Brendan Benson
What's on your rider?Lots of wine.
What would be on your fantasy rider?More wine.
What's your pre-gig ritual/ routine?Drinking wine.
What's the best gig you've been to?That's a tough one. I've seen a lot of good gigs. When I was younger I saw Nirvana play a small club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That was fun.
What are your favourite and least favourite venues?I really like playing The Basement in Nashville. When you get into middle America, the venues can get a little funky. A clean toilet is all I ask for!
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?In my mind, it was Ronnie Wood. Mick Jagger was there, as well, but I'm a bigger fan of Ron.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?Too many to list.
What's your crowd-pleasing number?I need to get one of those. Ha! Probably What I'm Looking For.
Chatting between songs – good or bad?Depends on the chat. I don't like it when musicians feel the need to be comics – as reflected here in this interview.
Groupies. Would you?Be one? Or have one? Neither. Not anymore.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?I've got some lucky socks, but otherwise, no (unless it's a Raconteurs gig).
Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?I like to meet the cool ones. Problem is, you never know until it's too late and their talons are so deeply sunk in that you have to gnaw your own arm off to get away.
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?A bottle. That hurts!
Who's invited to your aftershow party?My wife and son.
What's your best tour story?Too many to mention. Suffice to say I'm lucky to have always toured with the finest, and I'm blessed to have so many fond memories. Someday I'll tell my son all about my adventures – if dementia doesn't set in first.
In conversation with
Tony Clayton-Lea
. Brendan Benson plays Warrenpoint, Co Down on Tuesday; Dundalk, Co Louth on Wednesday; and Cavan on Thursday
