The last time Crossfire went along to interview The Get Up Kids, back in 2004, it resulted in a broken Dictaphone, some hastily scribbled quotes on pub napkins, the mother of all hangovers courtesy of the Pope brothers and a sheepish email to Zac the editor the next morning. Definitely not one of our finest moments…!

Shortly after the band’s 3 night stand at The Barfly in Camden they decided to call it quits, with band members joining new projects and taking on new ventures, and we thought we’d heard the last of The Get Up Kids. But then, last autumn keyboardist James Dewees started dropping hints of a reunion and the rumour mill truly cranked up to overdrive, and by the time the band announced an official reunion show we knew it was just a matter of time before they crossed the Atlantic to play some UK shows.

The comeback coincides with the ten year anniversary of their seminal album ‘Something to Write Home About’. Having been touted as one of the most influential ‘emo’ bands (a label they have always shrugged off, and have even apologised for) their return has resulted in sold out UK and European tours, and a US tour stretching through to the end of the year. There’s been no confirmation of further material and the band have been somewhat cagey about what the future holds - so Dee Massey sat down with guitarist Jim Suptic, along with cameo’s from bassist Rob Pope and his brother, drummer Ryan, for a chat about why they broke up in the first place, what bought them back together and what’s next for The Get Up Kids.

So, welcome back to the UK! We’ve missed you!

JIM SUPTIC: Hey thanks! We’ve missed the UK - it’s been a while, I don’t think I’ve been here for about 5 years?

Last time we saw The Get Up Kids you were doing your 3 night stand at The Barfly..

JS - Oh that was a lot of fun!

..and then you went and broke up on us and never came back! What happened?

JS - Yes…well….basically I’m not going to point fingers but certain members of the band didn’t want to carry on. We were going to do a world tour around the time we were breaking up, but then it ended up just being a US run, we wanted to come back but that just didn’t happen. Hopefully it was worth the wait?

You’ve been pretty busy in the interim though? Didn’t you set up your own record label?

JS - Er yeah, but it really doesn’t exist anymore [laughs], it tanked! ‘Let’s start a label at the worst possible time to start a record label…hmm…let’s sell music when no ones buying it!’ [laughs]

Ryan Pope walks in.

Ryan I am busy! [laughs]

Ryan Pope walks out.

Like everyone else in Get Up Kids you joined another band, you were in Blackpool Lights - what’s behind the English name?

JS - Because we were watching The Beatles Anthology and George Harrison was talking about the Magical Mystery Tour, and people taking little holidays to Blackpool in vans to see the Blackpool Lights, and I’d never even heard of it, but thought ’ that sounds cool’ , and thought it was quite campy, thought it was the perfect band name! Yet another band name with a Beatles reference in it…

Are you still playing with them, or will The Get Up Kids take preference now?

JS - No…not really with them anymore [laughs] But I still have a bunch of songs I wrote for what was supposed to be our second record but…you know once you turn 30, if you’ve not making a lot of money playing music its hard to convince people to do it, like sleeping on floors and stuff. I mean, it was fun…

RYAN POPE: It’s hard to find good people to play with…

JS - Yeah it is. I mean I loved everyone I played with, and we got to go to Japan, we toured with Social Distortion, we did some cool things! It may come out some day as just my solo record or something, just for fun, but I don’t know, we’ll see. I’m having fun with [The Get Up Kids] right now.

So what was behind the decision to get back together? Who made that first call?

JS - Well the long story is that we had this accountant that disappeared! We hadn’t really done any business, but we were still generating money as a band because we were still selling some merchandise, things like that - but our accountant literally vanished. We had to get together to deal with it and everyone was getting along, and we just thought…hey…let’s play a show! That’s basically how it came about…

What was it like when you first got into the rehearsal room?

In about 3 seconds it was like we hadn’t stopped. We’ve played these songs so many times and it’s like second nature…it’s like muscle memory! It just snaps back into place!

Out of interest - when James started dropping hints when Reggie were on tour last year - was that a PR ploy?

JS - [laughs] I don’t think so!

