Q & A with Luther Russell
For the Wallflowers Network, August 2001


Where are you from originally? 
I was born in downtown L.A. in 1970.

Have you always been involved with music? 
I've always only done music.
What got you into it?
Being born.

Where did you go to school, graduate with, etc? 
I didn't graduate, didn't go to any schools worth mentioning.

What bands were in you in before the Freewheelers?
Just the Bootheels and the 45's (see below)

Did you make any recordings or play out prior to The Freewheelers?
Made two albums with the Freewheelers, one for Geffen and one for American. We toured on and off for five years around the country. Prior to that I just made four-track tapes at home. 

We understand you live in Portland now, when did you move there and why?
Moved here to get out of Los Angeles and Enjoy life.

Can you give us some background on the ending of The Freewheelers and how you
came to work with some of the above acts?
We broke up after trying to get noticed for five years and after I settled in Portland. These above acts came to me after hearing independent records I was producing locally. 

Besides your solo work, are you involved with any other artists?
I had a band called Federale for a spell, but we broke up before cutting a record. The lead guitarist was Marc Ford formerly of the Black Crowes. I usually end up playing something on the the albums I produce, anyway. I've guested on many records, mostly independent, too many to mention.

What are you currently working on? 
I'm working on a record with a band called Ollin. They are a Rock en Espanol outfit from East L.A. I am also excited about a Semi-Rock en Espanol record I am finishing with Fred Trujillo, someone to look out for. I produced a record by Fernando called "Pacoima" which was the first Rock en Espanol record ever released from the Northwest. This is what led to my work with Ollin and Fred Trujillo. I have a soft spot in my heart for Latin rock and the like, and there is very little in abundance, so I try to seek it out and be involved whenever possible.

My new solo record "Spare Change" is out now on In Music We Trust Records.

We understand you played in a band called The Bootheels with Jakob Dylan in your teens.
When exactly was the band formed? 
In 1988.
Where did you practice? 
In Tobi Miller's Mom's garage.
Who were the other members and what did they play?
Tobi played guitar, I played bass and sang, Jakob played guitar and Aaron Brooks (the son of an old friend of my mom's) played drums.
Did you play original songs, or covers... or both? 
I wrote most of the material, but Jakob and I co-wrote many songs. He was shy back then and didn't care to sing, though we encouraged him quite a bit. 
Did you play out at all? 
We played the Troubador and Madame Wong's West in 1998 under the name "Livestock". This was because Jake didn't want anyone to know about him (not that anyone knew who we were anyway!!!)
How long was the band around and how did it break up?
In reality the Bootheels were only around for most of 1988, but it seemed like forever when we were 17. At our few shows, Dylan freaks used to ask me if I was Bob Dylan's son and I would of course say "yes" with Jake lurking behind me. I could understand his apprehension in West L.A. in the late 80's. But basically we just got drunk and went to Taco Bell a lot. We actually were a damn good band and just a hair ahead of our time. The band broke up because Jakob went to art school. This led to Tobi and I forming the 45's. Where the Bootheels were basically root's rock the 45's were more aggressive.

In 1988 you and Tobi Miller formed the 45's. Who were the other members and what did they play?
The Drummer was Scott Kail and the bassist was Barrie Maguire. I switched to guitar (quite a drama at the time) and Tobi remained lead guitar.
Who wrote the Material? I wrote the songs mainly, but we co-wrote as well. I remember we used to cover Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again" [Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself Again]
Where did you play?
Everywhere we could at the time. Everything was "Pay to Play" and it was hard to get a gig in L.A. until the early nineties.
How long was the band around and how did it break up?
We broke up sometime in the middle of 1989.

How did you come to meet Barrie Maguire, Tobi Miller and Jakob Dylan?
I met Tobi at a guitar store. He was looking to jam with a bassist and we both liked The Replacements. The night we actually hooked up he asked me to come to the airport with him to pick up a friend. It turned out to be Jake [Dylan]. I was always a fan of his dad's, but he just seemed like a regular guy to me. We hit it off right away as he was a fan of the Replacements too!
After the Bootheels broke up Tobi and I discovered Barrie at the Anticlub after it was decided I would play guitar from now on. He was a kook and a brilliant musician.

Have you also worked with Rami Jaffee, Greg Riching or Peter Yanowitz?
No. Just jammed a bit.

There is a 1992 Rolling Stone magazine photo of you joining Jakob Dylan and some members of the Wallflowers on stage at the Kibbitz Room (Canter's Deli in L.A.). Can you tell us more about playing there?
Rami started the jams. They got out of hand after I dragged the Black Crowes down there one New Years Eve. The rest is history. When they did a story in Rolling Stone, Jake invited me down.

The Wallflowers Network wishes to thank Alex Steininger of In Music We Trust Records, and Luther Russell for their enthusiasm, support and cooperation in making this Q & A possible.

• Barrie Maguire
• Tobi Miller
• Jakob Dylan
• The Bootheels
• The 45's
• The Freewheelers