Punk Globe Thank you so very much for the interview. You are a legend.: We are both Libra’s October babies. Are you into Astrology?

Rachel: Thank you for asking me to be interviewed, Ginger! But I’m hardly a legend! I think people assume I’m like this crazy amazing bass player because of my dad. It’s not true! I barely know what I’m doing. I like to imitate. I first picked up the bass when I was about 16. At that time my brother Josh sang and played bass in his punk band called The Treacherous Jaywalkers and I wanted to be just like him. He listened to a lot of The Minutemen. One day I asked Josh if I could noodle around on his bass so he let me play it and I took a chair and my record player, set everything up in the living room of our house, and put on Double Nickles on the Dime. When “D’s Car Jam/Anxious Mo-Fo” came on I fucking lost it and tried imitating Mike Watt’s playing as best I could. That was how I learned bass. I practiced that song over and over for weeks. I would say that my dad, Josh, and Mike Watt were (and still are) my teachers and the legends! Ginger, I’m sorry to say this but I’m not into astrology! I just don’t understand it! Is that bad? I’m a Libra which means “balance” however, I’m the most imbalanced person I know. Maybe that’s why I’m not interested in it. I don’t like that part of myself. I’m working on it! When I hear people ask “What sign are you?” I’d rather get into a deeper discussion about the ocean and whales. Or murmuration. 

Punk Globe: I first became aware of you through a mutual friend Atom Ellis. I was still living in San Francisco so it has been a while do you remember that time Adam was playing in White Trash Debutantes? Then later through Steve Linsley the bassist for Jim Carroll who I believe photographed you quite a few years back.

Rachel: Atom used to come to see That Dog play I think as early as ‘91! His band at the time Dieselhed played a couple of shows with That Dog. I remember once he was in the front row at one of our gigs in SF. I thought he was so cute! We were opening for Beck that night. Sadly, I never got to see Atom play with White Trash Debutantes or Steve Linsley. I was, however, lucky enough to see him play bass with the legendary Link Wray! Those were fun times. Backstage at one of the gigs he introduced me to Link Wray and his infamous wife Olive. She was quite a dancer! And a talker. 

Punk Globe: For readers who do not know you are a triplet the daughter of the legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden. Was it difficult growing up as a triplet?

Rachel: For me, growing up a triplet made it challenging to live in the rest of the world as a normal functioning person. We were all crammed  together sharing a womb for 9 months! I think as a result of that I have this issue with not having enough space. But at the same time I’m afraid of the vastness of everything and I want to isolate and stay in my room. It’s complicated. I’m trying to find a happy medium.

The girls and I sort of had our language so it was hard to communicate with others, or strangers. When I say our own language I mean English, but a kind of “Broken English.” I rarely used complete sentences with them when I spoke. I think there may be slight autism in play (speaking for myself of course) Today I get frustrated with my lack of ability to communicate because most people don’t understand what I’m trying to convey. But I always know my sisters will get it, and that is a relief. When we were little we sometimes communicated through our stuffed animals. We still do. It’s just easier that way. Ask Tanya about Imaginary Bear. I think you’d LOVE him (or he may be a “They” not sure I’ll ask) In fact, I’m sure you two have already met. Maybe at Punk Rock Bowling! You can follow IB on Instagram!

Punk Globe: Are you the youngest of the triplets?

Rachel: You’d think I was because I never got my life together but I’m actually the oldest by about 2 hours. I was born natural birth. Tanya and Petra were hugging each other in the womb so the doctor had to do a cesarean section. It was a very long procedure! I believe my mom is the real Wonder Woman. She raised triplets and my older brother Josh pretty much on her own. She worked hard and had her hands full with not a lot of help. 

Punk Globe: You were born in New York City. When did you make the move to the West Coast?

Rachel: We were born at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan in 1971. We moved to Los Angeles when we were 4 years old. Even though I didn’t spend a lot of time in New York during my formative years I still feel the New Yorker in me come out whenever I’m there. I’m a much faster and smarter person there. Here in LA, I’m kinda slow and spacey. I also have a very thick “California” accent which is a little embarrassing. If you’ve seen the movie Valley Girl my speaking voice sounds a little like that…or like SNL’s “The Californians.” Fred Armisen is so funny in that! 

