Helicopter Helicopter Interview

(responses by Chris Zerby)

How did the composition of the band come about?

Julie came to jam with me and some guys I was playing
with at the time. She thought I was mean and left in
the middle of a song. She still thinks I'm mean but
she keeps showing up for rehersal, so go figure.


How does H2 write songs with such amazing
harmonies? Is there a formula?

No formula. Just Julie and I sitting around with a
guitar, singing the songs over and over again. It's
slow, but it seems to work pretty well.


What artists do you feel have influenced H2's
music?

Bob Dylan, the Flaming Lips, Liz Phair, the Pixies,
the Cars, anyone who writes good songs in any genre.
Also, creatures of the sea and people who explore the
sea, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and anyone involved in determining the
amount of dark matter in the universe.
Not knowing whether the universe is going to contract
or expand into perpetuity constantly keeps us on edge
and affects the music we make.


Besides from Boston, where is your favorite city
to play?

We love playing in Lincoln, NE, Buffalo, Chicago,
Kansas City, etc. Any city we've hit 3-4 times on
tour begins to be a good place for us.


How did H2's involvement with animal rights come
about?

Well, everywhere we went for a while, animals just
seemed to be attacking us for no reason. I mean, have
you ever been clawed by a chicken? I had to get a
series of rabies shots, and right then and there we
decided we had better start standing up for creatures
big and small. It seems to be working; at least we
haven't been victims of any more assaults.

Have you considered ways to expand on H2's sound
(e.g., employing a keyboardist on rhythm)?

We've played a couple of shows in boston with a
keyboard player named Jim Rohr. He's absolutely
fantastic. We shall see what happens in the future.


If you could pick a federal program area to
receive a substantial
increase in budget what would it be?

The arts. I think artists of all types are necessary
in any society, and should be payed accordingly.
America is stupid. It takes its artists for granted.


Who would win in a fight between William Shatner
and Weird Al Yankovic?

Well, I don't know, but any member of Helicopter
helicopter could kick both their asses at the same
time. Except maybe Shawn; it's a well known fact that
vegans lack staying power and focus in a street brawl.


How does Wild Dogs with X-Ray Eyes compare with
H2's previous records?

I think the songs are a bit better, maybe a little
darker lyrically then "By Starlight." I love Julie's
guitar playing on this record.


What is on the horizon for H2?

We are on tour throughout the summer and fall, pretty
much up until Halloween. Then we'll have the holidays together; we
like to do Aspen for thanksgiving, and something tropical for Xmass.
Last year we did Aruba.
I got everyone tour posters left over from "By
Starlight." I think they all appreciated and enjoyed
their gifts.

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