52nd City

An Explosive Interview with FPM

Explosivity, I tell you, that's the mood generated by an e-mail exchange between myself and Mark Heinz, drummer and co-founder of Fragile Porcelain Mice. The group's onstage tomorrow, at the border of Soulard, inside the Lucas School House, along with LucaBrasi. I've already called in sick to work so that I can enjoy the May 10 show, as should you.

Let's go:

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52nd City: Fragile at the Lucas School House. Not a combo I'd have ever imagined. How'd that venue come about for this show? Will the couches be safe?

Heinz: We got together with our friends, LucaBrasi, and set it up. Everyone was into the venue, and both bands wanted to play together, so we made it happen. Beautiful thing, rock 'n roll. And I do believe the venue owner, Dan, will have the foresight to have the furniture sealed and protected before our crowd walks through the door.

52nd City: It seems as if you've been a bit more active in the last year. Am I imagining that? Or are you guys back out in the public a touch more? How many gigs a year are ideal?

Heinz: We have been poking our heads in here and there and having some fun. The stage is home. It's where you hang your hat, and as many shows as possible is ideal for any guy that truly loves what he does. We always appreciate an invitation to take the stage and do our thing for you for a while.

52nd City: What's the status of Fragile and recording? Anything in the works?

Heinz: The band has been in our secluded studio space tooling away at some very interesting new material. You put a couple of us in the room together and hit RECORD, and out comes a Fragile song. Again, the beauty of rock 'n roll. Of music and people that were apparently born to make music together.

52nd City: Any plans for additional musicians for the show? Know that you guys like to bring on some guests. Any surprises on that level? Horns? Harps?

Heinz: No additional players for this show, but you never know from show-to-show what we might whip out.

52nd City: What would be the ideal oddball gig for Fragile, at this point? Is there an opening set, a venue, or another type of opportunity that you've always wanted to do but haven't been able to do?

Heinz: I think that a very cool festival abroad would be nice, in terms of an oddball gig for us. I think it would do the band some good to "get away" for awhile together in a foreign land. Then again, I love being at home. Yes... oddball. That was the question.

52nd City: Do you feel that Fragile is helping bridge the eternal Missouri vs. Illinois divide? Where does LucaBrasi fit into this play for peace?

Heinz: What's to divide compatriots? And members of LucaBrasi are definitely our contemporaries. We've collectively been through a lot with individuals in LucaBrasi over the years, and it's good to see them out and leveling crowds together. Come to Illinois, guys!