Rhett Miller, third from left, is the lead singer and primary songwriter for pioneering alt-country band Old 97's. COURTESY PHOTO
Pioneers of the alt-country movement, Old 97’s have been releasing one great album after another for two decades, each marked by leader Rhett Miller’s emotive vocals, smart lyrics and catchy melodies that meld twang with power pop. Old 97’s return to the State Theatre on Saturday in downtown St. Petersburg in support of their new album “Most Messed Up.” The “Old 97’s & Waylon Jennings” EP including two recordings made by the outlaw country legend with Miller’s band in 1996 came out last year. Here are highlights from our recent interview.
Q: The opening track “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive” is a great rock song about being in a rock band. It’s funny and poignant in places, too; full of gratitude and hope for more road warrior craziness. What inspired this latest gem?
A: Thank you so much. Writing a song like that is a minefield, it could turn more maudlin than you would like. We were doing an anniversary tour for (our 1997 album “Too far To Care”) and I’m singing songs as old as Taylor Swift and seeing kids that age in the audience.
Q: On the outstanding title track you sing about being “a messed up mother------.” Doesn’t seem like you’re mellowing much (at age 44), or are you just a brilliant observational writer?
A: (Laughs.) It’s a combination. I’m certainly not drinking myself to death but we do get to drink on stage and no one is going to give us a drug test. There’s definitely a Peter Pan element to what we do.
Q: What was it like recording with one of my all-time favorites, Waylon Jennings?
A: He could not have been more kind or more of a gentleman.
Q: I read that while recording your song “The Other Shoe” Jennings had trouble pronouncing the word “elixir”?
A: It was so surprising he wouldn’t know “elixir.” I told him it’s an old-timey word for drugs and he goes, “You’d think I know that one.” So I gave him a mnemonic device, “Annie licks her.” He thought it was so funny: “I like you boy, you’re sick.”That was the same day he told me that I reminded him of Buddy Holly and how Holly loved to tell dirty jokes.
Q: If I had to take one Old 97’s record to a desert island it would have to be the double-live album “Alive and Wired.” Next year marks 10 years since its release. Any plans for another live album? Maybe a sequel?
A: That’s not a bad idea, “Alive and Wired 2.” We could record it at the same place (Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas). Plan for it in the spring of next year.
Old 97’s
7 p.m. Saturday; State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; $20 in advance and $23 day of show; (727) 895-3045; statetheatreconcerts.com
