Phobiac and I accosted JMJ after the L.A. Beck show last night - we had fun pumping him for scarce Robot info as well as posing for a David LaChapelle-esque photo taken by Beck.com's own Lazybeth.

Here's what we got:
1) The new stuff is evolving beyond the demos. JMJ describes the new songs as being "more theatrical" than the demos. However, when we expressed our love for the old (well, relatively) classics like Philosophee and Let's Talk Turkey, JMJ assured us that some of those will make it to the new album.

2) Sadly, Drac's number 3 favorite song, Apples, is going to be a B-side.

3) Joey Waronker is going to do some studio drumming for the band - they've been on the hunt for a while now, and Joey's style is apparently kickass and fits the Robot style like a nice pair of Underalls. When asked about the type of drummer they are looking for, Justin replied that they want Animal (I assume Animal from the Muppets) or at least someone that nutso who also has "great time." Precision is one of IMA Robot's best qualities, I can see how having the right drummer is more key almost than having a good producer at this stage...

4) Speaking of producers, they are still interviewing them, they will meet with more on the New York trip.

5) Perhaps the best news of all - they'll be playing three or four L.A. shows (with a bonus Anaheim appearance) prior to recording the album, ostensibly to test the songs out on an audience before putting them all down. Spaceland and The Smell were mentioned as venues on the list. Spaceland I've been to, I think The Smell is in downtown L.A. Anyone? Also, it looks like Joey will be drumming during these October appearances.

6) Alex is doing well. I don’t know why I asked this, it’s not like I hope Ollie has appendicitis or anything.

As always, we’ll let you know more when we hear anything.



[Edited on 8-31-2002 by draconian]

So where's the picture?

Word on the street is that the shutter was indeed closed during this historic moment--fate once again foils me.

Ouch!

Typical Beth subterfuge... she got the pic just fine, but god only knows what her plans for it are. We can only imagine how it fits into her quest for world domination.

No no no, the planets were in alignment and one of the shots came off. LazyB is about to post it...

JMJ and Phobiac made the cut, I am in the periphery gesticulating wildly but out of frame.

Okay here it is:


[Edited on 4-9-2002 by Phobiac]

Sorry--I left for the commute home. Hey, you can see Justin's hair! (Well, a little...)

A little highlight on the hair. My mohawk isn't showing either.

How'd he get that glowing fireball to balance on his finger!

Worst picture of me ever and wouldn't you know it'd have Beck in it:

Beck looks really facinated with you left ear. Was something coming out of it?

Ok..did you see the pics of me that lazy put up? Those are awful!! And there's one where it looks like I'm laughing and Beck isn't even looking at me..Man..I feel like a tool..:D

Beth's camera is evil. It's like something out of a Stephen King novel. It makes me look like a stroke victim and Poobs look like Tina Yothers.

From *MY* camera:

Look how beautiful Poobs is:


Separated at birth:

Awww..Stop!! You are too nice..Wait..TINA YOTHERS!!!!:D:D:D

You do kinda resemble La Yothers, only without the five-pound bangs hanging down her forehead.

Curse you, draconian!!:o:D:D