Interview with Mark Boston (Rockette Morton) on the making of Trout Mask Replica

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

These interviews with the members of the TMR band are worthy of a Pulitzer Prize for outstanding journalism and scholarship. Thank you, Samuel!

[@pariaheep]

Being a lifelong Beefheart fan, I couln't agree more! Congratulations for your efforts to make these important interviews, Samuel! Also for the magical way you've analyzed the Magic Bands' music, quite a feat in itself! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤❤‍🩹❤‍🔥

[@JoeyJoJoshabado]

What!? You got all the members? Great job dude!

[@holidaytrout5174]

No Beefheart

[@elvergalarga4461]

@@holidaytrout5174 well, he is dead.

[@briansmith9455]

How on earth did all of these strange guys land in the same place at the same time? Anyone who's ever been in a band knows how hard it is to find ONE person who shares your vision. The good Captain was a lucky guy.

[@samuel_andreyev]

Unusually gifted people tend to gravitate towards each other..

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

In Liverpool they had John, Paul, George and Ringo. In Lancaster they had Captain, Zoot Horn, Rockette, Antennae Jimmy, Mascara Snake, and Drumbo.

[@Cottonmouthdotorg]

Laurel Canyon had some odd military/CIA connections, mainly through the families of the musicians

[@poppacapps5573]

It was magic.

[@elvergalarga4461]

@joe curtin you need to whip them into submission. that's the only way.

[@xingabuss2699]

Thank you so much again, Samuel! You've officially interviewed the whole Trout Mask band! This is so great.

[@-ull3972]

This album will only gain in notoriety and popularity as the years go on, and you have become an important part of it! Congrats on the vision realized!

[@samuel_andreyev]

Thanks!

[@paulbangash4317]

Once more very grateful for these magic band members , and of course the rest of your videos ✨

[@rogerdodger5415]

Thanks so much for this interview! I saw Captain Beefheart... probably around 1973. They had two bass players that night...Rockette and somebody. Maybe Roy Estrada. I didn’t recognize him at the time. I do remember that the two basses sounded like Thunder. It’s nice to see and hear him again.

[@klausrain111]

Fantastic interview, Samuel! Rockette Morton sounds like he's got some miles on him, but how cool it is to let him talk about things from his point of view. He was a very important part of some of the best music produced in the entire 20th century. Maybe 100 +/- years from now, The Captain and the Magic Band will finally be recognized by the world.

[@davissae]

If your name was Rockette Morton you probably have been on a long strange trip

[@prince13896]

It's amazing that you're doing this, man. How or why no one has talked to these guys until now is beyond me. They're all so much more approachable that I thought, each with a fascinating take on how that stuff went down. And still great, unique musical minds to pick. Love your interview style as well. If a guy mentions something in passing you'll lean into it a bit more. Good ears.

[@abanana2561]

It's so important to let these guys talk and remember things as they go, I cant wait to hear the other band members interviews, you did a great job mate.

[@FACEGRINDproductions]

How does this have under 10,000 views? These Magic Band interviews are incredibly interesting and you deserve a lot of praise for both setting them up and being a quality interviewer!

[@samuel_andreyev]

Thank you. I think the comparatively low view count is due to there not being a video component to this interview.

[@princebonnie1357]

Beefheart is only appreciated by those with the right amount of openness, appreciation and out and out taste buds to savour the inimitable brilliance of The Magic Band. As the Captain so aptly stated in the song Dirty Blue Gene , "If you've got ears /You've gotta listen"

[@hectorkidds9840]

3 years later it's at 22,000 views. People will keep finding good stuff and sharing with their friends. My dad was a huge fan, and this music is baked into me, I don't listen to it all the time, but every few years it comes back up the list.

[@LorcaLoca]

Another interview? I'm glad.

[@geddykrugerthealt-leftover2237]

You've done a great service to Octafishkind with this interviews, Sam Andreyev! Your honorary name is Avant von Troutgaard. Love, Geddy K. & the Alt-leftovers

[@klausrain111]

Listening again after a year. Almost brings tears to my eyes. I'm still blown away that all these Magic Band guys, plus the Captain and Frank Z, were from that desert area up there NE of L.A. That area's kind of a no-man's land, no offense meant to anyone. Just a brilliant job on your part, Samuel. Thanks!

[@msjoanofthearc]

My Gaawd Samuel, thank you so much for these interviews...you're the GREATEST!!!

[@seanbrennan5192]

YOU DID IT! The last infinity stone obtained

[@davidstanton1261]

Thank you again Samuel! Jah bless you Mark, you and the TMR boys all deserve much much more for the GREAT music/art you all produced! Perhaps, thankfully, the younger generations are helping to shine the proper light on the artists of our otherwise vapid "culture" Thank you gentleman!❤

[@harryzlotzlottos5715]

Congratulations Samuel on interviewing all four members of the magic band...it paints a mental image on what it must have been like back there in that spooky house..I bought the cd in 1989 and have never looked back...3of my favorite records from 1969 turn fifty -trout mask replica- hot rats-and midnight cowboy the soundtrack..well that’s all for now...keep up the good work..

