Interview

Say Anything's re-release of "Is A Real Boy" came out on J Records a few weeks ago. The anthemic album confronts issues about culture, sex, love, and the scene; if you haven't heard it yet you must live in a cave. While it was brief, but here's what Max Bemis had to say; when we asked him to Say Anything. Excuse the pun.


For the record, can you introduce yourself and state what you do in Say Anything?

Max. I play guitar sometimes and sing.

After the release of "Is A Real Boy" and some touring, you disappeared for awhile. We've all read the other interviews and heard about it-what was the greatest thing you learned in your time away? Is it true you (Max) were rapping on a street corner in New York?

At one point,yes. I learned the limits of my mental health and how to take care of myself.

Favorite song on "Is A Real Boy?" How about of all time? Mine's "Slumming It With Johnny" or "Admit it!!!"

I like "belt" a lot because of its musical complexity.

What are some of your biggest gripes with the music industry or "the scene?" You touch on a lot of these issues on your album, especially on the closing track ("Admit It!!!"). If you could change anything about the music culture what would you change?

I would have it be more open minded and accepting to all types of art. People are so busy categorizing and criticizing that they miss out.

You did a song with Chris Conley (Saves The Day) for a Bob Dylan tribute ("The Man In Me") that was going to come out on Drive-Thru Records; since then the tribute has been moved to Doghouse Records, right? When can we expect to hear this; do you know any details about it? Have you heard the new Saves The Day? What do you think about it? What else have you been listening to?

The song was always for a Doghouse comp; they are two totally different tribute records. I don't know when if ever that's coming out but if it doesn't we'll release the song. The new STD is awesome... Its a logical progression from their last record but it has new harder influences and a return to the aggressive feel of their earlier stuff. Lately I've been listening to them and Crystal Skulls and the Casket Lottery.

How did you end up / why did you choose J Records for your home? What's it like moving from a label with smaller name artists to the label Jamie Foxx and Pearl Jam call home?

J was digging us for a while and thought our album could do better with more push behind it so they bought us out from our Doghouse contract. It doesn't feel too different; they've let us progress naturally, but we are more well taken care of.

Are you happy with where you are right now? What would you change about your situation if you could change anything.

I would have started touring earlier.

What's the average weekend look like for you?

I spend time with my friends and see movies a lot. I aint all about going to bars or clubs or anything.

What kind of a superpower do you wish you had?

I wish I had the power to lose a morning boner at will.

When do you expect to begin recording your follow-up to "Is A Real Boy?" Can we expect the same sound or do you think it will be way different? Any tentative song titles or anything yet?

Not until next year... Its going to still be a Say Anything record but I want it to be more clever, progressive and hard hitting. We have two songs so far: "Shiksa" and "You're the Wanker If Anyone Is".

What kind of tours do you think we will see you on this year; do you think you will be opening for any big name artists?

We will. We have a couple of those in the works but we will make sure to keep headlining shows too.

What are you most excited about this year for Say Anything?

Being able to build the band through playing for people who love us, just the way I have always wanted.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions, guys. Any parting words of advice?

When in Rome...