SS: All morning long they've been saying, "Are you sure he's going to be here?" I said, "Hell yes, he's going to be here. We got it all wrapped up."

TP: Yeah, you were always sure.

SS: Positive.

TP: Yeah.

SS: Yup. Please welcome into the Big Show studio the lead singer of the Australian group, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. He also dabbles in other places but this morning he's a rock and roll star. Russell Crowe, ladies and gentlemen! (applause and whistles in background)

Russell: How ya doing.

TP: Welcome to the show.

Russell: Thanks.

TP: I'm sure your very happy about being up this early.

Russell: Oh, I'm ecstatic. (laughs)

SS: Russell, are you kind of . . . you're a kind of a late night guy?

Russell: Not generally. When I'm at home I get up about, you know, 5:00 -- 5:30 in the morning cause I've got a lot of cows to deal with and stuff but, you know, when in Rome and we're on a rock and roll tour and we stay up quite late and, uh, I don't need any daylight in my life at the moment.

TP:Right.

PS: I love your voice. [ laughs] I listen to him speak and it's so·.

Russell: Well, we can get together later on.

PS: (big laugh) Ah, yes!

SS: It's coming out of Russell. I think he's telling the truth, too!

TP: Yeah.

PS: That voice. Ah, it's amazing.

SS: Now, we've got some fan mail because we just announced yesterday that you were going to stop by the studio and all of a sudden they started emailing us from all kinds of places. You've got a, uh, quite a loyal bunch of fans.

PS: Mmm.

SS: So there must be like an underground web thing going and all this. Right?

TP Yeah, for the music.

Russell: That's how the band operates, you know. We have a number of different web sites that are fed by either directly by the band or through the band's web site itself. We get like about 15,000 hits a week.

PS: Wow!

Russell: And, um, I think there's, you know, maybe four or five principle fan sites. We sold out this tour with -- by putting one announcement on the web.

TP: Really.

Russell: That's coast-to-coast, 16 shows or something in nine different cities.

SS: We got a note from Mary Murphy, who lives in Ridgewood. Said she runs a web site ö- over 2,000 visitors a day -- and "I've been running a series of fan reports from all of the concerts across the country. I'm going to be 69 years old [Russell giggles] and I can't make it to the concert. If you could mention my birthday to Russell, I would be so grateful."

PS: Ahhhhh. That's so sweet. (Laughs)

Russell: How ya doing, Mary.

SS: He should know the site as Murph's Place.

Russell: Ahhhh yes. Murph's Place . . .

SS: So you actually check out these fan loca . . . (laughter in background)

Russell: That's a very, very interesting site. (more laughter)

All dj's Yeah. Yeah, it is. Beautiful. All right.

SS: Should I describe the hand gestures?

PS: (laughing) Yeah, it's very . . . this is a visual moment.

TP If you want to die, I guess you could. (More laughter)

SS: Yeah. Now·

Russell: I think, uh, she was a little sick lately, so she's, I hope she's feeling better.

SS: Yeah, she is.

PS: And happy birthday.

SS: She had an eye operation there going.

Russell: Did she? It was an eye operation?

SS: Yeah. Take us back to the beginning of your band. The guy that you write with is Dean Cochran and he plays the lead guitar, right?

Russell: That's right. Yeah.

SS: But take us back to the actual roots of the group. How did it get going?

Russell: Um. Well, I was running a nightclub in Auckland, New Zealand in 1984 -- that's '84 for your listeners. [laughter] Some of them probably weren't born then.

SS: All right.

TPS: Yeah.

Russell: Um, and Dean came in to audition of another band. It was quite a famous band at the time, a New Zealand ö famous in New Zealand, anyway, called The Mockers and he did the audition. He didn't do it very well but he met some of the young musicians on that day of a band called Third Wave, so he went off and he started rehearsing with them. I don't know, maybe about two or three weeks later, something like that, when I was rostered on in the club to do the sound mix that night and he came back in with that band -- and, uh, I mean that band were never very good but now they were substantially better cause this guy was playing guitar for them.

