Ask Kas

Dawn,

As long as you're exchanging atoms, I'll be warbling.

Love, Kasim

Hey Kasim,

You seem to have a bunch of acoustics, and at least one of them (that little Martin I think) has a Fishman pickup in the soundhole. Do you use the one combined with a microphone inside? I'm thinking of getting one of these pickups myself, since their tone (at least in your show) is good. However, I only have one acoustic. Will the installation of the Fishman kill my acoustic tone? It's an acoustic instrument first and foremost and I don't want to wreck it. 

Chris

Chris,

Yes, it is the one with the combo mike and p/u.
I've used it on a few of my acoustics.
The only thing you might want to do is to drill out the end block to fit the 1/4 inch female jack.
Otherwise, you can do what I did to one guitar that I didn't want to mess with a drill on ..... I just ran the small wire outside of the body with some scotch tape.
Works just as well and you don't have to worry about making a 'mistake'.

Kasim

Just had a thought about the Halloween pumpkin filled full-o-candy and junk we gave you at the Abbey Pub in Chicago.  Just make sure you make a dentist appointment sometime soon.
That great smile can not be compromised.   

Luff-ya! 

Tami-Chicago 

Tami,

I saved it all for home!
Thanks!

K

Lori ....

That really depends.

Loose Tea can be somewhat troublesome yet, the ritual is equal to the enjoyment.
Since I travel so often, I'm more or less tied to using bags.
I really only drink one kind of tea, Constant Comment. No milk because it's a spiced tea with Orange rind in it that might curdle any added dairy.
I've been drinking this tea for over 25 years now and rarely end a day without a cup.
Of course the other critical ingredient for me is Honey.
I prefer a good Tasmanian Leatherwood or French Sunflower to heighten the taste.

Kasim

Teresa,

Sadly, there isn't much session work these days in NYC.
It's either computers or ..... computers.

I haven't had much time to curl up with a good book lately so I can't recommend one.

I don't really have a favorite breed of Dog. I really love them all (except Poodles!).

Kasim

Jay,

I wish I could be more positive about a possible full Utopia reunion .... alas, it's a highly doubtful prospect.
Looks like you're doomed to put on a DVD and relive those glory days in the comfort of your living room....

Best, Kasim

Hey Kasim!

My name is Alex a young fan (20 to be exact) but it was my dad who
got me into you guys when I was a freshman in Highschool! I've been
hooked on The RA album and from there it's been great! I was wondering
if you guys have ever put out any books with sheet music or Tabs of
some of the great Utopia songs! I love the bass solo you do in
"Singring and the Glass Guitar" and "Hiroshima" The music is great to
listen to in fact we were driving across the country from DC to Reno
and in the middle of the night through Nevada we were playing "
Caravan" and boy did it set the mood. My mom of course loves your Quid
Pro Quo CD ever since I left it in the car a few years back. Well I
hope you Todd and Roger would consider doing some Utopia theme shows
I know I would be there if there is one in the DC area! Well hope all
is well!

Alex Walker

Alex,

Thanks for the compliments.
I hope you have tickets for tonight’s show in Bethesda MD.
You just might be able to see a reunion of one of your favorite bands.

Kasim

Dear Ruth,

I told Roger his zipper was open.

Playing the Utopia material was a very special thing for me.

Kasim

Hi Kasim,

Who do you think influenced your songwriting style the most before you became famous? ( I know you don't consider yourself famous, but your fans do)
Or in other words what musician or musicians did you listen to who ultimately made you decide to pursue a career in the music industry?

Renee

Dear Renee,

Who was it said I don't consider myself famous? (oh wait .... I said that)
I guess I'm somewhat famous.
I've been asked this a number of times over my career... most musicians have been asked the same question.
I was a wee lad of 9 in February, 1964.
Saw a band on The Ed Sullivan Show one evening that made my job choice a no brainer.
That simple.
Who DIDN'T want to be a Beatle?
Actually, my next door neighbor Steve didn't but he became a LSD burn out so I guess I made the right choice.

