Egg Babies Orchestra unscrambled

Egg Babies make a wish. What's yours? (Credit: Kathy Jaller)

Though the many members of Egg Babies Orchestra were all mum on what songs they'd be covering at Ottobar on Sept. 19, they were willing to sound off on some of the band's favorite things. We do know this much: Egg Babies plan to play 13 songs that fall between 1972 and 1982, including "perhaps the sexiest song we've ever covered," according to band member Chris Myers.

Until the show, you'll just have to read between the lines.

What are your favorite songs to play?
Chris Laun: My favorite songs to play are ones that may not be highly regarded but I think are still either good songs or at least fun to listen to ("Break My Stride," "Holiday Road," "In The Air Tonight"). I like to think they make our song selection a little less predictable.  Also, figuring out how to reproduce complicated vocal harmony stuff like ELO and The Zombies is fun to me.

I really like the idea of doing themed shows like the movie song one we did in April. Hopefully we'll do another one at some point.

Which bands do you like to perform?
Chris Myers: As a whole, we particularly enjoy Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Paul Simon and ELO, as all of those artists offer something interesting for all the instruments and singers. We also do a lot of Tom Petty and Ramones, but I can't say for sure that all of us enjoy those songs. Fleetwood Mac is another one that most of us would love to do, but we just haven't found the right situation yet for them.

Personally, I'd like to do a little more Bee Gees. We did one for each of our first few shows, and then we had a nightmare experience with "Islands In the Stream," so the Gibb-penned tunes have been put on hiatus. They've got some amazing—albeit entirely out of my range sometimes—vocals on most of their songs.

Laun and I have also talked about REM a lot, but we've only tackled one of those thus far ["Fall On Me"]. Whenever we get a chance to showcase Laun's uncanny Mike Mills impersonation, its a success in my book.

Why won't you ever cover Journey?
Adam Hopkins: I constantly feel neglected in the song-choosing process. Davis' violent disapproval of "Don't Stop Believing" is really beginning to wear on me.

David Andler: [Atari 2600 game] Journey Escape really plagued Davis' [Andler referring to himself in third person, by a different name] childhood. He is old enough to have lived through that shit when it first came out. He was so angry when "The Sopranos" series ended that way that he nearly smashed his television with a socket wrench.

In any case, please understand that "Don't Stop Believing" is for me like when a young kid smells a burnt mattress in his former house after it's burned to the ground. Kids never get that burning smell out of their mind and it haunts them.

George French: I had similar thoughts about Journey for most of my life, until one day about three years ago when I had my Journepiphany.

Why did long-time guitarist Mike Gittings leave the band?
Mike Gittings: "It was Eddie Money."


And now for some of Egg Babies' favorite hangs...

Pickles Pub
Laun: I live right by the stadiums, so I quite enjoy being able to walk to Pickles/Ravens Walk and drink and eat food and act like I'm going to go to the Orioles/Ravens game even if I don't have tickets.

Swallow At The Hollow
Myers: I like places where the people who work there aren't in-your-face friendly. I like natural friendliness. Jeff, the bartender at Swallow At The Hollow, will remember your name after one visit and will be sure to add a quip wherever it seems fit, but never does an exchange feel forced or out of obligation on either side. Plus, if you go on a Wednesday night, you could end up paying less than $10 for a burger and three or four beers.

Never On Sunday
Myers: Adam and I (and possibly Laun) love getting a slice at Never On Sunday. No matter how many times you go into that place, their employees will take your order without even a hint that they've ever seen you before. They understand that the ensuing chit-chat will be excruciating for all parties. Why risk it? As a bonus, they have a way of speaking into their intercom that can make any food sound outrageous and entertaining.

Subway (Frankford Avenue and Bel Air Road)
Myers: Automated ordering machine!!!

Keep checking back at Metromix.com for more Egg Babies adventures as they prepare for their next gig. And, comment below to share your personal memories of Egg Baby performances or request some totally awesome songs you wish the band would cover.