DUMB QUESTIONS/SMART ANSWERS: CALVIN JOHNSON

Every Thursday, we pose some of the most asinine questions imaginable to a person that rocks the real like a set of 28s. Though usually a Houstonian is at the losing end of our prompts, this week we are all whips to be able to bring you one step closer to the mind of Calvin Johnson; founder of K Records, force behind the International Pop Underground Festival, rocker of Beat Happening, The Go Team, Dub Narcotic and most recently the Sons of Soil. Over the years Johnson has been an icon that, in short, made stuff happen. For the many Houstonians doing the same, take note.

On your latest album, Calvin Johnson and the Sons of Soil, you collaborate with, Kyle Field, Jason Anderson and Adam Forkner – how did that come about?
Jason Anderson and I were touring about in 2002, and he got the idea into his head that I should tour with a "real band", that my songs could benefit from some fleshing out. Up to that point, all of my solo shows were just me and an acoustic guitar. Jason put a band together of felow pals Adam and Kyle, and away we went. At the end of the tour, we decided to document the confusion. Thus, the album.

The record has new takes on a number of songs from your catalog – why these nine?
On the tour we played twice as many songs, these were just the ones we ended up recording that day; to answer your question why, there is no good reason!

Everything about this record (not just the Cattle Call interludes) indicates an affinity for the beach, the surf, the sun and the sand – what are some of your favorite records for a day at the beach?
Annette Beach Party, Jan and Dean Drag City, Little Wings Wonderue

Your albums are only permitted to exist in one section of the record store - would you rather it filed as Love Rock, Soul or something else?
Field Recordings

Now some questions about Calvin Johnson, the man and his tastes. When you put your Wranglers on the same as everybody else, are they straight-leg or boot cut?
Straight-leg, slim fit; cant deal with anything that could suggest bell
bottoms. But actually, I pull the pants on both legs at the same time. I
gots to be me.

In Texas, there is a great cultural debate as to whether men should ever wear shorts or flip-flops, separate or together – what side of this social cleavage do you come down on?
I'm down with shorts and flip flops; however, cargo shorts are a no-no, or any "big" shorts. Also, no shorts on stage.

In addition to helping nerds always get the girl, the ZZ-TOP Magic Hot Rod is alleged to get fantastic gas mileage – where do you suppose you would drive it and what would be the preferred scenario under which you would pass the keys onto the next owner?
What kind of car is it? A hearse?

You were name-dropped on the TV show The Gillmor Girls; would you like to name drop any television programs in particular?
What is the Gilmor Girls? Is it another "reality" show? I'm very into Leave It to Beaver.

You are alleged to bake a fantastic Apple Pie - can you share with our readers which are the best kind of apples for such a creation?
Jonathans, macintosh, gala; anything except red delicious. We only grow those to ship out of state.

Are apple pies part of the secret diet that keeps you looking so young?
fruit, olives, chocolate, green tea, and never wash your hair.

Let's chat about the business end of music. There are a number of folks in Houston taking the plunge and setting record labels, what advice could you offer to these optimistic start ups?
Follow your heart.

What do you suppose has been the secret to K Record's longevity?
Beats working.

The K Records logo is as much a part of rock and roll iconography as the Crass cross and Iron Maiden's Eddie, no doubt sketched on spiral-bound notebooks to this day – where did the crest come from and what tips can you offer Madison Avenue ad firms on creating as durable and grass-roots of a brand for the purposes of selling soap and toothpaste?
IT is a way to make a single-letter name stand out. My advice would be to not settle upon a single-letter name.

Houston, though the country's 4th largest media market, does not have a summer independent music festival – you were key in the creation of the International Pop Underground Festival – top five things that a prospective festival organizer should know.
The International Pop Underground Convention was not a festival, it was a meeting of the minds. Festivals are usually tedious; they are best when they include a lot of non-music activities, and are held in a location where people can come ansd go freely.

Finally three questions from our readers: Who would win at high-stakes four-square – the Go Team or The Go! Team?
Prolly the Brits; we are not very coordinated.

Any plans to re-issue the Go Team recordings in the future?
dunno

Who is Polly Pereguin?
again, dunno

You can catch Calvin Johnson performing in Houston tomorrow, Friday June 8th, at the Aurora Picture Show.