, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast is super cool, and it was a thrill to meet Joan Jett last October.

Rodriguez: What does the remainder of 2012 look like for Bob Mould?

Mould: U.S. tour, promotional work, and plenty of BLOWOFF DJ events around the country. I am thrilled (and lucky) to be so busy!

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