MM’s 5:1 Interview No 14: Coke Weed

Mad Mackerel 5:1 Coke Weed

Somehow we missed the release of Back To Soft this summer, the third long player from Bar Harbor’s Coke Weed.

It follows the release of two outstanding albums in Nice Dreams and Volume One. But, if anything, this one is even better – a woozy, narcoleptic trip through the realms of psychedelia, indie rock and hazy Americana. Reference points range from classic Velvets style underground to Smog and Galaxie 500’s languid slow burn. Underpinning it all is Nina D.’s gorgeous, off-kilter vocals that are as seductive as they are hypnotic.

Since we got our copy it has been if pretty constant rotation and tracks like Manchester and Sunseekers rank among the very best tunes they’ve given us. You can buy a copy (and the other two records) from their website here.

We asked Milan McAlevey from the band to take our Five to One Interview challenge. He did us proud.

Five words to describe your music: coke weed back to soft
Adult, Groover, Awesome guitars, Hypnotic, Sexy voice

One book you’d recommend to an alien:
The Wapshot Chronicle by John Cheever

Five bands (or albums) that have most influenced you:
There’s a Riot Going On by Sly and the Family Stone
Playing It Cool by Keith Hudson
Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones
Cowboy In Sweden by Lee Hazelwood
Conspicuous Only In Its Absence by the Great Society

One moment in time you’d like to have witnessed:
Well, I guess I’d like to have been at the Band’s Big Pink sessions because I could have played all the guitar better/cooler than Robbie Robertson

Five people (living or dead) you’d love to share a stage-jam with:
Brad Paisley
John Entwistle
Brian Eno
Drummer from ZZ Top cover band
Ian Curtis

One biggest regret in your career (to date):
Not working hard enough when I was younger

Five things on your perfect rider:
Chipotle
Ice cold fizzy water
Scarves or panchos
Makers Mark Bourbon
Little china town slippers, known colloquially as Mowglis or Gayrods

One hour to live – who would you spend it with, and why?:
Nina D. because she is the funniest person I know

Five Perfect Songs:
Grimly Forming by The Great Society
Got A Feeling by the Mamas and the Papas
N.I.B. by Black Sabbath
Hot and Cold Skulls by Royal Trux
Summer Wine by Nancy & Lee

One song of yours that you’d most like to be played in 50 years time:
One song from each Coke Weed album: Not My Old Man, Jimmy and Sunseekers