RP - James just has a big fucking mouth!

JS - [laughs] Yeah…but I mean, since we’re taking this as unseriously as possible maybe because if we fail…

You won’t fail! You’re selling out shows…!

JS - I know I know and that’s great - but if expectations are so high, then maybe if we don’t take it so seriously then …I mean we are taking it seriously but in our heads, if we just play nonchalant I guess it’s less pressure on us.

Are there any changes to the band this time round?

JS - Well we’re a lot more sober! [laughs]

RP - We are?

JS - Well I am! [laughs] It’s different!

RP - If we’re more sober now we must’ve been drinking a lot back then

Well last time we saw you, you were into the Jägermeister, just before your birthday…

RP - Oh yeah! [laughs] It was before my birthday! I remember those tubes…that was fun!

JS - At that point I think you start taking things for granted because you’ve done it so much. But now - this is all just fun ….

RP - It feels like now we have a little more time to reflect.

JS - I just know that trying to start a band and how hard it is - makes you appreciate it more. I mean Rob played in some bands and worked his butt off, White Whale etc - its hard to get people to come…now we see how lucky we are that people still give a shit about [The Get Up Kids].Its not easy to be successful playing music and this time round we get that..

Ryan Pope walks back in again.

So the question everyone wants answered…is this a one off tour, or will you be back?

JS - [laughs] We’ll see what happens you know? Rob plays in Spoon, James is My Chemical Romance’s touring keyboard player - and they’re going to be busy boys, but I think as long as we’re having fun we’re going to keep doing this. We do want to come back - when people say ‘it’s the last time we’ll ever be here’…erm we never said that! We’re going to come and play some gigs, and have a good time! I almost feel like we did diss Europe and we want to make amends.

We did feel a bit left out when you came over for that festival in Europe in the spring…and then didn’t come to the UK!

JS - Ok ok here’s the deal! Bands are contractually obligated…we couldn’t announce any shows because the festival wants exclusivity, that’s why they pay you heaps of money, they want to feel like it’s an exclusive show.

Would you come back for any UK festivals?

JS - We were initially talking about doing Reading, but for an established band it’s financially better for us to do our own shows. It’s not like its ‘we’ve got to get new fans, this’ll really break us!’

RP - Next year we’ll do the festivals.

JS - Well we’ll see…..Ryan!

Well it’s good to hear you’ll be sticking around…

JS - [laughs] I said we’ll see!

We saw those pictures of the band in the studio on twitter - were you just rehearsing or are you writing new material?

RP - We already started messing about with some stuff…

JS - Yeah we might have been writing some songs.

Will you be going back into the studio with Ed Rose?

JS - Maybe….

Has Black Lodge [the recording studio owned and run by The Get Up Kids] really for sale?

JS - Yes it’s for sale! If any UK buyer is interested….any off shore interest…

RP - But it’s still going, but yeah…its for sale. But it’s still operating.

Would you record in there again?

RP - Sure. With Ed.

JS - Once again - we’re not announcing anything! [laughs] We’re trying to be cryptic…

RP - That’s not cryptic!

JS - I mean…I mean…we played a new song two nights in a row…and we might play it again tonight! So there are kids sitting there going ’ what is that song? Is that a cover?’ and we’ll like ‘” Yeah…it’s a cover…of a Get Up Kids song!” [laughs]

You guys have access to a whole new fan base since people like Pete Wentz started citing you as a huge influence…

JS - Do we have a new fan base because of that? I don’t know, I honestly don’t. But I know the crowds are older but there are also definitely a lot of people who never saw us before. Last night was a really good mix; I could see people in their early 30’s to kids who were 18. This is only our 4th show in the UK but I know with the shows we played when we were headlining - before we always had a young crowd and they always did really poorly at the bar, and now they’re saying ‘this was the best night we had in 3 months’. Is that a good thing?

Clearly all Get Up Kids fans like to drink!

JS - [laughs] It’s just showing that our fans are older now!

So what bands are you listening to on the road?

JS - Erm…We’ve been listening to that new Phoenix record, the new Grizzly Bear record.