Punk Globe: Did your dad direct your being a musician?

Rachel: I think so. He definitely encouraged us to play music but it was never, “you must play!” Music came naturally to all of us. My sisters and I always sang harmonies together. It was hard not to. 

My mom’s side of the family was also very musical. My grandma, Trudy, played mandolin and my grandpa, George, played mando-bass. It was always musical in their house and we spent a lot of time there. They were part of the mandolin orchestra in Pacific Palisades where I grew up.

 Some Summers we’d fly to Springfield, Missouri to visit our dad’s mom, Virginia. We’d call her “Grandma Haden.” Grandma Haden, my Aunt Mary, and Uncle Carl Jr. would be singing old country tunes together in the living room. They tried to get the girls and me to sing with them but we were really shy back then. I wish I could go back in time and sing with them now!  We made homemade ice cream too. 

Punk Globe: Your sisters are also musicians which is very cool. Did they show support to you or was there any competitiveness?

Rachel: Sometimes I get jealous of Petra’s success as a professional musician. She’s still touring. I really miss touring. That said, I’m very proud of her. She works really, really hard. Tanya teaches cello now and is a very talented artist. She’s also been a part of some very cool art exhibits around Los Angeles. Josh is an incredible musician and writer and a very deep thinker. He plays bass in his band Spain. I’m proud of them all and! I feel no competition. We’re all on our own paths trying our best to survive in this life.

These days I’ve been struggling with some personal issues which required me to take some time off but I’ll be back writing and playing music again very soon! 

Punk Globe. You are a multi-instrumentalist. Is the bass your weapon of choice?

Rachel: I wouldn’t call myself a multi-instrumentalist. Piano is my first instrument but I quit when I was about 15. I can’t read music well so my piano teachers always got frustrated and fired me haha. But what I learned from the piano lessons helped my bass playing. I love the bass because like my dad said..”The bass, no matter what kind of music you’re playing, it just enhances the sound and makes everything sound more beautiful and full. When the bass stops the bottom kind of drops out of everything.” It’s always the first thing I hear when I listen to music. 

Punk Globe: Is That Dog currently active? How did you all come up with the name That Dog for your band name?

Rachel: As of now That Dog is not currently active but I hope that changes. I’d love more than anything in the world to play again with Anna and Tony. They’re my touchstones. Anna is probably my favorite songwriter ever. And it’s so easy playing drums with Tony which means he listens when he plays. People don’t listen to music anymore these days. 

 I believe I was put on this planet to help people through my voice, and my bass! So, what I have to do now is continue to take care of myself, and get a strong foundation physically, mentally, and spiritually so that I can live life, play bass and sing again! 

Punk Globe: Tell us about your time in The Rentals.

Rachel: I had a lot of fun playing with The Rentals. I especially loved touring Japan and Spain. Such beautiful countries! The audience was fantastic and showed so much respect and support to us and Matt (Sharp) He was revered. It was so much fun performing and singing Weezer’s “I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dream!” It felt like I was in Weezer for about 2 minutes. The crowds loved it! Matt wanted me to stay on as a continuing member but it was time for me to move on. I think they’re still active now but with an entirely new cast.

Punk Globe: You also played drums with Beck.  How was that?

Rachel: I remember we were all goofing around in the studio (Poop Alley) one day and Beck said something like “Let’s switch it up!” I immediately kicked Tony out of the way because I loved playing the drums! I don’t think he minded. 

Years ago I had a dear old friend named James Fenton who was the drummer of my brother’s band The Treacherous Jaywalkers. James gave me some cool bongos around that same time I was jamming bass to Minutemen songs. Anyway, I had a little experience keeping a 4/4 beat so I had some confidence I could do it. Anna got on my bass. I played the drums on 3 songs: “Pink Noise-Rock Me Amadeus” Steve Threw Up” and “Totally Confused.” If you listen closely they’re all the same beat! I think Tony played some percussion and guitar. 

Beck made me a mixed tape of some Carter Family songs and drew pictures of stick figures of them on the cover. I miss him! I get to say “I played drums with Beck!” I’m proud of that and I’m so grateful that got to happen.