It’s been six months since I had the pleasure of speaking with James Richardson, lead guitarist for MGMT. Since our brief chat at the Bottom of the Hill a few things have changed. One is obvious – he no longer plays the drums. Perhaps his impromptu performance of Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” caught founding members Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden’s eyes. Who knows – I didn’t pry, I was just trying not to get kicked out of BFD 2008’s backstage, lest someone find out I had no press pass and was only there because I had the dumb luck of being in the same high school jazz band as James.

All I know is that with fedora, hobo beard and hair braid, James more than fits the part. Of course that’s the second thing that’s changed. After being on the road for months, with little or no break on MGMT’s world tour he looks worn, even haggard, but no less eager about the little things that make the road worthwhile.

“I’m always just trying to get the party started,” James said while lamenting the loss of a beloved wiffle ball bat. In the background I could hear someone else suggest hitting the Holiday Inn pool for a dip.

“Dammnit – where’s the beer?” he questioned as he checked an empty cooler. Members of Hot Tub, a band that joined MGMT on stage for some crazy dancing during “Kids,” shrugged.

Which brings me to the third thing that’s changed. MGMT has added a little more swagger to their step. Not that they didn’t have their own style before, but when I looked out at the crowd of sweaty teenagers all I could see were zebra stripes, fluorescent colors and Ray-Ban sunglasses. Man, their fans catch on fast.

Albeit a bit of an homage to a much more open (read: hippy) time, these guys have mastered the art of fashion to a point that you’ve got to believe that they dress like an acid trip all the time. I even caught their manager wearing red shoes with sparkling new neon-yellow laces. Although I had no official interview, one thing I would have loved to ask is “hey, where did you get those fucking awesome pants?” Of course, that didn’t stop my girlfriend MT from asking Ben Goldwasser that very question.

“I looked for a very long time, I remember that, but I don’t remember where,” is what Ben said as I held my breath praying he didn’t take the question as an insult. MT looked disappointed as if she were planning on going to buy a pair after the show – but hey, if I were Ben I would keep my secrets close too.

“So have you met anyone awesome?” I asked, no longer able to contain myself.

Since I predicted James would be big time in high school (if you don’t believe me read my year book), I was always hoping he would get to meet my obsession – Radiohead – and tell me all about it.

“Haven’t met Radiohead yet, but we will be playing with them later this summer,” said James. “I did get to meet Spacemen 3, one of my favorite bands.”

Did it shock me that one of James’ favorite bands is one known for using drug-induced moments of euphoria and despair to make some of the best music ever? No, it was the perfect answer for the member of a band like MGMT. We kept talking music and I coerced James into telling me what he was listening to these days, new and old:

Bands I Like:

1. The Black Angels – hands down the best band right now
2. Verdena – if you haven’t heard them that’s ok, not many people outside of Italy have. Perfectly awesome early-nineties grunge sound (the best part being they don’t even know it).
3. Deerhunter
4. Spectrum
5. E.A.R.
6. Spacemen 3 – duh
7. Jacobites
8. Paris Sisters – a Phil Spector masterpiece

“That’s what I’m into right now. I’ll probably think of about 400 more right after you leave.”

So I guess one thing that hasn’t changed about James, or MGMT, is that they know great music. If the above list is any indication for what these guys are cooking up for a new album (not starting rumors, I have no official word about any upcoming album), I can’t wait. However, I can guarantee you that MGMT is nowhere near close to emptying out their goody-bag of oracular spectaculars.

After we parted and I went back to hang out with the rest of the common folk around the front of the stage, I was reminded of MGMT’s song “The Youth,” and all this change happening to James and other friends who are starting to form a life worth singing about. Change is inevitable. It’s just a transition from one part of life to the next. As the music industry starts to unfold before our eyes, we are going to need more bands like MGMT to pick up the pieces and start to rebuild with a unique, lasting song that reminds us of the possibility of youth. Either that or a great acid trip to make us forget.

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