Try the following: take the name "Mr. Egg Germ" and turn the letters around. You notice something? Right, it reads "Mr. Egg Germ" again. My English teacher at high school called this a 'palindrome,' but I call it dope, and so is the debut CD from Rick Gehrenbeck aka Mr. Egg Germ.

I was lucky enough to catch one of the testpresses and immediately fell in love with it, thanks to a wide variety of different styles and rhythms which all share an incredible dopiness. Like palindromes, you can listen from the first to the last track or vice versa to get your groove on - something which is hard to find nowadays. Another aspect of Rick's music is the live feeling it delivers. Some of the songs, like "Slo Ride" have such a bad-ass keyboard jam on it, which you normally can't find on studio recordings. But Rick was able to take the sound of his numerous live gigs inside four walls, and he created an album which is constantly running in my CD player.

More than enough reasons to talk to Mr. Egg Germ and ask him some questions. But before you go on with the interview, check out his personal Web site where you can find sound samples and other information about him:

http://www.MrEggGerm.com

DJ MG
March 2000

The following interview was conducted by DJ MG on 03/02/00:

Where are you born, and how did you get involved in music?

New York City. My father plays Bach on the pipe organ, my mother was a singer, and my nanny stirred up the roots. I was forced to take classical piano lessons until I was in junior high. After I was allowed to quit I immediately bought a synthesizer and started playing in bands.

What musicians did inspire you?

Herbie Hancock was a huge inspiration. I remember when I first heard the album "Thrust," I nearly wet myself. Also, Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Thelonius Monk, Chick Corea, Eddie Jobson in UK, Jimmy Smith, and Chester Thompson in Tower of Power. I also listened to a lot of Frank Zappa, Roy Ayers, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Parliament-Funkadelic. Do you see a pattern? Me either.

What keyboards do you mostly use?

Let's see... Fender Rhodes, Hohner D6 clavinet (with wah-wah), Hammond B-3, Nord Lead2, SE-1, Korg Prophecy, Roland XP-30, Korg DW-8000, Ensoniq TS-10 and others.

What was the first band you were playing in, and how did everything evolve to where you're now?

When I was 16 I hooked up with the Duke Babb Band. It was a fucking variety-rock/country band with some really hip musicians who turned me on to funk and jazz. I went to college in Iowa where I started a band called the Global Funk Coalition. It was basically an acid-jazz group before that label was around. We had members from Nepal, Ethiopia, Canada, and America. Iowa just wasn't ready. After school I landed in Chicago where I studied for a second at the American Conservatory of Music with this jazz cat named Roger Harris who got me gigs with some jazz/funk groups. Since then I've played in lots of Chicago bands like King Bee, Swimmer, Cool World, and now Robert Cornelius 7, Buttafly, 8FatFat8, and Poi Dog Pondering.

Talking about Poi Dog Pondering. For all of the people who aren't that familiar with the Chicago scene, can you explain to us who PDQ are?

PDP is a 13-piece live band that plays "lush, orchestral dance" music rooted in Chicago house and global crosscurrents. They have a huge, fiercely loyal following in Chicago and throughout the country.

About your CD. How long did you work on it?

My whole life. I guess that's how long I work on everything I produce.

You label your sound "organic funk technology." Can you explain more in depth what this phrase means to you?

Funk is the medium by which the organic achieves technology. Its similar to the science/art division that exists in education. It's unnecessary and counterproductive. Throw some funk in the middle and you'll realize the beauty of science and the truth of art. Or just look at some fractals.

What music styles beside funk do you like?

I like all styles that can be funky. Jazz, rock, r&b, soul, dance, house, techno, d'n'b, jungle, hip-hop, ...

You cover a wide range of different styles on your album, even jungle. Is there a special reason why you not only focussed on one style in particular?

It's just what's in me. I'm just the medium. Really, I just play something funky and record it.

Tell us about Plate.Tec.Tonic Records, the label your album is on?

It's Poi Dog's label that's helping me out as I look into other labels.

How did you meet Typhanie Coller who's singing on some of your songs?

I met her shortly after coming to Chicago in '93 at this club called the 'Elbo Room.' We had both sat in with Liquid Soul one night. I also subbed in her band, Peking Turtle.

Do you do any live performances in the future, and what is the best way to find out about upcoming gigs?

My first Mr. Egg Germ gig is March 9. My Web site lists all the details...

What are your future plans?

My wife is having a baby in April! I'll be doing live-pa's around Chicago with Typhanie. I'm also working on the next Mr. Egg Germ record as well as new records with DJ Daniel Thompson and Poi Dog.

Thanks a bunch for this interview!

Thank You!