Tinted Windows Pyramid Power
07/24/09 3:37pm
by Trevor Morelli (CHARTattack)
Eleven or so years ago, few people would've been able to picture Taylor Hanson and James Iha working together. Hanson's Middle Of Nowhere debut was rocketing up the charts, while Iha was getting on with his post-Smashing Pumpkins life with his Let It Come Down solo record.
But now the musical landscape has changed. In a world where rappers often collaborate with country stars, the combination of Hanson and Iha doesn't seem so surprising. Not only do they have many mutual friends, but they also share a desire to work with new people and continue growing as artists.
CHARTattack recently had a chance to speak with both Hanson and Iha over the phone in the middle of their hectic U.S. tour. They're excited about their new Tinted Windows project, which is all about making hook-filled guitar songs that stick in your head.
ChartAttack: Where did the name "Tinted Windows" come from and why did it stick?
Taylor Hanson: It came up as a joke initially, and I actually always thought it stood out. It always seemed to me like it would look good in neon or on a flashing billboard. Adam [Schlesinger, bass] thinks it looks like some cover band you'd see on the Jersey shore. You know, "C'mon down! $5 cover, cheap hot wings!"
Obviously, you guys are all accomplished touring musicians. Is there anywhere in the world that you actually haven't played that you still want to get to?
James Iha: I haven't played in China or the Middle East.
TH: I've played in China and it's pretty crazy. I'd like to play in the Middle East, but this might not be the best time, showing up with an American flag on your back. I've always wanted to go to Cairo.
JI: Yeah, I've always wanted to rock out in a pyramid, too.
Tell us something strange or interesting that's happened on your tour so far.
TH: I don't know if anything really strange has happened. You have those Spinal Tap moments where you're wandering backstage and it smells like stale beer. You're in these random cities and we've had these little funny moments with our other bands, but when you have them as a collective, they're still funny.
Did you guys feel vulnerable playing your first gig together onstage?
TH: Not vulnerable, but just more anxious because you're starting from scratch. It's kinda cool to walk onstage and try to prove something. I really enjoy that element of the band.
James, Tinted Windows' sound is a lot different than your previous bands (Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle). Do you think some of your fans will see this as "selling out"?
JH: Oh, I'm sure they will. I'm sure there are people that are fans of our other bands that just want us to stay in those other bands and never do anything else.
Speaking of, is Fucking Virgins still happening?
JH: No, that never really happened. I've been friends will Melissa [Auf Der Maur, former bassist] from the Pumpkins and we've been friendly with Ryan [Adams]. I don't know how it got out or who actually told anybody we were doing a record. It was actually around the time Ryan broke his arm or his wrist or something like that. But that was never a band.
So what are you guys actually listening to these days?
TH: I'm listening to We Are Scientists, which is cool. Chester French is kind of a cool band. It's weird when you're a musician. You don't really have time to check out all of the new bands and stuff you want to.
JH: I'm probably like your average iPod listener. Mostly all sorts of stuff. I do like the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record, though. I listen to a lot of different things.
You guys appeared on David Letterman earlier this year. What can people expect from Tinted Windows in the near future? More TV gigs?
TH: Probably a couple more TV appearances later on. We'll be in Japan this year and we'll be doing a European run. We try to find pockets where we can all get together, you know, a week here, a week there. We don't have any other TV appearances booked right now, but stuff is definitely coming down the pipe.
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