Interviews: Jesse Michaels (Common Rider/Operation Ivy)

I just heard back from Jesse Michaels about Common Rider's sudden breakup. For those who care, and others who don't - here are the words from Operation Ivy's mouth.

You can click Read More for an exclusive interview.

Did Common Rider satisfy you?

Yes, However doing creative stuff has stages and it
felt like time to move on. It is not always easy to
define exactly why this happens, but in the case of
Common Rider is just felt like we had accomplished all
we could. Most of the limitations of the band were
geographical and logistical rather than creative or
personal. Basically, the whole thing was really fun
but inconvenient in terms of planning and carrying
stuff out because we never developed a solid line up
that all lived in the same place and it became clear
that doing that would be impossible.

Gotta ask - I know that death of Joe Strummer
affected you greatly, but did it affect the band in
any way?

-Of course Mr Strummer was a real inspiration. I was
lucky enough to meet him (actually luck had nothing to
do with it..waited two hours outside the fillmore when
the Mescalaros played) and he was everything one would
hope for in somebody they looked up to. Above all he
was a very gentle person and a great poet and
songwriter. I don't feel as sad about him dying as I
do about how hard he struggled in his life (what with
the record company rip offs and hostile English press
and so on).Its too bad that real artists have to go
through so much shit when the "Creed's" and other bad
rock bands of the world have the fucking red carpet
rolled out for them and then have the nerve to wear
clash tee shirts on stage for credibility. However,
(aside from my bitching) his death did not have any
affect on Common Rider, because our thing was pretty
much over by the time he passed on.

What has happened since the Plea for Peace tour?

-I have realized that touring is basically hell and it
will take an truly incredible inspiration to get my
ass on the road again. Why bullshit you? Being on
stage is great and of course we are greatful to
everybody who took the time to check us out, but
touring when you are thirty three is basically a
fucking nightmare. Too much loud noise, smoke (!)(It
sounds like a small thing but trying to sing every
night in a cloud of carbon monoxide gets really old),
and interpersonal bullshit. However, music is a great
inspiration and playing live is terribly addictive in
spite of everything, so anything could happen.

You mentioned in your letter that we will hear from
each of the members again - any idea how, and does
that include yourself?

Mass is always producing, Dan is always drumming,
(including for some really cool bands like "the
methadones" and "Even in Blackouts" and I never stop
writing shit. No specifics but we will keep people
posted through the website and other means. Part of
the benefit of being an old bastard is having access
to publicity so when we do stuff it's relatively easy
to get the message out there. Not to harp on this
point, but we feel enough of a debt of grattitude to
people who have taken the time to check us out that we
would take pains to make sure that any new things were
clearly announced.

You mentioned on your website that Common Rider
hoped to record a third album. That comment showed
that there was anticipation and eagerness, what
stopped all that?

That comment simply showed logical foresight which is
always subject to circumstance. Circumstances have
changed. Change isn't a bad thing and we look forward
to whatever may come…

Honestly, were there any negative reactions that
contributed to Common Rider's demise?

Honestly, Yes. We received a lot of support, but also
a certain amount of outright hostility, sometimes on a
really ugly and personal level, and I wouldn't be
truthful if I were to say that it didn't influence the
decision. However, it was a very minor factor. We are
first of all true to our own thing but to say we
didn't hear it when people gave negative feedback
would not be telling the whole story.

Ever thought of a solo/acoustic project?

Yeah… I know its goofy but almost nobody who
attempts to write songs can resist the idea of
recording shit at the most basic level of just playing
songs into a tape recorder and seeing if anybody gives
a damn. Usually such projects end up being pretty
crappy, but every once in a while a songwriter manages
to make something worthwhile on that level (for
example, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leadbelly,
Billy Brag, Michelle Shocked,Woodie Guthrie etc. etc.)
So its hard to resist thinking about that possibility.
However, I would be very carefull about such a thing
and wouldn't just put any shite out there.

Are you at all worried about the fan's reactions to
the breakup? After all, many fans waited over ten years to hear from you, and now you are gone again.
I guess what I am saying is, are we going to have to
wait another ten years before Jesse Michaels
inspires us again?

That question is really generous, thanks! I consider
myself extremely lucky that people are interested. All
I can say is that I have no choice but to do creative
stuff. That isn't meant to sound pretentious in any
way, its just that I am no fucking good at anything
else. So whether it is music or another medium, I will
definitely try to keep putting stuff out there. I have
been writing a lot lately. I honestly don't know if
its any fucking good but its fun as hell and that
might be the next thing for me creatively. Thank you
for asking.
I am really glad to hear that the songs worked for
you. Believe me, my whole heart is in those songs. the
grattitude is all mine that you found them worth your
attention. Music is a great thing. I am really glad
you like our stuff and really hope there will be more
to come.
By the way, part of Strummers legacy has been (for
me) to get into African music. He was a huge fan of
that stuff and I have been listening to it a lot
lately…incredible shit. Its funny, when you check
out some African groups its like African music is to
the mescalaros what dub and reggae was to the clash,
so you can kind of see what the man was up to..kind of
cool…take care Sean and thanks for staying in touch.
Hope to see you in person again some time. Peace and
no fucking war,
Jesse