San Francisco Voice

I actually became familiar with Miggs when I was asked to review the band’s sophomore CD for Sure Shot Magazine. After hearing the CD, I became interested in learning more about the band. And I got to do so through this San Fran Voice interview with Don Miggs in which we learn the history of the band, their favorite SF venues and a few of their secrets.

Q: What’s the story on how the band formed?
A: Miggs has had a few incarnations, for sure. We’ve been calling it a “collective” at this point!!! The latest lineup, the one I truly hope sticks as the “core”, is Michael Lombardo on bass and Brian Totten on drums. I’ve known Michael for years. He was actually the original bassist for Miggs when I lived in New York. I moved West and he wasn’t ready to go so about a year ago I rang him up and it was time and here he is. Brian we found a few months ago. He’s from Des Moines Iowa and is a great fit. Brings the rock to the band and it’s been a great time playing as a three-piece. Who knows where we’ll go from here but I think we can expect that people will see the three of us even if we add a player here and there.

Q: Where did the name come from?
The name is actually my last name (it used to be a nickname derived from my last name but I’ve had it legally changed!). We also tell people it’s a fighter plane because we FEEL like we’re in a fight out there sometimes with how hard it is to make it in this industry!

Q: In a review of your CD, I described the music as “solid”. Does this word resonate at all with you? If not, what one word would you select to describe Insomnia?
Interesting. I would certainly agree on some level. It’s music that has a definite beginning, middle and end. Real ground isn’t being broken with what I write but Brian probably said it best when he auditioned for Miggs. He said he thought the music was much simpler when he listened because it was structured in a way that made sense, like you know it but then when he had to learn it, it was much harder and more surprising than he gave it credit for. That’s a long way for me to say “solid” is fine!

Q: What’s the difference between Insomnia and Anyway?
Besides $25,000, an acclaimed producer and 50 hours or so? Not much…….

Anyway was done with $2,500 (so one less zero) and very little studio time. I wrote some songs and brought these guys I just met into the studio to record them. I produced it; we didn’t do any work on arrangements or anything.
With Insomnia we worked with Gavin MacKillop and he’s worked with so many big acts that I used to say it was like we were standing in a dark room fumbling for the light switch and Gavin walked in and just flicked it on. He just knew.

We also spent a couple years demo-ing some of these songs, played together a lot and were READY to make a big step forward with Miggs and we did, I think. It was a great experience to work with someone who was so meticulous. With all due respect because I love him, I also learned what I wouldn’t do again and that was just as important! At the tail end of the recording we brought in JC Convertino and recorded the 3 best songs on the album, in my opinion- “Suddenly Wonderful”, “Perfect”, and “Maybe” and it was a little looser but the songs seemed to have a more live spirit so we’re going to work with JC again on the next electric album and see if we can’t capture a rawer rock sound this time out.

Q: Describe the average MiGGS fan.
A music lover. Into several types of music. We’re proud of our fans and what they’re into. Many like to read and when I meet them we talk about books! It’s funny but I love it.

Q: If the band was a San Francisco landmark, which one would it be and why?
A: Lombard Street because it’s been a long and windy road but it’s also been a blast and you don’t get tired of taking the trip.

Q: Do you have a favorite SF venue?
A: SF is like our second home. It’s been very good to us when no one else was listening so I wouldn’t disrespect any of the venues!!!! But if a HAD to choose I would say give me Café Du Nord, Great American Music Hall or Slims any day. I also have had some great fun in Hotel Utah playing solo acoustic and the Red Devil Lounge (wish that pole would disappear!)

Q: What can you tell us about the difference between playing shows in the East Bay and playing shows in the city? What about playing shows in the Bay Area compared to playing in other parts of the country?
A: There is a different vibe for sure! For Miggs, it’s been more families in the East Bay because we really got our start by endlessly touring bookstores like Borders and Barnes & Noble to sell Anyway so it was more family stuff. In SF the vibe is more rock and we love that, too. We are the Jeckyl and Hyde of the music industry! There are a few states where we just love to visit because they seem to really get Miggs but like I’ve said earlier, the Bay area is like our home and it’s my favorite place to play still.

Q: Where do you guys want to be (as a band) a year from now?A: Still able to play music for a living. Each year I wonder what the next will hold and I’ve been fortunate. So fortunate that people keep coming out, buying the album and supporting me. We are about to sign with a label overseas so 2008 will be about international promotion and touring, a new electric album and hopefully topping Insomnia, which has a top 50 radio hit with the song “Perfect”. It went to #46. There is a BIG difference between top 40 and top 50 and we want to experience what that is.

Q: If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?
A: That we give everything we have to make music. That no matter what is happening around us, the most important thing is making sure YOU connect with what we’re doing, that we’re never going to forget that it’s because you pay to see us or hear us that we get to do this. And that Michael loves women more than any other person I’ve ever met.

Q: Finally, tell us a MiGGS secret …
We don’t really eat guitar players. They just haven’t worked out for one reason or another. Individually … Don is colorblind, Michael snores and Brian spends WAY too much time on his hair. There, that should do it.

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