What made you take up the bass? Is there one bassist who was your biggest influence?
I originally joined to be the singer. That didn't pan out and they needed a bass player, so... glad I did. Love the bass. I love Karl Alverez of the Descendants and ALL. There's too many to mention. Lots of great players out there.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written?
Everything by the Foo Fighters. Love Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Yesterday by the Beatles. Favorite song. There's a ton of music that I love and wish I wrote. Just gotta steal it somehow. Hahahahah I'm kidding....or am I?
And one - by Lit - which holds special significance?
I guess "Needle and Thread" off our self titled album. I wrote that one after my wife and I had an argument. My ex-girlfriend thinks it's about her. I'll let her continue to think so. Why hurt her anymore than I already have?
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Eddie Van Halen for sure. First off, I'd get back with my ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli. I've always loved her. Secondly, I'd come to my senses and get Michael Anthony back in the band and kick my son out. Haha!
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to for inspiration?
Not really. Maybe subconsciously something has rang out in my writing, but I almost always just riff stuff off the top of my head. Let the melodies just flow.
If it's cool, I'll record it to my phone or hand held deal. Crazy thing is, I have all my old phones with ideas on them. They're all dead.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
I don't listen to any hip hop really. Not knocking it. Some I guess. Early Snoop Dogg. I can't stand the, not even sure what it's called, club music? Where you can't talk with your friends. Sounds like robots made it. Very un-human type music, you know? I find myself going backwards with music. I'm currently collecting old 1950's music. The stuff your parents used to like. And we hated.
Finally tell us what we can expect from the Craufurd Arms date?
More than likely, four drunk guys on stage trying to play their instruments. It'll be a good time.
Tickets are on sale at £17.50. Visit www.thecraufurdarms.com
ON TRACK: LIT ANSWER TOTAL MK'S QUESTIONS...
Fifteen years since the release of the breakthrough album A Place in the Sun, and Californian rock mob Lit are back on British soil playing the album in its entirety.
There have been highs (supporting No Doubt, Garbage and The Offspring, wowing Woodstock and a Billboard Music Award for 'biggest modern rock song,') but there have been crushing lows too - including the loss of drummer Allen Shellenberger, who passed away in 2009.
That Lit have weathered terrible times and come out the other side, still instruments in hand, says plenty about their strength.
As the band prepares to wrap up their UK tour on Sunday (Nov 23)with a date at The Craufurd Arms in Wolverton, bassist Kevin Baldes answered our questions...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
Hard to say. Early early on I was exposed to Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Journey, Led Zeppelin, KISS, AC/DC, DEvO, Blondie etc . . . and a bunch of classical music my dad would listen to. KISS with their colorful album covers obviously made an impact. They knew what they were doing. Still do.
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
I have a ton of vinyl that I really do listen to. Just bought another vinyl player today, as a matter of fact. Now have three. But, I do love having everything I own and love at my finger tips. I still buy c.d.'s if a band I love puts one out. I grew up on 8 tracks, vinyl and cassettes. We all used to make mix tapes. Great memories for sure. I'm glad I grew up when I did so that I got to experience, not only the hard copies of music, but the artist that came out in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Tons of killer stuff!!
The first time you though 'Music - this is the job for me'
My parents front yard used to second as a concert stage for me. I'd blast AC/DC's "Big Balls" and put shows on. Also, used to jump around at the tender age of 10 acting like I was David Lee Roth. It was in my blood very early on. It was an uphill battle with my dad though.
He wasn't into the idea at all. Got signed to our first deal in 1995, same year I finished college. I had to approach my dad and tell him I was about to make my loud music a career. He wasn't stoked with me. Hahahaha. Still going. What can he say?
Your best on stage memory...
Playing The Great Western Forum in L.A. with my parents in the audience was pretty epic. Madison Square Garden in New York was amazing. Headlining The Hollywood Palladium in 2000 and selling it out was incredible. Said 'Hi' to my parents from the stage that night. Another time we did two sold out nights in our home town and we wanted to add a third, but Judas Priest was playing the third night. So, we opened for them. It was the night my, now wife, met my parents....at a Judas Priest concert! Can I get a "hell yeah"?
