Tripod Jimmy - Shane Inwood

By: Dominick A. Miserandino

DM) What does the name "Tripod Jimmy" mean?

SI) I wish it was something amusing or obscene, but it's not. Just something that popped into my head when I needed a name. I didn't clear it with the guys beforehand, so they are probably still pissed about it, although any time we need group consensus it takes forever, so maybe it's for the best.

DM) So is the group run like a democracy or a hierarchy?

SI) Well, it started as a Fascist junta but has necessarily evolved into a more democratic group. When we started, I controlled everything regarding policy as it was my band, but now the guys (and Tomo!) have a say in everything, and I get bullied.

DM) It sounds like that could lead to a fight here and there?

SI) Our fights are more to do with who gets the back seat in the van, or who gets to sleep while the others want to party, or who was drunk and ruined a show, etc. -- just stupid short-term stuff. Yeah, we've had the odd punch thrown when under the influence of one thing or another (usually Japanese Chu-Hi, which is the most name-calling, punch-throwing, tolerance-eroding drink known to man). But on serious, long-term things, we generally work them out as a group. We certainly aren't hippie-dippy love children, but we aren't Oasis either.

DM) Who influences you?

SI) My influences are 80's American punk, such as indie (Husker Du, Dead Kennedys, etc.) and New Zealand indie music (Bailter Space, The Clean, Flying Nun, etc.), but all the others like different stuff. Our drummer (9.5) likes Rush for f---s sake!

DM) What is the New Zealand music scene like?

SI) Awesome! The scene itself is non-existent in terms of people making a living or anything, but the music that comes out of it is my favorite in the world -- way ahead of its time.

DM) Do you ever play outside of New Zealand?

SI) Actually, we have been based in Japan for four years. We live here, and play 60-70 shows a year here. We have also toured Australia twice and New Zealand once. We are going back to Australia again this August.

DM) What track on this latest work are you most proud of?

SI) Probably the single "Interimmer" or maybe a tune called "Another Structure."

DM) What is it about them that do you like?

SI) Well, there are two kinds of music: songs that are fun to play and those that are fun to listen to. Of all our tunes, these are the ones that are probably as much fun to listen to as they are to play.

DM) And what is in your CD player now that you're listening to?

SI) I've been listening to a lot of local bands that I'm considering for a festival I'm booking: 3.6 Milk, Godie, and some others. But last weekend, I was listening to the Clean and the Fall on my CD player, the 3Ds and the Pixies on my cassette player, Mad Capsule Markets on the MD player (buy one, it's the technology of the future), and various indie stuff at Mitos bar, where I drink, all the time. Actually, any touring bands wanting to hear cool music, visiting Osaka, should go to Mitos. Most bands go there and sign his walls; System of a Down was there last week. He also makes a great drink called Mitos Come. It's a thick, green, creamy slime. Can't imagine where he got the name. Give me a call beforehand and I'll take you.

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