Issue 11-August '98  "The Exotic Land Called California"

hey there,
I was just reading an issue of your wonderful Lassie newsletter and couldn't help but notice an interesting fact. I read an article, sorry can't remember which one or in which issue, [Issue 9] that was written by none other than Chad Johnston. In this article, he made a wonderful flowery comment about lf''s music, something in regards to it making him want to jump into the ocean and float on his back for hours. Then he went on to say how difficult it would be due to the realization of the dreadful fact that Missouri is landlocked. Heck, I know how you feel, I am fortunate enough to live in Missouri too!! I had no stinkin idea that anyone on this side of
the pacific time zone even knew that Lassie existed, and then, to my astonishment to discover that one of your contributors suffered from the curse of being located in the Midwest too. wow, what an interesting, exciting,  and somewhat inexplainable revelation. I'm not sure if you will share in my overwhelming amazement of this sudden turn of events or not,but that is not the important thing, anyway. Just to know that a fellow follower of the foundation exists somewhere other than the alleged, exotic land presumably called "California" makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.  ahhh, its like a breath of fresh air, like a dip in a secluded lake under
the presence of a full moon in that bright, beautiful Missouri night sky. By the way,  for the record, I live in a remote German village entitled "Hermann", where the natives wear lederhosen, play the accordion, and drink warm, thick, dark beer until they can barely stagger up the front steps into the arms of a loving, yet unshaven, German wife. Its located on the
Missouri river, 90 minutes west of St.. Louie.  mail back if you feel so compelled, even if nothing more than a few words stating your sentiments on my hyperbolye and over-excitement concerning the existence of a fellow Missouri foundation fan, at least then I will know that the whole thing isn't some cruel joke thought up in the mind of some sick and twisted Californian who enjoys seeing Midwesterners suffer on account of their inherited, although unwanted distance from the freedom of the pacific and all that lies therein. anyway, thanks for the time, if you're reading this, then you have obviously already suffered through my letter, so you're probably physically exhausted and mentally disturbed, so go lay down your troubles to the soothing melodies found within the epic, timeless art, know to man only as the "California" EP. long live the King.....
-joe pope

[hmmm...had to print that! anyone who takes that long to tell me where they live deserves something! besides I live in missouri too...-alyssa]
 
 

An Interview with Andy Prickett in mid-July 1998
by Chris Flinchbaugh

Chris Flichbaugh:  To set the record straight, what role did you play in the Lassie Foundation ?

Andy Prickett: From the beginning, my role has been one of an outsider who gets to have some inside involvement.  Originally, Eric approached me to record some songs of theirs on my 8-track setup--pretty much just for fun.  Things have just gone on from there.  In my view, my main role all along has just been as a facilitator--one whose function is solely to make the dreams of my friends come true in whatever way I can (time-wise, talent-wise, and money-wise).
This has resulted in me playing tiny bit parts on the recordings, functioning as the main engineer and co-producer of the recordings, and filling in on bass for a while at the live shows.

CF: What was your involvement with PACIFICO?

Prickett: On Pacifico, I was the recording engineer, a co-producer, and played a couple of small musical parts.

CF: Did you play any guitar or bass on PACIFICO?

Prickett: I played the spacey verse guitar line in 'bomber's moon', allowing Eric to catch up on his internet-hockey stats, and I played the bass on 'pacifico' the song.

CF: How was the recording of PACIFICO approached (live band, lots of overdubs, writing in studio or already finished songs)?

Prickett: Most of the songs were at least 4-tracked ideas that were around when California was made. The first step was just laying down a click/drum machine part, scratch guitar, and a scratch vocal. The final arrangement decisions were made on the spot as these parts were going down to tape. The songs were all in different states of being finished at that point. We just committed to the main arrangement then and there.  Then we recorded all the drums, then all rhythm guitars, then the bass.  Vocals and lead guitars are last in the process.

CF: How did the band in the studio work on putting the song parts together/ How do Eric and Jeff work out/divide their guitar parts?