RP - Foreign Born

JS - Yeah they sound cool. Rob’s always the guy who’s saying ‘Jim you’ll like this’.

RP - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

JS - I just listen to what Rob tells me! And usually 90% of the time I dig it…

What are your three most essential items for taking on tour with you?

JS - Three most essential items…hmm…contact solution.

RP - Boring!

JS - Oh I don’t know…um….now my computer, I’ve never had a laptop and in Europe now I can use skype and be able to talk to my wife whenever I want, that’s definitely one. Also a photo of my daughter, and….what’s the third most important thing Ryan? A happy disposition!

RP -Headphones!

What’s your favourite drink after a show?

JS - Well these kids (points to Rob and Ryan) have got me onto Jameson and soda, which is nice. I’m noticing we are drinking less and less beer as a band, we’re drinking more wine. We’re real cultured! [laughs] But right after a show, that’s when I’m most likely to have a beer…or water.

What’s your best hangover cure then?

JS - Sleep! Actually green tea!

Very grown up! Wine and now green tea!

JS - I know I know! I should say ‘More liquor’ - that’s the only way!

What’s your best memory of being in The Get Up Kids?

JS - There are too many. Some of my favourite memories are from the first times…I mean I love traveling, I am truly a road dog, I love being on the road. So the first time we came to Europe, being 19 - it was amazing. And the first time we went to Japan. Every time we experience something new. Even though we’ve been before to cities, like Manchester, I always try to experience something new.

RP - Your best new experience was when you first felt the touch of a grown man…[laughs]

JS - [laughs] I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about…ignore him!

Ryan, what’s your favourite experience with The Get Up Kids?

RP - Probably the first time we went to Japan, that was a lot of fun. Very memorable. And um…not really the show part but the traveling and meeting people..

JS - You see these shows really get in the way of us having a good time! [laughs]

Also, Ryan is it true you own a restaurant now?

RP - Yeah, it’s a bar café . It’s called The Bourgeois Pig.

JS - It’s very European, its really nice actually! Its like a coffee shop with a bar…Its where the intellectuals go [laughs]

RP - Don’t listen to him!

JS - It’s my interview! It is nice though, its not like a frat bar.

And finally, can you give us some words of wisdom? Words to live by for the Crossfire readers?

JS - Words to live by? This is fucking serious shit! Ryan?

RP - This is your interview man!

JS - Shit..ermm.. Enjoy the moment and…I love music? I’m kidding! I’m kidding!

RP - Oh you’ve stumped him with this one!

JS - Oh I have a good philosophy, “When you have second changes….run with it. “

Relentless Garage
London
5th August 2009 

Gig-goers experienced one of the stickiest, sweatiest gigs of the summer last night at the newly re-opened Relentless Garage. The refurb has cleaned up the venue, but it’s a shame they didn’t include decent air-con in the overhaul - you can actually see the steam rising off the crowd as they leave at the end of the night…

Openers Young Guns hammer out a perfunctory set - but seem stuck in the last decade both musically and visibly. There’s nothing hugely memorable except an impressive amount of head banging, and the fact that front man Gustav Woods spends an inordinate amount of time talking and giving the crowd the hard sell on their the EP instead of just getting on with it. It’s unfortunate for them that their set is so instantly forgettable next to the nuclear energy of the headliners.

The Used take to the sauna/stage just after 9.30, and it’s clear from the off set that they’ve lost none of their raw energy over the years. The sound is broad and exciting; with the vocals surprisingly spot on despite McCracken’s 2007 throat surgery. They kick off the night with ‘Take it Away’, with the irrepressible McCracken grinning, spinning, laughing and tearing up the stage. In between tracks he rambles happily about how this is the best London show he’s ever played and as ever spits and sprays water from his mouth over the baying crowds. If there’s an outbreak of swine flu in the Used fans we know who to blame… He’s bulked up a little from the skinny little punk of previous years, but still has the same insane energy that make The Used an exhilarating band to catch live. There’s still the same juvenile sense of humour - he introduces ‘I Caught Fire’ as a song written about his bowel movements after a particularly strong curry, grinning like a naughty school boy. His enthusiasm and exuberance seem to fuel the crowd, and soon the whole venue is buzzing, woe betide anyone getting in the way of any of the kids in the front, there are crowd surfers throwing themselves around with legs and arms in every direction….

