Matt Nathanson has had an interesting couple of months. Appearances in the Bay Area alone have included San Jose's Evening in the Park series, opening for Pink at the Fillmore, and tomorrow he’ll be at the Greek Theater warming things up for Train on Saturday. Yes, Train. Yes, they are still (apparently) around. Despite widely disparate audiences, Matt’s special brand of banter and music seems to win most crowds over. Which is good, because we’re pretty sure that some of those fans could be dangerous. Besides his music, which you can listen to here, Matt has impeccable tastes in local tacos, businesses and authors. Now that’s what we call well-rounded.

Best show you've ever played and what made it great?
It's hard to pick just one but if I have to... my 6th grade talent show. I played 'message in a bottle', 'twist and shout' and a song I wrote with my friend Omar called, 'it was only a dream'. What made it great? Probably the drugs.

Best venue in the world?
I bet its fun to play red rocks in Colorado. I’ve never been there, but u2 looked like they were having a blast back in '83

Best fans in the world?
Those kids at buddkan. They loved themselves some cheap trick, didn't they?

What's your favorite song to perform?
I do a mean karaoke version of 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad'.

Favorite collaborators?
My friend/songwriting partner Mark Weinberg. Every time we write a song, we try to make it sound like 'Kiss Me Deadly' by Lita Ford. It hasn't really worked yet.

Name
Matt Nathanson

Introduce yourself in one sentence
Hi, my name is Matt Nathanson.

Age and Occupation
33. Musician.

Home Town
Lexington, MA.

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
10 years. All over SF. Started in the Castro. Then Noe Valley. Now Bernal Heights. Because I love cold summers, big hills and big rents!

Favorite place to spend time online?
What IS this 'online' and 'internet' all you kids are talking about? Sounds scary....

Favorite local business
my therapist.

What I'm currently Reading
The Passion. Jeanette Winterson

Best Deal in San Francisco
John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone studios.

Favorite mode of transportation
My feet

Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Um, hello... Night Ranger.

Favorite local hangout:
My house.

SF has the BEST:
American people dressing like they are from Europe

You've never lived in SF until:
You've seen a homeless person pull their pants down and grump one out right there in broad daylight.

Favorite Bay area politician of past or present:
Adam Werbach.

Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?:
Sharon Stone. We need talent like her back in this town.

You can tell someone is a local here IF:
They still dress like they were in American Music Club.

SF would be soooo much better if only:
I were real rich.

Best Burrito:
I'm a taco man. The best: La Taqueria. 2889 mission st.

Best Restaurant:
Ugh. Too many. Azie, Moki's. Platanos. Koh Samui and The Monkey...

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF:
Dirty Harry was filmed here, right? That was a classic. Every scene. Then there was the car chase in 'Bullitt'. Also, in order to properly represent my wife here, I’ll vote for 'Foul Play'

Favorite author to come out of the bay area:
Danielle Steele!

Favorite artist to come out of the bay area:
Danielle Steele! She really is so much more than just an author to me...

Place you always tell visitors to check out:
The presidio. Bernal Hill. Baker Beach.

Favorite Bridge in the area
The big red one.

You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Lusty Lady, baby!

Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview:
What was the first record that really changed your life?
What was the most recent record that blew your mind?