Richard Barone is an example to all of us who get trapped in our daily grind. He seems to be the perpetual glass-half-full kind of guy. He admits he feels pretty much the same way he did 30 years ago when Barone on lead vocals and guitar along with bassist Rob Norris and drummer Frank Giannini gave birth to the Bongos, a wonderful, jangly power-pop combo that could light up any room with its overflowing energy. It’s difficult to believe that their new album, Phantom Train (Jem), is not really new at all. With guitarist James Mastro added to the band, it was cut in 1985 and 1986 and has languished on the shelf ever since. Barone has also kindly agreed to serve as guest editor for magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Barone: Suddenly, I like pink champagne. Not the band, the drink. It’s so festive and colorful. It was my friend’s birthday recently, and we celebrated at a classic New York restaurant. After dinner, the waiter brought out a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut Rosé, one of the few rosés still made using the saignée method, with the dark skin of the grape. Since then, I’ve stocked up on a few bottles, just in case. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there is always something to celebrate.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KOiOLAQWvs
