Scott Driver

"What's up Killington? We are the Mighty Mighty Bosstones from Boston, Mass." Said Dicky Barret, the lead singer of the Bosstones. "Well I hope you like this folks, we've got a pretty small stage up here so you guys will be right in my crotch the whole night long.". They started off with a new song of the album to be released in late February or early March, titled "Let's Face it". On the way up to the show we listened to an advance copy of the album and I was very impressed with the new stuff.

The Pickle Barrel in Killington was the place to be this Wednesday the twenty ninth, as the Mighty Mighty Bosstones played to a sold out crowd. I walked in just as the band was hitting the stage. It was my first time ever around Killington, so I got a little lost on the way to the show, but the timing couldn't have been better. The band came out in their usual garb, full suits, as is the tradition with many ska bands.

Most bands when they are touring to promote an album, tend to play a large majority of new songs. This was not true on this night. The second song into the set, the band launched into "Howwhywuz Howwhyam" off of the first album, Devil's Night Out. They immediately followed up with a fantastic version of "Kinder Words".

The crowd went nuts all night long. I didn't see that many people singing along which always disappoints me, I personally love it when the band doesn't sing the words to the song they are playing but the crowd is singing so loudly it doesn't matter anyway. You could tell the crowd was into it though. The people on the floor moved and danced with every song. People were stage diving, much to the dismay of the band, and dancing on stage.

The Bosstones continued to play some of the great old songs with a few new ones mixed in as well. One new song entitled "Royal Oil" definitely caught my eye, both live and on the new tape. It seems like a lot of the new songs are going back to the original style of the band which could be classified as ska-core or even third wave ska, compared to the last couple albums which have been more of a pop-hardcore with ska influences.

The crowd really got into "Where did you go?" which was featured in the movie Clueless. I would have the opportunity to ask some of the band members about the movie for which they did a appearance in later. They ended the set with a new song "Impression That I Get", which has been released to the radio off of the Safe and Sound compilation, and 'Someday' which was also featured in the movie Clueless.

The band walked off the stage but was called back for an encore within a few minutes. The Bosstones did a three song encore that included the song "Dogs and Chaplains" (also known as "Drugs and Kittens" and "Drunks and Children"), and a old one off of the first album, titled "Little Bit Ugly".

The band left the stage for good this time around and I eventually made my way back their dressing room area, where I had the opportunity to speak with a couple band members.

I got to talk to Joe Sirois, the drummer, first.

"Joe, what do you think about playing to crowds like this? I mean it's a lot different than when you guys first started were playing to the ska community. I didn't see a single skin, mod, rudie, or punk here tonight?"

Well up here it is a lot different. Down when we play the cities we still get those type of crowds, but this was a pretty much a college show, and I really shouldn't generalize but a lot of punks and skins and such just don't do the college thing. They have the philosophy that is like 'screw society', and the just don't do the college thing. But we just want to get the music out to the people, which is what we were doing tonight. I mean I like these type of crowds, I love it all.

"I know you guys get asked this all the time but what were the reasons for leaving Taang! Records and going to Mercury [Taang! Was the label that the first two Bosstone albums were released on]. I mean most bands love the attention and treatment they get from a small label like that."

Simple, bigger and better things. Like I said before we just want to get the music out to all the people we can.

"Ok last question. In the liner notes for the albums the band's credited with playing their instruments, but Ben is credited as 'Bosstone'. What does this mean, what is his official role in the band?"

Ben is THE Bosstone. He is the man.

Next up happened to be Ben Carr, Mr. Bosstone himself.


"Ben how did Clueless come about?"

You know to tell you the truth I really don't know. I think what happened was that we were on the soundtrack and the people who were putting that together, digged us. So I think they pushed for us to be in the movie and well…
They actually rewrote that scene for us. We were originally supposed to be playing at a frat party, but we said now we didn't want to do that. We wanted to get away from the frat boy image, so we said just make it a loft party or a regular party, and they did.

At this point I had to interject "You know Ben that is the one and only time I have ever danced in a movie theater. There were four of us there and we just hopped out of seats and started dancing," at which Ben just laughed.

We had a good time with it. They flew us out to California to film it. One day we had gotten done our set at lollapalooza and since we were first on the stage it was only like five and we were tired so we were headed back to the hotel. We were going along and we passed a movie theater and realized that it was opening day for Clueless so we got our bus to pull over and we all ran into the theater. We all had gotten paid that day so we each went to the counter with a fresh twenty dollar bill and one after another it was 'One for Clueless, One for Clueless'. So we all went in and sat in the back and watched it, it was fun.

"What was it like for you guys to play the Lollapalooza tour in front of crowds of thirty thousand?"

We never played in front of that many people. We were the first ones on and so there weren't many people there.

"Why did you do it then? I mean I know it was the best Lollapalooza lineup ever. I just wish that I could've been there, but it couldn't have been that much fun for you guys?"

To do it. We just did it to do it. I mean that tour didn't make much money, we certainly didn't make that much money, but it was by far the most critically acclaimed one [Lollapalooza]. It was just fun to be able to get out there and meet all those bands and get to know all of them. I mean I didn't meet one dink on the tour, everyone was really cool

"Wasn't that the year that Hole was on it?"

Yeah, the media and the press can say whatever they want to about Courtney Love but she wasn't bad to us at all. We didn't really see what was reported. She actually seemed kinda cool.

"Now everyone portrays you guys to be big rich rock stars, and I have friends that are in a band down in Boston and I know what being in a band's like, so I know you guys aren't living the big life. What's the scoop?"

Well we make enough now so that we don't have to work other jobs, this is our job. I mean none of us are driving BMW's or going out and buying house's or anything. I get enough so that I can pay my bills and then have a few hundred to live on through the rest of the month.

"It sounds like you guys are living like a middle class life?"

Well not even I mean if I didn't have my girlfriend who helps to support us, I think I'd be more towards the poverty level. I mean I'm just like the next guy, I live check to check.

" The interview ended with me thanking Ben for answering a few of my questions. He told me not to worry about it, it was "his pleasure". I would have liked to do more interviews but it was one already and I had a two hour drive back to Burlington. It was a great show. The band put on an incredible performance. Dicky knows how to work the crowd and he did it with perfection at this show. It was a very good mix of the good old songs and songs off of the upcoming album. I had a lot of fun talking with the band afterwards and just shooting the shit. I will say this, people may say they The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are living like rock stars, but truth of the matter is they are all really cool guys, and I can't wait to see them play again.