So if I am correct, this is your first coast-to-coast headlining tour?

It’s true.

From what I’ve seen all of the dates have been sold out or close to selling out, is that true as well?

A lot of them, yes. A lot more of them than expected have been sold out which is a pretty incredible feeling. It’s been a blast of a tour and we’ve had the opportunity to tour with Weatherbox who are an amazing band that everyone should check out.

Is Weatherbox on the whole tour?

Not the whole tour, they drop off in Denver and then A Great Big Pile of Leaves Jumps on.

The tour itself is in promotion of Talon of the Hawk and I’ve noticed in the past year or so you’ve gone through a few lineup changes as far as the live show goes. Has this affected the recording process or is it still just you and Matt?

Oh no, it’s definitely affected the recording process. When we were writing this album Matt and myself wrote it but the person who was in the band before, Drew, decided he wasn’t going to be able to tour anymore. He’s an awesome guy and a good friend but just couldn’t travel anymore. So we went to our good friend Cirian and asked him if he could take on what Drew used to do which at the time involved a laptop so we played to click. Cirian then mentioned he had a friend named Tom who could rip at the bass, so we were able to eliminate the laptop completely and just have more of a band feel. They’re fantastic musicians so that takes some pressure off of me on the stage while I’m standing over here. These guys are going to make it sound good.

You’re just more of a face.

Exactly, I’m just a pretty face. That’s what it comes down to.

I’ve noticed the sound is more full myself as I saw you back with Drew and now it just sounds very powerful.

Thicker.

Especially with the trumpet. I think the trumpet is what seals the deal.

One of the main things I was most excited about playing live (on this tour) was the trumpet. All of the trumpet parts played on the last album and even the self-titled was played by Cirian but live it was played through a laptop. It’s still cool but to have a trumpet live on stage, especially when the sound guy isn’t afraid to turn the reverb up, it definitely adds something, which is exciting.

If and when possible - always go for live trumpet.

Exactly.

Now you were talking about good friends. Well awhile back a good friend of both of ours, Kevin Devine, covered "Rhode Island."

Totally honored too, by the way.

Now, is there a song in Kevin Devine’s discography The Front Bottoms down the line might feel honored in covering?

I would feel honored to cover any of his songs. To be totally honest, I’m not sure how much justice we could do any of his songs. When we were on that tour with you and Fake Problems I came out and I would sing "cotton crush" which was honestly a dream come true to sing with Kevin. Sometimes he would back from the mic and it would just be me singing which is something I never imagined would happen so I guess I’ll say "Cotton Crush" or "Just Stay" which is one of my absolute favorites. Or "Ball Game." Those three are totally fucking unreal songs that I would be honored to cover.

All excellent jams but I mean the man hasn’t put out a bad song.

Absolutely right

But I would say those are highlights of his discography.

Absolutely

So maybe sometime in the future we’ll see a Kevin Devine/Front Bottoms split 7-inch

You know, we were talking about that but he’s busy.

He’s putting out two records

Absolutely, two records coming out and he’s just got a lot of stuff going on. And we’re super busy too but it will happen.

Speaking about being super busy, you’re currently on tour but what is next for you guys when this tour wraps up?

Well we’re going to Europe in September and October. There is a lot of things in talks like tours that haven’t officially been booked yet. We’re trying to stay as busy as possible and just make things happen. Just lots of tours

Well with you guys blowing up as fast as you are that’s the best route to go

For sure, I definitely realize I don’t know if this is going to last forever but it feels good right now so why not go with it and make it happen. We just plan to stay as busy as possible and see what happens.

Is there anyone that you would like to take on tour?

Interesting. I don’t know specifically but any band playing a genre of music different than what we are. I enjoy having a band that is completely different from what we are doing - like maybe a metal band. We actually discussed for a bit about maybe having a cover band come and open for us.

Like a Journey cover band!

Exactly! [Laughs] Just something like that and maybe even a comedian or a magician.

You said you wanted to play with a band that is a different genre than yourselves; well what genre would you put yourselves in? That’s something I’ve noticed when I talk to people about you that they can’t pinpoint

Sure. Let me think… I guess right now I’ve been seeing a lot of indie-acoustic-pop bands. Something like that.

Something that doesn’t really exist.

Exactly. I wish there was like a "fun" category. You know, just "fun" music, not really trying to be too insane. You know, just trying to have a fun time.

Call it happy-go-lucky!

Happy-go-lucky. Hmm. Maybe that’s what it will be from now on.

