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The Mendoza Line released an album at the tail
end of last year by the name of ‘Lost in Revelry’.
It was the sound of Americana, country guitars and
blues rhythms, run at a luscious pace with a spring
in its step and endless tales of lost loves to talk
of along the way. As far as reference points go, think
unpolished REM, the Delgados in ripped
denim and especially the roots traditionalism of American
Music Club. A heartening blend of idle peaks and
troughs, with a few stick-in-your-head tunes thrown
in to boot. Without wanting to sound non-committal,
it’s nice. And that’s a good thing. Not enough things
are just nice.
Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Peter Hoffman
took a minute or two out of one of his ambling schedule
to answer a few questions for us.
1. Where are you now and what can you see?
I’m on 49th Street and 7th avenue in Manhattan. I can
see billboards for the New York production of Mama Mia
and Fabulous’ new album “Street Dreams,” people milling
about in the cold, a dozen cabs and a bus stopped at
a traffic light, several be-suited men busily checking
stock prices in the Lehman Brothers Building and a half-eaten
piece of pizza.
2. What was the last thing you ate?
Well, I guess it would be half a slice of pizza.
3. When was the last time you were lost?
I haven’t been lost in a while. I’m sort of a freak
about not getting lost. It’s probably my worst fear
after being jailed.
4. What’s the next piece of music you intend to buy?
I have to buy another copy of “Pleased to Meet Me” by
the Replacements. I recently met someone who hadn’t
heard them and I promised that I would burn him a retrospective.
Unfortunately, I only have “Pleased to Meet Me” on vinyl
and I want to make sure that he gets a taste of each
of the albums.
5. What was the last film you saw?
I actually watched “The Good Girl” on our trip back
from London. It was one of the best movies I’ve seen
all year. Jennifer Aniston plays a woman who hates her
job (as a make-artist at a supermarket in a rural Texas
town), her dope-smoking painter husband, and basically
her life. She falls into lust with one of her co-workers,
a 22 year-old mentally disturbed cashier with a “Catcher
in the Rye” obsession. I don’t want to give away the
end, but mayhem ensues. It’s a simple story, but it’s
very well written and beautifully acted. I love it when
big stars star in low-budget films and actually do a
good job.
6. If you could change one mistake from your past
what would it be?
I’ve made so many mistakes it’s hard to pinpoint one.
If I could take it back, maybe I wouldn’t have sold
my 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger when I moved from Georgia
to New York. It was quite an amazing piece of machinery.
My dad bought it for me when I was a junior in college
for $2,500 and it only had 39,000 miles on it. Apparently,
the woman who owned it previously drove it something
like 30 miles a week for 25 years. Anyway, I really
miss that car.
7. What’s the most important thing you hope you’ll
achieve in the next 12 months?
Well obviously, I’d like to grow the profile of our
rock band and write as many good songs as I can possibly
muster. Beyond that, I think the most important thing
that anyone can do is overthrow the government!
8. What one place in the world would you visit if you
could and why?
I’m absolutely obsessed with Architeuthis Dux, otherwise
known as the Giant Squid. The Discovery Channel is always
running specials about how people have never seen a
living Giant Squid, despite the fact that dozens of
the creatures wash up on beaches around the world every
year. So, wherever someone could find a living Giant
Squid is where I would like to go.
9. 1983, 1993 or 2003
Without question, 1983. My beloved Washington Redskins
one their first Super Bowl on January 30th, 1983, 27-17
against the Miami Dolphins. It was a life-changing experience.
D.C. was thrown into complete hysteria. We even got
the day off from school when they team came back from
Pasadena. There was an enormous parade. The city glowed
for an entire year.
10. Any plans for tomorrow?
Most likely, I’ll waste the entire day watching the
NFL football playoffs.
Relevant sites:
The
Mendoza Line
Cooking
Vinyl
Coordinates interview conducted by James Berry for
Crud Magazine 2003©
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