Bonzai Interview with Ned Brower of Rooney

Wednesday, 30 June 2010 10:32

Rooney is a Los Angeles band best known for its catchy and infectious throwback musical style, in the vein of 60s Brit rock via 80s pop. They’ve had some significant success in the past with hits like “Blueside,” “I’m Shakin’ ” and “When Did Your Heart Go Missing.” The band also made an appearance on the now defunct teen-drama show The OC. The band, free from the shackles of its recording company, released a new, self-produced record called Eureka, out as of June 8.

By Jon Silman; Photos provided to INsite

We caught up with drummer Ned Brower for a special, freeform blitzkrieg bonzai (Protocol: We start the sentence, and he finishes it) interview, before Rooney’s July 8 concert at Common Grounds.

The hardest thing about releasing our record independently was getting it mastered. Which we did 12 times.

Why was that?
Insane personalities. We got through the mixing stage pretty easily. Mastering is weird.

The coolest thing about our new record is the fact that we produced and engineered it ourselves, and it sounds great, sonically speaking.

My favorite song on our new album is “The Hunch.”

The one thing I've learned about being in a famous band is hard work doesn’t always pay off.

Why?
This is a Bonzai. I don't have to explain it!

That’s true. You got me there, buddy. How about a misconception about being in a famous band?
A misconception? That it’s extremely glamorous.

Have you ever had to shit in a bag?
I personally have not though it has happened on our tours. And I won’t name names.

People think Rooney is “blank,” but we’re really “blank.”
People think we’re happy all the time, but we actually have some darkness beneath the surface. Quite a bit. We can be cruel to the people around us, and sometimes to each other.

Do you have a tour prank that comes to mind?
We locked one of our roadies in a stand-up bass case.

That sounds scary.
In hindsight, probably not a good idea. He doesn’t work with us anymore.

People should come see us live because it’s a great live rock band with five really good musicians. I think the live show is more rockin’, and exciting, even (more so) than the records.

I can’t wait to play a show in Gainesville, Fla, home of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

A good measure of success in a band is good records. Having a fan base that comes back again and again. That means you’re doing something right.

Is this your favorite record?
I like them all. I can’t pick a favorite record, it’s like picking a favorite kid.

Right, unless you were drunk, like my Dad.
Right...

Sometimes I cry because—men don’t cry.

Really? C’mon, that’s a cop out.
Well, sometimes, I cry because I’m emotionally overwhelmed.

Nice. Is touring emotionally overwhelming?
I’ve shed a tear on tour before, a time or two. I cry cause I’m on tour, and I miss my family.

You know, Ned, that’s more manly. I’m gonna just go ahead and tell you that.
You’re completely right, and I agree. I’m an emotional treasure chest.

We are emotional beings, my friend.
I’m sorry I put up those walls earlier.

Ned, I think we just had a moment.
We just had a breakthrough.

I dunno what to say I think I might tear up myself. Let’s move on, though.
The sexiest actress in Hollywood is my wife Sarah Jane Morris.

The best movie I’ve ever seen ever is Braveheart.

My favorite nineties band is Dinosaur Jr.

Being an LA band is lonely.

Is there an LA band identity like there was in the 80s hair-metal days?
Not really. There’s a lot of different bands that we’re friends with that we came up with like Rilo Kiley and Phantom Planet. Even like Maroon 5. (We) used to play shows together all the time.

Little shows?
Yeah, like local shows, when we were high school bands. But you can see how different all those bands are and the career paths.

My favorite band to tour with was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ed Rooney.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Mike Viola.

The secret to being happy is being optimistic.

My favorite kind of porn is white male and female.

The weirdest thing I’d ever tell a reporter is my favorite kind of porn.

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