MUSIC : Popster’s Success : Matthew Sweet is hitting it big with his album ‘Girlfriend.’ He describes his style as ‘melodic’ with ‘some edgy guitar stuff.’

Once upon a time, people were named for what they did--Miller, Baker, Smith, Crook--like that. Suppose people were named after what they were--we’re talking adjectives here, not nouns. It would probably be like the Warren Zevon song “It Ain’t That Pretty at All,” with people named Fat, Skinny, Dumbbell, Sneaky, Greedy, like that. Popster Matthew Sweet, the musical embodiment of truth in advertising, certainly has the right name because his music certainly is.

Sweet seems to be hitting it big with his third release (on his third label), “Girlfriend.” It’s the one with everybody’s dream girlfriend from 30 years ago, Tuesday Weld, on the cover looking like she’s about to hatch some devious plot to wreck Dobie Gillis’ life. Again.

The album is a seamless pop rock gem featuring Sweet’s happening harmonies plus some famous rock ‘n’ roll pals such as Richard Lloyd, Robert Quine and Lloyd Cole on various guitars. Naturally, none of these guys will be there when Sweet opens for the Indigo Girls on Tuesday night at the trippy and tree-lined Santa Barbara County Bowl. Don’t worry, it’ll still work.

At 27, Sweet has a press kit that weighs more than several British rock stars--must be all those adjectives. So from a truck stop in the middle of that big wheat field in western Nebraska, Sweet discussed the usual issues.

*

You’re from Nebraska, so how ‘bout those Huskers?

Well, that’s where I came from, but I was never into football too much. But officially, Go Big Red!

*

You’ve been touring with the Indigo Girls; is it a problem for you being the opening act?

I’ve been with them for six weeks, and it’s been great. Usually, I play clubs, but with the Indigo Girls I’m playing much bigger venues, sometimes to 10,000 or 12,000 people. There isn’t any less pressure opening. On this tour I’m doing 40 to 45 minutes.

*

Are you too young to remember the Morrells, apparently the raging party band of the Midwest in the early ‘80s?

The name sounds familiar. I don’t know, I may have seen them once. The local rock legend for me was Charlie Burton and Rock Therapy.

*

On your bio it says you learned the drums, but then on the album notes, mostly you play bass. Then in the press pack, there’s a picture of you playing rhythm guitar. Do you just do it all and maybe don’t need a band?

I can play anything almost passably. By learning the drums, it brought a more basic sound to my music to which I attribute its success. I do all the vocals, and I can fake it on everything else. But on tour, I play rhythm guitar.

*

There’s a young Tuesday Weld on the album cover. Do you remember her as Thalia Menninger on “Dobie Gillis?”

I’ve picked up on her after the fact. I’ve seen a couple of episodes with her in them, but it’s not on all the time.

*

Nickelodeon, 12:30 Pacific time, weeknights. So who do you like, Ren or Stimpy?

Ren, but it’s funny. I just did an interview with this girl who writes for a Ren & Stimpy fanzine. I got a Ren tattoo, and everybody wants to talk to me about it. Everybody loves Ren, I suppose, because he’s loud and abusive and always wrong. But I can relate to Stimpy, too.

*

Their new season begins Saturday night. Are you off?

I can hardly wait, but we’re playing that night. I have to have someone tape it for me.

*

Now back to the real world of unreal rock ‘n’ roll. How did you get started in all this?

I ‘ve always had an ear for music. I could always pick up different instruments and play stuff. When I was in the eighth grade, I learned complicated bass lines from Yes records. Then I got into the British New Wave bands like the Buzzcocks, Generation X, XTC and Elvis Costello and played in New Wave cover bands. I started writing songs in high school and making four-track demo tapes. I moved to Athens, Ga., and got into a couple of bands and released a couple of EP’s on DB Records. I got a record deal off some unreleased studio tapes from Columbia in 1985. I made a record for them, then followed the guy that signed me to A&M;, and made a record for them.

*

But your latest is on Zoo. Are you trying to be like NRBQ and record on a million labels?

Three is about as far as you can go. I was really leery about that when “Girlfriend” came out, but it’s the most successful one yet. But you have to really sell a lot of records to make any money. “Girlfriend” was mastered in November, 1990. People don’t realize how long it takes to actually get a record out there. I’ve written about 30 songs since then, and I hope to record a new album in February for release next summer.

*

How would you describe your music?

I wouldn’t want to have to, but, I guess there’s a melodic pop aspect to it. Yet there’s some edgy guitar stuff.

*

Is it a bummer to be called a pop rocker?

I think it sounds sort of lightweight, sort of a write-off.

*

You’ve written a lot of songs about destructive relationships. Was J. Geils right? Does love stink?

Love seems to go in cycles. It’s not easy to live in perfect bliss; you have to work hard at it. I still have hopes.

*

What’s the best and the worst thing about all this?

The best thing is playing music in one way or another. The worst thing is the overwhelming amount of extra stuff you have to do, like going to a million radio stations. It’s not so bad right now.

(At this point, a woman’s voice can be heard in the background.)

*

Was that your mom?

No, it was this lady who’s been waiting to use the phone. She thinks I’m a jerk for staying on the phone for so long. I told her there’s phones inside the truck stop. I prefer the privacy of a phone booth.

*

How has your music changed over the years?

I guess it’s become more simplified. There’s no electronics anymore. Then I was experimenting; now I’m getting back to the basics and I feel more comfortable.

*

If not rock ‘n’ roll, then what?

Oh, I don’t know, maybe something to do with film. I’d still be making my demos. They’re a personal expression thing for me.

*

Who are some of the bands you think are cool?

Besides the British New Wave bands, I liked Big Star, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Television, the dB’s. Now, I like Nirvana, Teenage Fanclub, and I like some stuff off the new Ween album.

*

Would your parents wear a Matthew Sweet T-shirt?

Oh, yeah.

*

Your press pack weighs more than your average British rock band. Does it matter what the critics say?

That depends on if it’s good or bad. I don’t take it too seriously. If they write something really good, I think, “That’s crazy,” but I like it. If they write something really bad, I think, “That’s crazy,” but they’re probably right.

*

What’s next?

It’s always to make another record.

* WHERE AND WHEN

Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, Santa Barbara County Bowl, 1122 Milpas St., Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. Tuesday, $26, $24 or $19. For more information, call 966-7566.