1. What’s your all time favorite version of “Louie Louie”?
Tweedy: The Kingsmen. The “real” one.

Dr. Filth notes: Proud tradition over obscurity for obscurity's sake -- Mr. Tweedy feels no need for showoffish record snob namedrop.

Dr. Filth notes -- Identification with Leiber-Stoller’s smoking rebel or with Charles Schulz’s perpetually hopeful wishy washer?

Mr. Schulz, RIP

3.Fill in the blank: I can’t stand _______ music.
Tweedy: I can’t stand soft light jazz music.

Dr. Filth notes: This was a quick response. In my experience, insecure vacillators tend to generalize in this category -- i.e. “I can’t stand ‘boring’ music”. Or “I can’t stand ‘insincere’ music.” Whereas those with more secure ears operate in more specific categories. The former wish to appear more “well versed”, and reluctant to put down specific genres -- there is nothing more maladjusted than the vapid claim -- "Oh, I listen to anything!" The latter know what they like and what they don't. Mr. Tweedy’s choice also shows a distaste for music generally perceived as ‘devoid of content’, a tendency that repeats itself in his choices for Either/Or (see #4).

Dr. Filth: Mick or Keith?
Tweedy: Keith (quickly)

Dr. Filth: George or Merle?
Tweedy: [Long pause. Tries to cop out.] Depends on what era. . .
Dr. Filth: Ok, Mercury George vs. 60s Capitol Merle.
Tweedy: [Still a long pause.] I think I have to go with Merle.

Dr. Filth notes: Mr. Tweedy responded to these questions very seriously -- he does not quantify his musical experiences or choices lightly. His choices reflect a preference for perceived serious musicians and maverics (Keith, Bo, Bob, and maybe the slightly more socially combative Merle) over a more surface level “entertainer” (Mick, Chuck, Toots, George (although this last classification is problematic, as indicated by Mr. Tweedy’s lengthy pauses and bargaining)). The possible exception is Louis over Miles, which is just good sense.

5. WORD ASSOCIATION:

a. DrF: Mandolin =JT: Strings
b. Single = Double
c. Novelty = Sharks
d. Smoke = Wind
e. Musician = Jerk

f. Reunion = Ill Advised
g. Advice = Quietly
h. Review = Dialogue
i. Contract = Fun
j. Radio = Missing

6. How can you tell when the joint is jumpin’?
When I don’t . . .remember.

Dr. Filth notes: This was not, I think, a reference to too much drink or whatever. It indicates a response to live music that is largely internal -- complete immersion in the moment, loss of self, that good old transcendence shuffle.

7. Would You Rather Shag, Monkey, or Pogo?
Pogo

Dr. Filth notes: Identification with the punk rock dance or the perpetually hopeful nice guy possum?

drawn by Walt Kelly, Pogoman

8. First Bob Dylan Lyric off the top of your head?
[Thinks.] Hmm. . . .”Thinking he was bullet proof.” Is that right? it’s from “Joey”.

Dr. Filth notes: Substantial Dylan fixation -- not a line pulled out of the hat by just any Dylatante. Deference as to the accuracy of this line indicates that this Dylan fixation is probably positive with no need for therapy or recovery.

Album cover #4 - the fabulous mystery album of Dr. Filth
What do you see in this album cover?
I see a fantastic sense of humor.
What does this album cover mean to you?
It means some kind of commitment.
What does this album cover sound like?
Sounds like something unique unto itself. Creates its own universe.

11. On what occasion would you kick out a fan in a concert for yelling out a request?
I would never kick out a fan at a concert for yelling out a request.

Dr. Filth’s diagnosis: Jeff Tweedy appears to be serious about his passion for music without being pretentious about it. His Bob Dylan quote shows an of awareness of hubris and humility that was echoed word associations e, g & h, although the Musician = Jerk is self conscious depreciation further proving his identification with Charlie Brown. Before the relatively unprompted digs at the end of the interview, I would have thought him incapable of a truly harsh word against any musician, and you have to wonder if there’s a certain protectiveness of persona in his hostility. It’s also interesting to me when anyone who likes the Strokes’ record instantly gets defensive about it, but in this Mr. Tweedy is not at all unique. During the Dr. Filth Rorscharch test he was worried that he was not doing “well”. This is echoed later when he talks about the Invisible Jukebox interview where he is happy because he “gets” 11 out of the 12 cuts. He likes to be perceived as a (but not necessarily THE) primary font of musical knowledge but balances that nicely with curiosity and a willingness to listen to the opinions of someone else. He also cops to getting recent record scores from other collectors, which means he doesn’t think all sounds originate from his brain or fingertips. He also was very concerned that the profile didn’t show he was an axe murderer. And while the 11 Point Personality Profile doesn’t quite work that way, I would have to say that if Jeff Tweedy was an axe murderer, he would be just about the nicest axe murderer you could ever hope to meet.

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"If you don't shop at whizz, you don't know what music is!"

- The Revelators