SharkBait Magazine # 3, June, 2004
interview by Brad Hayes
BRETT HORTON-Brett is a weird guy who writes weird catchy songs. He's been a good friend of mine for many moons. One afternoon we sat in my empty pool smoking cigs & had a friendly l'il interview.
-Owl
ME: Alright Brett, I only have about 10 readers so this interview will probably rule, since when you hype something up and get everyone amped you flake out. Why do you do that?
BH: What are you talking about?
ME: How you hype everything up and get all your buddies to come see you somewhere and then you just flake it up and they don't get shit.
BH: You mean I'm like George Jones or something, like a no show?
ME: Yeah, right when you get in the situation you trip out.
BH: When's the last time I did that?
ME: You were pretty trippy on the radio.
BH: Oh yeah. I don't know.
(laughter)
BH: I guess it like wasn't my idea really to go and be on the radio. Then I asked everyone if they wanted to do it and they were like "sure." So we went in there and it was like, it was like stupid pretty much. I just wanted to leave. I didn't want to talk to anybody.
ME: Gotcha.
BH: Then they like pressured me into playing a song.
ME: How long were you on the air?
BH: For 2 hours.
ME: Alright, you just released a compilation on Willie Cry Records. Who all is on that?
BH: It was like us & the Down Trunks & Randy Crouch & Hosty Duo.
ME: Wouldn't a fan of a certain band already have that shit?
BH: Probably.
ME: Why'd you do it?
BH: I don't know.
(laughter)
ME: Because I like Down Trunks and you guys, but I don't want that other shit.
BH: Hosty? Really? He's good. I like that shit. Randy, too. You don't like it? You only have 10 readers. (laughter)
ME: Who are your influences?
BH: I hate that question.
ME: Just say Dylan and get it over with.
BH: Alright, Dylan. I like him.
ME: What do you like lately?
BH: The last thing I got was Television "Marquee Moon." But I've been into...fucking....like, Mozart. (laughter) I don't know. I haven't had batteries for my CD player so I haven't been listening to anything.
ME: If you don't make it are you just gonna hang around and force your music on people? Like those Red Dirt guys and Watermelon Slim.
BH: I don't think so. (laughter)
ME: I think a lot of people that don't know you think you're hopped up on hallucinogens. Any truth to that?
BH: Maybe at one point in time, but not usually. What do you think?
ME: I don't. But I know you.
BH: People think you're hopped up, too.
ME: So, this isn't about me.
BH: This is the best interview ever so far.
ME: So how's having a girlfriend?
BH: Why you talkin' about that shit?
ME: I don't know. Why not?
BH: It's good.
ME: What's your favorite book?
BH: One of them's On the Road, but that's cliche, huh?
ME: Yeah.
BH: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (laughter) and it's all Small Stuff... It's by a psychologist, Richard Carlson, M.D.
ME: Some of these younger guys are getting into Dylan just like we were at their age. What's your favorite album?
BH: Probably Freewheelin' or Times They Are A-Changin.' All the first few ones: Freewheelin', Highway 61, Bringing It All Back Home and Times...I like the first one, too.
ME: Favorite Beatles album?
BH: Probably Revolver. But that's a tough one. I like Rubber Soul, too.
ME: What do you think about skateboarding?
BH: I like watching people skate. I like riding, too. I just don't like tricks because I'm not very good at it.
ME: I've seen you kickflip. It's hilarious.
BH: I've done 'em super slow or into grass. I like longboards.
ME: Alright, Brett, we're getting old. Is this where you thought you'd be at 25?
BH: I had no idea about that.
ME: If you could live in any area in any era when and where and why?
BH: That's a good question. I'd want to go over to Europe or something. Or be a Viking. (laughter)
ME: At least you didn't say: hanging out at a coffee shop with James Taylor or anything.
BH: Maybe like Ancient Rome. Like in the biblical days. Like in Jerusalem. I'd like to check that shit out. (laughter)
ME: Like B.C. (laughter)
BH: Yeah, around in there. Like the holy land 2 thousand years ago. Or be in Venice, Italy, like right now. Gondolas and shit. You caught me off guard with that one.
ME: I expected New York in the 70's or something. Not hanging out with God. So good job.
ME: Closing comments or thank you's?
BH: (laughter) Hello, buddies. You can listen to music or order CD's and book at our website, which is www.thegardes.com. That's all. Cheers!
End of Interview