There still are some bands performing high-quality music today comparable to that of the Lovin’ Spoonful in the mid-1960s, Steve Boone, bassist and songwriter for the group, said in a telephone interview with the Daily Planet before the group’s March 29 concert.

He specifically cited The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” as an example how the Lovin’ Spoonful might sound, if it was in its prime today. The Lumineers folk-rock band is based in Denver, Colo.

Boone also mentioned British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons as “another example, similar in style.”

“There still are some successful artists doing that kind of music,” Boone said. “But it’s largely computer-aided or generated.” In contrast, he said, “We (the Lovin’ Spoonful) were an electric jug band roots music band.”

Boone himself admits to using a computer for songwriting and creating demos these days, which is something “I couldn’t have done... 30 years ago.”

“In many ways, a computer can help the songwriter, but there’s also a tendency to allow the computer to take over” and that is why some much of today’s music sounds the same. He said it is vital for the songwriter to keep control of the songwriting process — and not cede it to computers.

In further categorizing the Lovin’ Spoonful, “having come from jug band roots, Boone said, “we weren’t really country-rock like The Eagles and The Byrds.”

Interestingly, some of the Spoonful’s most popular songs, including “Do You Believe in Magic?” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice” and others were in the pop-rock vein, Boone said.

An example of a Spoonful song with a jug band emphasis is “Daydream,” he said.

And what is Boone’s general assessment of today’s music scene?

“I think there’s plenty of good music out there,” he replied. However, he added that one often has to search to find it. “Go on satellite or specialty smaller stations....”

Besides the Spoonful, “it’s hard not to put the Beatles in that position” of best band of the 1960s area. He said the Beatles had a “very jug-bandish influence” and “they loved skiffle music.”

One level down from the Beatles, Boone said The Moody Blues “was my favorite” ‘60s band.

On another question, Boone said the Lovin’ Spoonful was offered an opportunity to be the featured band — and keeping its name — in the television show that later was called “The Monkees.” They turned down the opportunity because “we already had a hit record” and did not think they needed the show. (That Spoonful hit at that time was “You Didn’t Need to Be So Nice.”)

So what are the hopes and aspirations of the current lineup of the Loving Spoonful?

“Well, it’s a job,” Boone replied. “If you have the opportunity, you work. Personally, I enjoy it,” he said in reference to touring. While the audiences for the Lovin’ Spoonful shows trend older, he said “you’ll see all ages” there.

As for his own future, Boone said, “Well, I just signed a contract with a book publisher to release a book. I’m going to release music on the Internet.”

What is the group’s relationship with its departed founder, John Sebastian?

Of their ongoing friendship, Boone said, “Oh, sure” that he stays in contact with Sebastian and they exchange songwriting tips. In fact, “John (who lives in Woodstock, N.Y.) and I are still kicking around some song ideas.” Boone said Sebastian even may record again with the Lovin’ Spoonful, although nothing definite is in the works.

Boone, a Camp Lejeune, N.C. native, noted that the Lovin’ Spoonful is well-aware of Western North Carolina, having played at a show in Sapphire last year and at Asheville’s Bele Chere celebration about four or five years ago. He said he recollects  the group playing other concerts in Asheville through the years.

With a laugh, he noted that, despite having a last name of Boone, he only once has visited the town, reaching it at night when he took a circuitous route. “So I’ve never really seen Boone during the daytime,” but he plans to rectify that problem in the near future, Boone the man said of Boone the town.

A review of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s March 29 concert appears elsewhere on this website.