Interview with Tim Gabor

Novoselic.com: How long have you been an artist?
Tim: I’ve been doing this for about 15 years.

Novoselic.com: When did you first start doing projects for album covers?
Tim: Actually, the first “BIG-TIME” CD job was with the Foo Fighters in 1995… My background was in magazine publishing doing work for RollingStone, Esquire, and that sort.

Novoselic.com: When did you and your wife first move to Seattle, and what was the reason behind the move?
Tim: We moved here in 1991 after Jaq got accepted at the University of Washington to persue a Masters degree in Painting. Actually, it’s because of Jaq that I eventually got the Foo job!

Novoselic.com: Did you achieve success before moving to Seattle, or after?
Tim: My carreer was in full swing when we moved here. I was in the middle of a children’s video with Elvis Costello and John Cleese (it never hit the streets…)

Novoselic.com: How did you get connected with the Seattle music scene?
Tim: We were introduced to Dave Grohl and his then wife Jennifer Youngbllood at Jaq’s thesis show (they were there to see a friend who was in the same graduating class). We all started bowling and going out together – Our friendship developed from there (they were a really fun couple!)

Novoselic.com: About what year did you start going to shows and hanging out with bands?
Tim: 1995 (kinda after the whole Nirvana thing.)

Novoselic.com: How and when did you meet Krist/Nirvana?
Tim: I was first introduced to Krist at Dave’s surprise birthday party… He declined my offer to race slot cars.

Novoselic.com: I know you are friends with Dave, did you ever get to know Kurt?
Tim: No, unfortunately I never had a chance to meet Kurt. It was a sad day here in Seattle when he died – the whole feeling in the city was somber and really, really sad, quiet and rainy… I went to the “City Center” memorial.

Novoselic.com: How many Nirvana concerts did you see?
Tim: I had a chance to see Nirvana twice. I believe I saw their last Seattle show at the City Center Arena.

Novoselic.com: What do you think are your most well-known projects?
Tim: Probably Foo Fighters and The Posies “Amazing Disgrace” and the new Anthrax album “Volume 8-The Threat is Real!”… those had the broadest “mass” appeal.

Novoselic.com: What are your favorite bands right now?
Tim: That’s a hard question because I’m always listening to different stuff…For example, right now, I have in my CD changer: Fountains of Wayne, Godzilla; 1954-1976, KISS “The Elder, Secret Agent File ( a compilation of spy movie themes), Nirvana; the complete radio sessions, and the soundtrack from the 50’s Sci-Fi movie “Time Machine”…

Novoselic.com: You see Krist occasionally, do you ever see Dave, or keep in touch with him?
Tim: No, after David’s divorce he moved to L.A. – hated it – then moved back to his old stomping grounds in D.C.. The last time I saw Dave was at a “Foo” show in Seattle about a year ago.

Novoselic.com: Are you working on any projects right now that we should look out for in the future?
Tim: I’ve just completed a video box for Krist’s new film; “L7-The Beauty Process”… It has some really cool performances by supergroup L7 shot by Krist in 8mm…I also just finished a huge project for Sports Illustrated…but that’s a different story…

Novoselic.com: Do you follow Krist’s political career? Is he going to run for some office, and will you support him?
Tim: A little… He gets pretty involved! Much more than I can keep track of. I think he’ll eventually run for Mayor (I’m surprised he already hasn’t!) I think he’s got too many “Irons in the fire” right now with his new record and all…

Novoselic.com: What are the best bands you’ve seen live?
Tim: Nirvana, Kiss, The Presidents of the United States, Jesus Lizard, AC/DC, Van Halen (with David Lee Roth!) and the Butthole Surfers.

Novoselic.com: Did you ever party with Krist before he went clean? What was his favorite drink?
Tim: No, but I’m sure you’ve heard the same stories I have…haha!

Novoselic.com: Do you, or have you played any instruments, if yes, which?
Tim: Yeah, I play the drums in a little combo we’re calling at the moment “Trophy Wife”

Novoselic.com: Does Krist really own a farm, and raise goats on it?
Tim: You bet! He’s pretty pround of it (they’ve pretty much rebuilt the whole thing – there were cows living in the downstairs when they bought it!)

Novoselic.com: Do you consider yourself lucky that you got to know some famous names in the music industry?
Tim: Oh yeah… but I was surprised at how the industry is so different from my all my High school dreams…

Novoselic.com: About how long does it take to do an album cover?
Tim: I treat everything as an individual project… whatever it takes to get done… sometimes it’s a few hours, other times it may be months.

Novoselic.com: What do you think of Courtney Love and her new life?
Tim: No comment…