[@SaccidanandaSadasiva]

(that's right, The Mascara Snake, fast and bulbous!)

[@JL-qo7cs]

Thanks for these videos. I think I've seen 3 of them now. Peaches is my favorite song of theirs.

[@DogbadTV]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK! I really enjoyed the program. Thank you for all your great work over the years. Cheers from Cottage Grove OR!

[@mykonomen]

Thank you so much for your invaluable archaeological contribution in trying to understand this mighty beast called Trout Mask. 😃 Looking forward to what you might dig up next!

[@JimCim]

I am amazed by these interviews. It is only through the band members I can get a better picture of what Don was like, and how this music came about. We get to talk with Gary Lucas on Facebook, which is great and your knowledge of the album, and music history generally makes these interviews the most interesting I have heard. Thank you Sam!

[@manifestgtr]

This dude is my favorite member of the group. That old television footage of him doing his “ministry of funny walks” dance while jamming on a telecaster is one of my favorite captain beefheart visuals.

[@Juan-wo7zu]

Is there a link to that video?

[@gillgibson4546]

@@Juan-wo7zucould well be this, live on German television kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWHHYaWpjJ6jaas Second track 'click clack'.

[@losttango]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWHHYaWpjJ6jaas From 3:27

[@snakefinger]

This is one hella of a beautiful thing you’ve done about one hella of a beautiful album.

[@samuel_andreyev]

thank you!

[@mojooftheg5961]

If I'm correct, Mark Boston used to play in a teenage combo called B.C. and the Cavemen while he lived in the Antelope Valley region of LA county, Ca. I went to high school with Zoot Horn Rollo for a short time in the mid-sixties. Weird times.

[@Syncopator]

I saw him do that bass solo bit opening the Spotlight Kid show in Long Beach at the Fox theater, on this red bass, jumping all over the stage. A group called "Daddy Cool" opened for them, and they had a slide-projector light show. When Mark started his bass solo, at one point Beefheart came out and gave the signal to stop. Turned out, they had left a slide with the text, "Daddy Cool" on it still showing on the projection screen behind the band, and Don wanted it taken off-- which they did, and then Beefheart walked offstage and Mark started again. Winged Eel Fingerling on Alice In Blunderland was also in that show.

[@Haasenpfeffer]

Syncopator I was there, also at the Bitter End West

[@cassadyfr]

thank you samuel. and the guys of course

[@skipgeorge4550]

Art Tripp next please. That would top it off completely.

[@vicente8705]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5iwlqNoZcqfnbM

[@kanacubana827]

Takes off again into the wind!

[@stephaniechochotte434]

Beans... he runs on laser beans.

[@aydnofastro-action1788]

To plant your roots firmly in the blues, and then branch out to the furthest reaches of “modern art”....never loosing sight of either one....is a profound and worthy aim. I would say “accomplishment”, but that sounds too final. They did accomplish it, but there is really no end to it.

[@seanbrennan5192]

I hope there will be a documentary about trout mask one day

[@finylvinyl66]

I saw the Captain and the Magic Band first at U of Penn around '72. Rockette came out alone to start it and it was unforgettable. The second time they were opening for Jethro Tull at the Spectrum opening for Jethro Tull. Roy Estrada ("Orejon") was on bass and the Tull fans were very rude.

[@morissmor]

I really hope for written versions of these interviews.

[@samuel_andreyev]

I think it would be worth editing them into a book and adding commentary and analysis. If a publisher were interested, I would devote the time to such a project.

[@johnatwell2753]

@@samuel_andreyev I'd buy that! Of course I know what I like, but I know nothing about the publishing world.

[@johnstallings4049]

@@samuel_andreyev U are the ONLY one whose book I'd actually buy immediately

[@joshbolton5624]

High high Holy Holy!!! Thank you!! I love all these magic band interviews but this cat takes the cake!!😂 God bless you Mark!!! That's the exact same approach I take to my Bass!!

[@saraondo2698]

"Threnody for Frank Zappa" "She dances in the wind " thanks Mark Boston. Ask him about the ground breaking voicings, Monster chords. Impossible rythmns. Living in captivity in the trailer starving,stir crazy, berated by the captain...

[@babar_gingivitis]

I've always loved Frank Zappa's Bongo Fury which has Captian Beefheart all over it. I'm excited to delve into Beefheart's stuff after this interview.

