Tack-Fu, who is a self-proclaimed functioning alcoholic, wants three things from life: A case of Pabst Blue Ribbon, the Cubs to win the World Series, and a beautiful girl that wouldn’t mind giving him head while he watches the Cubs win the World Series and drinks said case of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Fair enough, Tack. Fair enough. He’s got other goals/desires, too - you can read all about them in this handy dandy 30 music interview.

Timothy Tack is an Iowa City local, self-appointed “your friendly neighborhood hip-hop producer,” who comes equipped with admirably crafted beats and record company named Tack-Fu Productions to boot. He’s been personally making great strides for Iowa’s hip-hop scene since 1997, which, when rounded up, would be a decade’s worth of community service. But who‘s counting? In February of ‘98 he gathered some like-goaled talents into an album titled Yen & Slang, and by the end of ‘ 98 he’d sold over 700 albums out of the trunk of his car, “pushing the legal dope.” Zip to 2004, he’s a college boy with a new album out Tack-Fu Presents the Production Team 85 decibel Monks. And so we start with that.

30: Contrast what you do with the 85 decibel Monks vs. your solo work.

Tack-Fu: Really not much difference. 85 decibel Monks style is more collaboration between my production buddies around the area, so there are more layers of sound and different influences, but it’s me who is working the track from start to finish, so my fingerprints are all over it, even if I only added a sample or a drum beat. I’m doing the arrangement, edits, and mixing. Tack-Fu solo stuff is the same except I do all the beats, sampling, and basslines. I’d rather have help and collaborate with other producers.

30: It’s known that you are helping to bridge the Chicago scene with Iowa City, how’s that been working out in your perspective? Have things progressed slower or faster than you would have assumed, say in 2000?

Tack-Fu: Not so well…the events have been great as far as live performance, but attendance has been low. Translation: I’m losing 100 bucks every show! It hasn’t caught on like I was expecting. It just hasn’t worked on all cylinders yet. The bridge still needs repairs.

30: What is your favorite quote?

Tack-Fu: "It’s not where you are it’s where you’re at!"

30: Describe your first show; give details, how you felt and what was going on in the music landscape at the time.

Tack-Fu: The vibe was different. We were so happy just to book the show ‘cause, at that time in 1996-97, there had been some violence at previous hip-hop related events, cops were always up in the place on some bullshit at hip-hop events, so most clubs in town didn’t want to touch hip-hop music. I don’t really remember specific details other than it went off smooth, there was a nice crowd, and the performance and overall sound could’ve been better.

30: Tell me something interesting so I can be cool at cocktail parties.

Tack-Fu: How about this, most hip-hop out nowadays is below the Mendoza line (baseball reference which means a .200 batting average; its namesake, Mario Mendoza, played from 1974 to 1982 with a career major league batting average of .215) and you want to hear more hip-hop around the Ted Williams range (last hitter to hit above .400 in the major leagues).

30: Do you have any plans for instrumentals or for using some of your vocals on future efforts?

Tack-Fu: Sho’ Nuff’!

30: Which is harder, finding worthy emcees or getting proper distribution?

Tack-Fu: In order to get both quality emcees and distribution, it takes someone with the ability to make shrewd business moves. These qualities in a person are rare in the DIY underground hip-hop genre. There’re plenty of shrewd businessmen in the music business, but they are not performers or producers, they’re called managers. Know what I mean?

30: It’s obvious that you sample from many different genres, can you explain what is the formula for grinding it out “hip-hop”?

Tack-Fu: It’s all about the backbeat (drums) bassline (lower tones that compliment the backbeat) and grooves (melodies that can be found in any music genre). Then blend, stir, shake, and pour over ice.

30: What was the most intriguing question ever asked by an interviewer? Answer it for us.

Tack-Fu: I think that “tell me something interesting so I can be cool at cocktail parties” ranks number one!

30: What’s the last album that got you hot and bothered?

Tack-Fu: Music doesn’t get me hot and bothered any longer, only fine females or delicious hot spicy food does it for me.

30: How did you hook up with Illogic?

Tack-Fu: I helped promote a show for Blueprint and Illogic here in Iowa City in exchange for them spitting 16 bars over a track I helped produce with DJ Vadim. He really liked the results, and we’ve kept in touch. Illogic also gave me permission to put music under some of his poetry pieces on the Got Lyrics? release. I just completed that little project recently; it came out real jazzy sounding.

30: Expand on the thoughts behind “Message for Goyum.”

Tack-Fu: First of all, I misspelled “Goyum,” it should be “Goyim.” Anyways, it is a Jewish term for “the masses.” But goyim is not a term of endearment, it means more like “mind-numbed robots.” OK, so I and another 85 dB Monk Hartless like to read conspiracy theory books, listen to the authors speak, and check out web sites on the subject. Now, get this, a friend of mine found this conspiracy theory record hidden inside a Tom Jones record sleeve she had dug up at a Salvation Army store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Weird huh? It was given to me, and believe me, there are so many choice spoken word samples on that gem. It was hard to pick out the cream. I just chose a bit that leaves an open ended question, and hopefully that will tweak someone’s curiosity to look into subjects like international banking, global economies, and the subtle movements that are leading up to a one world government. Scary stuff, but really entertaining as well.