The set list bounces from album to album - ’ Liar Liar’ , ‘Hospital’ and the sublime ‘Buried Myself Alive’ are crowd pleasers- and we’re treated to an acoustic glimpse of their new album (Artwork - released 31st Aug) with the track ‘Empty With You’. A lengthy medley of The Taste of Ink and Bulimic is a highlight, with the words hollered back at the stage word perfect. By this point the condensation is sliding down the walls and people are stumbling from the pit looking like they’ve been swimming. ‘Box of Sharp Objects’ brings the night to a steamy climax - with the band grinning as much as the crowd. Tonight The Used show that they’re still very much a force to be reckoned with, and unlike so many seemingly disposable trend bands, they’re in for the long haul. Catch them if you can when they play The Electric Ballroom on 23rd September, you won’t regret it.

Evan Dando, front man of The Lemonheads, has just spent the entire day doing back to back press for his new album ‘Varshons’, and yet can still muster a smile as he opens his hotel room door.

Through career highs and lows, with some very public meltdowns but equally public highlights, Dando has always had a happy go lucky outlook, which has endeared him to his legions of fans, who are still on his side after twenty years in the business.

After his brief hiatus in the late 90’s Dando returned to the stage and studio, with a 2001 live album, followed by 2003’s solo record ‘Baby I’m Bored.’ His return to UK to play ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ from start to finish at The Shepherds Bush Empire in 2005 was a breathtaking return to form, with every word sung back at Evan and Co, word perfect.

Since then the band’s gone through yet more line up changes, and nowadays Evan is the only original member in the band. With the success of their self titled 2006 album on Vagrant, Evan has taken a new direction with a covers album, ‘Varshons’, due to be released in June. Picking and choosing from some great artists, Evan joined forces with producer Gibby Haynes (of the Butthole Surfers), with Kate Moss and Liv Tyler taking up vocal duties on a couple of tracks. Dee Massey met with Evan at K West for a catch up…

So Evan, thanks for taking some time out, I know you’ve been in interviews all day so I’ll try and make this easy..

No no…I’m fine. I was doing this ‘underground magazine’ [one of the UK’s biggest selling weekly music magazines] … it’s just not how it used to be over there…..I mean, it was fine but it was a lot of work, we had to do all these recordings and things…but anyway! Look at this…it’s a mock up of the record cover [produces the new cover for Varshons]

Who did the artwork for this?

It’s this guy called Mark Dagley – I mean…this is the actual reason I did the record.

Is this the infamous painting you bought? [Rumour has it Evan’s reason for the album was to pay for the painting]

Yeah! This isn’t a great mock up, the record will look different but you can kinda see it and this is why I made the record, ‘cos I wanted to buy the painting….its really big. [jumps off the sofa to show the size…which is huge..] It’s like big, it’s amazing…

Do you actually have it now?

It’s at my house, at my home in New York [smiles]

So how come you decided to do this covers album, apart from the painting.

Well that was really it basically! I had about half my record done and I thought why not give the people something to listen to while I’m finishing up the next record.

How did you choose the tracks?

My friend Gibby [Haynes, producer of Varshons] really chose most of them, and I chose the first one, the Grams song [“I Just Can’t Take It Anymore”] and ‘Fragile’, that was my choice, but he chose the GG Allin song [Layin Up with Linda] and stuff. We were hanging out a lot before we made the record, and then I bought this painting and I thought……well if Gibby will agree to produce it, I’ll go ahead and make the record..

You’ve co-produced most of your records, how did it feel giving someone else to reins?

It was very intense! I did let him take a lot of the control over it, especially the song choices…and he came and helped me when I was singing, I mean I’ve never had someone tell me how it sing, but he had an idea of what he wanted and I really respect Gibby, and he’s really smart, so I thought maybe it’d sound just a little bit different to do what he asked me to do, and it worked out fine [laughs].

