And away we go...

1 - How did you hook up with Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith on "Dear Mike"?
-Brendan, NY

Chad's wife Maria used to come see us play at Cafe Largo in LA (before we got signed) while the Peppers were headlining Lollapalooza '92. During a break in the tour Chad came to see us and months later paid for us to go into the studio to record a demo! He has since become a great friend of the band and when we were in between drummers (pre-Thad) he played many gigs with us.

When recording the first album we had a good version of "Dear Mike" but, felt we could better it with Chad. It was the last session we did for the album and the result ended up on "Fruit of Life".
The album also features on drums Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions) and Matt Chamberlin (New Bohemiums/Pearl Jam) and Julio Ledezma (Huayucaltia).

2 - I am a real blues fan: you guys tap into the blues mind set, without the blues chords and rhythm. Try a Muddy Waters or Howlin' wolf song sometime.
- Zymurgy650

Funny you should mention that, we were asked to record a Very obscure Muddy Waters track called "Evil" (NOT the Willie Dixon song) for Showtime's "Rebel Highway" series of 50's B-movie remakes. A soundtrack album "Fast Track to Nowhere" was released featuring modern bands doing covers of 50's songs including Sheryl Crow, Iggy Pop, The Smithereens, Neville Bros., etc.

The album "Fast Track to Nowhere" is no longer available but, the song "Evil" is included in the Wild Colonials album "Reel Life vol. #1".

3 - What is that melody Paul plays at the beginning of Rainbow?
- Bob1, Atlanta

The familiar refrain at the start of "Rainbow" is from CARMEN by Bizat. The piece is called the "Habanera".

4 - Which song did Cyndi join you on when you opened for her at the House of Blues?
- Myke & Dana, Nashville

We first met Cyndi at our very first New York show which was a benefit for the "Do Something" organization in '94. She became friends with Angela and has joined us on stage at many shows since then. The song we played with her is called "If By Chance" which we recorded with Cyndi for the "This Can't Be Life" album. It was left off the album because we felt that it didn't fit in with the rest of the album. The song did find a home on the soundtrack for the film "Southie", it is also included in the Wild Colonials album "Reel Life vol. #1". She is Wonderful!

For more info on Cyndi, check out www.cyndilauper.com

5 - Who are your influences?
- BrenNY111, New York

What were the musical influences that resulted in your particular sound? Do they include British folk/rock/jazz fusion bands such as The Pentangle?
- Hunter, Philadelphia

Here is a listing of influences (not all musical) from the band's profiles listed in our web site...

ANGELA - Mother/Father/Grand Mother/School/Saturday Nights

SHARK - Elvis's Hips (Presley), Ricky Nelson's Eyelids, Kerouak's Type Writer, Eno's Silence, Dylan's Notebook, Lenny Bruce's Language, Hitchcock's Iris', Hendrix's Feedback, Strummer's Spit, Townsend's Right Hand, Costello's Thesaurus, MLK's Patience, Keef's Endurance

PAUL - The 18th Century

SCOTT - My Mother

JASON - My Grandmother

Check out the ABOUT US/Profiles page for more incites. Sorry, no Pentangle.

6 - One question, how would you describe the music The Wild Colonials play?
- Audrey, Boston

Shark describes the music thus...
"Billy Holiday meets Duane Eddy meets Ennio Morricone with John Cale and some Tribal Drummers playing in a French Cafe in Berlin on St. Patricks' day!" And he's serious!?!

7 - I was curious where you are all from. Angela said she is from Scotland. Are you all cots?
- Hunter. Philadelphia

Knah, not all Scots, we're from all over...
Angela: Glasgow, Scotland
Shark: Toronto, Canada
Paul: American but grew up in Paris, France
Scott: Wilmington, Delaware
Jason: Los Angeles, California

Angela, Shark & Paul knew each other in London years ago and met Scott & Jason in Los Angeles.
But, that's another story.

8 - Can you tell me who your favorite author's are?
- Alexis Curry, San Diego

Here is a listing of our favorite authors from the band's profiles webpage. Also on the web site is a favorite books list (check it out)...

ANGELA - E.E. Cummings, Collette, Dylan Thomas, Oscar Wilde, Orson Welles,
Raymond Chandler, "There's too many for me!"
SHARK - Jack Kerouak, Arthur Rimbaud, William Gibson, Langston Hughes
PAUL - St. Vincent Milay, Colette, Italo Calvino, Charlotte Bronte, Augusta Evans Wilson
SCOTT - "Impossible to say"
JASON - Graham Greene, Martin Amis, Aldous Huxley, Charles Bukowski

9 - Just wondering if "Charm" ever came out as a commercially released single? Also, I'm curious what the B-side was!
- Kristin Ching, Los Angeles

In North America "Singles" nowadays are promotional downloads/CD's sent to radio stations and only the ones that become hits get released commercially. Or if they are dance/remixes for club DJ's. There was a radio promo single for "Charm" with a cool sleeve (no extra tracks). "Charm" did extremely well on Alternative & AAA Radio and was scheduled to come out commercially with "Spirit" as the B-side but, alas never happened.
:-( :-( :-( :-( :-(

You can check out other Wild Colonials promotional releases in the DISCOGRAPHY page.

