A Conversation with The Moore Brothers (continued)

PM: I always like to know if my subjects have read anything fun or compelling lately.

TM: Well, let's see, what am I reading? Right now I'm kind of getting interested in California painters of the 19th century and early 20th century. So I'm reading little art books a lot these days.

PM: A true historian.

TM: Yeah. I'm a history nut. I'm actually taking a summer break. I read so much during the year. I'm reading Edgar Allen Poe stories and kicking back. Nothing too difficult.

PM: Right. Are you listening to anything special?

TM: These days, well, the Jackie DeShannon reissues are out. She's one of my favorites. Do you know her?

PM: Oh, sure.

TM: I'm a big fan of her. I've been listening to her. Let's see. No, I can't think of anything that's--all my records are still in storage, so I've pretty much been poor and listening to some of my old things. Greg played me the Scritti Politti. I'm sure he can tell you about that.

PM: Scritti Politti is still around?

TM: Scritti Polliti just made a new CD that Greg played for me. It's really great.

PM: Oh, my God, I haven't heard them in twenty years.

TM: Right. Well, you'll have to ask Greg about that one.

PM: Damn. But yeah, I loved that band.

TM: Let's see... Biff Rose? Do you know Biff Rose?

PM: Yeah. Now, is he really staying--

TM: Yes, he's staying at our old house right now. We just went to the museum with him today.

PM: What kind of a cat is he? I mean, I remember listening to Biff--I don't want to say "in the day," but sometime ago.

TM: Yeah, he's probably just like you'd expect, kind of a beatnik.

PM: Yeah.

TM: Real funny and real loud and real zany, and genius-like.

PM: Yeah. How do you guys happen to know each other?

TM: I recognized him in a crowd in New Orleans when I was visiting. He said I'm one of the only people who's ever done that.

PM: Wow!

TM: I said, "I'm a huge fan." And we became pen pals over the computer. I convinced Runt, our label, to reissue his first two.

PM: Amazing, what a cool thing to have done.

TM: Yeah. And then I got to write the liner notes, so I started talking to him. And then Katrina came, and he moved out here.

PM: Wow.

TM: So yeah, it's been really fun.

PM: So is he still gigging?

TM: He gigs. He's played two gigs with us and another two or three around California within the last year. And he's done one in New York. He plays if someone sets up a show. He doesn't bother trying to book anything.

PM: Yeah, a great artist, Biff Rose.

TM: Oh, yeah, I love him.

PM: So are you--or if you'll speak for Greg--are either of the brothers spiritually inclined in any way?

TM: I would say no, on the spiritually. We grew up Episcopalian, but we both wandered from the fold.

PM: Yeah, right, as we do. But not into any other fold?

TM: No. No, just rock 'n' roll.

PM: [laughs] And are you both still single?

TM: Both have girlfriends.

PM: Well, cool. Well, I think I'm running out of the questions that I had, Thom. It's always interesting when someone sounds and kind of feels just like you thought they would, and that's the experience I'm having here.

TM: Thanks, Frank. Well, I hope we get to meet sometime.

[During the conversation, Greg arrived, so I spoke a little with him.]

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