San Francisco has always kept the faith. While other local music scenes have moved away from the style, the tradition of guitar-based pop-rock bands and strong melodic songwriting continues by the Bay. The Bobbleheads are the latest carriers of the torch, and they’re doing it with total confidence and scrupulous attention to lyrical and sonic detail. Everything about the group – the ringing 12-string Rickenbacker guitars, the fleet but driving beats, the sweet multi-part vocal harmonies, the joy and love that radiates from their performances – feels effortlessly classic.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
John Ashfield: Guitar, Lead vocals
Pat Ennis: Bass, vocals
Rob Harford: Guitar, vocals
Rob Jacobs: Drums, percussion
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Bobbleheads? How long has the band been around?
The Whoa Nellies, Somebody’s Pet, Zbornack, Rebel Rebel, 8086, Oasis (John’s high school band back in the 80’s!) The Bobbleheads started way back in 2003!
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The Bobbleheads were started by John in 2003 with a different line up. When names were considered John fell asleep. Hence, Bobbleheads! The name has stuck!
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
I am the main songwriter, though the band also collaborates on songs. Everyone has input. Everyone has to like the song in some way, or else you’re at cross purposes and that doesn’t really lead to good music making. A lot of the songs are about the usual fare, love songs, story songs about different things. One song we have is about visiting the Anne Murray Centre while on a surfing trip to Nova Scotia… anything can lead to a song really!!
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Some bands are always influential, since I’ve loved them since I was a kid, and they are the DNA of my musicality. The Beatles, The Beach Boys, R.E.M., Fleetwood Mac, The Partridge Family, The Monkees, The Jam… Recently Per Gessle (Roxette, Gyllene Tider) has been very influential. There are always cool songs around though that influence things. Everyone in the band listens to different stuff and bring different influences to the table. Pat is more punk, Rob Harford loves shoe gazey and brit pop stuff, Rob Jacobs likes a lot of varied things. It all adds up.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
When I was little I inherited all my sister's Partridge Family/David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman albums. This quickly led to getting into The Osmonds and the Bay City Rollers, and then Wings which led to the Beatles. Of course, growing up in the 70’s everyone had “Tapestry” and “Endless Summer”. Top 40 radio… I guess it all goes back to The Partridge Family though. Great songwriting, the wrecking crew… I love great pop tunes. Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!
What do you do to prepare for a show?
This starts with getting together a set list, and running the songs to make sure they flow. We enjoy playing, so we rehearse even when we have no shows coming up. I like bringing in new songs often. It also depends on what kind of show it is. If we are playing something like the International Pop Overthrow festival, you have 30 minutes to get on and off stage and play. So, you gotta make a tight set that moves fast. Other shows you might have more time to stretch out on, and you can do other things.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
There have been a few! Playing LA and having the audience really get into it! Another band had passed out toy maracas, and we happened to be playing a song that featured maracas! It was kismet really! Playing in SF is always a blast… in some ways putting out the new album (myths & fables) is, in some ways the videos Fred Gebhardt has directed for us are. Of course having our album on vinyl is a big thrill.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Well the obvious answer is the Beatles or the Beach Boys, just getting to see them would be awesome! REM as well, Radiohead, Echo & The Bunnymen… maybe Blondie!!! The Cars? Duran Duran? My Morning Jacket? The Killers? Franz Ferdinand? There are so many bands that I have seen do really great shows… Being able to see how other bands work… how they play those awesome songs… it’s always fun to learn how other groups do it! Touring with any band would be great really. I mean, if they were mean people that would not be fun, but I imagine most bands are pretty cool.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It’s a lot of fun to play music, and hear something come out of thin air that you and your buddies conjured up. Being able to then present it to people is then even better. Of course you hope everyone thinks it’s groovy!