So of all the producers you’ve worked with…was he the most challenging?

Yeah yes! Actually I’d say he was [laughs].

Would you work with him again?

Yeah of course, definitely - we’ll always be doing something together. We’ve been doing shows together – we have a band called The Time Whales, I don’t even know where the name came from…it’s like a whale logo. We do 3 or 4 songs, and play at these really posh New York places and everyone hates it, but it’s good cos … some of Gibby’s friends , these cool people, come along and they love it because it so pure in this horrible environment, but we’ve done a couple of gigs and it’s fun!

And I understand you’ve been writing a children’s book with Paul McNeil?

Yeah – have your read M is for Metal? It’s a great book! [gets his guitar out of its case] You know there’s a lot of good kids books but that’s right in there with the good ones! I’m so proud of him that he did that.

So yeah…we’re doing this thing, it like… Acronyms…..like pillaging elves sacked the observatories…with drawings. Or prisoners escaped silently…wait…no…prisoners escaped tunnelling….er…I can’t remember that one! [laughs] A pearl emerges shining thanks oyster you know.. Prince’s enigmatic symbol terminated obligation – Popeye explains sex to Olive – it’s going to be fun!

And you’ve done a little acting…

Er…yes! But I don’t know if I’ll ever do anymore [laughs] I’ve never pursued it , it’s just come my way. Except…I’d love to work with John Waters if he does a movie again [ starts playing his guitar] …and I would do anything…I’d sweep the floor! I’d like to work with John Waters, I like John Waters. [smiles]

So you can act, you’re doing a kids book on top of the music – do you have any other hidden talents?

Well I’m a bit of a book worm, so I guess I’m an inspiring short story writer. [Plays a few chords]. I am very serious about…books.

The next Lemonheads album - is it all written yet?

It’s about half way down. Listen to this [plays a few chords from a new track]

That sounds great..

Well…I’ve got to write some more chords and stuff…it’s getting there! It’s going to be fun…it’s getting there.

Are you still writing with Tom Morgan?

We tried to write this song called Mellow Superstition…wait wait [gets his notebook out] – I don’t know if we’ll ever write another song together, we wrote so many and it was so great for so long…and we were so high [laughs]. I mean…we still get high but it’s not the same! It’s almost like…this is enough you know?

Too much of a good thing?

Yeah…exactly.

The tour you’re doing over here….

It’s a solo tour. Just by myself. I do a lot of solo stuff, it’s probably my favourite way of playing actually…no really! I think it’s my strength too actually, because not a lot can get in the way of the songs and I’m a good singer, and I like playing by myself. I like playing in the band…and I like to play solo, I think it’s good to do both. I certainly don’t shy away from playing solo gigs..

You’ve been making records for over 20 years and you’ve still got the most loyal fan base, what’s your secret?

Just ‘cos I’m still really in to it. Nothing’s changed really with me…it’s still really exciting for me, and …um…I’m a late bloomer I think. Like people like The Clash…how do they deal with that? Their first record had so many amazing songs, it must be hard to hit it really hard the first time. I’m like the opposite, I’m just gradually plugging my way towards something, I feel like I’ve still got steps ahead.

What’s your best memory of being in the band?

Oh….I’ll just pick a good memory. Um…hmm….this is hard! No no, I’ll think of one! You know…we did a good gig…but then came the good part, we saw Neil Young play and then The Velvet Underground … and my friend Nick who is a Velvet Underground fanatic…he got the banana from the rider…and the set list! And once Iggy called me, and wanted to write with me and we never wrote anything proper but we tried…and that was cool. I mean, a lot of great things have happened to me.

What’s your favourite city to play…and you don’t have to say London.

[laughs] No I do have a good time in London! But lets see…I really like……Chicago’s a very solid place to play, Glasgow….Zagreb in Croatia and Sydney or Melbourne.

So I have to ask you, what are your 3 essential items to take on tour?