[@TheRiotguitar]

@44:55 "sound like a controlled train wreck"- what a great way to describe it haha

[@johnstallings4049]

U are the best interviewer EVER! 👊

[@billshute61]

Thanks!

[@daverigby23]

Wow, just uploaded

[@jacksonlevine9236]

Now we won't have to worry about Rockette Morton with any of those girls

[@Justdon-s2s]

Why not? At 75, with a pacemaker, I still watch him around my wife 😅

[@bhhNC]

Great addition to your MB video canon. :)

[@xXDimistreoXx]

Amazing! How is it that you're able to do all this? What do you run on Samuel Andreyev? (don't say beans)

[@samuel_andreyev]

I run on Patreon and Donorbox contributions, without which this channel would not exist. And those who are looking for other ways to support my work can subscribe and/or like my videos.

[@xXDimistreoXx]

Also buy his CD (Music with No Edges) it's really good :)

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you.

[@yared8771]

Hi Samuel, l really appreciate your interviewing skills. It will be really interesting if you could arrange an interview with Britt Walford (or Brian McMahan) of Slint. Thanks for your high quality work

[@samuel_andreyev]

I like Slint and enjoy Spiderland. Thanks for the comment.

[@anthonybowers7571]

Nice one Samuel !

[@nicolafiorillo4048]

Thank you for this interviews. Will you ever host the likes of Doug Moon, or other early members of The Magic Band? I feel like more insight on methodology during the early years of the band is still needed. How were the song composed?

[@samuel_andreyev]

I’d love to talk to Doug

[@charleswinokoor6023]

The interviewer is a great guy and does a great job as an interviewer. And I think it’s obvious that he’s Canadian. I also watched the interview with Art Tripp. But it’s still not clear to me how those early band members created the musical prototype for what was to follow. Everyone says Beefheart was musically illiterate and spoke in riddles, so who was really responsible for creating the songs on Trout Mask and Decals?

[@samuel_andreyev]

It's probably best viewed as a group effort

[@Syncopator]

One thing I wish had been asked (and maybe it was on one of the other interviews, I'm still watching them), is about the outfits they were wearing on the album (and in some of their concerts). I always thought they looked pretty "beatnik" but was wondering if Don had any say in what they were wearing. I do know that Bill was often wearing a jacket that was he said was once owned by Errol Flynn.

[@massbrucelee4]

Beautiful!! very greatful.

[@Haasenpfeffer]

He had a double neck Danelectro and a huge Amp

[@k-chill8428]

Finally!

[@TiagoLageira]

Awesome!

[@skipgeorge4550]

Thanks so much

[@presence5426]

Goosesteppin' Mark!

[@ananasasjenkins881]

I'm curious - if Don himself was still alive, would you try to interview him as well?

[@davidwilliams7935]

Really?

[@carlogiacon8894]

Oh my god its here

[@rikipele]

Charming ! ״ and...״🎶🎵

[@davidmullin9045]

Marks dad played steel guitar

[@Justdon-s2s]

I hope Mark got some money out of this. He never got much money out of Don and , you know, he could really use it now. Nicest guy I know…humble as all get out.

[@petermaxwell2965]

Rocket Morton ..🚀👽🔭🌀

[@harryk6807]

Great interview! Would you consider doing an episode about Spectral music? Lately, I’ve been interested in music by Grisey, Murail and friends. As far as I’m aware, there are extremely few videos on KZbin which explore this style in great detail. Keep up the stellar work! Your videos have helped me to appreciate Contemporary Music.

[@samuel_andreyev]

I've already filmed two videos dealing with spectralism in one way or another. Check back on the weekend :)

[@nostealthebucket9009]

Woah! Is that a casio sk1 drum loop in the intro?

[@samuel_andreyev]

Yes

[@nostealthebucket9009]

@@samuel_andreyev Nice! I circuit bent one a while back, thought it sounded familiar. love the channel btw!

[@samuel_andreyev]

Thanks! I have the entire line of SK keyboards, some in multiple copies. I've used the SK1 in three of my pieces so far. It's a very good instrument.

[@nostealthebucket9009]

​@@samuel_andreyev Nice! The sounds are really tough to beat, not to mention the sampling...

[@jamesoconnell7443]

Am I seeing a 5 string bass here in this still frame?

[@Justdon-s2s]

5 string yes…last time I saw Mark it was in the back of his truck. It’s for sale if you want it. He’ll even sign it for you…let me know bro

[@yaarge2]

Would love to hear drum and bass isolations of TMR, LMDOB etc... as intricate interplay as the guitars. Thanks for posting Mr A.

[@the_most_ever_company]

I have transcriptions of the instrumentals from 12 tracks off of TMR and 1 from LMDOB on my channel, and the bass & drum parts are included

[@yaarge2]

@@the_most_ever_company Thanks..I have watched them repeatedly, amazing transcription skills. Maybe one day you could put up a drum and bass reduction?

