NOISE

Why now, after 35 years apart, is the James Gang back together?

I had a little window of eagles downtime, and I went to Cleveland and jammed with the guys [Jimmy Fox and Dale Peters], and it reminded me of the old days with a three-piece band, when we would improvise, somebody would just count off and we'd play it different every night. I know how to do that pretty good, but I never do it anymore. With the eagles I deliver a certain part in a certain place, as everybody does, and we do that really well. But just improvising and seeing where it goes, I didn't realize it but I really missed that. So I decided I needed to put myself in an environment where I have to.

Have you ever regretted leaving the James Gang to go solo in 1971?

No, not really. I was evolving as an artist, and I was kinda getting frustrated being the only melodic instrument in a three-piece band; I was hearing more instruments in my head, and I started hearing a bunch of textures and overlays and vocal harmonies. I also didn't want to paint myself into a corner as a heavy rock guitarist. And then, beyond my wildest dreams, I had a chance to join the eagles. I never thought I'd be in a band like that.

The James Gang recorded a "Funk 48" and of course, "Funk 49." Does that mean there are 47 more "funks" locked away in a trunk somewhere?

(Laughs.) Great question. No, we just made fun of there being 47 takes before we got to the ones we wanted. It just took a while for us to get to the ones we used.

You guys toured with The Who in 1970 and Keith Moon was said to be your muse when it came to partying. Who was wilder at his peak, you or him?

I don't think I was ever in his category, but I was a good protégé. ... A lot of buddies didn't make it, and I did for some reason. I guess I just hit bottom before I died, and they died first. But every day is a gift, starting from where I was when I went into into recovery. It's been 12 years now. I always used to justify it by saying I needed a buzz going to perform, but that's just denial. I really enjoy going out there, and I actually remember gigs now. It's a whole new concept.

On "Snails," from July's Dog Problems, The Format pay homage to their favorite gastropods: "Snails see the benefits, the beauty in every inch." It's only the latest in a long line of animal tunes:

1. "I Am the Walrus", "Octopus's Garden" (1967, 1969) The Beatles go on a Magical Mystery Tour from Abbey Road to the briny depths.

2. "Wild Horses" (1971) even 30-plus years later, the Rolling Stones still can't be dragged away from the arena circuit.

3. "What's New, Pussycat?" (1976) Um, not much, Tom Jones.

4. "Rock Lobster" (1979) eat your heart out, Beach Boys. No one frugged the beach better than the B-52's.

5. "Hungry Like the Wolf" (1982) Duran Duran's Rio establishes the New Wavers as the original werewolves of London.

6. "When Doves Cry" (1984) His Purple Rain soundtrack confirms that, yes, even the sounds of woebegotten birds can get Prince off.

7. "Monkey Gone to Heaven" (1989) If our primate friends are done in, the Pixies reason, the humanoids are next. Better call Dr. Doolittle.

8. "Ants Marching" (1994) The frat-jam era awakens and slips on its Birkenstocks with the Dave Matthews Band's debut, Under the Table and Dreaming.

9. "Snakes on a Plane" (2006) Cobra Starship's title track fronts a collection of songs inspired by the serpent-aviation flick.

So, you say you're a fan of Nashville's glamour couple, who cap their first tour together since 2000 this week at Mandalay Bay events Center. Well just how well can you tell them apart?

1. Who's older?

2. Has had more No. 1 singles?

3. Has won more Grammys?

4. Contributed a song to the King of the Hill soundtrack?

5. Sang backing vocals on Nelly's Suit?

6. Appeared in a higher-grossing film in 2004?

7. Dropped out of college?

1. McGraw (by four months); 2. McGraw (20 to 8); 3. Hill (5 to 2); 4. Hill; 5. McGraw; 6. McGraw (his Friday Night Lights took in $61 million, Hill's Stepford Wives $59 million); 7. both.