Peas in Our Time
Goober and His Gang Must Be Nuts
Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
January 1, 1993
Before this interview with Goober and the Peas took place, the Peas' publicist called, warning that the group was serious about its music, but irreverent about everything else. The guys might be a tad "crazy" in conversation, he said.
It's true. Lead singer Goober (nee Dan Miller) and head Pea, guitarist Junior (nee Tom Hendrickson Jr.), both have deadpan senses of humor that make for good quips but make it tough to piece together the alternative band's history. Here's what we came up with - with more than just the facts, ma'am. But remember what that publicist said: the Peas with a grain of salt.
Goober and the Peas return to Chicago to headline tomorrow night at the Elbo Room.
WES & PEAS: John Wesley Harding produced the band's album, "The Complete Works of Goober & the Peas." Just how did this group from Detroit get the witty Englishman to work with them?
"Well, he was begging to work with is, if truth be known," says Junior. "So we decided, OK, let's let him."
Funny, Harding remembers it the opposite way.
"Oh, well maybe that was the case," Junior says. "Details."
Actually, Harding had wanted to produce a band, and an intermediary suggested the Peas. Both parties liked each other and agreed to work together. Besides producing, Harding also sang backup on several tracks.
"I quite enjoyed the experience," says Harding. "I had no clue what I was doing and neither did they. But I think they're brilliant, and I think their record turned out nicely."
THE SONGS: The Peas' songs are as descriptive as their titles: "Hot Women (Cold Beer)," "Funky Cowboy," and "Hunt For Grandpa." Their lyrics are country vivid set to a rock 'n' roll beat. Part hillbilly hicks, part rock 'n' roll slicks, the Peas are showmen who aren't afraid to look stupid. Their concerts are frenetic, with the five men dressed to thrill in their best Grand Ole Opry duds.
"We're not talking nouveau country here," says Junior. "We don't wear tight jeans and spangly shirts. We don't pretend. We are. We're not sure what we are, but we are."
WHO'S A GOOBER?: Miller's the only Goober. The other Peas in the pod are bassist Hoss (nee Michael Miller), guitarists Junior and Shorty Currie and new drummer Doc (nee Dylan McCarty), who replaces Doc Lang.
Doc's got another nickname: Boy Wonder. His dad used to play guitar with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.
MAYBERRY, ANYONE?: Despite the obvious connection between Goober and the character of the same name on the "Andy Griffith Show," Goober the singer says his name isn't a homage to that show. Nor is it a rip-off of the candy.
"I think my name has a lot to do with my physical problems," says Goober.
What physical problems?
"Oh, you know," he continues. "My lack of lips, the size of my teeth, how my face looks like it's 40 but I have the body of a 12 year old. That's not a winning combination. Is it no wonder that people started calling me Goober?"
Though he won't say how old he is, Goober looks to be in his mid-20s.
TELL ME MORE: "Actually, we didn't name the group after him," says Junior. "There really was a song from the Civil War days called `Goober Peas.' Burl Ives sang a version of it that was kind of cool."
OK, sing a bit of it, Junior.
" `Goodness how delicious/Eating goober peas, peas, peas, peas,' " Junior sings, pleased.
"I don't get the opportunity to sing much, so I like to sing as often as I can in interviews and things," he says. "Did you like it?"
CHICAGO: "We're looking forward to
returning to Chicago," says Goober. "We love everything about it. The people are
terrific, the museums are wonderful and the mass transportation is top-notch.
And, oh, the mountain ranges are just great."
None of this nouveau country stuff for Goober and the Peas: "We don't pretend.
We are."
Goober and the Peas 10 p.m. tomorrow
Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Tickets, $8
(312) 549-5549