Rhapsody Exclusive: moe. Interview

On the eve of the ’07 Vegoose Music Festival, Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino featured an extra level of excitement and costumed craziness. Lights were flashing, classic rock blared on the PA, hip gamblers and celebrity wannabes were living the life at the craps tables, and throngs of jam-rock enthusiasts were awaiting a late-night performance by moe., which would keep The Joint (as the venue inside the Hard Rock is known) jumping until well beyond 4 a.m. While some band members were finishing soundcheck, I was led up a winding set of stairs, and into the green room to find the guitarist Al Schnier and bassist Rob Derhak.

Over the next hour or so, the road-tested warriors talked exclusively to Rhapsody about the group’s evolving musical influences, the festival circuit, their nearly 17-year career, and their love for the culture of Sin City and the fantasies it breeds. Like who of Vegas' legendary performers they'd want to jam with:

Schnier: "If we could team up with Dean Martin on one song, it’d have to be something classic like 'The Lady Is A Tramp'."

Derhak: "I was thinking Tom Jones would be pretty cool. [Get] with Tom Jones and do “What’s New Pussycat?” Get all retro." 

Further Listening:
Check out moe. The Rhapsody Interview