Candlebox, the Seattle rock band that burst on to the scene in 1992 with hits like "Far Behind," are back. (If you just had a strange junior high flashback, don't worry—that's normal.) They've got a greatest hits album, a nationwide tour, and plans to release a new album this spring. I caught up with guitar player¿and racing fanatic¿Pete Klett to chat about the Chase, rain delays, and whether Candlebox can save NASCAR from American Idol.
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| Only one member of Candlebox thinks this blog is funny. (And it's not Pete, second from right.) Photo by Tim Roberts/Crucial Networking |
You guys are from Seattle, not exactly a NASCAR hotbed. How did you become a NASCAR fan?
I remember watching it on TV as a kid. They always had it on weekends up there. Then I sort of didn't have time to watch it anymore. One day last year, it was on TV and I started watching it again at Talladega. I remember thinking, This is badass. I watched the Chase last year and then this year I watched it from the get-go. I can't get enough of it.
So you're a fan of the Chase, then. A lot of old-school fans hate it.
I love it. It's like the Super Bowl of racecars, man. It's like another way to root and get perspective. I dig it.
Any chance you guys are going to do a song for NASCAR? Or maybe the national anthem? NASCAR keeps trying to shove Josh Kelly, every American Idol, and Jewel down the fans' throats. Can you guys save fans from musical hell?
I would love to do that. Nothing is planned, but I would love to do that. I know management is fully aware of my love for NASCAR.
Well, with the way Junior is running right now, you've already got his perfect theme song, "Far Behind."
[Laughs] Oh, dude, that's a low blow. I'd like to see him do better just because he is a cool guy. I'm not really into that Junior bandwagon, but he is one of those clean racers that probably deserves to win.
So who are your favorite drivers?
I keep getting asked that but I can't tell you. I love so many of them. People laugh at me, but I like Kyle Busch. I think he's a good driver. (Liking Kyle Busch? Yeah, I am definitely laughing at you¿MC) Denny Hamlin is probably the coolest to watch. Tony Stewart's good. I like Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler and Harvick, and Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray.
Wow, those are a lot of favorite. Anybody you don't like?
Clint Bowyer really bothers me. There's something about him. He's just cocky, I guess. When he got into a wreck with Kyle Busch, he started talking about Kyle Busch like he's got to learn how to drive. And I'm thinking, "He's better than you. And you're a fucking rookie so you better shut up."
So I guess you won't be visiting Clint's hauler when the NASCAR track finally gets built in Washington.
I just don't see it working up here unless they have the only race in the dead of August because of the rain factor. If they ever do get a track up here, I will definitely be there. I'll go anywhere to watch stock cars.
With your touring schedule, do you get to see many races live?
I've never been to a race, but I am going to Talladega this fall. I am going to get a Winnebago out on the infield and spend the whole weekend. They are going to run the trucks there this year. I love the trucks, too. I want to see that old-school track before they get it completely changed.
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