Interviews: The Only Children

Mimi Tran recently contributed an interesting interview with Josh Berwanger, the mastermind behind The Only Children. Besides this latest project, Josh was also behind Vagrant act, The Anniversary, who released record's in conjunction with the Get Up Kids' Heroes & Villains imprint.

Earlier this year, the band released Keeper of Youth. The band will be supporting the album on an upcoming tour supporting Portugal. The Man.

You can click Read More for the interview.

I would say 25 percent of most records that come out today are good front to back. But, then again who knows, most of the shit people like I can't stand, and I'm talking about popular and indie music, so who am I to say?

How did The Only Children come about?

I had a bunch of songs I had been writing and was looking to put
out a solo record, so I signed a deal with Glurp Records.

How would you describe your style of music?

Jingle bell rock mixed with that indie film "Cool Runnings."

What are the similarities and differences between The
Anniversary and The Only Children?

Similarities - I'm in the band. Differences - The other four members of the Anniversary are
not.

What are the influences that we hear on your album "Keeper
of Youth"?

I guess a bit of rock n roll, I was listening to a lot of old 50's
rockabilly and I was excited to really get down to some of the old rock n roll
blues rock style guitar solos and all that jazz. But it might not sound like that at all, sometimes I'll be
influenced by one thing and will write something that sounds nothing like that
and I'll credit that as my influence.

How is "Keeper of Youth" different from most of the
albums that are out today?

It's a pretty descent record front to back…but I guess every
band thinks their record is good front to back, isn't that funny? I would say 25 percent of most records
that come out today are good front to back. But, then again who knows, most of the shit people like I
can't stand, and I'm talking about popular and indie music, so who am I to say?

The line-up was ever rotating while recording "Keeper of
Youth". Is the current line-up permanent?

Who knows? The band
started as just a solo project, kind of like how Brite Eyes is Conner
Oberst. When we first started I
just wanted a bunch of friends to play on the album and then we toured a
bit. I would like the current
lineup to be permanent though.

You've been in some bad situations while touring, anything
happen this time around?

This last midwest tour?
Someone brought some baby raccoons to a show, but that was pretty
neat. Overall it went really
well. I think touring is so
dysfunctional anyway you look at it.

What’s the next tour you have planned?

We leave for tour in a couple weeks with Portugal the Man and it
will be AWESOME!

How is the music scene in Lawrence (Kansas)?

Five years ago I would of been right on top of this question, now
I have no idea of who plays around anymore. There is the Old Canes who are great, and Approach is the
man. The Architects are from
Kansas City and they are an amazing rock.

The Little Lost and Innocent are really great as well, they are also
outta KC.

What can people expect at one of your shows?

A drunk guy stumbling around in the front giving five to Ricky,
our guitar player, and then tripping over something and falling on the ground
while the rest of the crowd watches from afar.

Do you have any plans for the next album?

I have most of it written and can't wait to start recording it.

Any more touring during the summer/fall?

Just the PTM tour and a West Coast tour in September.

Are there any bands you would like to tour with?

It would be cool to tour with the Black Halos, Wussy, Reigning
Sound, the Black Lips, Deep Dark Woods, Grand Champeen.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Right now, the Crackbabies, Filthy Jim, the Deep Dark Woods, Neil
Young, Electric Mud are all in heavy rotation.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

I just started a little side band with a Matt Pryor of the Get Up
Kids and Jim David from the Anniversary, so we are planning on recording a
record in January. Besides that, coach some basketball and start recording a
new Only Children record.