NO longer in the comfort of the Black Crowes’ nest, Chris Robinson is flying solo.
The very successful band he founded with his brother Rich more than 15 years ago is dead – but Robinson, 35, describes the transition as an epiphany.
“We finished the last show of the tour and drove the bus home to Malibu. I went to sleep that night, got up real early and went to the beach to drink my coffee. I thought to myself, ‘no band, no management, no record label.’ I had nothing but these ideas in my head and that morning I started writing.”
He said the songs on his just-released “New Earth Mud” all happened very quickly. “I felt like a kid discovering the limitless possibilities of music again.”
Robinson is not a man who looks for a fight – but he doesn’t back away from one, either.
In the past, he has battled with The Post, barring the paper from Black Crowes’ concerts after a negative review of one of the group’s CDs. The Post also broke the story of the band’s breakup last fall.
Robinson doesn’t hold any grudges. He did this interview without hesitation or restrictions.
He spoke with candor about his personal life, what happened with the Crowes and, of course, this week’s release.
Post: I’m not looking for a fight, but there are some people who have accused your wife of being instrumental in the breakup of the Black Crowes. What do you say to them?
Robinson: I’m glad you asked about Kate breaking up the band. The rumor was ridiculous and a real cheap shot. What would she gain by that? When that came out, I had no idea where that rumor came from. It is totally false.
Post: Then what happened?
Robinson: Any problems within the Black Crowes stem much farther back than me meeting the woman who would change my life.
Post: Kate’s your wife. What did she advise you?
Robinson: She just wanted me to be happy. She comes from one of the strongest, most supportive families you’ve ever seen, and she wanted me and Rich to just get along and love each other. Kate grew up being a Black Crowes fan. She didn’t want to see it end. But she also knew my frustration and supported my decision. She wanted me to be happy, but she wanted everyone to be happy because it was family.
Post: The Black Crowes wasn’t just a band, it was family. Is Rich OK with what happened?
Robinson: I don’t know. We all sat in the same room and discussed it.
Post: Was there a fight?
Robinson: Anytime any relationship breaks up, it’s sensitive. Yeah, there might have been a little bitterness, some f – – – you’s, but it was as civil as any band breakup I’ve ever heard of. But you should know I love my brother and he loves me.
Listen, I can’t imagine us not getting back together at some point in our lives to make music again. Other than that, I haven’t really talked to him about it. If he isn’t happy with what’s happened, I wouldn’t know. We speak on the phone, and I heard some songs he wrote, and they’re really great.
Post: You recently said, “I want to make music that’s real, because the human quality is what makes people feel.” What did you mean?
Robinson: That communicating thoughts, emotions and experiences through music is something divinely human. I refuse to give up on that. I refuse to allow the powers that be to dictate to me the kind of music that I make.
Post: Was there a time during the commercially successful days of the Black Crowes that you or the band lost sight of that?
Robinson: I’m being honest. I’m not trying to be catty. I love the Black Crowes, I love my brother and I love everything about that experience. I can’t say I ever gave up on that, but I don’t feel that everyone felt as strongly about those ideals as when we were all 24 years old.
Post: There are people who do think you’ve changed. So much so that Don Was – a pal who produced a Black Crowes album – didn’t recognize you. Is that a true story?
Robinson: Yeah. He was working on the music to Kate’s movie. He walked right up to me, looked me in the face and asked, “Hey, man, can you tell me where Kate Hudson’s trailer is?”
Post: And you said?
Robinson: “What’s wrong with you? We spent five months together, every day, and you don’t know me?”
Post: Was it you or him?
Robinson: A little of both. Don’s a little spacey in the first place. I don’t think I look all that different. I think I just that I have a different vibe about me.
Post: What’s that vibe? Robinson: This is the first time in my career that I’m super comfortable and super happy in my own skin. The way this record sounds and the way things are playing out in front of me is how I’ve always envisioned it.
Post: What if “New Earth Mud” dies and only sells 100 copies?
Robinson: It is a success and I’m happy. I don’t think anyone has ever seen me quite like this.