Rawk and roll train wreck!

Sixteen Questions with the Riverboat Gamblers

By Colin Hickey, 9-07-07

The Riverboat Gamblers are easily the most exciting live rawk and roll band I’ve ever seen.  Their live show is like watching a planned train wreck.  Their music is super high energy punk rawk, and they’re bringing it to Salt Lake City, Boise, and Spokane next week. I sat down with lead singer Mike Wiebe via the interweb and asked him some questions. 

Q: How long has the band been around?

A: Since about 2000, but we didn’t really get serious about it until about 2004 or so. We were just kind of a house party band before that.

Q: How many albums do you all have out?

A: We have four. The first self-titled one is from that party band era and then we have “Something to Crow About” that came out on Gearhead. After that we did a singles b-sides type thing called “Backsides” and now we have the newest record “To the Confusion of our Enemies” on Volcom.

Q: How many ex members are there lurking around?

A: Lots and lots....its kind of Spinal Tap. As far as people that have played on records only a few though.

Q: What is the best food you’ve had on tour and where?

A: They made us the most delicious steaks in a little town in Belgium. I forget the name of the town, but the club was called the Pits.

Q: How many shows have you guys played?

A: I don’t think I have ever tried to keep track. A lot. I would think hundreds.

Q: What’s the #1 show you’ve ever played?

A: I try and make every show the #1 show. Some of them end up being better than others. Our last show in the UK at the Leeds festival was pretty amazing. And in NYC Andrew W.K. got up on stage and we did “Party Hard” together. That was pretty special as well.

Q: What’s the funniest tour story that you are allowed to tell?

A: I probably can’t say.

Q: Most awkward on stage moment ever?

A: I hate saying the wrong name of the city we are in on stage. I’ve done it like 10 times. I’ve ended up forgetting the opening bands name or mispronouncing their name before and that’s totally unprofessional!

Q: Besides one of your members losing all of his teeth on stage, have there been any other injuries on tour?

A: I broke my hand at the Bamboozle fest in Jersey. I had to get rods and pins put in. Right now I have two big scars. If you aren’t familiar with the band, while on stage in SF a couple years back Mike the lead singer was swinging his microphone around and he knocked out all of the bass player’s teeth out. 

Q: Dead or alive who would you like to open up for? Could be a multiple band lineup.

A: Rocket from the Crypt, Ramones, Rolling Stones, Riverboat Gamblers…all based on “R” bands

Q: Worst van story ever?

A: I left the trailer door open and drove a few miles. We lost a good bass and some other gear. I’m a fucking idiot.

Q: Now that you guys are getting a little bit bigger do you miss playing the random dirty bar?

A: We still end up playing them occasionally. I just want a lot of people at the show. I don’t really care where it is.

Q: What’s the best drink combo before a set? Mines a sparks and a couple beers. Am I doing something wrong?

A: You are doing it right. I say Sparks with vodka and some cranberry juice. We call it Sparkleberry. It was invented by the bartenders at Emos in Austin. Sparkleberry! Genius!

Q: When you get to a club do you check out the room and plan what you are going to climb on and jump to?

A: I am aware but it kinda depends on how the show is going and how I am feeling. I don’t want to have to do anything or make anything I do too schticky. Just do what I feel, ya know?

Q: Different Strokes or Webster?

A: Webster, but only after he moved into the house that had the clock he could hide in to outwit burglars.

Q: The Riverboat Gamblers were going to buy a van for $5800. The car dealer offered the Gamblers two options for buying the van. They could pay the full amount in cash, or they could pay $1000.00 down and $230.00 a month for 24 months on the installment plan. How much more would they pay for the car on the installment plan?

A: It doesn’t make sense because we only travel by hovercraft and we don’t use money. We use the barter system and trade for Tai-Chi lessons. Damn good answer.

Check out the Riverboat Gamblers yourself at one of these shows. 
Sept 11th: Salt Lake City, UT @ Avalon
Sept 12th: Boise, ID @ Bourbon Street
Sept 13th: Spokane, WA @ Big Easy

Check out their music here: www.theriverboatgamblers.com

Colin Hickey is New West’s Events Editor. Keep an eye out for his “MVP Events” or check here to find your own: www.NewWestEvents.net.

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