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Their lead singer split ten years ago, she explains.
He titled their last albumWell Never Reunite.
But its time for a Hail Mary; the original headliner backed out.
How are they possibly going to get these elusive geniuses onstage for one night only?
Same way I got a perfect score on the SATs, Andy declares.
A broken Scantron machine.
Saying yes was the right decision and very gratifying, he now reflects.
I got to be honest.
Ive just been sworn in.
And somebody said, Well, why dont we just go ahead and ask Jeff?
Oh, how lovely.That was pretty funny for them to admit.
I didnt want to leave at that particular moment, but she insisted.
I also wasnt being asked to cry or do something outlandish.
It wasnt presented to me like it was going to be a stretch as an actor.
Did you name the band?Yes, they let me come up with the name.
I insisted upon the exclamation point because I think thats what a band would have done.
I have potential band names swirling around in my head all the time.
Whats your favorite swirling in your head right now?Triple Rainbow.
What would you consider to be the most impressive Wilco cover?Oh, gosh.
There were a fair amount of them done all at once a few years ago.
One of the British magazines,Uncut, did a CD of more than a dozen Wilco covers.
It was much more contained than the festivals we play.
I was just hoping that I could get it done and not screw up.
Was there a weird key in of camaraderie established with your fellow performers?
Ive been friends with them for a long time.
All of the bands werent there at the same time they were moving people around pretty frequently.
It was such a long day that everybody kind of disappeared into their trailers to relax.
Were both from smaller towns of Illinois, and we had a lot in common from our cultural backgrounds.
Theyre both very sweet people who Im still good friends with.
So it was something I could rehearse with them a little bit beforehand.
Theres a day-to-night transition during your set.
How long did you play for?It didnt go on and on and on.
My overall memory of the day was just really enjoyable.
It made me want to do more funny things.
Ive had pretty good luck.
Where does that rank among other all-star jams youve participated in?It was a spectacle.
It was a beautiful moment and oddly touching for a lot of people.
Its such a silly thing, but it actually has a real emotional resonance.
The show referenced several 90s-era rock bands throughout its run, such as Pearl Jam and Neutral Milk Hotel.
Do you like to think Wilco somehow exists in the Pawnee universe?Im happy either way.
I mean, that has happened, but I dont think it was a result ofParks and Recreation.
The one thing that definitely occurred was I would get people yelling Scott Tanner!
to me a lot.
Im a peripheral character in a universe that people have a deep affinity for.
So thats really strange to witness, but it happens.
Are they getting back together again?
I hope it happens in my lifetime.
Wilco toured with Bob about a decade ago.
But Im happy just knowing that Bob knows who I am.
Who would you choose?That really ties my hands.
Do they all have to be alive?
Ill let you decide.Id say the Beastie Boys would be really nice to be able to see again.
I think a Talking Heads tour would be extremely exciting.
You released a new song under the Scott Tanner name,Cold Water,in 2021.
I had some songs that I thought might fit the bill.
Its funny bands are sort of fictitious to begin with.
Its an agreed-upon kind of illusion.
I guess its not much of a stretch from Scott Tanner.
