Music's biggest geek

...continued from last week

Last week we left off talking to the Music Geek, Alan Cross, about how his monstrous music obsession started, his two shows Ongoing History of New Music and Explore Music and what the role of a music journalist is today. If you missed that you can find it by going to ww.fsu.ca and going to ‘Previous Interrobang Issues' under FSU Publications on the left. This week we look further into the almost bottomless pit that is Alan Cross' brain. This time around Alan gives us his thoughts on modern issues facing the circus that is the music industry and we get to know a little bit more about one of the coolest “Geeks” around, as I rifle off some quick questions rapid fire style. Enjoy.

It has been nine years since you released your last book, are you going to write any more?
Nah, there is just no money in books these days. You just spend so much time and so much effort. You finally hand it in, if it is a non-fiction book it is outdated. Then you wait 180 days for your first payment. It's just too hard...no...no thank you.

What is with the Ticketmaster/ Livenation Merger?
What they are trying to figure out is how to make money in a very uncertain world when it comes to people paying for music. One of the things these two groups think they can do is make a lot of money is if they consolidate all their power into one place. I don't know if that is going to necessarily fly...it's a near monopoly. It may concentrate too much power in the hands of one company. When the promoter controls the venue, controls the tour, controls the ticket selling, controls the ticket re-selling, controls the advertising, WOW, that is a lot of people controlling one thing.

Are ticket prices too expensive?
I don't know. They're only ridiculous if people won't pay. About 10 years ago people began to charge higher and higher amounts for tickets because they realized there are always people who are willing to pay. When you consider what you get for a rock show, call it two or three hours of theatre. How much do you pay for a good seat at a play or an opera, or the ballet?

What do you think of Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) saying he isn't going to make albums anymore, just singles, because that is what people only listen to?
He's right. I can't find a lot of fault in his thinking. I just wish Billy Corgan would release better singles.

RAPID FIRE

How many CD's do you have?
Somewhere around 15,000

What is the most you have by a single artist?
Nine Inch Nails

What is your favourite CD?
I would have to say the Stone Roses debut record.

What is your favourite band?
Ah, that changes time from time. Although if I had to be in a band, as a musician, I would want to be Peter Gabriel's drummer about 1986.

How many i-Pods do you have?
Ah 1..2...3.....5!

What is the best concert you have ever been to?
There were a couple. There was Roger Waters from Pink Floyd playing at the Kingston music theatre in 1987 on the Radio chaos tour. That was absolutely stunning. And then I also got to watch U2 from the Front Of House spot in Winnipeg in 1997 where I was standing next to Andrew Paul McGinnis as the whole thing was unfolding.

What is the most expensive ticket you ever paid for a concert?
I don't pay to go to concerts.

What is the best interview you have ever done?
Either Bono, Morrissey, or David Bowie. Take your pick.

What is the worst interview you have ever done?
The Beautiful South. A British band that came over. They were drunk and pissed off that they were missing their Premiership football game. They were miserable!

Who is the best entertainer in rock right now?
Um, I really don't know. You try and think about a band or performer where you go and get your monies worth every time that you seen them. I mean, I have never been disappointed by a band that has been fronted by Scott Weiland.

What are you listening to this week?
I am listening to a band from England called White Lies. Three guys who are about 20 years old, sound like they are moaning like they are 50. They are really good. And I'm getting back into Animal Collective album, the new one.

That is just some of what Alan and I discussed in 25 minutes. Imagine what you can hear when you are in the same room with him for over an hour. I encourage you to check out the Music geek when he visits Fanshawe College on March 24 in the Oasis. Maybe you can help me figure out just where Alan Cross keeps all this knowledge.