SS: Dean.

Russell: And, so I just talked to him afterwards and gave him a tape and said, ãLook, we should get together.ä And that was, what, 17 years ago and we've been writing songs ever since.

TP: Wow.

SS: You took him, "You got to get the hell out of that band. This is a horrible band." (laughs)

Russell: I let him, I let him actually make his own decisions.

TP: Right.

SS: "You're the only thing good in this band. I've got something for you. How Îbout you and me getting together."Well, that's the way it works.

Russell: Yeah, well, I mean that's kind of a pretty -- pretty standard sort of beginning.

SS: Yeah.

Russell: And we had a band called Roman Antix for a number of years, we released a couple of records ö or one record maybe. We actually did an album but it was so bad that we talked about it one day and we just decided not to release it and we ran out on our contractually obligations. [laughter] It shouldn't happen again, though.

PS: (laughing) He says eyeing the . . . [representative from Artemis].

SS: Yeah, your record, your new record company is over there thinking, ãI hope to hell he doesn't do that again to us!ä (more laughter)

Russell: And then in '86 I moved to Australia and Dean came over soon after and we spent the best part of a year busking in the streets to earn a living, you know. I was living on about $3.50 a day, amortized on, over cigarettes and fried rice. And, basically we've never stopped playing together and we met Garth, the bass player, in '87 and Dave Kelly, the drummer, about the same time. But it was right about '92 that, uh, we decided to get serious about things again and, we were playing together for about three years before we actually found the name of this particular band, which is 30 Odd Foot of Grunts or TOFOG for short.

SS: TOFOG is what a lot of your fans all, you know, write us on the web pages. Take us back, and I'm sure you're sick of doing this, but for the people who missed it, give us the 30 Odd Foot of Grunts theory.

Russell: Well, there isn't one really. [laughter]

SS: All right. Good.

Russell: There's about a dozen different answers we've given over the years stretching from where I actually found the name to the last two minutes of a very interesting sexual experience.

SS: Right. (laughs)

PS: The last two minutes . . . (laughs)

Russell: Get a, get a ruler . . .

SS: Well, you need to figure that out, Patty.

Russell: Get a ruler, a stopwatch and a friend of yours. (all laught) But the reality is when we were discussing the name of the band, we didn't want any name that would push us to fit under any particular banner. You know? We didn't want a name that was pretentious in any way, so we just collected a group of words which didn't mean anything with the theory that at a certain point, when people knew the songs, then if they fell in love with a song, that that would imbue the name with a meaning. That was a long time ago and it hasn't necessarily happened yet. (all laugh)

SS: But you're working on it . . .

Russell: So, not all, not all theories . . .

TP: That's right. Not everything pans out.

Russell: Yeah. [spoken in a southern accent] You know, ya got to do your best.

SS: That's like when you read interviews with The Beatles these days ö- the surviving Beatles ö- and they talk about, you know, they're doing the interviews, and they're trying to figure out what some of the deep meaning of some of the songs meant and, you know, now they'll say, ãWell, you know what, it really meant nothing. We were just trying to rhyme a couple of words and, uh, rather than make sense, we went for the rhyme and it really had nothing to do with nothing."

PS: And then somebody comes up with some idea about the DEEP meaning.

SS: We're talking to Russell Crowe about his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, and·

TP: And you're busy, man. What's it·how's it like to be on the road as a rock and roll star now, doing the, doing the states?

Russell: Can we drop the rock and roll star stuff?

TP: (laughing) Rock and roll star . . .

PS: (laughing) Do you not like the sound of the . . .

Russell: No, it's just that we . . .

TP: Rock and roll band?

Russell: . . . in a band and we just go and play, you know. The star thing is an applied description. It's not something that we think about. [chuckles]

PS: Do you like the day-to-day life of it, though?

Russell: Ah, no. Not really. Kind of, kind of.

SS: It's kind of tough, isn't it?

Russell: The thing is, you get addicted to that two and a half hours every night and you just totally start living for that.

TP: Being on stage?

