Interview: John Sparrow of the Violent Femmes
On getting up to degeneracy (or not!) when you're a musician during the pandemic.
I’m not a real journalist, you know. So I’m not on any interview request lists that public relations people send out to news organizations and more established freelancers. Hilariously, my mom actually interviews a LOT of country musicians in her own side gig, but I rarely get such opportunities myself, and so when I do, I savor it. Usually I come into contact with these people through friends, or they ARE my friends, like in my interview with The Sha Sha Collective.
How I met John Sparrow, drummer for the Violent Femmes and podcast guest extraordinaire, is way more embarrassing: I tagged him incorrectly in a photo on Instagram. He messaged me to let me know of the error, and we kept chatting. And I was sort of shocked to be in touch with someone who plays with a band that’s so terribly important to me. We talked about how I’m verified on Twitter and he’s not, but he’s verified on Instagram while I flat-out got rejected.
I listened to Violent Femmes songs on repeat for days after he sent me the first message. And I haven’t quite stopped since: my penchant for weird ‘80s and ‘90s groups going strong, much like the Femmes themselves. While other bands have broken up, they’re still together, and before live music shut down, they were doing pretty well for themselves. They’ve got the perfect blend of nostalgia and genuine creativity to keep people coming, decades later.
Sparrow has been playing with them since 2016, so he’s a bit of a newcomer to the main lineup (though he began playing cajón with their backing band, Horns of Dilemma, in 2005) but his performances with them are quite remarkable. There’s an intensity with his drumming that fits in perfectly with lead singer and lead guitarist Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie. Check out a John Sparrow drum solo right here — it definitely puts the punk in folk punk.
He’s one of the nicest, nicest people I’ve ever talked to: incredibly forthright, friendly, and casual. Follow him on Instagram and listen to his podcasts.
JCM: So this has been a rough year for musicians! How have you been keeping busy?
JS: Rough year for so many of us in general. I stay busy with the homeschooling and doing interviews, as well as podcasts and such.
JCM: What was the last show you played with the Femmes in 2020?
JS: We played the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles right before COVID really took over.
JCM: Do you believe in the COVID trope that musicians are creating more and better music during this period?
JS: Musicians are definitely creating during the pandemic, absolutely. The quality of their output is up to the consumer. Honestly, there is so much great output but nothing that blew my mind.
JCM: What drums do you have at home? Do you really play in the bathroom like on Instagram?
JS: That bathroom picture was taken in a Milwaukee hotel called The Double Dutch. The owner Julie Kaufmann, is the sister of our lead singer (note: for Old Sam and the Teardrops, Sparrow’s old time JAZZ BAND) Joe LeSage. We shot all day for a promotional video and snapped a few pics along the way. I play A&F drums. However, because we were supposed to be in Australia right before the lockdown, my drums were displaced. I have been using drums I have around my home.
JCM: Have you been in touch with the rest of the Femmes during the lockdown?
JS: I text with Brian Ritchie often. I have been in touch with Gordon here and there. I’m in contact with the crew quite often as well, we are all a close knit group.
JCM: Why don’t you have your own Wikipedia page yet? You should demand one!
JS: For some reason Wikipedia keeps shutting me down. I’ve had many people make attempts to set it up including our management and I keep getting shut down. I’m perplexed honestly.
(Note: Dear Wikipedia, please GIVE JOHN SPARROW HIS OWN WIKIPEDIA PAGE.)
JCM: I was really surprised to learn that Gordon Gano was religious. Is Brian Ritchie? Are you?
JS: I was raised Roman Catholic. I attended St. Adalbert’s on the southside of Milwaukee. I don’t discuss religion with Brian or Gordon.
JCM: Now that I’ve noticed it, I’ve started seeing religious themes EVERYWHERE in your music. I also found the “Jesus Walking on the Water” song which I’d never heard before. What other songs do you think reflect more religious themes, either overtly or more subtly?
JS: I don’t write the songs in the band, so I can’t answer for that.
JCM: What’s your religious background? Do you still practice?
JS: As I mentioned earlier... I was raised Roman Catholic. I treat politics and religion like my parents taught me.... “don’t talk about it.” When I was “practicing” I wasn’t good at it, but I still have all my guilt. I try to be a good person and mindful of everyone’s beliefs. I believe in unity, equality, and acceptance. I think all religions have those same goals.
JCM: Do you ever find that it creeps into your music, or play style?
JS: Personally, my church only had an organ. So drumming wise, religious influence never came into play that I’m aware of. However, I really want to do a cover of “On Eagle’s Wings” with a band someday. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has a great scene with Mac singing it.
JCM: What kind of degeneracy -- dirtbagness -- have you been up to during the pandemic?
JS: My girlfriend lives in NYC. She was displaced during the pandemic and she has been here since the start. I would like to say I have a wild story, but it’s all the basic relationship activities. We basically try not to get on each nerves, that’s our version of kink at this point.
“We basically try not to get on each nerves, that’s our version of kink at this point.”
JCM: What do you see in your future for the Femmes during 2021? When do you think live music and tours will come back into play?
JS: Violent Femmes have dates in Australia in 2022. We have also have a date in June of 2021 at Red Rocks. I honestly have no idea how things will play out with COVID and how live concerts will work. It seems things are changing day to day and there is still so much uncertainty.
JCM: I read in interviews that you often like to give advice to up-and-coming drummers. What advice would you give to a teenager playing drums in their basement right now?
JS: I’d suggest using a metronome and practicing the basic rudiments. Play along to songs and learn as many styles as you can. I’m always happy to interact and answer questions on Instagram. I love interacting with all people.