Recently Cody Sokolski, lead singer and guitarist for Champaign, Illinois’ Delta Kings, had the pleasure of sitting down with CU-Music-Schmusic’s Paul Barrel and Tommy Sedseaux.
The conversation went a little like this:
Paul Barrel: Hey Cody. I understand you play in a band?! Please provide a brief history ... how/when did it start, list the various players over the years, blah, blah, blah.
Cody Solkolski: Terry Hawkins (drums and backing vocals), Bill Humphrey (bass), me (lead vocals, guitar, songs) – we’ve been together for over 16 years and now; Matt Stewart (anything with strings on it and backing vocals).
Tommy Sedseaux: Is it true Blind Lemon Pie is responsible for all of your songs of the Delta?
Solkolski: Actually, Bill taught him the blues.
Sedseaux: How annoyed were you that time Don Gerard asked for the chords to "Mustang Sally"?
Solkolski: Mildly. I have a love-hate relationship with the song. And besides, Don should know them. Don, if you’re reading this, I’m disappointed; now go write the lyrics seven times and remember, neatness counts.
Barrel: Out of all the bands you've played with, which one was the most memorable? It was playing with Dick Justice at the Blind Pig in 1993, right?! Were those guys the dreamiest, or is it just me?
Solkolski: They were dreamy, especially their Rick-toting bassist … tall, dark and handsome. Is he still available? We love the outdoor shows in summer.
Sedseaux: What was your favorite song Captain Corndog performed?
Solkolski: “Till the End of The Day” or that tune from the first Joe Jackson LP.
Barrel: 4 Chords and the Truth is your seventh release ... what sets the new album apart from the others?
Solkolski: Big stylistic shift. Songwriting featuring more chords and a tremendous amount of effort went into the lyrics, as well as the arrangements. We’ve enjoyed being a regional rockin’ blues band with an occasional twang, but ultimately, we just evolved when Kenny (McNichols) left. But that earlier discipline was a helluva good teacher for writing economically. However, with Kenny’s decision to move on, we became a three-piece for the first year, and we came to realize two things: firstly, we enjoyed a slightly more involved and complex compositional framework, and two, because of 17-plus years playing in the roadhouses and bars, we didn’t have to worry too much about the change because everything came out with a beat and a groove.
Barrel: Is the title 4 Chords and the Truth altered enough so that you don't have to give Bono royalties?
Solkolski: That guy has been coasting on our ideas for years. And besides, the original quote came from Harlan Howard, the legendary country writer from Nashville.
Sedseaux: I thought that was Woody Guthrie…Phil Ochs?
Solkolski: Lost me on that one, but it is a shame that Ochs committed suicide.
Barrel: What drives the Delta Kings to stay together and keep recording and releasing material?
Solkolski: The million dollar question. I don’t know for certain. We have no delusions whatsoever about fame or imminent pop stardom. We are too old and not too pretty, save maybe Terry. I think that we appreciate the dictum that anything worth doing is worth doing well. We do kick butt rhythmically. And, we do keep evolving, and that makes it interesting for us. I mean, it takes some confidence and conviction to be a middle-aged rock’n’roller and go out on stage when you don’t have a natural constituency anymore. You have to build your fan base on the quality or interest in the work and almost on a person-by-person basis. We are not trendy, but we are committed, and we are good at what we do. And, we constantly improve. And, I swear, I think the material matters. Even the funny songs.
Sedseaux: Hey, don’t you people have jobs?
Solkolski: Agonizingly so. Except for Matt who gives guitar lessons and does sessions, the rest of us have jobs and families. Getting into the van on Friday night takes a strong and clear sense of mission and purpose.
Barrel: Is Cynthia Plaster Caster a gentle touch?
Solkolski: Going up, for sure, but coming off, well you better hope that she is careful with that saw.
Sedseaux: I think Annie Sprinkle was on the UI Quad yesterday. I shit you not.
Solkolski: Awesome. Did she mention my name?
Barrel: Rumor has it you offed Brian Jones in 1969 - true?