Russell: Oh yeah. I did a lot of theater and stuff when I was a young fellow and so, you know, I know the life very well and I've, you know, done over 2,000 live performances ö- or something stupid like that ö- so, you know, but it's just been a while since we've been touring like this. But, you know, I mean I dig that two and a half hours. I don't necessary like living like a vagabond in between.

TP: Right. A lot of down time, right?

Russell: Well, no, there's not really cause we're just·we're just pumping it through, I mean, you know, with this whole tour is taking place over less than three weeks, but, it starts even, you know, even after the first couple of days.

PS: You're flying.

TP: You're just cranking it out.

PS: Yeah.

SS: Did you have to suspend any other activities that you might be involved in to work this tour out?

Russell: Life.

TP and PS: Life. (All laugh)

SS: No life.

TP: It's on hold for a minute.

Russell: Yeah, no, you know, we work a long way ahead and we have to. I'm not the only one whose got a day job. You know, the bass player works at merchant bank, the drummer is a, has a post-production facility for editing and stuff, so, we always have to plan well in advance.

SS: They've got stuff to do. They've got to get the life laid out there in front of them.

PS: Sure.

SS: Certainly.

Russell: Which is what I think, you know, a lot of people have a theory that you need to be living in each other's pockets in order to make great music. I mean, Neil Finn, you know, the whole Crowded House idea was about that. I tend to have a different idea about it, you know, cause I think I live on the absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder sort of theory, you know, and when we don't see each other for a couple of months that first little while when we're back together is hugely charged and energetic, you know, so . . . I mean, these shows are going fantastic, I don't give a shit what you might have read.

(PS laughs)

Russell: Can you say that word on this program?

PS: Sure. Sure. We do all the time

Russell: You know the fact is that the band is on fire and the shows have been going great, you know, we just don't -- we don't fit under, you know, the definitions that music critics require us to, because we are completely irreverent, you know, about the industry in total and we believe in our songs and that's good enough for us.

TP: Good.

SS: Quickly, let's recap the past career -- the Australian releases. How many CDs have you had out prior to the one that's coming out in America.

Russell: Um. How many CDs. Four before this one. A full-length album called Gaslight, a couple of EPs, "What's Her Name" and "Photograph Kills." And a single. And then this one, which is "Bastard Life or Clarity."

SS: "Bastard Life or Clarity," their latest one. And it's going to be in the stores in, what, September the eleventh is that the date on it?

Russell: September eighteenth, I think.

SS: September eighteenth and it's going to be on Artemis Records and CDs, based right here in New York.

TP: Yup.

SS: They're going to be at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia tonight. Tomorrow night, Irving Plaza ö sold out show. Thursday night, rockin' Stone Pony ö The Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

PS: That's cool.

SS: This is the first single from the CD. Anything we need to know about this Russell or just play the damn thing?

Russell: Ah, I think just, well, cause you just pointed out the Irving Plaza's sold out, all these shows are sold out, so, I don't know, maybe if you call the venue and go and bribe the security guy you might be able to get in. (All laugh)

PS: SRO.

Russell: There's, there's no tickets to be had as far as I know.

SS: Yeah, you gotta -- you gotta sneak your way in. This is the single called :Sail Those Same Oceans: from the album "Bastard Life or Clarity" on PLJ. (Play song)

TP: Sail Those Same Oceans. That is the first single from 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. Russell Crowe out front. Sounds great, man!

PS: Very cool!

Russell: Thank you. Thank you. Cheers.

TP: Great sound!

PS: Yeah!

SS: We got a note from a fan from Mount Kisco . . .

Russell: (laughing) How old is this one? (All laugh)

SS: Seventy-four! (Russell laughs)

SS: I have a two-part question for the band and Russell.

TP [mimicking an old lady] Tell Russell I'm naked at w w w dot (All laugh)

Russell: [in a strong southern accent] And bring my teeth back, dammit! (All laugh)

TP: That's right.

