In today’s A-Z challenge, we asked Jonny Polonsky to tell us about himself with 26 fun questions!
A song that made you want to make music?
She Loves You by The Beatles. I started listening to them when I was five, they made me want to learn how to play—them and The Monkees.
Best rider you’ve had?
I like water and apples. I’m not that hard to please.
Craziest moment you’ve experienced as a musician?
Years ago, I was playing bass in Tom Morello’s band. We were doing an MC5 cover of a Chuck Berry song, with Brother Wayne Kramer on guitar and Lemmy on vocals. After the song finished, Lemmy came over to me, looked me in the eye, and gently caressed my jowl. That was a good moment.
Deepest lyrics one of your songs features?
I think that’s the listener’s job to decide what that is for them. I just crank em out.
Easiest song you wrote?
People Are Lonely, Horny, Angry and Depressed. I was sitting in my seat on a Spirit Airlines flight, and the song wrote itself in my head. Have you ever flown Spirit? You know what I mean….
Favourite song in your set?
It really depends on my mood and the mood of the crowd. Always Someone Saying Something can be a fun rave up number, with the right drummer. You need a real savage bastard for that one.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Tom Jones.
Hardest thing about being a musician?
It can be challenging being heard amongst a vast sea of noise.
Interesting fact about yourself?
I’ve never broken a bone. Although, in sixth grade, I did move out of the way just in time after Brian Donnelly took a swing at me, and he ended up breaking his arm upon hitting the table beside me. So I have broken a bone. Just not my own.
Jokes you like to tell?
I’m not a big joke blower. I do love to listen to Mitch Hedberg, Redd Foxx, LaWanda Page, Louis CK, Bill Hicks, Steve Martin, Sarah Silverman, and Patton Oswalt though.
Key to writing a song?
Usually E or A.
Longest distance you’ve traveled to play a show?
Crossing the international date line, so I guess the longest distance traveled would be THE FUTURE.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Deceased: Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan, Thelonious Monk, The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nirvana.
Living: Diamanda Galas, John Zorn, Bad Brains, Iggy Pop, Steve Vai, Jonathan Richman.
New band/artist you’d recommend?
I like Via Mardot, The Messer Chops, Mannequin Pussy, Nilufer Yanya. I love Adrienne Lenker, but she’s been around a minute.
Opening for this band/artist would be ideal?
Well…headlining would be ideal. I’ll open for the Stones. That would be cool.
Place you’d most like to tour?
Anywhere there are people excited to listen. Also Japan and Australia. But anywhere with humans really.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small minds who would rather live in the world they’ve been given, than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.” Muhammed Ali
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
It sounded cool and I knew we could make a good looking record cover.
See me live at?
My apartment.
The old days of music were better than the current, so you agree?
I’m not one to dwell in the past. I’m always looking forward to what’s coming next. However, the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s were pretty great: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, The Who, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Sex Pistols, The Slits, Black Flag, The Replacements, Pixies, Nirvana, Soundgarden… etc etc.
There’s always good stuff being made, sometimes you have to really dig deep to find it. I think modern distractions of technology, social media, and a general weltschmerz from all the madness in the world can keep people from being active and creative. And it’s not a society that values the unique thinker, or really thinkers at all.
Unusual merchandise?
The great Chicago electronic trio Pixel Grip sells rags intended for the wiping up of “intimate erotic dismissal.” I find that unusual.
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
I wouldn’t mind hearing some of my stuff rearranged in the style of Martin Denny or John Phillips Sousa.
What do your fans mean to you?
I am so deeply grateful to everyone who listens and gets something out of my stuff. I love hearing from people and hearing their stories, what place the songs have had in their lives. I find that super inspiring and incredibly touching.
X-rays or any treatments needed for performance-related injuries?
On separate occasions, I’ve chipped both of my front teeth on microphones, but I didn’t need an x-ray. I could see they were chipped with my eyeballs.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Father Time.
Zoo animal that best describes your personality?
Well, when I was a boy, I really loved bears. I always loved that they were beautiful and cute and cuddly and ferocious and life threateningly dangerous. I’m not interested in being life threateningly dangerous, but I’m not all that interested in being a bear, either. I like being a human.