Not every band has a Jedi Master to hold their guitar picks. But bassist Matt Harris of alternative pop band The Posies has a way with guitar techs picked up from the Dagobah system.
"My bandmates nicknamed me Yoda," Harris explains. "Probably because I carry a Yoda coin purse on my bass case filled with guitar picks -- a Yoda pick caddy!"
Yoda seems right at home on tour with Harris, Jon Auer (vocals/guitar), Ken Stringfellow (vocals/guitar/keyboards) and Darius Minwalla (drums). The Posies were instrumental in shaping pre-grunge genre of alternative rock in the early '90s with their unique sound and college radio-friendly hits such as "Dream All Day" from their breakthrough album, Frosting on the Beater. More recently in 2005, the band released Every Kind of Light on the Rykodisc label.
But long before Harris enjoyed life on the road with The Posies, he was a young lad growing up in Provo, Utah where he first witnessed the magic of A New Hope on opening day. From that point on Harris began his lifelong journey as a diehard Star Wars fan.
"I was a junkie from moment one," Harris admits. "It was so amazing to see lasers, lightsabers, spaceships, Wookiees, star cruisers -- c'mon I was 8 years old. It was heavenly."
"I was such a geek," Harris continues. "I used to make snowspeeders out of LEGOs before they even had Star Wars LEGOs. I would crash them into a giant pile of flour (poor man's snow) in my grandma's backyard. She would get totally mad at me for leaving giant white spots on her lawn."
When Harris wasn't crafting his own LEGO masterpieces in the backyard, he was collecting more obscure memorabilia.
"My prized Star Wars item is the original Revenge of the Jedi poster... not Return," Harris boasts. "And I have a Texas Instruments digital watch with different background scenarios to stick on the watch face facade -- it's so killer."
In May, Harris was first in line at the Pickford 14 theater in Palm Springs, Calif. to see Revenge of the Sith, and had plenty to say about his favorite scenes throughout the film.
"I loved the Sidious lightsaber duel," Harris recalls. "It was awesome! Mace Windu getting the axe was a surprise indeed. The birth of Luke and Leia, as well as the Vader transformation scene were my favorite parts. Just an amazing Star Wars moment and just really well done. Very emotional and intense."
While some fans believe Anakin's fall was a direct result from his devotion to to his true love, Harris says he saw the young Jedi trying to control the uncontrollable.
"Anakin thought he was a man at such a young age when indeed he was still a kid," Harris explains. "He was weak and insecure with himself and never truly trusted his feelings."
Watching the film, Harris couldn't help but appreciate the musical score by legendary composer John Williams. When asked if the Posies had the opportunity to rescore the film, if they would, Harris scoffed at the very idea.
"I wouldn't change a thing!" Harris says. "It would be horrible with any other type of music other than Williams was used. Though I do love Leia's Theme."
Check out The Posies in Europe with Teenage Fanclub and then the United States with Oranger and Big Star. And if you're in the front row, don't be surprised if you spot a Yoda coin purse next to the bass amp.
For more information about the Posies visit the official band site here.
Stay tuned to Starwars.com for more Star Wars appreciation interviews from some of your favorite bands and celebrities.