Russell: [in the same voice] Everyone thinks it's funny but . . .I can't eat my meat! (All laugh)

SS: The very last actual song on Gaslight, I want to know who wrote it. I think it's the best song on the album.

Russell: On Gaslight? The last song on Gaslight? Damn, you're testing me.

TP Now, you have to try to remember this.

Russell: I'm looking around at these guys and they're going, (to Artemis reps) "I don't know. We didn't release that one."

SS: That's not on their label.

Russell: On Gaslight, um . . . Does she, does she give a title? [laughs]

SS: She didn't give the title.

Russell: Cause there's hidden tracks on Gaslight, so she's.

PS: Could it be on your web site?

SS: That's what she's talking about, the hidden track.

Russell: Right.

SS: She said . . .

Russell: "Danielle" -- "Danielle" is the last song. Yeah! "Danielle."

SS: Could it be said that the song's words would be accurate for this tour as well? So, I guess you were talking about the tour.

Russell: Ah, yeah, cause what's she's talking about ö- this is probably actually sent by Danielle's record company. Danielle Spencer is opening for us, and she was my girlfriend from -- for about five years -- 1990 to 1995. She's just a fabulous singer/songwriter. Her songs are very complicated. A combination of sort of Kate Bush and Abba.

All djs: Wow!

PS: Now, that's a combination!

TP: Yeah.

Russell: I'm serious. She's just fantastic.

PS: Really. Wow.

All djs: That's good!

Russell: And she, her band at the moment is piano, cello, acoustic guitar and voice. It's really beautiful.

PS: And she's opening, you say, for you?

Russell: Yeah. And the the last hidden track on Gaslight is a song called "Danielle." And it was written by me about her.

PS: Wow.

SS: You guys still, uh, you guys still speak once and a while.

PS: Every night.

Russell: Well, we're on tour together . . .

PS: Yeah.

Russell: . . . so we speak all of the time.

PS: Yeah, you have to speak (laughing).

SS: I'm just saying, you're still friends?

Russell: Totally. We're really good mates.

PS: Sounds like it.

Russell: Really good. I just have a great deal of respect for her. I think she's wonderful at what she does.

SS: That is wonderful. Tonight, Philadelphia, The Electric Factory; tomorrow, Irving Plaza and then The Stone Pony on Thursday night. There's another track on the song here --on the CD here that you wrote with your friend, Cochran, I mean, everything on here, just about, right?

Russell: Uh, pretty much. Some of the songs, I wrote by myself. A lot of the times, Dean will give me a piece of music and if it, if it just strikes a chord with me, mentally, you know . . .

TP: It moves ya, yeah.

Russell: . . .if there's something I've been thinking about, than I just immediately begin writing on it. But, also, I've collaborated with Dave Wilkins on that, the other guitarist, and the bass player, Garth Adam, gets a look in there on one of the songs as well.

SS: When you talk to just about any songwriter, they have like a special time or a special situation that they're inspired to write. And since you do words, and music, but mostly words, when do you find it most convenient for you to write. Or most conducive?

Russell: Um, I have to be alone for a while, you know, and let all the other stuff soft of ebb away.

SS: From what I hear about you, that's a pretty tough thing to do.

Russell: The last couple of years, it's been a little rugged, yeah, but I tend to write when I'm a bit sad, you know, cause when I'm happy I couldn't give a shit. You know? [laughs] Just sitting around writing songs, you know? (All laugh)

PS: That's true of a lot of artists. (Someone off-mike says something to Russell)

Russell: Oh, you can't say it twice? You can only say it once on your show.

TP: Yeah.

Russell: Righto.

SS: This is called Swep Away Bayou (Scott loses the sound of the "T")

Russell: Swept Away Bayou.

SS: Swept Away Bayou.

Russell: Yeah but the, um, the important thing with that song is the, um, is the subtitle, which is Facing the Headlights Alone. This is, um, one of the rare positive songs [laughter].

SS: It's a positive song. It's track 9.

Russell: This is about, uh, this is about, you know, kind of looking for something and then discovering that it was actually right in front of you.