[plays guitar] - - oh Guitar! Passport…but that’s boring. Let’s see….bathing suit, a guitar and…books! [laughs]

And lastly, before I leave you in peace, do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to pass on to our readers?

The foolish man says don’t put all your eggs in one basket…and wise man knows to put all your eggs in one basket and watch that basket!

Thank you so much Evan

My pleasure – it was effortless and totally painless [laughs]…unlike some!

Varshons is out on 15th June 2009 on Cooking Vinyl. For further info check out www.myspace.com/thelemonheads
www.evandando.co.uk

The Macbeth
13th May 2009

Photos by Phil Procter

Evan Dando is in town to promote his newest venture, a covers album called ‘Varshons’, a wonderful mix of tracks from GG Allin, Christina Aguilera, Gram Parsons and Leonard Cohen to name but a few.

The Macbeth provides an unusually intimate venue for tonight’s show – given that on his previous trips to London Dando has sold out The Empire, Forum and Somerset House. Tonight’s venue is heaving by the time Dando bounds onto the tiny stage over half an hour late. It’s just him and his guitar standing alone in front of a few hundred ardent fans (some a little too ardent, but more of that later..). He drifts into ‘Outdoor Type’ and from there the pace rarely slackens, as he slips from track to track, his notebook open on the stage with a hastily scrawled set list and lyrics to some of the newer tracks.

‘Drug Buddy’, ‘Rudderless’ and crowd pleaser ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ are all hollered back at the stage word perfect – there are a couple of girls at the front whose voices actually overtake Dando’s at some point. He keeps the chatter to a minimum, and seems a little shy of the attention, his hair falling over his face, shoulders hunched around his guitar. ‘Down About it’ and ‘Into Your Arms’ get just a few verses and a chorus each, as Dando flits about the set list, picking and choosing – and even taking requests from the crowd.

A cover of GG Allin’s tongue in cheek ‘Layin’ Up With Linda’ is a glimpse at the new album, as it the sublime version of Gram Parson ‘ I Just Can’t Take it Anymore’ – Dando’s wonderfully smooth country lilt is enough to give you goose bumps, Parsons would be proud.

A blonde hops onto the stage to provide backing vocals and dances around – which at first is ok with Dando, he even offers for her to sing a verse - but when she declines to leave the stage at the end of the song he gets visibly annoyed, and goes to leave, only returning to get his guitar, before the evening is saved by another audience member who hauls the girl and her friend off the stage. Well done that man.

Dando seems a little rattled by this, but returns to sing a few more tracks, including a half hearted version of ‘My Name is Luca’ and then stunning renditions of ‘ Bit Part’ and ‘Different Drum’. There’s another upset when one of his lyrics sheets goes walking, and by the end of the evening his scrawl filled notebooks has gone walkabout too. Whilst it’s one thing to request a set list at the end of the night, stealing personal items is a step too far.

Tonight the Evan Dando we see is bashful, shy and humble in front of a packed room. He is -as ever- very understated, leaving the songs to do the talking. With 20 years of music under his belt, Dando has nothing to prove. Tonight’s show is simple but stunning, and goes to show that you don’t need the light shows, backdrops and pyrotechnics when you’ve got real talent.

Dee Massey

Gran Ronde have a reputation as being THE opening band for huge LA shows – but luckily for them it’s not a case of always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Whilst Gran Ronde fans have swelled in number from opening slots for Razorlight, We Are Scientists and The Enemy to name but a few, they are a stand alone force to be reckoned with.

With their Mark Needham produced debut album due for release in the UK in June, a Great Escape appearance this weekend and a UK headline tour, Gran Ronde are taking their well earned place at the top of the bill.

Frontman Chris Pearson took some time out to introduce Dee Massey and the Crossfire readers to Gran Ronde…

Gran Ronde are pretty new to us over in the UK - so give us a little background… how did you meet? How long have you been plugging away with this band? What’s your background?

