Steve Wynn first came to the attention of rock fans in 1982 as the leader of The Dream Syndicate, whose debut album, The Days Of Wine And Roses, has now received a deluxe reissue on Rhino. After several discs with that band, Steve cut a number of solo albums including a couple for us (1990's Kerosene Man and 1991's Dazzling Display) and his latest release, Here Come The Miracles. We played 20 questions with Mr. Wynn recently, and here come his answers...
Rhino's Question: What was the first record you ever bought?
Steve Wynn's Answer:"It Ain't Easy" by Three Dog Night. It was 1969.
R: What's was the last record you listened to and what did you think of it?
S: "Sweet Tea" by Buddy Guy and it absolutely blew my mind. One of the hardest, nastiest records I've heard in years. But also special mention must be made for the Nuggets 2 Box Set. I've heard discs one and two and think it's going to be my number one listening experience of the year.
R: What song do you wish you had written?
S: "The Mercy Seat" by Nick Cave. Or "MacArthur Park" by Jimmy Webb. How WERE those songs written?
R: Who are your musical heroes?
S: Miles Davis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan
R: What's the best live show that you've ever seen (doesn't have to be music)?
S: Neil Young on the Rust Never Sleeps tour. It was so loud that I could feel every bit of skin, muscle, brain cell and my clothes all move in time with the music.
R: What movie do you think is guaranteed to start an argument?
S: Actually, I'd say most movies by Spike Lee. I think he's great and I know others who think he's self-indulgent. Generally, I think 'self-indulgent' is a compliment.
R: Has a book ever directly inspired you to create something?
S: Many, many times. Most recently I was inspired by the books of Richard Ford, Independence Day in particular.
R: If you could sing the praises of one underappreciated artist, who would you choose?
S: Chris Cacavas. One of the best singer/songwriters around today.
R: Tell us about life in the entertainment biz...
S: I guess my life exists "in the entertainment biz" as I make my living from my music, but I have always and still do feel like a fortunate outsider.
R: Do you have any predictions as to how the latest technological innovations will transform music?
S: The immediacy of the internet will return us to the days when an artist can be inspired by an event, write and record a song the same day and spring it upon the world within hours. And the 'album' will become more and more irrelevant while 'singles' will gain prominence once again.
R: Were there names other than Dream Syndicate that you considered performing under? If so, what were they?
S: I was really lobbying for Big Black Car and thankfully Dennis Duck (drummer) talked me out of it. I thank him almost every day.
R: Who would you most like to work with?
S: Dr. Dre. No kidding.
R: For what project that you've worked on did the outcome turn out to be most different from your initial expectations?
S: My latest album Here Come The Miracles. I had no idea what to expect going into the project and was surprised, shocked and thrilled when it was all over. Sometimes it's good to have no expectations, no plans and just be surprised.
R: What was the first thing you bought when you got your first check from playing music?
S: I think I pressed another 1000 copies of the first Dream Syndicate EP. It was my own label, after all.
R: What do you miss most about the music scene in L.A. in the '80s?
S: The camaraderie that can only come when you and your friends are experiencing everything for the first time. The first thrill of a record, a gig, hearing yourself on the radio. There are new thrills with every year but the novelty and innocence is most overwhelming in the earliest days.
R: Who was your favorite teacher in school, and what did they teach you?
S: My journalism teacher Montserrat Fontes. She taught me guts, fearlessness, crankiness. Good qualities for my job.
R: What accomplishment are you proudest of?
S: My last record. My last tour. As always.
R: What is your most prized possession?
S: My collection of KHJ Boss 30 countdown sheets from 1969 to 1973. They're hidden away in a safe place.
R: Where is the one place you've never been that you'd most like to visit?
S: Russia. And I hope to go their soon. My family is mostly from Kiev and I would like to see what they saw 100 years ago. Well, Mars would be nice as well but I'm not expecting much in the way of exotic food.
R: If you were to write an angry letter to the editor today, what would you complain about?
S: Oh, where would I start? George W Bush, leaf-blowers, the designated hitter rule, Napster, the lack of Taco Bells in Europe, the failure to reissue albums by Deaf School, the lack of a new movie from Quentin Tarantino and MTV in general.
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