 What up-and-coming bands are you digging right now, and are you seeing yourselves influenced by any of them? You had mentioned the drum and bass feel coming from Lake Trout…
Ben: North Mississippi Allstars, needless to say, had a profound influence on my man over here. Not profound, maybe that's too deep, but definitely rubbed off on him. And Lake Trout, of course. Gov't Mule, too. You know, when you're a musician, you're sort of like a sponge. You absorb things around you. Even like, on the last record, "Hit the Wall," that's obviously from the Klezmers (The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, Ben's occasional side project -- Ed), you know? So, whatever we're really into at the time seems to affect the individuals in the band. And I'm sure it creeps in.
Jeff: And we try to keep it interesting for ourselves. I think one thing that comes from us touring so excessively for so long is that it would be harder for us to develop new stuff as quickly if [we just] stayed at home and practiced. You know, and just rehearsed more. So we're always looking for fresh ideas -- it's important to keep everyone happy and keep broadening our horizons. When I look back, I think we have sort of gone through phases, and you can see where different stuff comes in and goes out … it's an evolution.
Ben: I mean, Skerik, God, he was a huge influence on me. I used to hate pedals and electronics on saxophones, and after hearin' Skerik, I went out and bought as many as I could. What Jeff says is true -- you have to jump on shit that comes up when you're on the road, and you've gotta throw it in the pot right away. See how it comes out. That's like, the joy of being in a band. There's everyone's unique thing -- Stanton, of course, being a New Orleans drummer, I've got the Klezmer thing, Jeff's got the slide thing, Rich has the great organ, jazz thing. Everyone's got his little influences, and then we all come together…
 Have you ever felt that a guest detracted from a show? Not necessarily upstaging, but taking a solo and they just keep on going, and you're like, "Oooh, now…"
Ben: I've never really felt that way, 'cause when somebody does that, usually, I tend to think, more like, "Wow, what balls!" Ya know? And have, like, more respect. A short solo's sort of like, "Don't be a pussy!," ya know? It might not be the greatest solo, but still, I'd have respect for the balls it takes to do it.
Is there a big breakout moment that you're striving for -- not necessarily commercial success, but a moment where you'll feel like you've crossed over to something bigger?
Ben: I always look at that sort of on the musical tip. Like, even recently I heard a tape of the band from 1994 -- before I was in the band -- and to look back and hear yourself and say wow, we've actually changed, people are playing better, everything's gotten a little more complex, everyone's evolved, that's really the exciting part. And the success hopefully follows that, you know, it comes right behind it.
Do you see yourselves as a success?
Jeff: Yeah, definitely. All the little goals that I've always sort of set, like, "One day we're gonna pack Tip's" -- that was a big one, you know, it was like a milestone I remember -- you know, we've kind of like, hit 'em all.
Ben: To be able to play music ... for a living? I mean, give me a break! I've got the best job in the world, ya know?
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Gina Figliuolo is the Associate Web Producer (and resident funk fanatic) for www.Musicblitz.com. A self-proclaimed "live music freak," she can often be found boogying front and center, and has indeed sold her soul for rock and roll.
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