Tony, the first show I saw you at was Boston Orpheum w/Peter Gabriel July 1980, any chance you remember it?
Well, that's a test for my ever failing memory! The Orpheum is very familiar to me (I'm from Boston) and I do remember being there with Peter - maybe a few times. But I've no recollection of any unusual events at that show.

Speaking of Gabriel, any live tours being planned?
Whew... every year around this time I fax Peter to ask what's up for the FOLLOWING summer -- we've been recording tracks for the upcoming cd for ... many years now... and I never know when he's going to finish it, release it, and tour. So, the answer this August was (exactly what it was LAST August when I asked the same question) that he won't need me for anything before next July. You'll notice that there's no useful information in that phrase, but it's all I have to offer!

What can we expect at the upcoming show in Manchester next month?
Great stuff - The music from Waters of Eden is milder than my previous progressive output, but our live versions of much of it is.. livelier! Plus we've re-united much of the early Gabriel band (Larry Fast on synth, Jerry Marotta on drums) and the band has a strong flavor of those records everyone knows. So, why not do some other material, we thought.. and we pull out a Gabriel song for an encore. THat became so popular, we added another - this one, from Genesis - Back in NYC - which we did as an encore on Peter's first solo tour. Also do a Crimson track (Elephant Talk, which features the Stick --- and, hey, in lieu of Adrian being there, I try the vocal!) This upcoming tour leg, we're going to add more material - probably Crimson's "Sleepless" and Zeppelin's "Black Dog" (with the fretless bass taking the lead.) I should also mention that our guitarist, Jesse Gress (of Todd Rungren's band) is also a dynamic player, and like the others I try to feature him on a few songs. (Larry Fast plays one of his "Synergy" pieces unaccompanied.) So it's an interesting evening for all! (especially us in the band - we have a great time.)

Are you a taper-friendly band these days?
Don't understand that question!

Some bands today allow the fans to tape and share the shows with each other, I found a lot of new music this way .What is your policy for at least your solo shows this fall? Since I know with any Crimson related project, taping is off limits!
Oh. I was thinking candles when I saw "taper." (Hey, I don't mind candles!) As for taping, though I'm not hard core against it, I generally say no when asked. I'm hoping to formulate a live double CD of the show sometime next year, and I'd like to be the only one with such a release available!

Just got a copy of the 2nd Bozzio Levin Stevens CD, some great playing on it. Any chance we will see some live shows of this and/or Liquid Tension Experiment in the future? Maybe a double bill!
Hah. Good idea! We're trying hard to get BLS out on the road - not easy with schedules, and also Steve (Stevens) is a bit reluctant to go out for long -- we're still batting it around, and my hope is that we'll do at least a little touring next year. As for LTE, I think it's unlikely we'll do more, for the simple reason that now three of the four players are in Dream Theater - so there just isn't that big a difference between the two lineups to call for more from each. Having said that, you never know in this rock field, do you!

Favorite Coffee variation?
Straight espresso, single shot (as in Italy) and very strong - is still my favorite! (I do make capuccinos, though, for my wife at home, and for Crimson out on the road.)

What's the Ugliest part of your body?
The sinews at back of my ankles. Skin rubbed raw by years of shoes, neglected by me and sometimes not even dried off after showers - surely an enlargement of an inch of this area would look like a bombed out lunar landscape. Come to think of it... maybe a photo essay of people's Achilles Heels would be.... nah, I'm too busy.

If you were able to go back in time and play with anybody you wanted who would it be?
Easy - Hendrix. If I'm allowed other choices - Miles. Incidentally, on this subject, back in my orchestral days I was lucky to have played, once, under Stravinsky - quite a thrill.

If you could play with anybody from the present who would it be?
Too many to list. Everybody I hear, who's making great music, intrigues me, and I usually want to join in on bass. Much of this music is, I should mention, world music, made outside the U.S, and way outside the radio formats that dominate our airwaves.

What's on your calendar for the next year or so?
I've got so many projects for my PapaBear Records this year, if I do half of them I'll be happy! (and of course, if I get called to tour, NOTHING gets done except making good music!) They include a photo and journal book of my 20 years in King Crimson. A solo Stick cd. A live CD of the Tony Levin Band (which you'll be seeing.) A new Papa Bear T-shirt. Papa Bear berets! (this will be very cute) A musical project involving "Pictures at an Exhibition" but with my painting some new pictures to insprire the music. A series of color lithographs of my hand-colored photos of King Crimson in the 80's... Got to re-design my web site - big landmark coming soon - it'll reach half a million visits! Oh yes, I plan on practicing a lot this year too! (All these releases, if they happen, will be available to the public through Papabear.com)

Thanks and looking forward to the show…Marco
many thanks, t.

Interview by Marcus DeCarlo
(via email October 3 and October 10, 2000)

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