Pall Jenkins served as frontman for the excellent San Diego math-rock band Three Mile Pilot before devoting his attention to the moody and fatalistic Black Heart Procession. The singer-guitarist has also collaborated with Isaac Brock in the Modest Mouse side project Ugly Casanova, and has contributed to some of Dinosaur Jr leader J Mascis‘s solo endeavors. His most significant collaborations, however, may have come with musicians of considerably less renown: Vampire Rodents, Azalia Snail and Maquiladora. His track Gargoyles was one of the (many) highlights on the 1993 Vampire Rodents masterpiece Lullaby Land. Our conversation follows.
1 | Lullaby Land stands as one of the greatest masterpieces of the 20th century. What are your thoughts on it?
I was asked by Daniel (Vahnke) to participate and I did. At the time I was doing it I had no idea anyone would care, to be honest. I think that’s probably what made it good. Daniel is great at his work and doing justice to the production.
2 | Did you get to witness Vahnke’s compositional process up close? I still cannot fathom how he managed to create Hubba Hubba and Bosch Erotique…
No. I went to his apartment once or twice. I honestly can’t remember where I recorded this — if it was at his apartment or If i recorded it at my place. I think we did it at his place.
3 | Gargoyles injects a cryptic sense of foreboding into the formula. Thoughts?
It’s just what came out
4 | You worked with a much more famous “rodent” — Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock — in Ugly Casanova. Thoughts on that project?
Isaac and I spent a few days at my house drinking Pacifico beer and wrote some songs. It was great and he and I remain freinds.
5 | You also played on Azalia Snail’s album Blue Danube. How did that come about?
We played together a couple times and she asked. I completely forgot about that. She is great.
6 | Thoughts on Maquiladora’s work (specifically The Lost Works of Eunice Phelps)?
Heck yeah, that was fun. Love Phil (Beaumont), we had a wonderful trio in Holland. The music has a great message of hope.
7 | Do you think Black Heart Procession has eclipsed Three Mile Pilot in terms of artistic relevance?
No idea. I don’t think about it that way.
8 | What is your favorite Black Heart Procession song / album?
The one we are working on now.
9 | What is your favorite Three Mile Pilot song/album?
Song: Nussun.
Album: Chief Assassin (To The Sinister).
10 | Thoughts on J Mascis?
He is my hero; love him and the music he makes. I was honored to be on the albums.
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Brett Abrahamsen is a lifelong connoisseur of the experimental and obscure. He is also a science fiction writer (and an amateur philosopher of sorts). He resides in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
