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| ::Interviews:: |
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| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
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| interviewed by robby sumner |
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| Interview with Josh June 13th, 2004 |
Justin Pierre - Vocals, Guitar Joshua Cain - Vocals, Guitar Matt Taylor - Bass, Vocals Tony Thaxton - Drums, Vocals Jesse Johnson - Keyboards |
| E: Josh, Motion City Soundtrack is signed to the notable label, Epitaph Records, which is well known on the scene. What do you think it is about a well-known label that so often makes signing to one the goal of bands starting out? Josh: Well, for me... we didn't set out to be on Epitaph. It seemed way too far out of reach. I think at one point we just figured we needed to be on a label, period. Then as labels got into us, we rejoiced at the idea that we would receive help to do what we had done for so long on our own with our own money. As far as what I thought of Epitaph, it was this amazing place where great bands had been signed and had been able to do the music the way they wanted to do it. I never thought we would be signed by such an amazing label. Even when we had labels like Universal into us. I never thought we would be looked at by Epitaph--lucky for us a little birdie told Mr. Brett about us, and the rest, I guess, is history. E: Are the fans everything you would have expected them to be a while back? Josh: They are amazing. Honestly, I never thought we would have such devoted, awesome people really become a part of what we are. They win. E: Does meeting fans on tour get repetitive, or is each time a new experience? Josh: It is always pretty sweet. Although, sometimes some kids say the same things... but we understand--even if we went through this before, they have not, and I hope we leave them with a lasting impression. I just had a weird and cool one today: I just ran into a super fan in Massula, Montana working at a Best Buy today. It was nice to see we had a fan in such a remote place. E: How has touring been made more comfortable for you guys? Shall we say more "liveable"? Josh: *Laughs* Well, it's all right nowadays with hotels and such. Better than sleeping in the van. It is really hard on us, but we have learned to put the tour mode on. E: How much of a chance do you get to play tourist in the cities you travel to play in? Josh: Some tours I get to a little, but usually not. Really, the only tour I got to do much was the Europe trip we took with Sugarcult, in which we shared a tour bus with them--the only time we have been in one--since all the driving went down while I was asleep. It made it easy to get up and wander around the cities we were in. E: You have an upcoming split-CD with the Matchbook Romance... how well have you gotten to know them and other bands on your label or that you've toured with? Josh: I would say we have met them, and played a couple shows together. We are friends in that way; they are nice guys and we are nice guys. As far as other bands on Epitaph we have a relationship with, I would say the Weatherkans. We have done a tour with them and a few one-offs here and there. They are one of my favorite bands. E: Has the songwriting process become standardized or methodical as you've done it for as long as you have? Josh: No, not at all. Justin and I have been writing together for six years, but the other guys joined the band two years ago, and we haven't really done that much writing as the whole band. Songs like "The Future Freaks Me Out," "Perfect Teeth," "Autographs and Apologies," and "Modern Chemistry" were the first songs we wrote with these guys in the band. We have just started writing our new record, and it's going great. It's really nice to learn to write with each other--I think we will all bring our best to our new songs. E: Looking back on the earlier days of Motion City Soundtrack, is there anything you think you'd want to have done differently? Josh: Not really. I think we needed to do what we did to get to where we are right now. Everything has made sense. Although I think that I could do it better now, knowing what we have learned... but I think it all worked out amazingly in the end. So yeah, I guess what I'm saying is "no." E: What sort of other people have been directly responsible for getting you to where you are? Josh: Family and friends, mostly... other than that, we really, until late, didn't have much help. It is nice to now have a team of people who work for us and Mr. Brett on our side. E: As you've spend more and more time in a band, are there any preconceptions you'd had starting out that you've found to not be true? Josh: One, I guess... when I was younger, I went to shows all the time in Minneapolis. I thought these people were crazy superstars that seemed so out of reach, like Jawbox and Superchunk. Now I realize they are the same as we are: just people who have gotten a break. We are very normal people who lead normal lives... other than that, our job is to entertain. E: Have you thought about how life might be different without the band? Josh: I think it is hard for me to answer this question. My life is this band. Everything I do is related to this band. It is my best friend and my worst nightmare. No, I will always play music, and this band is me, and my music will always relate. E: What parts of your life do you think are the same as they would be without the band? Josh: Nothing, other than my family and my girlfriend. And having more time for them. E: Is the lifestyle continuously exciting? Or is it only sprinkled with moments of intensity? Josh: It has become more and more surreal. Being recognized in other states and airports and malls, hanging out with famous people. But again, they are just normal people. It is all very weird and amazing. Most of the time it is pretty crazy. I like the down time when I get it. E: Have you dealt with the fact that you might be yourself considered a "famous person"? Josh: No, not really. I think it is something we try not to think about too much. I think it would be the wrong way to approach it. I would rather have no idea. I would like to be considered humble, not an assh*le. E: What's it like to see your CD in a store? Josh: Very nice, very weird. E: So would you say you've accumulated enough knowledge to offer any significant advice to upstart bands with the desire to get to where you guys are? Josh: Yes, I believe I could offer some assistance as to how to handle the ups and downs being in a band has to offer. E: How would you personally define a band becoming "successful"? Josh: If you achieve your personal goals. Or just enjoy your attempt at it, at least. E: So would you say that Motion City Soundtrack is a successful band? Josh: Yes, I would. We have surpassed my expectations. Now I'm just resetting my goals. It is amazing. E: Well, thanks a lot for taking the time to do the interview. Josh: Well, thank you. It was my pleasure. |