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13 Questions for Phil Rossi

1. Is the Rock n Roll lifestyle a conscious choice you made one day, or were you powerless to succumb to all the spoils of the Rock and devote your life to it?

When I first came to the area, my day-to-day life was pretty low-key and uneventful. I was living with my girlfriend (former). Life was your basic 9 to 5 rag with some laundry and dinner to break things up. I really didn't have all that much involvement in the "scene" (I use that term loosely). Then Candlestick Ashtray came into my life. I started staying out later, partying more frequently, and giving out cigarettes to pretty girls. Not long after, living arrangements changed. I didn't have the energy to be two people. I couldn't continue the dichotomous existence of good boyfriend by day partier/rocker by night. I was getting a good impression of who I was, and I decided (firmly) that I needed to explore that. I made a stiff drink and the rest is history.

2. What could restore Rock n Roll in to what it should be?

Ha. The eternal question. People need to stop writing material based on what they think that other people want to hear. I'm talking about taking some fucking chances Can I say fuck here? Fuck. Think about it, though. Is it a moving experience for the people writing and playing the music that is construed as rock these days? I'm talking about the stuff you hear on all the big stations. You can't blame the public for being tricked into being moved, because the majority of people (I said majority) buying music out there will eat up whatever MTV (is that the hip station right now?) tells them is good. Its up to the artists to stick to their guns and play what moves them. Problem is, there's just a lot of pussies out there. For the love of god, a subgenre of music called "Emo" exists. What does that tell you? Someone needs to have the balls to write, record, and sell something that makes them feel good. I'm not talking happy, cheery, music for people who like music about people type music. I'm talking about music that grabs you in some deep place, be it dark or what not, and touches it just right so that it makes you grimace. No, the tune doesn't have to be an opus - it has to be real, and that's just not happening in the "mainstream". Am I the greatest song writer ever? Probably. Will Rock and Roll ever be what it once was? I don't know that it really matters. I think Rock and Roll is very alive and well somewhere. It lives in some off the map dive bar where drinks are cheap and the soundman actually gives a crap what the band on stage sounds like.

3. What does the phrase Rock n Roll mean to you? What is your personal understanding of its cultural importance and legacy?

I don't have the energy to answer this one.

4. I'm now going to ask you take a searching, honest, moral inventory of your musical career. Do feel you've made any significant contributions to the Rock world?

I think there is a lot more legwork to go before I can really start to deflower things. I'm not going to be one of those people that will say of any accomplishment (future or otherwise) in this area, be it a battle of the bands, opening for a semi-big act, winning some contest or another, is really going to influence the world as a whole. I'm writing a lot of music right now and I'm enjoying that process. There is no real battle to be fought around here. I'm comfortable with writing music, making music with the Bad Habit, and playing around. I'll take those experiences for exactly what they are and not pretend that they are otherwise. I hope I don't ever see a time for myself when making music is not enough. Do I want to be the anti-John Mayer somewhere down the line ? I went high school with him, its true. He must be stopped. It would be nice to pack stadiums. We'll see.

5. What's the biggest mistake you've made so far as a musician?

Mistakes? I don't think I've made any mistakes, per se. I've made some bad choices. Some *extremely* bad choices, but I've learned from all the ones that I can remember.

6. Does Rock n Roll have the power to change people for the better?

Sure. I think it does. It changed me for the better. There are so many floors I would have never slept on, had it not been for rock and roll.

7. Has being a Rock musician had a significant personal impact on your life?

I'd say yes. Its brought a lot of people into my life - some of my closest friends. Its really changed my perception on a lot of things. I think of and for myself and I don't really give two shits about who I might piss off because of a differing opinion or what not. Fuck it. Worrying about shit like that is waste of time and energy. Its an even bigger waste of time and energy to make worthless opinions a public discussion. So what, you say is worthy of a public forum? Not half the shit that is circulating on the Internet. Especially in regards to the local scene. I can't really say that I care about Joe Blows hateful opinion of this band or that band. There just too many self-righteous bloggers with hard-ons out there sitting back too proud of themselves for having made fun of someone (one of the easiest things to do) But, I digress. Yeah, being a Rock musician has had a personal impact on my life.

8. I'm now going to ask you to make a list of other bands/musicians that you may have wronged in your career.

I'd like to think that I haven't really wronged any other bands/musicians. I think the opportunity may still exist. I'm not a very vindictive guy, so I'd never do it on purpose. However, when the Captain gives you an order, its best to generally comply and forget about it in the morning. I have fatally wronged the following inanimate objects: a) a shower curtain b) the rod that secures the shower curtain to the wall c) kitchen garbage can d) a fancy blender/smoothie maker (former roommate's) Granted, that garbage can was looking at me funny all night and pretty much started the chain of events. It was quite a fight.

9. And now I must ask for a plan of action to make amends to these people.

They're gone. Not much I can do now to make amends. Everyone once in a while, I pour out a mouth full of Miller Lite in their memory. Its all I can do.

10. Are there any mistakes you've made that you forgot to list in question #5?

You *really* want me to answer that, don't you?

11. After years of playing Rock n Roll on stage and being immersed in the Rock n Roll life, how has your understanding of the Rock universe changed since your first adolescent musical encounters?

No one ever warned me about waking up with a tongue of sandpaper and lungs that burn like you straight-inhaled the whiskey the night before. I think when I was younger, I thought the Rock Universe (to use your term) was there, unalterably and eternally. Now, I've come to realize this hallowed place is really just a perception. It's a place that you create and recreate.

12. What would you tell other musicians who want to start a Rock band?

Don't take yourself too seriously. Smoking is bad for your voice, but it makes you look cool. Don't ever use a flute as a prop. Stay away from music stands and laminated music. Have a drink. You can't play it if you haven't lived it.

13. Do you dance to remember, or do you dance to forget?

I dance to fuckin' get down, baby.