The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tim Cronin of The Ribeye Brothers
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Tim Cronin of The Ribeye Brothers
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I sing in The Ribeye Brothers a garage rock band. I started in my mid/late 20s in a couple of bands that didn’t really do much, most notably Dog of Mystery with John McBain and later Dave Wyndorf which morphed into Monster Magnet. I initially drummed and sang. It started out being noisy repetitive heavy psych jams with the rhythm being pretty basic, as I was/am a non-drummer I was fine with simple heavy “cave man-esque” drums. Vocals were an afterthought, mainly drowned by the music.
As the band progressed, the song structures became more complex and my musical shortcomings were emphasized. Dave was becoming more comfortable singing and playing guitar and had the right “swagger” for the songs. I had/have what might be charitably described as “anti-swagger.” So after a brief uncomfortable tenure (two singles, two EPs) I ended up doing lights and liquid projections for Magnet where I was a better fit. I then started Daisy Cutter with Jim and Reg Hogan where I was happy being part of a two-drummer lineup. In ’97, Jon Kleiman (drummer for Magnet, guitarist for Ribeyes) and I started writing songs and that’s where I’m at now.
Describe your first musical memory.
When I was a little kid on a drive with my parents in our Datsun station wagon, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick came on and something clicked. I know I’ve heard songs/music before that but that’s the one that stuck.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Seeing Mudhoney at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick opening for Das Damen, like a fucking bomb went off.
When I was in Monster Magnet and the first time we played CBGB’s.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Probably one of the early European tours Magnet did. It really opened my eyes about America’s place in the world and how it’s perceived. I was part of a mainly European crew playing foreign venues and it was eye-opening.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Hopefully to more progression which could go in any direction. Revisiting previous work with different eyes is also progression.
How do you define success?
Doing something that is challenging and even if it’s generally considered a failure, you get something out of it. More realistically, being able to pay your bills by doing something that’s artistically fulfilling.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Besides a couple of dead bodies (traffic accidents), some shitty movies and the Trump presidency, not much.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I have no idea until I actually do it.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Think outside yourself, show the world in a different way.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Always the New York Mets.
https://www.facebook.com/TheRibeyeBrothers
https://www.instagram.com/ribeyebrothersband/
https://theribeyebrothers.bandcamp.com/
