Art Alexakis Interview

Keith S | October 1, 2011 | 0 Comments

by Jenn Cohen

The threat of rain didn’t stop people from heading to The Denver Botanic Gardens near Chatfield, for the inaugural Rocky Mountain Music Festival. With multiple stages, 15 bands, and four headliners, including Everclear, Bodeans, Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the Desert Rose Band, Red Stag Productions owner, Bob Potrykus, hopes this will be, “A footprint for a really cool annual music festival for the Front Range.”

Offering a variety of music, RMMF hopes to draw people in from all genres, as well as families with children. This year, there were multiple food and beer vendors, merchandise tables, and family-friendly activities.

I caught up with Everclear frontman, Art Alexakis, to see what’s up.

CMB: Any new albums on the horizon?

Alexakis: We have a new album recorded, and are touring next summer with a lot of cool band form the 90s—all original songs.

CMB: This is a different venue for you—

Alexakis: I’ve played all the places I’ve wanted to play. If they wanted me to play a Taco Bake down in San Antonio, I’d do it—It doesn’t matter to me where I play.

CMB: You’ve been very candid about your addictions, something that could’ve easily derailed your success, how do you feel about that now?

Alexakis: I’m clean and sober for over 22 years. I still have my issues, and I’m still a screw up in many ways, but I made the choice. You don’t have to let your past damage or experience program you. As we get older, we choose—‘I don’t want to live like that, I don’t like the road that’s taking me down.’

Everclear played all the fan favorites, including “Father of Mine”, “A.M. Radio,” and “Amphetamine,” as well as two acoustic songs. Alexakis gave a shout out to the importance of supporting local venues saying, “Having a local venue for music is a big deal. Support it.” They ended their set, and encored with Santa Monica.