B.C. and the Wholesome Hucksters – Interview – Thanks for Asking
Written by Staff on February 16, 2024
B.C. and the Wholesome Hucksters – Interview – Thanks for Asking – by Liam Sweeny.
We connected with Boot Calkins from B.C. and the Wholesome Hucksters for a lovely conversation, below.
RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?
BC: Ok…here goes. I recorded my first demos in N.Y.C. in about 1985. The tunes were pop rockish with hints of reggae. The latest tune I put out is “Sugar Legs”. https://bootcalkins.bandcamp.com/track/sugar-legs This tune is a bit of a bodiddly/boogie. The main difference for me is that after forty years I’ve learned enough about recording, that I no longer have to rely on others instinct’s to shape the sounds to support the tunes in my head. The other difference is that being “commercial” doesn’t even enter my mind.
RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?
BC: I actually think it was my second show, CBGB’s, 1985 or 86. It’s just nice to say I played that club. And nice to say that two of the musicians in the band are still my favorite “Wholesome Hucksters”.
BC: It’s hard to say what I would call the best show. It’s really about the right people in the right room on the right night. When the band and the audience are energized, nothing else matters. We had a blast back in the day playing the Joe Franklin show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52JaAQ3cLl0 And I’m proud to say that I’ve been on the bill with the likes of John Mayall and Coco Montoya, but a small room with lively dancers is just as much fun.
RRX: A band is a business. A business of love, but you got to work for it. Let’s pretend, instead of a band, you all owned a brick-and-mortar business. What would it be called, and who would be doing what?
BC: This question is a challenge because the “Wholesome Hucksters” are anyone who happens to walk in on any given day to record. If it were a store I think we would call it “We Cheat You Fair”. I bring the songs to the table and let the players bring themselves to the mix. There are times when a song takes an entirely different direction than I intended… for good reasons. But the magic happens when everyone involved looks at each other with a smile and says “that’s the shiz”.
RRX: We let it out differently when we play music. The happy, sad, good and back; it can all be put out musically. Overall, do you feel better when you sing about the better times, or the worser times? Is there a difference you can describe?
BC: Someone smarter than I once said that the definition of mental health is to be aware, and be able to express, the full range of human emotion. Being a songwriter and a performer requires the same. You have to dig deep.
RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight at?
BC: Forgive me, there are four: My wife and partner of 43 years Barbara Bennett who has always believed in me and my tunes. Vincent Armanino and Doug Levey who have always been there for me as musicians and good friends since the eights. And my dear friend Bob Button who has encouraged me to keep at it for the past twenty years.
RRX: Playing out is tricky because you never know what’s going to happen when you get there. Sometimes a few factors team up and hit you unaware. What was your worst show like that, where two or more things teamed up to make it even worse?
BC: I once touched my harmonica to a microphone while holding my guitar and the electric shock kicked me on my tail. I always have a circuit tester in my gig bag now.
RRX: What about things coming together to make things even better?
BC: Whenever someone approaches me to say that they appreciate the experience we have shared, I take it to the bank. As artists all we are looking for is knowing that once in a while a piece of the emotions that we express might touch someone else.
Thank you for your interest, Boot
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