Solkolski: Hell no, I tried to save him, but he was hell-bent on destruction.
Barrel: How about Hendrix - ever any grudges?
Solkolski: No, actually, he was incredibly nice and friendly when I met him. And that night’s show (which was his very first gig after returning from England) in Central Park was one of the most amazing mind-blowing shows that I ever witnessed.
Sedseaux: And more importantly, were you aware Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” was not a reference to the year (as he would’ve only been nine-and-a-half-years old)?
Solkolski: I always thought that “Summer Of '69” revealed him to be who he really was; ultimately not only was he a lightweight one-man Foreigner, but a craftsman and not an artist. Of course, whatever I thought did not seem to hold him back from being huge.
Barrel: Why Champaign?
Solkolski: I wanted to live in America instead of New York City. Now, these days, I’m not so sure.
Sedseaux: And…How ‘bout us?
Solkolski: Funny you should mention that. Rena Day and I work together, and she has sung on our last two records. Also, I write songs with Rocky Maffit. Am I connected or what?
Barrel: Any rock stars ever see you naked, besides Joan Jett?
Solkolski: Not that I recall at this point in time, your honours.
Sedseaux: You were naked when you saw Joan Jett?
Solkolski: Well, I had a bath towel on.
Barrel: Is it true that Handsome Dick Manitoba is neither handsome nor a dick [Sedseaux: … or Canadian]? [Editor’s note: Cody played in the seminal NY punk band The Dictators with Handsome Dick]
Solkolski: Aren’t we all. Not a dick at all, definitely a rock’n’roll lifer and by the way, if ya want to know, his mama calls him Richard Blum.
Barrel: Have you kept in touch with "Sweet, sweet Connie" over the years?
Solkolski: Being as I don’t know who or what we are talking about, I am going to go with “no”.
Sedseaux: …or her sister, Caroline?
Solkolski: Maybe, but I ain’t talkin’.
Sedseaux: You’re on a ship at sea and your bass player falls overboard – what do you throw him? His rig, or his rig and his guitar?
Solkolski: Hell, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a good bassist – other than the two doing the interview, natch? I would jump overboard and save his wonderful economical and tasteful note-playin’ ass. Whaddya think I am, crazy?
Barrel: What piece of missing equipment would complete you? [Sedseaux: Insert “dick” joke.]
Solkolski: You can the insert the member haha. I would love a Rickenbacker six or twelve string.
Barrel: Best live show you've ever seen?
Solkolski: Too many to mention, but seeing the Lovin’ Spoonful playing outdoors in Central Park on a summer’s eve when I was a kid has to be something that I have never forgotten. It is the reason I have made all the choices in life that I have made.
Sedseaux: How do they keep the donkey from totally freaking out?
Solkolski: Donkey valium?
Barrel: Who inspires you?
Solkolski: In no particular order, stuff I always keep around, The Kinks, The Byrds, Ian Hunter, Tom Petty, The Stones, Bob Dylan, The Golden era of Philly soul, George Jones, The Who, The Animals, Bo Diddley (always gotta have some Bo ready to go) and somewhat oddly, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell.
Sedseaux: Who vampires you?
Solkolski: Sorry, I have run out of clever repartee. However, Vampire Weekend are OK. Garth Hudson just for the intro to “Chest Fever” is a God in my book. Robbie Robertson is an awesome songwriter, but I wish that he had not let Hollywood seduce him. And I bet he doesn’t care what I think, nor have any idea who I am…
Barrel: What's on the horizon for the Delta Kings?
Solkolski: We want to start the next LP soon. It is tentatively titled Aging Disgracefully, and due to the creative momentum, we almost have all the songs for it. We are also talking about putting 4 Chords and the Truth out on vinyl, if we can swing it.
Sedseaux: Is Matt Stewart getting tinier or is it just me?
Solkolski: Slender fella for sure.
Sedseaux/Barrel: (in sing-song unison): Thanks, Cody.
Solkolski: Gents, thanks for the questions. I enjoyed it much more than I thought.
All photos compliments of Alice Doods.