Beaty Wilson Doesn't Eat Tomatoes, An Interview

So what happened with Fivehead?

Creative differences. That's all I'm allowed to say because of the continuing lawsuits and countersuits. No, seriously, John Hunt, the other singer/guitar player went with his wife to Williamstown, MA. She was offered a two year fellowship up there and he has family in Boston. They plan on moving back to Austin next fall I think and there's a good chance we'll play again. Davis Comeau, our drummer is in a really great band now called the Militant Babies. They are awesome and have a new CD coming out soon. Jeff Jones, our bass player/sexpot/studio owner just went off to grad school in New York City. He'll probably drop out and start dating a model, or become one.

So, we've all gone our different ways and we're all still really good friends and I'm proud of the 3 CDs and hundred-some-odd shows we played in the seven years I was in the band. We accomplished all of the things that I ever dreamed I would get to do playing music and more and it was a hell of a lot of fun. I presume that we'll play together again someday. Perhaps Lollapalooza 2025, after we are rediscovered by a future generation of indie rockers.

And what are your plans with The Missing Tapes?

The Missing Tapes is my new band. I knew that John would be moving after our tour last fall and had been talking to a few different people about starting a new band. It took awhile to get it all together, but it's been really great so far. I feel like I got to handpick an all-star team of sorts.

Toby Scroggins (the other singer/guitar player/songwriter) is not only a really sweet guy, but he also happens to be one the best songwriters I've ever known. One of his former bands, the Mittens, went on tour with fivehead, and I still consider myself extremely lucky that I got to see them for 10-11 nights straight. They were that good and it’s a real thrill to be working with him. I think our styles compliment each other pretty well.

Tom Hudson (the drummer) and I met when he was playing with Silver Scooter with John Hunt. They were pretty awesome as anyone who saw them can attest and we've been friends since. We got to play together in Subset also, which was a lot of fun, but I ended up getting kicked out of that band (twice). I like his drumming style a lot and he's super smart when it comes to arrangement and stuff like that.

Marshal Crenshaw (bass player/opera singer) not only has a great rock name, but he's also a musical scholar of the highest order. We're probably only using about 10% of his total talent right now, but we're new so we're going to have that up another 15% by the next fiscal quarter. He and I were in a band together right after college called mugwump. I still have a big box of our cassettes if anyone's interested.

Tell us about the name.

It took a really long time to come up with a name that we all liked. (I hated the name Fivehead, by the way) We had been practicing for a few months and had tried a few different names that just didn't stick. The Missing Tapes was something I came up with while my wife and I were flying to Ireland over the summer. I sort of vowed that before I left that I would come back with something while I was gone because it had to be done with.

I think it has sort of a sinister connotation, like the tapes that Nixon had destroyed when he was getting impeached for Watergate. There is an absolutely classic National Lampoon Record called "The Missing White Tapes" that my cousin Walter and I can recite from numerous childhood listenings. It has several meanings to me, though. Something about the loss of something personal and dear, like an old mix tape in the digital age where analog tape is being phased out. Also, something about my experiences growing up in a household where my taste in music was not approved of. I would have stashes of tapes that my friends would make for me in my room and closet that would tend to disappear when found by my religious parents. My folks are supportive of my music now I think, but it wasn't always that way. I know that they had good intentions.

What is your opinion on the music scene in Austin? Do you think it is oversaturated?

I love living here and think of Austin as a good place to be in a band. I do think it can be frustrating for a lot of bands that want to stand out and get recognition in this town with so much stuff going on though, and there are plenty of great bands that never get the attention they deserve. My experience with the bands I know has been very positive and most people are very supportive of others.

Who are your favorite Austin bands?

The ones that come to mind right now are Centro-matic, Spoon, Grand Champeen, Lil' Cap'n Travis, Prescott Curlywolf, Mandible, The Moonlight Towers, Bedbug, Subset, Orange Mothers, Militant Babies, The Glass Family, The Tinys. The fall Collection, Bright and Hollow Sky, 1986, Hackberries, Golden Apples. Black Lipstick. There are many many others I can't think of right now. The Palaxy Tracks were my favorite Austin band, but they moved to Chicago. Luckily, the Missing Tapes are playing with them when they come through on tour on September 16th.

What about SXSW?

It's what you make it. Some Austinites flee out of town to avoid the whole thing, some take advantage of the weeklong party that it is, and some bands see it as their chance to "make it" and put thier schmoozing shoes on. It's like rock-n-roll summer camp for me. I am one of those dorks who plans the whole schedule weeks before and I go to as many day parties as I can. That's where all the fun is, I think.

I've been fortunate that my band has been invited to play for the past 8 years. I'm usually super busy that whole week, seeing friends that are here from out of town and I've also been involved with putting together the Guided By Voices hoot night and the Porchlight Pop Festival for the past few years. Both of those events have gotten to be quite a handful and I'm not sure that I'll do either next year, but we'll see.

What do you love about Austin?

I am rarely bored. I've played in just about all of the major cities in America and I still think overall Austin has the most to offer in relation to what you have to put up with.

And what would you change about Austin?

The traffic, obviously. All of the massive growth in all directions troubles me a bit, just because I get sentimental about things changing, but nothing is going to stop progress. I don't care if Austin stays weird, I just don't want it to become part of a large strip mall stretching from San Antonio to Dallas.

What are the best places to play? The worst?

The Parish is definitely the best. Great room, great staff, and the sound is the best in town, especially when Chris is behind the board. She is amazing. I also like the atmosphere of the Carousel. Its pretty DIY. Emo's is good. Club DeVille is usually fun.

I've had very few bad experiences at Austin clubs. The Red Eyed Fly used to be nice, but it's changed completely. The Electric Lounge used to be the gold standard, but its long gone.

Britt Daniel: genius or asshole, or both?

I like Britt as a person and as a songwriter. I am very happy about all of the success Spoon has had. Incidentally, Jim Eno is the nicest guy in rock and roll, hands down.

Favorite Austin restaurants, hangouts, etc...?

My wife and I go see lots of movies at the Alamo Village and the Arbor. We also enjoy Star of India's buffet, Korea House, Dario's Mexican on East 6th, Waterloo Ice House... there are several great Thai places, I also enjoy Mangia quite a bit when I feel like splurging. Club DeVille and Lovejoys are places where I have a pint or two from time to time.