Kasim

Hi Kasim!

I have always wanted to ask, when you worked with Bon Jovi was that also
around the time they were without a bass player and if so why did they not
hire you - that would have been one hell of a lineup!

Thanks,

Dear Adele ...

They did have a Bass Player at the time but for some reason he wasn't in London for an Awards Show that I was already attending with Meat Loaf. I saw John and Richie on the Concord going over and they asked me if I'd like to sit in with them for their performance on the same show.
As far as why I wasn't asked to be in the band, all I can think of is that I'm not good looking enough.

Dear Kaz,

Are you glad that the Arena tour is over? With the huge catalogue between you and Todd, it was just too much Arena over too many dates in the same area, with you out front on bass only the first go around. Two times was great, but ready to hear so much more. When will you be at Abbey Pub again?

John G.
Wheaton, IL

John,

Am I glad? I'm never 'glad' when any tour ends. Actually, thats not entirely true .... there have been a few tours over the years that I couldn't wait to end. They'll remain nameless.
In the majority of cases, the end of a tour is always a bittersweet event.
You have to remember, you're spending day in and day out with the same people. Working, traveling, eating and socializing together.
You get so used to being around the same people that saying goodbye is somewhat difficult.
As far as the Arena tour goes, we did kind of beat it to death. However, it was a Todd solo tour and as such I have little to say about where and what is played.
I'm planning to be in Chicago later this year. Right now, it's looking like October 21st. I'll also have a huge surprise for anyone attending that show.
Hope you can make it!

Kasim:

You recorded and released an excellent version of "Where Is My Soul" by The Finn Brothers. I am a huge fan of Tim & Neil Finn. How did you come to the decision to record that song?

Dear Bruce,

I too am a fan of the Finn Brothers.
I was listening to Crowded House one day when a friend asked me if I know that Tim and Neil had a few solo albums out aside from their work with Crowded House.
I found one of them in a record store and 'Where Is My Soul' stood out as one of the better songs on that CD.
I thought it would be a good song for me to do so I put it on Quid Pro Quo.

Kasim

Dear Kasim

I noticed that Jonatha Brooke is a friend on your My Space page. I think that the two of you would sound great together. Have you ever recorded any duets with people outside of the Utopian realm? Or have you considered doing some shows in combination with other diverse musicians? Just wondering....

Also, are you bringing along any Kasim merchandise along with you on this leg of the tour?

Thanks for keeping the great music coming to all of us, and looking forward to seeing you in Foxboro tonight!

Nancy in New Hampshire

Dear Nancy in New Hampshire,

Yes, Jonatha Brook is one of my favorite female artists.
I would love to work with her one day .... we have a few friends in common but alas, I remain just a fan.
Do you know her? Can you get me her autograph?
I wouldn't dismiss the idea of doing a duet with anyone....

Kasim

so the whole interview~ with music ~ very good~ and thank you~ it's kind of carrie and you to post the night light show on the store home page~ but do i have a question for ask kas~ to be or not to be~ that 's the question~ i don't know~ only the shadow knows~ who is the shadow anyway~ ok~ questions all over ~have a great and safe memorial day weekend~ oh yeah~ and most likely i will spin a basement tape song on this weekend's night light~ just for the satisfaction~ just for the aaah~ God bless you ~ ciao~ nana

Nana,

To be or not to be? I prefer 'being' opposed to 'not being'.
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub.
Nothing like a good rub to keep you awake.

Kasim

Kasim,

I was just reading the liner notes of "Bad For Good." What was it with those guys? They misspelled your name two records in a row. Geez, man. How hard is it to get the guy's name right?

I loved your performance on the Pushing Red Buttons record. How is it that you were involved with Steve and Rich et al. ? Any chance of adding Danny's Private Life to your solo set? I could go for that!

