John Doe brings The Sadies to Hill Country Live for 2 shows, talks X and more

by | Oct 22, 2015 | Coming Up, Culture, Events, Music

As a musician, actor, songwriter and poet, John Doe does not have the easiest career to define. Many people know him as the co-founder of seminal L.A. punk band X; a band that was “punk” before the concept of “punk” existed as a mainstream concept. Other people know him for his dozen or so solo albums, which have includes collaborations with artists like Jill Sobule and The Sadies. Others may recognize John as an actor, having been part of films like I’m Not There, Great Balls Of Fire!, Wyatt Earp, and Boogie Nights. Somewhere blurring the lines of John’s music and actors careers was his version of “I Will Always Love You” playing on the jukebox in the Whitney Houston film The Bodyguard.

John – who remains a resident of California all these years later – will be in our parts for a pair of intimate New York gigs. Reuniting with his Canadian pals in The Sadies, the ensemble performs at the Hill Country Barbecue in Brooklyn (345 Adams Street) on October 23rd and at the Manhattan location (30 West 26th Street) on October 24th. Both the 23rd and 24th being chances for people to get incredible food and experience excellent country music under the same roof.

In support of those Hill Country gigs, John kindly did some Q&A for Downtown. As described below, plenty more is planned for John the musician – X and solo – and writer. For more information otherwise, you can check out www.theejohndoe.com.

john doe and the sadies

How do you first meet The Sadies?

John Doe: We both played a festival in Toronto. I knew their music and asked them to play on a few songs of mine. We got drunk and made a plan to record — then we actually did.

What prompted these reunion shows?

J: Someone called with a medium stack of money.

For someone who hasn’t seen you live with The Sadies before, how do you describe the show?

J: John Doe & The Sadies play genuine country & western music with some original JD and Sadies thrown in for good measure. Our 2009 record Country Club is the kind of music we play live, just a lot louder & sometimes faster. You can dance to it and people do.

What else is ahead for you musically at the moment? Is there a chance of more from X in the near-future?

J: I plan to release my 10th solo record, The Westerner, in April. It’s psychedelic, soul music from the Arizona desert, co-produced with Howe Gelb and Dave Way. In August and September, X finished two tours of the east coast, south and mid-west with Jesse Dayton subbing for Billy. Billy Zoom is recovering from chemo treatment for bladder cancer and we are hopeful that he’ll be back with us for our dates on the west coast in November and December.

When is your long-awaited memoir slated to be released?

J: Titled, Under The Big Black Sun, with Tom Desavia and several other friends – Mike Watt, Exene [Cervenka], Henry Rollins, Jane Wiedlin, El Vez, etc. — all contributing chapters to tell the story of Los Angeles punk rock from 1977 to 1982. I’ve written three of the 22 chapters plus several interstitial pieces, basically as the narrator. I’m not sure how “long-awaited” it is but it’s very compelling. It’s slated for April release on Da Capo Press.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?

J: Horses and skiing, never at the same time.

Hobbies aside, is there something that you wish more people knew about you?

J: I’d rather they didn’t.

Do you have a professional accomplishment that you’re most proud of?

J: The longevity and influence of X has finally sunk into my thick skull and that’s rewarding.

What do you remember about your first-ever gig in New York?

J: In 1978, X drove from L.A. to NYC to play three gigs. I remember the driving more than the gigs.

Finally, John, any last words for the kids?

J: “Start your own band” -Mike Watt.

-by Darren Paltrowitz

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