10 - Your first CD shows an additional band member who wasn't with you in Portland, who is (was) he, what did he play?
- Allen Field, Portland

That's the fabulous Swiss-Rock Cello Player Martin Tillmann! Martin's been a friend of the bands' since the beginning and played at many early Largo shows. We had him appear on our first album as "Special Guest". Martin plays with Paul in his side-project "Tryptich". He is a much in demand session
player.

11 - What's up with the carrot thing, and whose idea was it?
- SEANX68, Orange County

The image is from a 1917 German postcard that was one of a number of design ideas by Paul's brother Lee Cantelon. Lee had borrowed the card from Rickie Lee Jones. Someone from Europe had sent Rickie the card and she had it up on the wall of her kitchen. Lee has designed many album covers including Tracey Chapman (New Beginning) and Ricky Lee Jones (Naked Songs, Ghosty Head). He also took the inside sleeve photos for "This Can't Be Life".
Talented family!

12 - You seem to rely heavily on minor keys (which I prefer), and your lyrical themes are somewhat on the depressing side. Is this the result of a conscious effort, the result of unhappy incidents in your lives, or merely the direction your creativity takes you?
- Hunter, Philadelphia

The answer is - Sometimes, Maybe & Yes.
Paul loves minor keys and given the choice would probably have them in every song. In regard to the sometimes (for some) depressing nature of the lyrics, Shark says "You should hear what we leave off the albums!"
Angela had this to say...
"It's interesting, what you're feeling when you sit down to write, because when you are blissed out and happy, you've got better things to do than sit down and write lyrics/poems, etc. You'd much rather be running 'round on the beach in love!"

13 - Do you have any Celtic or Gaelic influences in your music? I have been listening to some Celtic music lately and there seems to be some similarities in your music.
JMCDOWELL

Yes, we do.

14 - Hey... I have a curiosity question. Is it worth it? Fame? I mean, your lives have probably drastically changed in the last few years... do you think you are all the "type" that is SUPPOSED to be famous. It just seems like there are some people who are supposed to change other people's lives...like you... but, what is YOUR take on it? Is fame a good thing? I always think so negatively about it...I don't ever want to be famous...so it is almost strange to hear and see so much enthusiasm about it.
- Mindy J.

No matter how popular the Wild Colonials become, admittedly they will never be as Mind Blowingly HUGE as a "Michael Jackson" or a "Madonna", their not THAT type of band and they don't do THAT type of publicity. But, here is what the band had to say on the subject...

Angela:
"Fame is good for two things, getting a table at a restaurant fast and usually you don't worry about the next paycheck but, that's it! As far as being as HUGE as Michael Jackson... you just never know!"

Shark:
"Fame for us is just an offshoot of reaching a certain level of success through music. We're musicians/songwriters first and foremost but, we do want as many people as possible to hear our music. If your only ambition in life is to be famous, then once you become famous - you will become ambitionless."

Paul:
"Fame or any influence on others is a blessing if it is used to better mankind and bring some happiness into others lives. If it is used for any other reason it is appalling! Fame should only change someone into realizing their responsibilities."

Scott:
"People can have an effect on other people's lives by living their lives to the fullest, by living in the truth. I believe by having the courage to change yourself is the most effective way to change the world, regardless of your fame. The smallest gifts may have the biggest impact. The opportunity
to share our gifts with others is the blessing I am grateful for. The more we get an opportunity to share the more grateful I am."

15 - Does Paul teach? I am this poor music major...learning Irish fiddle...but I really adore Paul's rippin' fiddle.
- Mindy Johnstone

Here is Paul to give some advice...
My playing style is actually more Arabic than Irish. But if I taught, I'd have no choice but to teach my own style. I would suggest a few things;
1) practice Arabic scales
2) listen to Arabic & Eastern European players, Klezmar players, etc.,
3) Any Gypsy violin is helpful.
And finally...
4) "Play as Roughly and as Boldly as you can without wrecking your
instrument
but, try and retain a little more bow hair than I do."

16 - I love Angela's rockin' version of "(There She Is) Miss America" that ESPN is using to promote women's basketball. Any chance of it showing up on a CD? Maybe a bonus track or fan/radio only promo?
HRP25, Greenville SC

I heard your version of "Miss America" on ESPN. Where can I get a copy of Angela singing "Miss America"?
- Lisa

There are no plans for the song to be released, sorry. Angela recorded the song/commercial for ESPN (all 65 secs of it, what you here is what was recorded). No other Wild Colonials played on the track.

Please E-mail us any questions you might have.
They will then be included in future website updates.