The Residents
Called "The World's Most Famous Unknown Band," San Francisco's eyeball-headed purveyors of the bizarre, the Residents have somehow retained their anonymity while remaining one of the most visually unique and easily recognized bands in the world. In the world of the Residents, dada nursery rhymes are told in haunting detail, with hypnotic, frequently disturbing keyboards and psychedelic guitars providing support. Now in its fourth decade, the group recently finished its latest CD, Demons Dance Alone. This month, they’re venturing out on a national tour, with Atlanta as their only scheduled stop in the Southeast. In accordance with their strict desire to remain anonymous, the Residents refuse to give interviews. But “spokesman” Hardy Fox was happy to respond by e-mail to our questions.
CL: Do many people ask you if you're really one of the Residents?
HF: The Residents consider all who participate in a project to be "Residents," so I guess I am on the temp list. They believe their work is driven by all who define it — down to publicists, crew and bus driver.
How many generations are involved in the Residents right now?
You mean, what are the ages of Residents? We don't give out personal information, nor [do we] really understand how that affects the art. It is sort of like asking what is someone's favorite color.
The music on your new CD seems to have a lighter tone to it. Is this the kinder, gentler Residents?
I just did an interview where the person asked me why the new album was so dark. I guess all I can say is that the album can be interpreted in many ways. I think that the opening poem from Robert Graves sets such a dark tone that it colors the album in the direction of darkness. The light version you see is probably based on the idea that we each manage to coexist with our demons — and that is a positive note.
There seems to be much less of the traditional male vocals and more of Molly Harvey. Why the shift? Also, has there always been only one male vocalist?
There have been other singers, but this one has always been the primary. And there have always been female voices to balance his sound, but Molly is getting more leads because the Residents are enjoying writing for the female voice.
Will the Demons Dance Alone tour be more of a stage production, as opposed to more of a concert setting?
DDA is a more normal REZ show — which, in this case, means theatrical. [Last year's] Icky Flix tour was designed to be a video tour with the band playing a minor role.
During the Icky Flix tour, I noticed a Resident playing a sort of electronic xylophone of sorts. What exactly is that thing?
Marimba Lumina. It is an electronic device with radio transmitters in the mallets, and receivers in each key. Wild stuff.
What about the rest of the equipment? Have the Residents completely modernized their setup, or do they still occasionally break out some analog gadgetry?
As usual, there is a guitar used (though [it's] processed digitally), and even some electric bass, accordion and melodica — lots of higher-tech stuff, too. The Residents use whatever suits them, as their manifesto doesn't restrict sound sources.
Where do the Residents see themselves in the current fashion/image-dominated music industry?
The Residents don't participate in that world or really understand why any self-respecting artist would want to.
How would the Residents describe their music?
I think it is the only music made in America worth listening to. They pay me to say that.
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The Residents perform Mon., Nov. 11, at the Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. $25. 8 p.m. 404-421-1786. www.variety-playhouse.com.??