When everyone in New Jersey was ordered to stay at home to find the coronavirus in March, the members of The Clydes were suddenly stuck in different places. But that didn't stop them from making a music video. They shot a stay-at-home, socially distanced clip for 'Beggar Ballin,' the newest single from "Old-Time Monarchy" — their third album on Mint 400 Records. The video was directed from afar by Neil Sabatino, the label's founder and the band's producer. It features pajamas, pillows doubling as drums, and a cameo from their pup mascot Hodges. It's also the latest entry in a long string of music The Clydes, a veteran Jersey alt-pop-rock band, have released the last decade. Brothers Brent Johnson (vocals) and Brian Johnson (guitar) talked about the band's history, their creative process, their favorite music, shoplifting, and more.
What Does Your Band Name Mean?
BRIAN: We're named after one of our heroes: Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier. Maybe the coolest man to ever walk the earth. And maybe the only man to be able to pull off a cowprint suit. We got to meet him once. He couldn't have been nicer. And, of course, cooler. Now we just have to play at his restaurant in New York.
How Did You Meet?
BRENT: Well, Brian and I grew up together, of course. We had bedrooms right next to each other growing up in New Jersey. That meant we only had to walk a few feet to share records and write songs. We were coming up with song ideas in our bedrooms even before we were teenagers.
BRIAN: And I knew Andrew, our bassist, from high school. We played volleyball against competing Central Jersey high schools. Plus, he's a music fanatic who listened to a lot of the same records and also played in a bunch of local bands. He was a guitarist, but we asked him to take up bass to join The Clydes. We made our first demo together in our kitchen, as well as a friend who let us use his basement to work on tracks. As for our drummer, Pete, he's the newest member. We actually teach at the same school in Newark, and I knew he was a stellar, versatile drummer who also sings and writes songs. So I knew he'd fit well.
What's Your Songwriting Process?
BRENT: Brian or I usually come up with a little kernel of an idea, record it on our phones, and send it to the other. We'll then get together to work out changes, melody, and some lyrics. Then, we take it to the band to edit, make changes, craft an arrangement. I then finish the lyrics, with suggestions from the others. Occasionally, we'll come up with a song whole cloth at rehearsal. Those are special moments. Pete and Andrew also write their own tunes that we work on.
Who Do You Sound Like?
BRENT: At one of our earliest gigs, one person said we reminded him of The Smithereens. But we don't know if that's just because they're from Middlesex County, New Jersey, too. We skip around a lot of genres. But we generally say our music is alt-pop-rock.
What first got you into music?
BRIAN: There was also music in our house growing up. Our dad was a radio DJ in the 70s who was a fountain of music trivia, and our mom loved everything from Earth Wind & Fire to Olivia Newton John. Brent started taking piano lessons after discovering his mom's Billy Joel albums and then guitar lessons after moving on to The Beatles. I followed suit closely behind. We started our first band when we were 10 and 12, before we were any good at our instruments, and immediately began writing songs.
Who inspired you to make music?
BRENT: All kinds of records and artists. But more than anything, it was just a feeling. Nothing makes you feel happier, more alive, more in touch with the world than a good piece of music. We are our happiest when playing.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
BRIAN: Brian Eno. Hands down. He takes every artist he works with and wrings something new out of them.
If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
BRENT: Paul McCartney, if I'm being honest. So much of what we do, what everyone does flows from him.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
BRENT: Thank you for your attention. We know it's a hard thing to give these days.
What is the most useless talent you have?
BRENT: I can name all the Best Picture winners at the Oscars by year.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
BRENT: Yes. 'Jolene' by Dolly Parton. And 'Ready To Take A Chance Again' by Barry Manilow.
What would you be doing right now, if you weren't playing in a band?
BRIAN: Recording a demo.
Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues?
BRIAN: We've played all over the mid-Atlantic region — New Jersey (of course), New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore. In fact, we once played a great show at a pie shop called Dangerously Delicious Pies in Baltimore. Nothing, of course, playing The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Always an honor. But there are a ton of other fantastic venues across New Jersey, a state with great music — The Wonder Bar and The Saint in Asbury Park, QXT's in Newark. We do miss playing The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, which was our home base for years. Playing energetic shows to an energetic crowd packed into a basement — those were good times.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
BRENT: Obviously, it's a mixed bag. It allows bands like us to constantly post new music and have people hear it. But it's also created a sea of anonymity in some ways — where there are too many artists and too many places to look. We'll take it, though. Just being able to post 1-minute videos to Instagram is not only fun but has helped us reach new people.
What is your favorite song to perform?
BRENT: The title track of our latest album, 'Old-Time Monarchy.' The riff catapults the song, and it's all fun from there. It's the kind of song that fills you up on stage and makes you excited to be playing. It's also randomly about the Royal Family. Well, it was inspired by the Royal Wedding between Meghan & Harry. So there's that.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
BRENT: So many. Elvis Costello, The Smiths, The Beatles, Brian Wilson, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Prince, St. Vincent, Oasis, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Melvins, Fiona Apple, Elliott Smith, The New Pornographers, Neko Case, Stevie Wonder, The Kinks, The Jam, XTC, Blur, Squeeze, Radiohead, Wilco, The Shins, Spoon, Father John Misty, Arcade Fire, A Tribe Called Quest, John Frusciante, Janelle Monae, Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam, The Dresden Dolls, Kanye West, Bernard Herrmann, Stephen Sondheim, Robert Tepper.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
BRIAN: When he was 5, I shoplifted little figurines of characters from "The Wizard Of Oz" from a five-and-dime store at the local mall.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
BRENT: Make the music you want to make. And don't apologize for what you like.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
BRIAN: We wish there was a better way for more artists to get discovered and have their music heard.
What’s next for you?
BRENT: We are still promoting our latest album on Mint 400 Records — "Old-Time Monarchy." We know a lot of people say this, but it's really the record we're most proud of. It's a mix of catchy guitar riffs, synths, colorful lyrics, booming vocals. And even though we wrote it last year, it feels like it somehow reflects the strange, challenging times we live in right now. And the album cover shows a bunch of tired Revolutionary War re-enactors marching past the tax building in Trenton. If that's not a metaphor for something.
BRIAN: We've also already started writing new songs for the next album, and we've already started posting some demos and clips on social media.
What are your favorite movies or books?
BRENT: We're movie fanatics. Brian and I spent many a night growing up watching movies in our living room until 5 a.m. "Jurassic Park" is one of the most perfect things ever created. I also love "Good Will Hunting," "Annie Hall," "Foul Play." And "Step Brothers" is a masterpiece. No joke.
What are your top 3 desert island albums (3 records for the rest of your life)?
BRENT: "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys, "O.K. Computer" by Radiohead, and "The Queen Is Dead" by The Smiths.