JH: To start off, how long have you been working with the band?
MB: Since about January of 2001
GB: 3 years Give or take
JH: How did you become involved?
MB: I met them the spring of ‘96 at Holderness School (note- upstate New Hampshire), and introduced myself. Then again at Hamilton College, in the fall of 96. I helped them set up some gigs there. When WAWLF (Who Are We Living For- Dispatch’s fourth album release) came out in September 2000, I was job searching and they happened to be looking for someone and that’s how the magic happened
GB: My brother went to Middlebury, where the guys went to school. He was younger then they were. He was the one who introduced me to the music. Then, they were looking for help so I jumped at the chance.
JH:What made you decide to become involved with the music industry?
GB: I always had a passion for music. I had wanted to go in from the time I was in college. And Dispatch was the right time and place.
* Note- No hard feelings Burty, I didn’t ask you because you had already answered it*
JH: What did you do before becoming a part of Dispatch/ One Fell Swoop?
MB: student/traveled
GB: attorney in New York
JH: How has becoming a part of this band impacted your life?
MB: We were on the road the first 6 months I began to work for them, from Jan 01- June 01. It was wicked fun. I also now have a girlfriend I met through Dispatch, so that’s good Many experiences come out of working in the music industry, lots of positive things.
GB:* note: wants the public to know that the band HASN’T got him a girlfriend too bad Greg!* I like to see the idea of small business and turning into a big time thing. There has been major growth with the larger venues. But we’re still very much in touch with fan base. That’s what makes Dispatch unique.
JH: What is the most difficult thing about touring?
MB: Has to be either the long drives at night, or when Greg doesn’t help out with equipment
GB: Just being out on the road. It’s like, I want be home. * note- Burton was weak, geeky kind of guy with glasses when we met him. We decided he need to bulk up we make him carry everything.*- Also, with the tour bus, (note- Tour Bus’s name is Pearl, for all you curious fans out there) it’s sooo much easier. But on the management side, keeping track of everything is difficult from far away.
JH: What do you foresee for the future of Dispatch?
MB: I think the DVD will be a HUGE success. Although it’s underground, I think it will set a new standard for music DVD’s. In terms of studio work, I think they will stay independent. *note- Earth shutters as diehard fans breathe sigh of relief* There is nothing that they want out there yet. With a label you lose a lot of creative control and they don’t want to give up yet.
GB: The guys have shied away from a label. They want to do the same things that they’re doing now. With plans for some shows in summer, there will be time off. Other then that, they’re just goin’ on with business as usual.
JH: What are your 3 favorite albums to listen to? How come?
MB: #1- Dave Matthews Band- Lillywhite Sessions, (note: Burton wishes this not to sound sexual BUT) The songs are orgasmic
#2- Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker- The songs are country/southern rockish, but slow and relaxing
#3- Jack Johnson Brushfire Fairytales- I LOVE the acoustic sound.
GB: The Coldplay album R.E.M.- Fables Dave Matthews Band- UTDAD (Under the Table and Dreaming) and the Samples
JH: If you were on a desert island, what would be the only thing you couldn’t live without, and why?
MB: My acoustic guitar. It’s a Martin HD28.
GB: Water??? Probably a radio because it’d be boring without music and CD collection. *note- what, did you think Jessica would let him have a radio without a CD collection? Dude, do you LISTEN to the radio? We want him to survive, not rip his ear drums out!*
JH: What’s the strangest thing that has happened while on the road?
*note- Jessica apologizes to Russell in advance Remember, this is Burton speaking*
MB: Well, there are many strange occurrences on the road. One that sticks out in my mind was when Wimpy broke down, I think in Kansas City, MI, going to get Brad’s cousin Russell at the airport. The boys flew on a plane to wherever they were going, so it was just the crew. We could NOT get engine to start. We totally thought we were going to have to leave Wimpy there. Then Brad’s cousin Russell from Tennessee, gets off the airplane. Now my expectation was *note- DIRECT QUOTE* he would be a mullet wearing chain-smoker, but he wasn’t! So, we’re like, We can’t leave Wimpy! So Russell takes a wrench, sticks it against this bolt somewhere under the hood, and BAM! starts the engine. Magic
GB: Again, there are MANY strange things on the road. But one time we had to drive from Upstate NY to Connecticut, so the guys could do a TV interview on a local news channel. *note- Jessica wants a tape of this if anyone has it* So, someone, probably Burton, was driving all through the night. Everyone was dead tired. When I was awake, I was sitting with Chad. But, to sleep, I layed on the floor and went to sleep. 4 times during the night I woke up SUCKING on Chad’s dreds. I was deathly ill, with the nastiest cold for like 2 weeks It was gross *note- Jessica is a little freaked out by that!*
JH: What was your very first Dispatch show?
MB: When I was at Holderness, in 96.
GB: No idea but probably one at Middlebury.
JH: What have you learned about the most from being in the music business?
MB: Not all of it is the stereotype. Media portrays this sex, drugs, rock’n’roll image. But, I would guess that’d be only bigger named bands.
GB: Personalities have a lot to play with it. There’s a way to build without using the radio as a stepping stool. And bands can be very successful without it.
JH: Have you met any really cool famous people, because of being part of the band? Who?
MB: The manager of Dave Matthews Band, G Love, Natalie Portman and the youngest girl from Fresh Prince of Bel Air
GB: Dave Matthews, Bono (U2) Moby *note- When asked why Burton does not meet as many cool people, Greg replies- Burton is too busy with his girlfriend!*
JH: For Greg: How come they call you Honey?
GB: While recording WAWLF (Who Are We Living For), I said some off the wall comment to Jack, our producer. Mind you, this is in Woodstock, NY, the middle of the woods. Jack replied totally calmly, Brown, why don’t you rub some honey on your ass and go and let the bears lick you? *note-. Can’t say to much on that, other then wtf?*
In conclusion, after my interview with these crazy rabbits, I have come to a conclusion. Dispatch has the best crew ever. (Not that I know many other bands’ crews, but it’s the principle of it that matters). Not only are they SUPER awesome nice guys (and girls if there are any), but they really can connect with people. Without the crew, Dispatch would be just three guys, and not the family that it has grown to be. The crew, the band, the fans- we are all connected with one thing, a strong love for music.
Thank you Steve Bursky, Mike Burton, and Greg Brown You guys are a few of the many that make Dispatch happen.
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Note:
JH: Jes, MB: Burton, GB: Greg Brown |
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