The Front Bottoms are happy-go-lucky.

Exactly, happy-go-lucky music.

Are you familiar with The Aquabats?

Of course.

Because they often describe themselves as aquabeat when discussing their genre of music. So the question reminded me of that. Now going back to Talon of the Hawk, I noticed you guys did a track-by-track analysis of the album for Spotify. Did Spotify come to you guys about that or how did it get set up?

It was something like this girl who works at our label named Emmy, who is super awesome, had called me up and said we should do this Spotify and do commentary for the record. That’s how it happened. So we went to Tom’s house, we drank too many beers and sort of had fun with it. I was so frustrated because Matt wouldn’t say anything the whole time. That sums up the night: I drank too much and I was frustrated because Matt wouldn’t say anything.

It was a funny thing to listen to.

And that’s all it was meant to be.

Especially the commentary on skeleton.

Oh yeah. Sure sure sure.

For those of you who are reading this interview, I suggest that you listen to the commentary on Spotify now. It’s pretty funny and I won’t ruin the surprise for you. I also won’t put you on the spot either.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

We talked about Tom and Cirian a little bit before, in regards them and touring are they stable, permanent additions to the band? Or at least for as long as they are into it.

Absolutely. I feel like the me and Matt staple thing, that keeps the vibe of The Front Bottoms. You know we love each other and don’t have a home; we live in the van. It’s a great time so to be working with two talented musicians, well this is sort of what the Front Bottoms are now and they have totally committed to the idea of being poor. You know, it’s just intense to find two guys so into it. Yeah, these [guys] are Front Bottoms.

You guys have expanded your ranks like The Avengers.

Exactly, every great superhero needs help. Just needs a little help. Exactly, Captain America can’t shoulder the whole burden. He needed to bring in Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

I’m Captain America?

Well you’re either Captain America or Iron Man, your choice.

Easy, but I’m not going to tell you. I’m not going to tell you who I choose to be. It’s an easy decision but I’m not going to tell you who I want to be.

All right, well I think that’s it as far as questions go. Is there anything you want the readers to know?

Well I’m trying to get in the WWE and become a professional wrestler.

You should talk to CM Punk.

I know, you’re right!

Just have the label send him a copy of the album.

I have everything set up. I have this whole thing were I’m going to become the Schwing. I’m going to have a tagline and everything else. So I’m working on it, slowly but surely

Well what’s your tagline?

"Everybody say schwing!" Then everyone will say "schwing." I got a couple of them I’m going to do. The schwinging elbow is gonna be my thing. My theme song is going to be let me see your hips scwhing. It should be a good time.

To be honest I feel this could have fit in right before the attitude era, you know the early 90s.

Oh fuck, right on.

That was when it was a little silly back before it became a bit more serious with people like The Rock. I didn’t know you were into wrestling.

You know, I got into it about two Wrestlemanias ago. So I am not 100% on all the history.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new fan or an old fan just as long as you’re a fan.

You’re absolutely right. The way it makes me feel is fantastic. This is sick, I’m into this.

Now I have to ask, what got you into it?

Actually, we were in Europe and there were a lot of boring interviews. Not like this one. We were just playing these huge festivals that were just inappropriate for us to be on but still an amazing time. So we would sit in a hotel room doing interviews and we decided that we should make this fun for these interviewers. So that’s where the idea for the Schwing was born from and I would smash Tom’s head against the table. Tom is a huge fan of wrestling and educated us on plots and storylines. Then I came home and saw Wrestlemania and that’s where all this came from.

For example there were two people sitting on one end asking us questions. Then at the end of the interview they would ask a question just like you did they would say, "Is there anything else you want to say?" Then I would mention getting into wrestling as the Schwing and Tom would act along with us getting into a fight, which would make things super uncomfortable for some of the interviewers. Then the interviewers would plead with me to just let Tom talk. I would then stand up and tell them that I’m the Schwing and that I’m going to handle business before smashing Tom’s head into the table. Tom would then fall onto the ground and I would say my tagline. After that the interviewers would wrap up the interview and not seem to realize that this was just a fun thing. I think our acting skills are just that believable.

Well after you do the wrestling thing, go into movies, go the "(The) Rock" route. Then you could be the ultimate superstar: wrestling, touring, and movies. Then you could be the tooth fairy.

That’s very true, that’s my dream. My ultimate dream.

To be the tooth fairy?

Yeah, just sneak into children’s rooms…actually, I’m not going to continue that.

And that's a wrap!