When you’re the guitar prodigy son of a music legend, the pressure’s on before the first note is played. How does Dweezil Zappa handle the expectations of life in the shadow of musical genius Frank? By just having fun with it! Gail Worley shoots the breeze with the strangely named scion of the Zappa family.

Whether you know him as the driving force behind the many derivations of Foetus, or under such names as Manorexia or DJ Otefsu, there’s no denying that Jim Thirlwell is one of the most innovative people on the music scene. Resident Thirlwell disciple drew West spoke with the man to learn more about his unique recording philosophies.

Less Than Jake, with Super 04 at Club Quattro in Osaka Japan on October 8, 2000. Concert review by Gregory Schaefer

What is “sound art” and how does it relate to the heavy rock of Neurosis? Nirav Soni asks Steve Von Till, guitarist for both Neurosis and their side project, Tribes Of Neurot.

Phil Bailey talks thrifting and personal ads with Al Hoff, the author of Thrift Score and If You Like Pi–a Coladas: The Humor and Weirdness of Personal Ads

Girls Rock festival, featuring Ez Bake Organs, Emily Herring, Ricki Comeaux, Fair Verona, 5 Days Late, and Girlush Figure, at the Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans, LA on September 2, 2000. Event review and photos by Phil Bailey.

Deroot, Deroot, Deroot is on Fire! (Ink 19, October 2000)

Self-proclaimed “solo artist” Kathleen LaGue isn’t what you’d expect from the typical singer/songwriter out of Nashville. Phil Bailey spoke to the fashion model turned rocker about her use of the Internet to market herself, the Roxygen on Oxygen competition, and the travails of doing it all yourself.

Using acoustic guitar, effects, and loops, Joseph Arthur is a truly effective one-man-band. Gail Worley discusses music and incredibly lucky career breaks with the talented singer/songwriter.

Coming off the Spit Kickers tour with De La Soul and Biz Markie to his new album, Like Water for Chocolate, going gold, it’s clear that Common’s message and his hip hop grooves are finally making it to a wider audience. So what is his message? That’s what Nirav Soni found out, as they discussed politics, inspirations, and spirituality.

Let’s face it: we’re all sinners. And nobody knows that better than Tammy Faye Starlite, who’s come to preach her fire and brimstone gospel with her distintive brand of country music blasphemy. Frank Mullen repents.

Are you trying to “crush out” because you’re “under glass”? Are you trying to…

As a kind of persnickety cousin to The Onion, Modern Humorist s…

There are few things men like as much as beautiful women, except maybe for ca…

Would adding another year to high school help solve the problems facing America’s youth? Hell no, says David Lee Beowulf.

There is nary an explanation for Robot Frank, or more appropriately, w…

On the information superhighway, it’s rare to see a tree, and so when you fin…

What’s emo? Don’t ask Sunny Day Real Estate drummer William Goldsmith, as he claims not to understand the label. Instead, he spoke to Gail Worley about Yoga, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and his band’s creative process.

At first glance, South Florida seems like a musical wasteland, victimized by …

The Blacks, with Adult Rodeo (Handle-Bar, Pensacola, FL, June 16, 2000). Concert review and photos by Phil Bailey