Prickett: They had at least an idea of what they were going to play from their times of getting together.  Sometimes Jeff's parts weren't fully determined until we hit the record button, which is a true testimony to the greatness of his playing. As far as who did what, they pretty much had it figured out, and the rest fell into place.

CF: What input/influence did you have on PACIFICO's sound and direction/ what "vibe" were you going for?

Prickett: Being an outsider, I get to put in a view that is more objective than if I was one of the songwriters.  So when I heard a twinge of a possible direction that a song could go in that would be different or unexpected, I would say so.  Also, I wanted to record everything much more clearly and cleanly than California, so that the 'sound' would appeal to a wider audience.  Arrangement-wise, we went for a more pop-solid sound.  The main goal, as always, was fun.

CF: What progress have you seen in the band since the early days?

Prickett: The band has grown immensely in confidence, in song-writing, recording and mainly live.  And there is a more all-around participation in everything.  It has been my joy to see this development.

CF: If you don't mind talking about it: Why did you end your involvement with the Lassie Foundation?

Prickett: When we started to make the record, I did not feel that my bass playing was going to be up to par for the songs/style--they needed someone who was creative and could really play.  I also knew that time-wise I wouldn't be able to commit to playing live as much in the future.  jason-71 came in and gave the songs a new breath and creative dimension that
everyone agreed was far and above what anyone could have even dreamed.  He blew our minds and caused us all to say 'that's amazing!' (truman voice)

CF: What musical projects (or otherwise) are you involved with currently?

Prickett: I play guitar for mike knott, and have begun various song-writing ventures.

CF: What was the first band you ever played with and who have been your inspirations on guitar?

Prickett: The first band I ever played in was 'the club' when I was 14 and I only knew a few chords.  My main guitar influences would have to be:
                        Billy Duffy (the Cult)
                        the edge (U2)
                        Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction)

My main inspiration for playing guitar at all was the first album by the band 'Boston'.  I was 7 years old and the sound really got me.
 
 

Release Update

The Lassie Foundation continues to search for a label to release their full-length album "Pacifico".  As we reported in the last issue of " the Laid with Cool", the band intended to release two CD singles through Jeff Cloud's Velvet Blue Music while they continued that search.  Now, those plans have been changed.  Instead of releasing the CD singles, they've
decided to release one 5-song EP through Velvet Blue.  The EP will include the songs "Dive Bomber," "She's the Coming Sun," and "You are Infinity" from "Pacifico" plus "I Can be Her Man" and "I'm Stealin' to be Your One in a Million" from "California". "Stealin'...," "I can be her man," and "She's the Coming Sun" are live recordings.  The band hopes to release this EP
within the next two months.  Stay tuned for a release date.
-Jon Kortebein
 
 

Lassie Reveals
 

Who would you most like to open for/play with?

 Sean    (redcrown@flash.net)

Eric: Anybody at this point.  but just so I could see them play every night, The Verve or for you old school cool kids, verve.

Why won't you sign with a Christian label/distributor?
    Ted Moorman

Eric: We just don't want to play exclusively for a Christian audience.  Christian music is not suited for the Foundation and vice versa.  If I may ask those who care, what would our role be in Christian music?

 Who is Jason 71?  I have a guess as to who he is, but I'm not sure.  thank you for your time.
  Calvin    (clavin_hobbes76@yahoo.com)

Eric: Jason 71 is... well Jason 71.  He has played with [several bands].  He also does the art work for countless bands and their records.

Where do you hope the band is in a year?
  Sean   (redcrown@flash.net)

 Eric: Hopefully signed with a record deal, touring and working on the next record.
 
 

Links

Havalina Rail Co. Website    http://www.havalina.home.ml.org

Nzine-   http://come.to/nzine

The Redcrown Republic    http://327.com/redcrown

Three Twenty-Seven     http://www.327.com/
 
 

send any comments to: johnston@rollanet.org
send any questions for the band w/ a subject of "QUESTIONS"
send any links with a site explanation w/ a subject of "LINKS"
also for address changes or to unsubscribe
 
 

Thanks to: Jon Kortebein, Chris Flinchbaugh, Joe Pope,  and the Lassie Foundation!