We are all from different parts of the states. Bryan came from New York, Fern came from Miami and I came from Oregon after a couple years living in Tokyo. I first came to LA in 2000 on a road trip, and just ended up staying. I wanted a place where I could see the best live music and have the best weather and lots of friends. In 2004, I started to get the idea in my head that it would be a really great idea to be in a band, so I started asking all my friends who wanted to play and ended up meeting Fern and Bryan that way …friends of friends.

In the early stages of the band, when we were just figuring stuff out, but there was so much buzz and the shows were crazy. We were offered a weekly residency in December of that year at The Silverlake Lounge by Scott Sterling, a local promoter. A little known band called Silversun Pickups opened up for us. Ha, now they are playing stadiums or something here!

How would you describe your sound to someone new to Gran Ronde?

That’s a hard one to answer. Reverb drenched, melodious guitar driven rock!? Ha, I do love the reverb and delay pedals. I do love a good melody, and am a sucker for a big sound.

What bands do you think you’re mostly influenced by?

I think it’s pretty easy to hear my love for Echo and the Bunnymen, early Cure, but when I was young I was a metal head, and I love it loud. In college I discovered The Jesus and Mary Chain, that completely changed my perspective on music. From there I got into so much music everything from the Flaming Lips to Yo La Tengo and Stereolab, Low, Guided by Voices. I still want to cover Motor Away. Great rock tune. But my voice is kinda weird and when I sing it kinda has it’s own sound. I just build the songs around that really.

For you what’s the best part of being in a band?

Playing live!

I’m going to stop asking that question…everyone says the same thing! You’ve opened for some great bands – Razorlight, We Are Scientists, The Enemy etc – how did those opening slots come about, and what was it like playing to those huge audiences?

We have been very fortunate to get onto some great bills. Mostly, we will just get an email from a promoter asking us if we wanna play a local show and it kinda goes from there. I have to say the WAS dudes are some the nicest guys around. Silly but nice. The highlight so far was playing NYC with Razorlight at the Irving Plaza on Friday evening. Great show, great crowd. You just wanna live in those moments for ever.

So let’s talk about the new album – Secret Rooms. I understand you ended up working with Mark Needham, who’s produced some amazing albums for The Killers, We Are Scientists etc – how did you end up working with him?

Mark is a great champion of music in LA. He had heard about us in the early stages of the band and took us under his wing and really helped us out. We worked on a bunch of music that ended up on Secret Rooms. He is a very talented guy, who really puts his heart into a project. When you work with him you really feel like you can make that sound you are trying to get.

Did you enjoy your time in the studio? Is the end result all you hoped it would be?

Yes. We did record half of the record on our own because Mark was so busy at the time. In the end Mark was kind enough to mix the whole thing.

The album is out on Filter in the US, and I heard you just got a distribution deal in the UK too? When can we expect to get our hands on the record over here?

June 2009, it will be released by Friends Vs. Records

You’re coming over to the UK this spring for a headline show, this isn’t your first time over here it is? What do you make of UK audiences? How do you handle English food?!

We first came over a couple years ago for a week in London. We did a few shows at Club Fandango and opened for The Academy Is at Barfly Camden. It was great fun. We met very cool people, had some so-so food (we try to stick to Indian). The fans were very cool. UK audiences are much more receptive to music than what we were used to in LA. That kinda heightens the whole experience. We have been waiting to have an actual release before coming back.

You just played The Big Escape in Brighton this weekend – are you going to be playing anymore festivals in the UK?

We are doing the Dot to Dot. and we will be doing a full scale UK tour all over the place. Our dates are posted on our myspace page.

A few quickfire questions…

What’ll be on your rider when you’re big and important?

Motorcycles

What’s your poison?

Michilada

Best hangover cure?

Michilada

Most listened to album recently?

Lou Reed Transformer

Worst thing about living in a van on tour?

Living in a van with 4 dudes (sounds pretty self explanatory to me) - that van is my only vehicle too!

Can people follow the band on Twitter? Do you buy into all that social networking stuff?

No. Not really. I don’t have time for it. I’d rather live a life outside of my computer. Too much maintenance!

What was the first gig you ever went to?

David Lee Roth “Eat Em and Smile” Tour. I was a little rocker. Cinderella opened. Haha!