[@the_most_ever_company]

@@yaarge2 Thanks... I'm thinking of making the raw MIDI and PDFs available at some point on our website... it'll take a bit of work, but that oughtta get you what you're looking for. Plus, live covers. Maybe it 10 years or something (or sooner if someone can fund it!) a rendition of the entire album, reconstructed live...

[@yaarge2]

@@the_most_ever_company Raw MIDIs would be fantastic..I am endlessly fascinated at how these tracks come together. Please bring live covers project to London if it happens..

[@ambrosepottie]

There are isolated tracks of most or all of the instruments for a number of songs on LMDOB. They've been around for years.

[@billhannaford4488]

I wonder how long he and Laurie Stone (Don's ex) stayed together or what happened to her?

[@daverigby23]

Does he wear solar flares ? Probably

[@piperian3962]

What do you run on Rocket Morton? (Say beans)

[@goatuscrow4135]

What do you run on?

[@samuel_andreyev]

Patreon and Donorbox support.

[@OutRAjious]

beans.... moon beans

[@sebastianzaczek]

Feet

[@saraondo2698]

Being famous and not rich was Jimmy Carl Black biggest problem.

[@dennismason3740]

Gee, KZbin and a impoverished musician. What could possibly happen to turn the dude's life around. At least he's eating whilst thousands of street folk are literally starving to death. I'm a decade behind the Magic Band, I play, I write, I perform, I weigh 109 pounds and now I sure don't want to feel this way before I die. I know what I play, no money? I know what I play. Go vegan!

[@markbrown1609]

its a blimp!

[@mchorchos]

subtitles would be helpful.

[@davejoe2592]

What about the Mascara Snake?

[@samuel_andreyev]

besides the fact that his contribution was minimal at best, he is deceased.

[@samuel_andreyev]

he was a good painter, though.

[@davejoe2592]

@@samuel_andreyev Yes, I read that he passed last December so no chance of that interview. Thank you so much for the others Samuel. I got my copy of Trout Mask in 1982 at the age of 14 and have loved it ever since. Your interviews have given me a new perspective on this album. I just finished your interview with Jeff Cotton and will likely watch it again as it was amazing. Thank you again.

[@samuel_andreyev]

@@davejoe2592 It's my pleasure, I'm glad you liked the interviews. Best wishes.

[@bobburroughs6241]

Shame about audio only.

[@ianmacleod6571]

What do you run on Rockette Morton ?

[@hirofan]

Ian he runs on beans 😆

[@YorkyOne]

@@hirofan Better than that, he runs on laser beans!

[@hirofan]

Ha! His bass playing is so intricate so complex amazing musician

[@Justdon-s2s]

Truth be known…he runs on cannabis!

[@felixdevilliers1]

My response will not be popular. In the interview I kept moving on the red line in the hopes of hearing some of his music. I looked him up on Google. In the first video he repeated his name over and over again and there were some amorphous sounds in the background. In the next bass solo video he kept striking the same primitive chords and phrases over and over again with little variation. The next piece 'black hole blues" was somewhat but not much better. Samuel, you are a better musician than me, but I can't understand what you are hearing. I die of boredom after a few phrases.Give me some articulate Schoenberg any day and Alban Berg whose music I really love. He goes into the depths of our beings.

[@suereed]

I think it would be fair to Mr.Boston and Mr.Andreyev to say we're not really here to listen to anyone's music. It's not that your response will be seen as unpopular, it will be more seen as lacking accuracy. The bass player in an normal band has traditionally the least arresting musical contribution. Strangely in the light of your critic of Mr.Boston, he was one of the exceptions to this rule of thumb. As far as I am aware, I, never heard chords being played by a bass player before, if he wasn't the first, he was the second. Please listen to the earlier works he contributed to as I'm sure you might be mildly astounded by his style and skill, which surely rank with any of Alban Berg's basslines. Best wishes.

[@josephtravers777]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fLmXVvqcp7p7c

[@felixdevilliers1]

@@JossWainwright - I have tried to listen to the videos you suggested.. I have to switch off after one or two minutes of excruciating boredom. The same kinds of automated chords struck repeatedly from one piece to the next. What we need is a piece of Andreyev analysis to show what he admires in this music.

[@felixdevilliers1]

@@JossWainwright / No I was hoping for someone to to convince me of why they like that music. Andreyev is anything but a dumbcluck and his choices have to be taken seriously, but, I can-t help it, I hate the gibberish. Magic Band, my foot.

[@abelashes2676]

You do know you weren't listening to Mark Boston on the first track you listened to right? You were listening to a band from England called Nurse With Wound that sampled a bit a talking dialogue from Trout Mask Replica. That track does not have Mark Boston playing on it he had nothing to do with it.