On Sept. 5, 1982, the Dream Syndicate played a 2 a.m. gig at the studios of L.A.’s KPFK-FM. Broadcast live, the raw, ragged set documented on The Day Before Wine And Roses (Omnivore) found the quartet—singer/guitarist Steve Wynn, guitarist Karl Precoda, bassist Kendra Smith and drummer Dennis Duck—blazing and brooding its way through songs from its self-titled debut EP, covers and tracks that would end up on the seminal The Days Of Wine And Roses LP, released a month and a half later. A reconvened version of the Dream Syndicate has been playing shows since 2012. Wynn is also busy with his national pastime-themed band, the Baseball Project, whose third record, the aptly titled 3rd (Yep Roc), is due later this month. Wynn is also guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Wynn: I know, I know—you’ve heard “Get Lucky” a million times (Russian Police Choir, anyone?). “Blurred Lines” is, well, it’s Robin Thicke, and “Happy” is impossible to avoid these days (though it was certainly the sleeper of the trio when it came out and was relatively ignored last summer). But those are my favorite singles of the last year: three irresistible blasts of retro-’70s soul (Chic and Marvin Gaye the obvious touchstones) by a producer/writer/singer who has been making incredible records since the end of the last millennium. I was a huge fan of N.E.R.D., Pharrell Williams‘ hybrid quirky new-wave side project, not to mention the revolving factory of hits he’s produced under his own name and as the Neptunes.
I’m always stymied when asked who my dream producer would be—modern-rock production just isn’t generally that interesting to me (give me Bob Johnston any day of the week), and I would always find myself answering that I’d most like to work with Dr. Dre, an answer that was meant to be neither contrary nor ironic. I think I’d rather work with Williams at this point. Maybe we could do a cover of “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”
Video after the jump.
