Koufax
Interview with singer/guitarist Rob Suchan
Issue 2, Summer/Fall 2003
S&S: How would you describe your sound?
Rob: Piano, electric guitars, [and] drum kit music that leans toward a conventional RnR formula. Otherwise, you can name drop Joe Jackson, Supertramp, The Cars, or any other group that shares similar instrumentation, or whom we've been influenced by.
S+S: Where do you get the inspiration for your music/lyrics?
Rob: Everywhere, but lately, mostly by deadlines for recording.
S+S: Can you tell me about the best show you ever played?
Rob: Hard for me to name a single gig as the best ever, but some German shows, as well as when we supported Wilco in St. Louis last fall come to mind.
S+S: What band would you be most excited to share a bill with?
Rob: We were pretty excited to find out we are playing this August with the Cardigans at a German festival.
S+S: Do you prefer touring in the United States or Europe?
Rob: Europe for so many reasons (hospitality, better looking cities, less jaded audiences), however, we're in San Francisco right now, and things are lovely. The gigs on this current USA tour have been fantastic so far.
S+S: What's the worst thing that ever happened to the band on tour?
Rob: Definitely last fall in Chicago when our van was broken into, and over half of our equipment was stolen.
S+S: What were your goals when you first started the band and have you achieved them?
Rob: Putting out records and traveling. We've successfully toured and made friends with people in over 12 countries, so things are going well in terms of goal achievement, I must say.
S+S: Who is the sexiest member of the band?
Rob: My vote is on Jared, as smoking whilst playing piano is a pretty good look...Ahem, that's at least what I've been told...Ha.
S+S: Do you ever play pranks on each other?
Rob: No, just incessantly talk absurd crap on one another, but not in a threatening way at all...Purely absurd to stay sane...If that makes any sense.
S+S: What is your favorite book from the Koufax Book Club and why?
Rob: So far it has been Vonnegut's "Sirens of Titan", as it was a great reminder to how prophetic and wise Vonnegut really was / is.
S+S: Have you ever played on the streets for money?
Rob: No, only because we have bulky equipment.
S+S: Hair dye or tie-dye?
Rob: Both are fine by me, however, I'll opt for the latter for purely psychedelic reasons.
S+S: Sex, drugs, or rock and roll?
Rob: All are fantastic in moderation, but I'd say music is my favorite of the three.
S+S: 10 grams of fat or 3 grams of protein?
Rob: Protein is pretty hyped these days, but I am a sucker for hype.