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now.

Do you ever post anonymously to the Matador bulletin board?

No.

Under what conditions would you consider hiring Jim Fouratt?

I wasn't aware he was looking for a job. Jim's a very good person, we just
have different ideas about art.

How many years does Matador have left?

Probably a few more than Geek Weekly.

What has surprised you most about adapting to British life?

I'm not sure I've adapted, but the bit about dogs being allowed to drive
was a major shock.

What is a band that you really wanted to sign but that you were unable to
(a band you tried to sign)?

Well, Matador recently came out on the short end of a long negotiation
with Anti Pop Consortium. We were also unsuccessful in our attempts to sign Clinic a few years ago. Beyond that, it hasn't happened too often. I figure this
has as much to do with out habit of picking artists that other labels aren't yet familiar with, as much as it does our ability to make a compelling case for
signing your life away.

Is it true Matador wanted to sign Cibo Matto?

Yes. Sadly for Matador, the group already had a tight relationship with a
person who did A&R for Warner Bros. and we were left in the dust.

Did you have a run-in with Tim Stegall at some point? I noticed there was
a reference to him on the back of one of those Matador Texxass Jamm shirts but
I never knew what the story was.

I prefer to think of this as a tribute to one of the Lone Star State's great
thinkers rather than something as juvenile as a "run in".

How many fights have you seen since moving to England?

I saw Lennox Lewis knock out Francois Botha in the first round at the
Docklands Arena. This wasn't much of a fight, but Francois Botha isn't much of
a fighter.

Are you getting a British accent?

Britt, do you think I'm getting a British accent? Considering I have to
repeat myself endlessly every time I get in a cab, chances are, I'm in no danger
of affecting a British accent. Then again, I had to do the same thing in New
York, maybe I just need to enunciate properly.

Did you read the Walter Payton biography, and was it as good as George
Jones'?

I've only started the former, never read the latter.

Why don't you get contacts?

Why doesn't Teddy Pendergrass buy a NordicTrack?

Spring 2001 27