Kevin Bronson on November 18th, 2008

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If the Henry Clay People and Nico Stai have a sense of humor (and they might), each ought to play a cover song tonight at the second installment of Indie 103.1’s Check One Twosdays at the Echoplex. The Henry Clays could play a Neil Young tune, and Nico Stai one by Wilco — as a little poke in the ribs to local quintet Everest, the headliners, who are on a break from tour duty opening for those very acts, Young and Wilco.

Seems like only this spring Everest was playing local shows like tonight’s, releasing its debut album “Ghost Notes” on Young’s Vapor Records and talking with some anxiety about doing some tour dates with My Morning Jacket. Now, they are warming up big crowds for Wilco and Young. As the Echoplex show approached, I caught up with Everest’s three axemen and asked just one question:

What’s the one vital lesson you’ve learned by touring with Neil Young?

Russell Pollard, singer-guitarist: The one thing I’ve learned from being on tour with Neil Young is a deep, spiritual truth — a lesson that has revealed itself to me after years of listening to his records, reading interviews, seeing him perform and … finally, going on tour with him. Down the winding roads, through the trees, under dusty wooden lids of mystic boxes hidden in the mountain, after holding in the sweet smoke and following the broken arrows, this is the one thing I’ve learned on tour with Neil Young: I’ll never be as bad-ass as him … ever.”

J. Soda, guitarist: “I learned that just because there’s catering, that doesn’t mean you should eat dessert at every meal.”

Joel Graves, guitarist: “Rubber stages are good for your feet and your ears.”

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Additionally: Web In Front talks to Russell Pollard, You Set the Scene with Joel Graves.

Photo of Graves, Pollard and Soda in Paris by Zoran Orlic