Counting Their Blessings

“I’m so glad to talk to you because I’m having a huge Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers kick right now,” begins Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz who is, by his own admission, screaming down the highway at six in the morning in a 40-year-old deathtrap.

“My tour manager – Jimmy Doherty, who’s from Cork – wrote me an email yesterday. It’s been 30 years since The Undertones’ first album, and they’re making a documentary film and they want Counting Crows to record a version of ‘Teenage Kicks’, which blew my mind. I couldn’t believe they asked us. I’m totally chuffed, as you guys would say! I’m a little intimidated though, because I have to sing something Feargal Sharkey sang, but I think I’ll get over that and do it our own way. It’s one of the best songs ever. I was a little nervous when I first heard the news, but then I was talking to Gemma Hayes about it and I said ‘I’m not a teenager anymore’ and she said ‘it’s not about being a teenager, man – it’s about life. It’s not like you’ve grown up anyway – just sing the damn song.’”
Yes readers, despite selling 20 million records, getting nominated for an Oscar for their song ‘Accidentally In Love’ (which featured in Shrek 2) and generally sound-tracking a string of broken romances for two generations worth of empty-hearted, soppy teens, the 44-year-old singer wants to talk about how much he loves Ireland and we’re more than a little flattered.
“One of the hard things about touring is that you miss home, so certain places become a home away from home. Ireland, because we know so many people there, has been a home away from home for us,” he reflects. “Even when we weren’t big, I think we’ve always fitted with Ireland because the music is so passionate and the fans who embraced us embraced us fanatically and truly loved the band. Even when we weren’t drawing huge crowds, the people that were there truly loved it and they’re OK with us being the type of band where you don’t know what the fuck you’re going to get. So yeah, I love the country. I’ve a lot of good memories there.”
At the time of our interview, Adam was filming Freeloaders, a picture which he’s producing/starring in alongside his friends. The movie revolves around five guys and a girl who live in the lap of luxury in a rock star’s mansion, but their sweet situation is threatened when the rock star decides to sell the home. The friends do whatever it takes to maintain their rock-and-roll lifestyle, and today he’s about to film a scene he’s been looking forward to shooting for months.
“Today should be the most enjoyable day of the whole shoot, but it’ll definitely be the most chaotic,” begins the Maryland native. “In the scene, one of the things they do to try and sabotage my sale of the house is rent the place out to a porno crew and today that’s what we’re shooting,” he laughs. “The film is called Ass Pirates Of The Caribbean Two: The World’s Rear End. It should be fuckin’ funny as hell!”
Although Adam has made a living from writing some heartfelt, but pretty bleak songs, it’s quite odd to learn that he actually seems a happy-go-lucky guy. As we finish our chat, we talk about the current Pirate Bay situation and Adam’s own urging for fans to record Counting Crows gigs.
“With the amount of bootlegs I own, I’d be a massive hypocrite if I told our fans not to do it,” concludes the singer. “The average fan usually has all your records, so you’re not losing any money letting them record your show. Once you’ve bought the album, what’s left to do other than go to the live show? If they like it, they’ll play it to their friends and then they’ll also come to your concert. All you’re doing is promoting yourself. If they bought a ticket – which are usually over-priced these days – then why not give them a recording of the show as well? Why shouldn’t they take it home with them?”