My Morning Jacket's Jim James Talks to Mustache Institute

With the release of Evil Urges, My Morning Jacket's Jim James made the switch from a full beard to a mustache, inducting him into an exclusive club that features members like John Oates, Freddie Mercury, the Killers' Brandon Flowers and the Sgt. Pepper's-era Beatles. So it was only natural that the American Mustache Institute would want to interview James to discuss his new facial hair look. "I have always been a fan of the wisdom and power of the mustache," James said. "Having only a mustache is a feeling unlike any other. A feeling of deep pride and sophistication." James said his father (who "will always rock the 'stache till his dying day"), James Brown and his desire to look like "a top rate T-ball coach" were all inspirations for his new look. James even offers some grooming advice: "I feel every man looks best with his god-given facial hair, as long as it's not a beard with no mustache. The 'stache must be present at all times."

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter