Jonathan Richman, former Modern Lover and current solo musical delight, hits Club Congress Monday to bring us songs from his latest album "Surrender Jonathan." A day before kicking off this latest tour he gave the Wildcat a brief telephone interview, his voice sounding every bit as raspy as the voice of any self-respecting rock singer who has been on the scene for over 20 years ought to be.

Wildcat: Listening to "Surrender Jonathan, " I was struck by the contrast between the complexity of the music vs. the simplicity of the lyrics. Why did you make this choice?

Jonathan Richman: Well, you see, I don't know. It's just a rock record. It's just rock 'n roll. That's all

W.C: Why do you seem so happy? Where's the angst?

JR: I don't know. Is that what you expect? I mean, I've been in this business a long time...

W.C: Mick Jagger still sounds pretty miserable at times.

JR: But I'm cooler, maybe, I don't know. I don't really know about this stuff. I just feel one way, and I make music that way. If I'm mad, that's fine too. I'll sing that way.

W.C: Do you know that you're all over the Web?

JR: Yeah, that's what I hear. I don't know anything about that stuff. I stay away from it.

W.C: If Jonathan Richman had a mission, what would it be?

JR: I started doing this when I was 17. And I told myself that if this ever stopped being fun, I'd quit.

W.C: If you had one thing to say to your fans, what would it be?

JR: Hello!

W.C: You've been around for quite a while. What keeps it fresh for you?

JR: Like I said, as long as I'm having fun. I mean, I still sing "Pablo Picasso" in my shows. I just don't go by a playlist. And I'm a good catnapper.

W.C: There's a strong motown sound on "Surrender Jonathan"...

JR: I grew up with that music, see? It's all rock 'n roll...

W.C: How will you be celebrating the Year of the Rat?

JR: Oh, is that what it is? Maybe I'll move around real fast and eat lots of stuff. You know, try and act like rat.

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