The Untitled Interview #199: Starring Lee Bains III

Y'all know that, having spent four years there, I've got one heck of a soft spot for the heart of Dixie, otherwise known as the great state of Alabama. Especially when white lighting hot rock and roll is involved. And when it comes to Lee Bains III, it's only rock and roll. And I'd imagine he likes it.

There's an effortlessness to what Bains and his band of Glory Fires do, you might could call it purity of form. Theirs is good, old-fashioned, muscle car and barbecue and lots of beer rock and fucking roll. They call themselves the "real Bama rock & roll," and that's pretty much the straight up truth. If you dig that kind of sound, Bains and his compatriots are right up your alley. Read on to see what Bains has to say on all manner of things, from his favorite spot in Alabama to the state of Florida, to the perils of playing live music. And true story, his favorite spot to play was a spot I hung out in in college. Which obviously means it's all sorts of awesome. And the same can be said of LB3.

Fuzzy Logic: How the hell are you?
Lee Bains III: I'm on tour, riding shotgun and wearing an eyepatch as the result of catching a guitar string in the eyeball the night before last. It doesn't feel awesome.

FL: What was the last song you listened to?
LB3: "Betting on the Dogs" by the Archibalds.

FL: Playing music is:
LB3: ... best done loud.

FL: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?
LB3: When I was a little fellow, I was pretty taken with Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock.

FL: Beatles or Stones?
LB3: The Beatles have grown on me in recent years, but the Stones for sure.

FL: Top 5 albums (of now, of this week, of ever):
LB3: Of now:

Big Star - Radio City
Turf War - The Great Escape EP
Link Wray - Link Wray
Oasis - Definitely Maybe
Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

FL: Favorite music-related movie?
LB3: Coal Miner's Daughter.

FL: Half-full or half-empty?
LB3: Half-empty, but self-aware enough to reiterate "half-full" to myself on the reg.

FL: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
LB3: We are all trying hard.

FL: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
LB3: "Coffeeeeeeeeee....."

FL: Little-known LBIII fact?
LB3: We have never played in Florida. That situation arose by chance, but we have decided to ride it out for as long as we can, just for the hell of it.

FL: The greatest record store in the world is:
LB3: Treehouse Records in MPLS? There are a lot.

FL: Shaken or stirred?
LB3: N/A.

FL: Favorite venue (either to play or to visit)?
LB3: Egan's Bar in Tuscaloosa.

FL: Best piece of advice you've ever been given?
LB3: "Lift with your knees." - Daddy

FL: What's your favorite spot/place/city/wherever in Alabama? 
LB3: The south side of Birmingham.

FL: If you weren't in a band you'd be?
LB3: In school right now more than likely.

FL: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
LB3: Not inclined, but thanks!

FL: Best song ever written?
LB3: "Stars" by the Primitons.







[photo by Ida Thoresen]

[posted 5.25.14]