Published Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:30 AM

Q&A with ... Lit's A. Jay Popoff

The basics

Day job: Musician

Position with the band: Lead singer

How long has the band been together? 18 years

The introspective stuff

Your band sounds like: A rock 'n' roll encyclopedia

First concert you ever attended: Iron Maiden on the Killers tour. I remember Paul Di'Anno's singing.

Three albums you'd want to have with you on a deserted island: Extreme Honey by Elvis Costello, Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast, and I guess I should be well rounded. A Bjork record, I can't think of any of them. But one of them.

Band/artist you'd most like to shoot with a BB gun as revenge for the years of mental anguish its/his/her music has caused: Anthony Green

Anyone else you'd like to shoot with a BB gun? I'm a pretty non-violent type of person. But maybe Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy.

Oddest concert experience (as the performer or attendee): My first concert, the Iron Maiden experience. That's why I made the choice to do this for a living. I think most people in bands would say they had why they chose to do this.

Most memorable praise/criticism of your work: (Aerosmith lead singer) Steven Tyler started singing one of my songs to me. He knew who I was and that blew my mind.

Favorite local hangout: At home. I spend a lot of time at home. But when I do go out, there's a great place called The Slidebar in Fullerton (Calif.).

Favorite beverage at said local hangout: I drink a lot of coffee and a lot of red wine.

Song you've always wanted to cover: We haven't done a lot of covers, but lately we've started to do some Elvis Costello, Peace Love and Understanding. Tom Petty Break Down is a great song to cover, too.

Did you ever consider any other names for the band? Pretty much there were no other strong finalists until we found the right name. Except for before, when we were Stain. With four guys, it was like every time someone said a name at least two guys wouldn't like it.

Any albums available? Years of release? Five Smokin' Tracks (1996), Tripping the Light Fantastic (1997), A Place in the Sun (1999), Atomic (2001), Platinum And Gold Collection (2004), Lit (2004).

Is there a Web site we should direct people to? www.myspace.com/litlounge for Lit stuff, www.myspace.com/clubwino for A. Jay Popoff's songwriting.

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