PS: Hummm

SS: Oh, you're looking for it the whole time. Hold on a minute.

TP: Sorry.

SS: We've got to switch CDs.

TP: Australia, they just kind of put 'em right on.

PS: Yeah, just toss it·.

TP: B: They have more than one player down there.

SS: We have it here. It just takes a second.

PS: But they spin the other way. (laughs)

TP: [mocking what Scott said early] Here we get ãswepä away and we can't put Îem in so good. (laughs)

SS: Right. But once we get it going. . . We'll be swept away by ten o'clock.

PS:That's right.

(Play song)

SS: That's an Elvis song.

PS: Oooh, nice fade. (clapping)

Russell: Cool. Thanks.

SS: You tell your friend, Mr. Cochran, I think he's a pretty hell of a pretty good guitar player!

Russell: (chuckles) No. Better . . . I better not, he's got three more shows to do! (All laugh)

SS: Dean Cochran on guitar. That's Russell Crowe and 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.

Russell: Actually the fans refer to him as the Reverend Billy.

TP : Aaah!

Russell: The Reverend Billy Dean.

TP: Alright.

SS: Any chance that your musical career and your acting career may cross paths?

Russell: I hope not.

TP: Really?

PS: You like them separate?

Russell: I'm not -- I'm not a real big fan of the music bio-pic or the, you know, the rock band on the road movie. I think it's a -- it's a totally different experience. I don't think one captures the other.

SS: You know Elvis use to do that though, Russell.

PS: Aaah. Well, enough said. (laughs)

Russell: Now come on, man, I'm a really big Elvis fan.

SS: Elvis would do that!

PS: So is he (referring to Scott), he's a huge Elvis fan!

Russell: King Creole was a great movie.

SS: King Creole was the best!

Russell: King Creole just, it showed that he actually really could have been a serious actor, if they'd let him be, but that was, you know, that was a decision that was not made by him.

SS: What's your second favorite·second favorite Elvis movie?

Russell: Um, my second favorite's probably, well, that would spread out over a sequence of a few because I think King Creole stands alone.

SS: Right.

Russell: But I think, you know, some of the stuff in Love Me Tender, although it's really naive, is quite beautiful. I think, uh, I think Jailhouse Rock is a strange, strange performance, you know, I think it's kind of a really weird, (laughs) you know, and . .

SS: What do you think, Todd?

TP: You're out of my league.

Russell: . . . and then G.I. Blues. Everything else is pretty much. . .

SS: I like·I like Loving You. I thought that was a good movie.

Russell: OK. Yeah.

SS: What no Clambake? Come on. (laughs)

TP: How about Kissing Cousins? (Djs all laugh)

SS: Easy!

Russell: That was a . . . that was a different guy. (laughing)

TP: Oh. That was the guy.

SS: That was when he found out that·that's when that doctor·

TP: Was that Elvis Costello? (laughter)

SS: That's when that doctor got a hold of him.

TP: Yeah, that's right.

Russell: Yeah. It was·it was·.

SS: Dr. Nick started feeding him.

TP and PS: Oh.

Russell: Everything after 1959, you can't blame him for. [laughter]

SS: Hey, Russell, thanks for getting up and coming by this morning. Good job.

Russell: Cheers, mate. Thank you.

TP: Appreciate it.

PS: Thank you.

TP: Thank you very much.

SS: That's the new CD. You can get it in the stores, middle of September.

Russell: September 18th.

SS: We'll tell you more about it. The CD's called Bastard Life or Clarity. 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. Russell Crowe stopping by the studios this morning.

TP: Woo!

SS: By the way, if you'd like a pair of tickets to see him tomorrow night, 1-800-321-WPLJ.

PS: Ah!

TP: We bribed the security guy.

Russell: Cool. [laughter] You guys got contacts.

SS: Tell us the name of the guitar player in the band, we just mentioned his name, his writing partner for most of the songs, 1-800-321-WPLJ.

(Thanks to Alison, Melissa and Patti for providing the tape and to Melissa for transcribing.)