And the worst gig you've ever done
Many moons ago we played Mulberry North in Hollywood, California. It was a show case for Epic Records. I made the mistake of thinking during a song. Forgot how to play it. We had to re-start the song...twice!!! Still not sure what happened. Ha ha. Wasn't drunk.
What made you take up the bass? Is there one bassist who was your biggest influence?
I originally joined to be the singer. That didn't pan out and they needed a bass player, so... glad I did. Love the bass. I love Karl Alverez of the Descendants and ALL. There's too many to mention. Lots of great players out there.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written?
Everything by the Foo Fighters. Love Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Yesterday by the Beatles. Favorite song. There's a ton of music that I love and wish I wrote. Just gotta steal it somehow. Hahahahah I'm kidding....or am I?
And one - by Lit - which holds special significance?
I guess "Needle and Thread" off our self titled album. I wrote that one after my wife and I had an argument. My ex-girlfriend thinks it's about her. I'll let her continue to think so. Why hurt her anymore than I already have?
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Eddie Van Halen for sure. First off, I'd get back with my ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli. I've always loved her. Secondly, I'd come to my senses and get Michael Anthony back in the band and kick my son out. Haha!
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to for inspiration?
Not really. Maybe subconsciously something has rang out in my writing, but I almost always just riff stuff off the top of my head. Let the melodies just flow.
If it's cool, I'll record it to my phone or hand held deal. Crazy thing is, I have all my old phones with ideas on them. They're all dead.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
I don't listen to any hip hop really. Not knocking it. Some I guess. Early Snoop Dogg. I can't stand the, not even sure what it's called, club music? Where you can't talk with your friends. Sounds like robots made it. Very un-human type music, you know? I find myself going backwards with music. I'm currently collecting old 1950's music. The stuff your parents used to like. And we hated.
Finally tell us what we can expect from the Craufurd Arms date?
More than likely, four drunk guys on stage trying to play their instruments. It'll be a good time.
Tickets are on sale at £17.50. Visit www.thecraufurdarms.com
What made you take up the bass? Is there one bassist who was your biggest influence?
I originally joined to be the singer. That didn't pan out and they needed a bass player, so... glad I did. Love the bass. I love Karl Alverez of the Descendants and ALL. There's too many to mention. Lots of great players out there.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written?
Everything by the Foo Fighters. Love Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Yesterday by the Beatles. Favorite song. There's a ton of music that I love and wish I wrote. Just gotta steal it somehow. Hahahahah I'm kidding....or am I?
And one - by Lit - which holds special significance?
I guess "Needle and Thread" off our self titled album. I wrote that one after my wife and I had an argument. My ex-girlfriend thinks it's about her. I'll let her continue to think so. Why hurt her anymore than I already have?
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Eddie Van Halen for sure. First off, I'd get back with my ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli. I've always loved her. Secondly, I'd come to my senses and get Michael Anthony back in the band and kick my son out. Haha!
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to for inspiration?
Not really. Maybe subconsciously something has rang out in my writing, but I almost always just riff stuff off the top of my head. Let the melodies just flow.
If it's cool, I'll record it to my phone or hand held deal. Crazy thing is, I have all my old phones with ideas on them. They're all dead.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
I don't listen to any hip hop really. Not knocking it. Some I guess. Early Snoop Dogg. I can't stand the, not even sure what it's called, club music? Where you can't talk with your friends. Sounds like robots made it. Very un-human type music, you know? I find myself going backwards with music. I'm currently collecting old 1950's music. The stuff your parents used to like. And we hated.
Finally tell us what we can expect from the Craufurd Arms date?
More than likely, four drunk guys on stage trying to play their instruments. It'll be a good time.
Tickets are on sale at £17.50. Visit www.thecraufurdarms.com
