I've been trying for years to write an article encompassing Adam Schlesinger's double life as a rock musician and protean songwriter-for-hire, and the A.V. Club's Set List provided the ideal opportunity. In addition to playing bass and writing songs for two great bands — Fountains of Wayne, whose album Sky Full of Holes is out today, and Ivy, whose After Hours comes along in September — he's become Hollywood's guy for fake band songs, whether it's creating an '80s synth-pop ditty for Hugh Grant's washed-up teen idol in Music & Lyrics or fleshing out the back catalogue of Josie & the Pussycats. (Lousy movie, great soundtrack.) Even in a lengthy conversation, we couldn't get to everything — no "Stacy's Mom," sorry — but I think I succeeded in touching every base. Here's one you might not have seen, the Neil Patrick Harris-sung opening number for this year's Tony Awards:
And while we're on the subject, here's a 2009 interview centering on Schlesinger's involvement in the odd-sock supergroup Tinted Windows (also including Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos and the singer from Hanson), and a review of Fountains' great acoustic tour earlier that year. Bonus track: Talking with Schlesinger's former roommate — and Oneders lead vocalist — Mike Viola about his contribution to the decade-spanning oeuvre of fake star Dewey Cox for Walk Hard.
