To have Cris Kirkwood back as the bassist of the Meat Puppets is nothing short of a miracle. The band he founded with his guitarist/vocalist brother Curt in 1980 broke up in 1996 due to Cris’ addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. In the ensuing years, Cris’ life spiraled far out of his control as he lost his wife to a drug overdose and spent 18 months in prison for attacking a post-office security guard. Now, almost four years clean and sober, Cris is gearing up to hit the road in support of the band’s 12th studio album, Sewn Together. Before he does, Cris will spend the week guest editing magnetmagazine.com. Read our new Q&A with Cris and our 2007 career overview of the Meat Puppets.
Cris Kirkwood: Another musical moment that’s indelibly etched on the cheese-like goo that passes for my mind came courtesy of Leo Kottke, who I went to see as but-a-wee sma’ lad in the early ’70s. It was just him and his guitars, and he played a lot of stuff from what amounts to just about my favorite acoustic record, 6- And 12-String Guitar, with a little singin’ here and there. The guy describes his own vocal abilities as “goose farts on a muggy day,” but whatever: His guitar playing is just so fucking wonderful. Anyway, some other member of the crowd, who was obviously a big fan and wanted to let Leo know, shouts out between songs, “I saw you back in ’69.” Kottke responded, with an attitude toward the entertainment industry that made an impression on—and has stuck with—me, “Who gives a shit?”