30: What’s the last three shows you attended as an audience member?

Tack-Fu: Two out of the three shows were shows I put on and I was so busy setting up, being a good host, running sound, and making sure everything was running smooth, I didn’t get a chance to enjoy the performance. The other was a local showcase, very good turnout, very average performance. But the way I see the big picture, it’s good to support other people’s shows locally, it gives the artists confidence and experience for the future.

30: Here’s your plug chance, which artist should we keep our eyes peeled for?

Tack-Fu: I don’t know anymore nor do I care. I’m just keeping my eyes peeled for a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon, the Cubs winning the world series, and a beautiful girl that wouldn’t mind giving me head while I watch the Cubs make the final out to win the world series and I’m drinking a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon at the same time.

30: Has consuming large vats of alcohol made your life more or less gratifying?

Tack-Fu: Well, since I’ll be paying off my college debt for the rest of my life, and I’m on government subsidies just to make rent and eat, and my past relationships with females have been a long line of lies, deceit, and confusion…the thoughts of consuming large vats of alcohol seem more gratifying than ever.

30: Any tour plans in the works?

Tack-Fu: No reason to take anything on the road. I don’t have a consistent “front man” or live emcee to represent what I do in the studio and take it live to the stage. But, that could change, I’m open for anything, who knows what could pop-up in the next six months.

30: Discuss how the Internet has hindered, or helped your progress in the game.

Tack-Fu: The Internet has only helped my progress. Sure, some rumors have been spread about me and there has been some flames tossed my way…but isn’t that life, anyways? The positives that go along with Internet technology have far outweighed the negatives. I just make sure I don’t get sucked in and I get outdoors or hang out with friends…or heck…just go on a three-day drinking binge and avoid civilization altogether!

30: Would you agree or disagree with the statement that hip-hop is the new punk rock.

Tack-Fu: Agree. Case and point: The traditional punk rock label Epitaph is signing hip-hop acts nowadays. The traditional punk rock distributor Caroline is carrying hip-hop in their catalog nowadays.

30: Can the 85 decibel Monks or Tack be described as net nerds?

Tack-Fu: I just view computers and the Internet as tools. I don’t know how it all works, I just use them. The other 85 db Monks are very knowledgeable with computers. Heck, one of them (the Chaircrusher) built and installed all the software on mine! Let’s just say the 85 dB Monks live a more “virtual” life. They have day jobs with computers, make music using computers, and have households with responsibilities and stuff. I’m a functioning alcoholic, how am I supposed to balance those types of responsibilities? A full-time job? A mortgage? Make a family feel secure and happy? Are you kidding?!

30: Upon re evaluation of your career so far, point out some times you stumbled, and what you learned.

Tack-Fu: I stumbled by not being a good judge of character or talent at times, some of those judgments have bit me in the ass later. I’ve learned to accept the fact that I live in a “small market” called Iowa City and it’s tough as nails to scratch out a living doing music in this area. So, as much as I like kicking it around these parts…it might be time to move on to greener pastures.

30: Is there anything about your latest or upcoming music that you'd like to add?

Tack-Fu: Lately I’ve been landing a few of my instrumentals on MTV. They use them on shows like Cribs and Making the Band. Seems like that’s the direction I’ve been heading into, soundtrack work.

30: Can you discuss the aspect of progressing into computer-based beats, the difficulties and the positives?

Tack-Fu: The difficulties of progressing into software from hardware is the amount of choice available on the market and the upgrades companies make every year. Every program has its advantages and everyone has their favorites and that gets confusing. I use sound forge and acid so I can speak on that, but I’m clueless and don’t even want to learn anything else. Overall, the transition was smooth for me because I got caught right in the middle. Studios were moving away from analog recording and moving to digital recording and editing. I received an education in the both worlds…and I’m real thankful for that. I use it to my advantage daily. It isn’t easy to capture the human element when you work with zeros and ones.

30: Any advice for novices?

Tack-Fu: Any piece of equipment you acquire, hardware or software, master it before you move on to the next purchase. You’ll get a better idea of what you truly need, not want, and that will save you money.

30: What were you listening to at age 17?

Tack-Fu: Beastie Boys, Pubic Enemy, N.W.A., EPMD, Gang Starr... these influences and other groups from that era like KRS-One and Poor Rightous Teachers for example, really changed my perspective on music as a whole. I didn't have to slam a guitar, beat on a drum, or play a piano to become a respected figure in music. Just a good pair of ears - I have perfect hearing, been tested several times for various jobs or required hearing check-ups for school - the patience and desire to dig for unique samples, and the knowledge to work the equipment to get the sounds and sequences I want for a track.