Interview

I attended the Allentown show of the Screaming Is For Babies tour on Friday. I didn't really have any intent of seeing The Starting Line or Copeland (though I know Copeland is good I never got into their stuff) but rather I was there to rock out to some Cartel, and moreover, Gatsbys American Dream.

This was my first time seeing Gatsbys American Dream, and they're one of my all-time favorite bands. I didn't really have intentions of doing an interview with them, it just happened. They're quite possibly the most humble guys I've ever met. Nic Newsham is one of the best frontmen I've ever seen live; he has so much charisma and jauntiness in his swagger, coupled with a spot-on voice that hits every note. Bobby Darling, Gatsbys guitarist, was not at the show, as he was in Seattle recording guitar for the new Fear Before The March Of Flames album. Playing guitar instead was Gatsbys former guitarist from the Ribbons and Sugar days, Ryan Van Wieringen. It's great to see that they're still in touch with Ryan and on good terms. It would be great for him to stay in the band, even when Bobby is back, to fully replicate the sound on Volcano and their new record due out at the end of the summer. Kyle O'Quin is a great addition to the band, lending his musical knowledge and skill to the keyboards and guitar on a few tracks. Kirk Huffman was his usual weird self, but sounded great on the bass, and Rudy Gajadhar retains his title of being the best drummer in indie rock right now. They played a somewhat short set, as they should, being a couple bands away from headlining, with their set focusing mostly on Volcano, one track from Ribbons and Sugar, a new track, and one from their EP.

The new song sounded great, it had a "Fable"-like quality with a descending bassline, but was dancier and more upbeat. After their set, I headed back to their merch table to check out their shirts, and Nic was there selling some shirts. I proceeded to ask some questions about music which lead to an awesome night.

Matt Whittle: Hey Nic, great set.

Nic Newsham: Thanks man, that means a lot.

MW: I was wondering ... when you guys write a song with a strange time signature, is it with intent of being different? Or is it just a natural type of thing.

NN: Some bands do 4/4 all the time. We're just trying to do something different.

MW: The new song sounded great, sorta sounded like Fable... I hear the album might be called "Bad Beat" or "So Controversial"?

NN: We don't know what the new album is called yet ... [Bad Beat] is one of the song titles, though.

MW: Could you tell me what the new album sounds like? If it sounds like any specific record you guys have done so far?

NN: ...Do you want to hear it?

(At this point, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.)

MW: ...Yeah.

NN: Alright, come back after Copeland's set.

So I went to the bar for Copeland's set and enjoyed their mellow tunes. They didn't play "Kite," which bothered me, because it's one of the few songs I know by them, and is one of my favorite songs by any band. Regardless, after their set, I walked back to the merch table and talked to Nic again. He lead me back through the bar and downstairs into the basement/bar of the Crocadile Rock.

We were looking for an outlet for him to plug his iPod into.

MW: How about this one? (Behind the bar at a video poker machine)

NN: Not that! Kyle has the high score on that, and I have the high score on Photo Hunt.

After a bit of fiddling, we found an outlet and Nic plugged his iPod into his portable speakers.

The new album is absolutely incredible. Eleven songs of nonstop Gatsby greatness. The time changes you've come to know and love, Nic's trademark voice, and ridiculous guitars and bass. The album is a lot more keyboard-oriented, because of the addition of Kyle to the band. The harmonies are incredible, and it gave me the feeling of "wow, everyone in the band can sing now, not just Nic and Kirk." As we were listening, many (nerdy) questions were asked.

MW: Who were your biggest influences on this album?

Nic: Lagwagon ... you hear that radio talking over the back? That's just like Lagwagon. We were thinking, no one does that anymore! Let's add the radio.

Kyle: The chords on (Saves The Day's) "In Reverie" were a huge influence. The radio is also very similar to an effect that Elliot Smith did.

(I look at the title on the iPod)

MW: Self-titled? Is that what it's going to be?

Nic: We don't know yet. It might be. We just don't know yet.

MW: Was that a 5/8 section?

Kyle: Yeah. Doesn't it flow very well?

MW: It doesn't even feel like it's in five. That's like Sufjan or something.

Kyle: Yeah, this album is very very technical, but you'd never guess it. It's so technical that it makes Volcano look like a pop record.

MW: Which will be the single?

Kyle: The one we played tonight. There's really no single though, really. We were trying to make it a complete album.

MW: Will there be any self-referential stuff this time around - either to previous albums or this one within itself?

Nic: No. We're not doing that again. This is a completely new Gatsbys album.

MW: Any chances of there being any Gatbsys vinyl?

Kyle: We're good friends with the guys at EVR, so we're trying to get them to buy Ribbons and Sugar and Volcano to press on vinyl. Problem is that Ribbons and Sugar is still owned by [Rocketstar].

MW: Promise me we'll get Volcano on a red/orange swirl vinyl.

Kyle: No promises.

It sounded like there weren't really many choruses throughout the album, and it was more upbeat than Volcano was. The lyrics sounded like they had a Say Anything type of attitude - commenting on the current state of the "scene" in which the fashion was more important than the music itself, with the first track, at least. After the first song, I sorta tuned out to the lyrics and just listened to the music.

The new record (possibly self-titled) is scheduled to come out at the end of the Summer on Fearless Records. It was some of the best stuff I've heard in a while, and definitely their best work to date. Be sure to pick it up ... more information as it comes out will be posted on the site. Keep your eyelids up.