The Job That Was So Horrible It Drove Everclear’s Art Alexakis (And Me) to Our Dreams

I went backstage to set up a meet and greet with Everclear. My phone had crapped out and I couldn't get the tour manager on the phone. Sitting there all alone, smoking a fat robusto cigar was Art Alexakis with his leg in a soft cast.

I asked Art if he was going to be okay playing in that thing and he said yeah. You and Grohl pulling your rockstar moves, I told him. He replied that Grohl broke his leg the rock star way and that he did his the "stupid way" -- kicking a door two days before the tour.

I asked him if he was a big fan of cigars and we talked about some of our industry friends that were big fans. He asked me how long I had been in radio and I told him since 1981. He asked "what did you do before that?" I told him I had done hot tar roofing. He revealed he had too -- for one whole summer.

I told him about how my job was to carry the five-gallon bucks of hot tar up to the roof.  Art said he was what they called a mopper.

"Well you know it's a crappy day because it's one job out there that's closest to the sun and the tar just makes it hotter," he said.

Anyways, I feel for all of you up on those hot roofs. I know business is good and you're making bank, but that is a tough, tough job. I try to never forget how miserable you guys are up there, how you can keep your sense of humor is certainly something to admire.

It just wasn't for me, or for Art of Everclear.