Even though The Mavericks are winners of three Academy of Country Music Awards and two Country Music Association Awards – in addition to one Grammy for “Best Country Performance” – they have never been a “country band” by traditional standards. “All Night Long,” the first track on 2015’s Mono, could have been a single for Marc Anthony (imagine a version of “I Need To Know” that’s believable and interesting). Sure, there are country elements in the sound, but elements of both Latin rock and early rockabilly are just as noticeable.
Since their major label debut in 1992 with From Hell To Paradise on MCA Nashville, over a dozen songs by The Mavericks have charted for the band. In addition to success here in the States, plenty of recordings by The Mavericks have hit the charts internationally; a rarity for U.S. country artists, alternative or not. The group went on hiatus in 2000, and again in 2004 following a revival in 2003. In turn, it has been surprising for fans of The Mavericks that they are still at it after announcing a reunion tour in late 2011.
Original Mavericks drummer (and band co-founder) Paul Deakin kindly answered some questions for Downtown in advance of The Mavericks’ July 29th New York City appearance at Damrosch Park. If all goes according to plan, more albums are to come from the Miami-based group, which also includes frontman Raul Malo, guitarist Eddie Perez and pianist Jerry Dale McFadden.
What do you wish more people knew about The Mavericks?
Paul Deakin: Well, mostly that more people knew about The Mavericks. Seriously though, this band has moved into a non-genre specific world with allowing so many types of music that we love into what we do. That puts us in a position of being hard to market. And we understand that. It’s one of the reasons that we do festivals like the one at Lincoln Center. Generally, people are coming there to hear music and experience it, rather than “here’s something that they heard on the radio.”
For someone who has never seen The Mavericks live, what’s to be expected from your upcoming New York gig outside Lincoln Center?
P: The Mavericks have always been a live band. By that, I mean it is what we enjoy doing the most. I’ve often said that we are somewhat selfish in the music we create and how we perform it. It is by design though. If we are having a good time on-stage and it translates, it’s only logical that the audience will follow and usually does. Bring your dancing shoes.
Do you remember your first gig in New York City? Was it a positive experience for you?
P: I remember it all too well. It was our first out-of-town gig for the [CMJ] New Music Seminar in 1990. We played the Rodeo Bar. We came up in two vans and stayed in two [hotel] rooms — one for our managers and one for the rest of the band. We partied till dawn after the show in our hotel room with about eight people sleeping on top of each other. I woke up at some point and had to use the facilities. I made it to the bed next to me and ended up pissing all over our road manager.
With the release of Mono earlier this year, is it safe to assume that The Mavericks are back as a full-time band? Are there plans for band after you finish the gig booked through October 30th?
P: Absolutely. It’s been so full-time we’ve barely had time to see our families. I think we will finish the year by early December and take off two or three months with only spot gigs here and there. That seems to be the way we have been operating thus far. As long as we are having fun, we will keep going. I don’t see the fun ending.
Are there still things left for The Mavericks to accomplish as a band? Or do you not focus on accomplishments at this phase of your career?
P: I’m not sure that The Mavericks have ever really been accomplishment-driven. That said, we’ve been fortunate enough to receive some very nice accolades as well as work with some amazing people. So I believe our goal is to continue to have fun performing and recording music and hopefully more and more people will come to listen.
What is your favorite part about playing with The Mavericks as opposed to side and solo projects?
P: I think the time off really solidified the notion that there is a chemistry between the members of this band that doesn’t exist in other projects that I’ve done, at least. We knew it from the first notes of recording the end time record. It was just a magic there that is undefinable and inexplicable.
When not busy with recording or touring, what do you like to do with yourself?
P: For the most part, the little time that I have at home these days is spent with my children and my wife. Other than that, I like to play tennis and also am a woodworker. But there’s barely time for that, so it’s pretty much just the kids.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
F: Play and write the music that inspires you. That way, if you don’t get the success you want, you haven’t lost anything.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