Chris

Chris,

In my case, it seems extremely hard to get a name right.
It's a problem I've suffered with all my life.
Not only in my work but in mundane areas such as magazine subscriptions and AARP correspondence.
Steve from PRB is a fan who got in touch and asked if I would sing on one of his songs.
I liked the track and agreed.

Kasim

Kasim,
Most of the Utopia VHS programs have been reissued on DVD. Are there any
plans to reissue the Evening with Utopia (VHS) concert from Thanksgiving
1982 on DVD?

Thank you,

Kevin

I have no control over the Utopia catalogue.

I would write to whoever distributes the VHS copy and DEMAND it be released on DVD!

Kasim

Thanks for answering my first questions Kas and now for a follow-up. I was out to see two shows in April and you appear to have a lot of fun flinging your picks at people, especially at the Ram's Head in Baltimore. Ever fear you might take someone's eye out? Or is a mishap like that handled by insurance carried by the venue?

Thanks for always taking a moment to say Hi as well.

Gregg Xenakes

I have a question all the ladies want to know.

Are you still married?

and are you going to be playing with Todd in the recreation of a wizard a true star?

-Renee

Marriage is so 90's.

I can only hope and trust that my services, talent and smile will be requested for the AWATS show(s).

Kasim

Dear Kasim,

I have 2 questions.

1. Do you sing in the shower? :-)

2. If you could choose to play with any current band (not Todd or Meat), which band would you choose and why? And which instrument would you play?

-Sarah

Did you ever see that Suregold double-neck bass/guitar that one could take apart? That was the shit! I saw it at the NAMM convention in Chicago - a musician's paradise! So, you should come back to Indy - they're tire testing....

Question for ASK KAS: tomorrow's the last night of the tour. what's next for Kas?

Dear Janet,

No, I've never seen that Bass. Sounds interesting though.

I'll be planting flowers most of May. Both literally and figuratively.

Kasim

Haven't found a decent book in a while. I'm currently reading "Ghost War ... The secret role of the C.I.A. in Afghanistan from 1975 to September 10th 2001"
'Siddarthur' by Herman Hess.
Yup, still drinking tea.

Kasim

It was a pleasure meeting you in Tampa. The show was great and you are so nice and cordial to everyone.

The questions are : Is it difficult sometimes to meet and greet so many people that are anxious to meet you on a constant basis?
How do you have the stamina to do this all the time??
What is the upside of touring and the downside in your opinion?

Thank you ...see you soon.

Robin

Have you ever played a 12 string bass? Or a banjo?

Your Windy City fan,

I used to own a 12 string Bass and did play it on stage a number of times in Utopia.
I sold it a long time ago and, funny enough, it has resurfaced.
I got an email from a friend not too long ago with a picture attached.
The email asked me if I had ever owned a 12 sting Bass along with a picture of one that was for sale for 5000 dollars.
It was the same Bass.
I told my friend that it WAS my Bass at one time.
It was made by a small company in Woodstock NY by the name of Villette / Citron.
As I remember, it was a very nice Bass but totally impractical.
I've tried playing a Banjo at various times, it's not an easy instrument to play.

Kasim

Thank you for all the picks (I was standing with my blonde sister in front of you)....Your guitar is beautiful & I was thinking it is a gibson??? Model?? I was a sound tech. for many years in Denver and first heard you in boulder at the college with Utopia. Longgggggggg time ago. We both loved the Memphis concert and she now knows which is her right hand. Happy trails will look for future gigs with just you playing, any coming up??

Me, Lynn Berry

The guitar I'm playing is a Grestch. The model is an Electromatic. I've never really seen one before I got it. It's very close to the
Duo-Jet and Silver-Jet in body shape but for whatever reason is called an Electromatic.
Nothing coming up real soon as far as solo shows go. Please check this site or anyone of the other sites related to me for info on upcoming solo shows as they are booked.

Kasim