Ben Kweller Takes the Facebook Survey

Even before he could legally buy himself a shot of something good at his local Texas saloon, Ben Kweller was a veteran of the music business. I first saw him when he was 16 with bleach-blond hair and decked out in ripped jeans. At the time, he was fronting the power-punk band Radish and singing about the travails of high school. They were so cool: signed to Mercury records, played on MTV, appearing on Conan and Letterman, and opening for Faith No More. But despite their pop appeal -- and perhaps aided by constant comparisons to fellow wunderkinds Silverchair -- the records didn't sell, and Radish eventually parted ways. Kweller rebounded by touring with Evan Dando, Jeff Tweedy, and Juliana Hatfield, later signing to Dave Matthews's ATO records. Today, still not three decades old but with a wife, child, and three full-length solo albums under his belt, he's ready to release another solo effort.

Called Changing Horses and slated for a January 2009 release, the album effortlessly delves into Kweller’s country roots without losing the upbeat quirkiness that endears him to fans. He plays a sold-out preview show tonight at Bowery Ballroom, but first the ex-Brooklynite took some time to answer our super-not-patented Facebook questionnaire.

Have you ever seen a dead body?
Yes.

What should we do with stupid people?
Educate them.

How long do you think you will live?
I don’t know. I have a family to live for, I don’t wanna die. 

What was the first thing you did this morning?
Had sex.

The color of carpet in your room?
Bedroom on the bus has wood floors. Hotel room has winter green. My cottage in Austin (that I miss) has white.

Last person(s) you went out to dinner with?
My wife Liz and our son Dorian .

Are you spoiled?
Very. But I’ve worked very hard.

Do you drink lots of water
Usually, yes. On this tour, no. Too much booze and energy drinks. 

What toothpaste do you use?
The best ever: Weleda salt toothpaste. You’ll never find a fresher brush.

How do you vent your anger?
Through singing and yelling.

The last compliment you received?
“I love you.”

What are you doing this weekend?
Going to Kerry’s wedding.

When was the last time you threw up?
I think one year ago. Caught some bug. Sucked. Fluorescent yellow bile puke ... Check MySpace blog for details.

Is your best friend a virgin?
No. Dorian’s only 2.

What theme does your room have?
Bohemian dark red gypsy romantic mysterious ...

When was the last time you were at a party?
Last night.

Are you a mama’s child or a daddy’s child?
Been both at different times in my life. 

Would you ever join the military?
Not at this point in my life. If I didn’t have music when I was younger, it might’ve been on the list of things to try. Sounded fun—the structure and discipline—two things I don’t have except towards music.

The last website you visited?
Google search: “BlackBook interview”.

Who was the last person you took a picture with?
Two people I don’t know.

Last person you went to the movies with?
Lizzy.

What did you do/will you do for your birthday this year?
Don’t know. Hopefully nothing major.

Number of layers on your bed?
Depends on season. Usually three: Fitted, flat, comforter.

Is anything alive in your room?
Two other humans, one feline.

Today, would you rather go back a week or go forward a week?
Go back for sure.

What are you looking forward to right now?
Young people getting out and voting for Barack Obama.


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