Bob Nastanovich is a certified musical legend. He is the second drummer and cheerleading face of arguably the greatest indie-rock band ever, Pavement. He has also played on classic records by Silver Jews and tour managed such bands as The Frogs. Do you know that song by Blur called “Song 2,” the one that goes WAAA HOOO and then gets really loud? Yep, that is about Bob too. If you ever get the chance to see Bob DJ check it out, his musical collection is weird and amazing! The guy has one of the greatest screams in rock history, hell even when he answers interview questions it’s all capital letters!
You can hear Bob Nastanovich speak at this year’s Music University conference on October 19th. Check out the full schedule here, then register here. Discounted rates are available for students and performing musicians.
Watch Bob in this classic Pavement music video directed by Spike Jonze:
1. There is a great story on the Pavement documentary about how your were the tour manager and had all the tour money in a bag that you always kept your eyes on because it had $63,000 in it. Tell us a little bit about how you got to be the lucky one to hold the bag and tour manage in general.
I WAS RESPONSIBLE AND WILLING AND OBSESSIVELY PUNCTUAL (BUS DRIVER DAMAGE).THE $60k + WAS AT THE END OF A LONG TOUR. I GUARDED IT INTENSELY. IT WAS PLANTED UNDER MY FLOOR TOM DURING OUR SHOWS. MY NICKNAME WAS ‘HARSH HAROLD’ BECAUSE I WAS TOO BOSSY AND DEMANDING. THANKFULLY, MY BRASH STYLE CONVINCED THEM TO HIRE A REAL TM SOONER THAN LATER.
2. You have played on some of my all time favorite records, with both Pavement and Silver Jews. What is your favorite Pavement song and album and the same for the Silver Jews?
PAVEMENT: ‘TRANSPORT IS ARRANGED’ AND WOWEE ZOWEE; SILVER JEWS: ‘NEW ORLEANS’ AND AMERICAN WATER. THANKS FOR LIKING THEM!
3. Everytime I talk to you, you always have some amazing story about growing up going to shows or from the road. Would you ever consider writing a book about your experiences as a touring musician and if you did what would it be called?
YES I WOULD BUT I’M NOT A GOOD SELF-PROMOTER AND NOBODY IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR WITH A BOOK DEAL. YOU’RE ENTHUSIASTIC SO IT BRINGS OUT GOOD STORIES, KICKS THE MEMORY INTO HIGH GEARS.
4. What’s the most exciting musical experience you have ever had?
MESSING UP ‘SABOTAGE’ WITH THE BEASTIE BOYS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE IN AUSTRALIA, 1995. THEY ASKED ME TO SCREAM ON IT AND I BADLY MISTIMED IT. IT WAS HUMILIATING AND EXCITING AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER I APOLOGIZED, MIKE D REPLIED, “IT’S OKAY NASTANOVICH WE JUST TRIED TO GET ON YOUR TIME.”
5. Who is your all time favorite band and why?
MINUTEMEN. LOVED THEIR ETHICS.
6. When Pavement gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (and you will), how can I convince you to let me do the induction speech (sorry, Thurston Moore and Beck)? And what songs would you play at the show?
I’LL SAY MY FRIEND PATRICK IS GOOD AND WANTS TO DO IT. ‘SUMMER BABE’, ‘SHADY LANE’ AND ‘GOLD SOUNDZ’.
7. What are you most excited to talk about in Des Moines on Oct. 19?
I’M INTERESTED IN LISTENING MORE THAN TALKING. BUT, I’M SURE I’LL TALK TOO MUCH.
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You can hear Bob Nastanovich speak at this year’s Music University conference on October 19th, and ask him what Beastie Boys asked him to scream at that show in Australia for yourself. Check out the full schedule here, then register here. Discounted rates are available for students and performing musicians.
Follow Bob on Twitter: @BNastanovich
Learn more about Bob at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Nastanovich