Who’s on First

'Rockaltcountryindiepopcatchycore" is the word singer/guitarist Adam Gimbel has coined to describe the music of Rookie Card. "I'd rather be unfocused than play the same song ten times in a row," he says. Despite their name, Boston-born Gimbel is the only bandmember who actually has a baseball card collection. "I bought a Beckett monthly price guide a few years ago to check current prices and see which of my thousands of cards were worth keeping. Not many. Nineteen seventy-four Mike Schmidt and Rickey Henderson rookie cards are worth a lot less than they were when I was a kid. Thanks for reminding me."

Rookie Card's What's on Second? was nominated at the 2006 San Diego Music Awards for Best Pop Album. This summer they acquired a new drummer, former Virginian Andrew McNally. The trio (currently "between bassists") is rounded out by guitarist Dylan Martinez, ex of Broken Dial Radio and Static Halo.

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER?

Adam Gimbel

1. The Mates of State, Bring It Back ("Husband-and-wife duo that should've painted themselves into a corner by being just keyboards and drums, but they came up with one of the best albums ever.")

2. Kite Flying Society, Where Is the Glow? ("I should've gotten their songs out of my head by now, but no dice.")

3. Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea ("A longtime fave making its umpteenth comeback.")

4. Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited ("We recently performed the title track, and it made me re-appreciate how out of tune the guitars on the original are.")

5. DJ Spooky Presents In Fine Style: 50000 Volts of Trojan Records ("Compilation of early ska -- possibly my favorite music on earth.")

Andrew McNally

1. The Dirty Pretty Things, Waterloo to Anywhere ("The slightly more sober half of the Libertines crafts a great, edgy pop tune.")

2. Teenage Fanclub, Grand Prix ("A staple in my collection since high school. I've turned dozens on to this album.")

3. Morrissey, Ringleader of the Tormentors ("He's still brilliant.")

Dylan Martinez

"Shouldn't this question be changed to iPods? You may as well ask what's in my 8-track player, which would be K-Tel's Hits of 1978."

DESERT ISLAND DVDs?

Adam

1. This Is Spinal Tap ("Greatest audio commentary ever, with the actors all in character.")

2. High Fidelity ("If anyone can get me the English Beat--style promo T-shirt from this, let's talk.")

3. Melody ("Beautiful late-'60s U.K. kids' film that needs a proper release.")

Andrew

Eddie Murphy Raw and The Goonies ("Because I still haven't gotten sick of them.")

Dylan

1. Rushmore ("It makes me happy.")

2. Network ("I really like most Sydney Lumet movies.")

3. Without a Clue ("Humor is good.")

4. The Beatles Anthology ("Since I'll have plenty of time to kill.")

FAVORITE TWILIGHT ZONE?

Adam: " 'Living Doll.' Telly Savalas is great, having such a hard time with the Talking Tina doll. My mom went to Rod Serling's high school in Ohio."

Dylan: "Either the one where the state is going to execute a librarian for being obsolete ["The Obsolete Man"] or the one where the man opens a jail cell and ends up letting the Devil loose on the world ["The Howling Man"]."

ANOTHER LOCAL DESTINED FOR FAME?

Adam: "Billy Midnight and Bad Credit. I could see them both repeatedly and it'd never

get old. Can I bring them on the desert island instead of DVDs? They're way more entertaining."

Andrew: The Prayers [former members of the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower].

Dylan: "Another? Who's famous now?"

WORST SONG EVER?

Adam

1. "Somebody," Depeche Mode ("Even I am not that sappy.")

2. "American Pie," Don McLean ("Maybe if it was longer?")

3. "Real Love," the Beatles ("Prettiest home demo ever ruined by producer Jeff Lynne.")

4. "The Bumper of My SUV," Chely Wright ("Support troops, not housewife anthems.")

Dylan

1. "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Baha Men

2. "How Bizarre," OMC

3. "Thong Song," Sisqo

4. "Every song by Kiss."

OASIS OR RADIOHEAD?

Adam: "I fronted an Oasis parody called the Fookin' Wankers, so I'm pretty biased. Singing their songs made me realize how right Noel Gallagher was when he said his lyrics were shite."

Andrew: "Oasis. I saw them in Maryland a while back, and every time Noel would sing lead on a song, Liam would storm off the stage. Attitude, pissy-pantsed rock stars, and sibling rivalry. That's rock and roll."