Hi Patrick Dahlheimer, from Live, in Canada. How are you?

PD: Hola!

You're currently touring with Jane's Addiction. I thought they split up?

PD: They assembled to spread the music again. Actually a lot of people at home kind of find it surprising that we're opening for Jane's Addiction. It's an honor.

You'll be pleased to know that V just debuted at #1 in New Zealand.

PD: Da da da! [in New Zealand accent:] God bless New Zealand...Actually we will be there in December.

We have heard the rumor. Can you confirm the rumor that you're coming to New Zealand?

PD: I can confirm, but I'm not sure on specific dates. I know it's in December.

Did you know that today is National Frog Day in New Zealand?

PD: [laughing:] No. I had no idea.

Well, this is actually quite important, you know, because frogs are very good indicators on what's happening in the environment.

PD: [sarcastically:] That is true...the early...ah..pre-indicators of environmental...ah...uh...

Change?

PD: Yes...however you wanna word it to sound fancy...

[laughs] Change is fancy...That's great. And in New Zealand frogs are apparently quite unique and some of them haven't changed for 200 million years.

PD: Wow. In my backyard I have a bunch of noisy toads.

Is it true that if you rub a toad on a wart that it will go away?

PD: I don't know, but I think it is true that frogs that you lick...

Right...Have you tried that?

PD: I have not. I've seen people do it.

They have to be special ones, though, don't they? They have to be Cane toads.

PD: Yeah...I had a buddy who actually...yeah...that was his thing. God bless him. Whatever...

Totally bizarre. And, like you said, frogs are an indication of what's happening in the environment. Are musicians an indicator of what's happening in the world?

PD: It's a reflection, yeah. I mean any "art" is a reflection of the world, of society. It's also just someone's idea or interpretation. With Live it's just always been about honesty and love.

So with this album did you see that to do anything specifically?

PD: I don't know what the heck happened with this record. [laughs] It was a crazy schedule. We got right off the tour from the last record, The Distance, and ended up right back in the studio.

You can say you don't want to talk about this if you don't want to, but the whole terrorist thing in the states: How does it feel to be an American?

PD: Proud. I can't lie. I'm patriotic when it comes down to it. I understand and appreciate what the U.S. stands for in some terms. For freedom. But there are other angles and aspects I don't care for. It's actually refreshing to see people of the U.S. come together. To see people-usually in Lower Manhattan on any other given day, would just walk past you and bump you in the shoulder, you know. It's a completely different situation. Everybody is there and everywhere, I think, just open and aware. Generally seems just a kindler, gentler nation.

It's kind of sad that it takes something incredibly extreme to sort of make people take stock sometimes.

PD: Yeah, and I think that somewhat the Western, our Western civilization was always, kind of, was interested in the "here and now" and the "make money fast" blah blah blah, that sort of "pop" whatever "15-minute lifestyle".

On the subject of the, you know, "instant gratification, 15-minutes" thing, last time I spoke to you you were actually eating McDonalds. Do you think a lot of pop music is a little like a quick fix and fast food?

PD: Yeah. For a lot of people. But then I think there're a lot of people who take music as a bigger part of their life and it's not just turning on the radio and saying "ooh I like this song. I don't know who it is." but I think millions of people take music and it's part of their lives.

What have the rest of the guys of the band been up to?

PD: Well, Chad's about up to 185 lbs right now...

Too many McDonalds! [laughs]

PD: Nonononono....I don't know where anybody is. I'm sitting in my hotel room. I'm lost. I don't know where anybody is.

You're all in your lonesome.

PD: Yep.

Do you get lonely?

PD: Yeah. This tour is a little different. It's just kind of hard to call home and ask how, you know, 3rd grade open house was for my daughter. It's a job to some extent and it does get lonely. But I have to step back in the big picture and realize what I'm doing and why I'm doing what I am doing. It's because I love it.

Anyway, Pat, you're coming to New Zealand definately now in December, at some stage?

PD: Indeed.

And we're looking forward to that and so we'll be in touch.

PD: I'm actually anxious. We're all anxious to get back down. Probably some of the more memorable shows were in New Zealand. The anticipation is weighing heavy on our hearts.

Oh God. [laughs] Now we feel we have to live up to it as an audience...Pat Dahlheimer, from Live, thank you for your time.

PD: Cheers. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Transcribed by Stephanie Smith from a New Zealand radio interview, October 2001.

Visit RockFM New Zealand at www.therock.net.nz