Motion City Soundtrack Interview - 06.09.2005
| Interview with Matt Taylor (bass) and Tony Thaxton (drums) Interview by Jason Schleweis | 06.09.2005 | Grand Rapids, MI | The Intersection  Jumping right into things, you guys had Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 produce the new album. How did that come about? Matt: We just did a tour with Blink in Europe and we just got to chatting backstage one night about producing and he said he’d never done it. And we’re like “oh that’s cool” and then we kinda looked at each other and were like “hmm” he should do the record. And the next night we just asked him and he said yes. Tony: He was talking how he really wanted to get into producing and we were wondering who was actually going to produce our next record so it all happened pretty quick actually. Were you guys nervous that the album wouldn’t come out to it’s full potential because it was Hoppus’ first time as a producer? Tony: I don’t think any of us were really nervous about it. And I mean, when it comes down to it, we’re still the ones writing the songs. Matt: It just kinda happened and fell into place. Tony: And the cool thing about him producing is that he was very open. He was like “if you don’t like my idea that’s fine ‘cause it’s your record.” Matt: He was talking about how excited he was to do it. And he kept saying “you guys just keep writing cool songs and I’m just going to stay out of the way and let you do your thing and just throw my two cents in.” Did a lot of his past experience help out with some ideas that you guys hadn’t thought of before? Tony: Yeah I’d definitely say so! Do you guys think this record was a lot easier to put together since I Am The Movie since that album was more of a compilation of songs you had written over a few years and then just put together and called it an album, where as Commit This To Memory was all five guys sitting down to write? Tony: Well this is the first record where it is just the five of us. ‘Cause on I Am The Movie a lot of those songs were pretty old and were written before three of us were even in the band. So this was the first time we got to tackle something all together. I don’t know if it was necessarily easier. But it was nice to have completely fresh ideas and everybody doing something new. I know the album just came out on Tuesday, but how’s the reception been so far? Matt: Great! Tony: Yeah, It’s been amazing! Matt: I’m really shocked, like I’ve only heard positive things! You guys just secured Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy for guest vocals on the new album, and recently they’ve been labeled the next big thing with their sophomore album. Do you guys with that with your second album, there’s been more of a radar put on you guys as well? It seems like there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the album up until it’s release. Tony: Yeah, I mean, we’ve definitely been very excited about everything. You can’t really predict what’s going to happen in the future, but I dunno. I feel really good about everything that’s happening right now. And I’m not saying anything good is going to happen. (Laughter) But I definitely feel very good about it! Now coming from I Am The Movie to Commit This To Memory, what kind of musical growth did you guys go through or what new ideas and elements did you try to bring to the album that’s different from the past? Matt: Harmonies. A lot more harmonies on this record that kind of fill out the choruses a lot more. That’s just something I’m kind of a freak for; that I just love. Tony: Just piano, a lot of percussion stuff like using the triangle in particular. For new fans then, that might just be catching on to you guys with the new album, what song would you think is the best representation of who you are as a band and what you want to accomplish with your music? Matt: I mean the album kind of covers more of a broad spectrum for us. “Everything Is Alright” and “Time Turn Fragile” kind of to me represent where we’ve went with layering and vocals and stuff like that. We just always like a good catchy song. But then there’s “Hold Me Down” which is like a much more laid back style for us too. So I just think we take a few more fresh breathes on this record than before. You guys are going to be on the majority of Warped Tour this year; how does it feel to be invited to be such a large part of the tour? Tony: Yeah definitely. It’s done amazing things for us in the past. Matt: It’s the longest we’ve ever been on it so it should be good! What do you guys have planned after Warped Tour? It didn’t look like there were any dates listed anywhere for additional tours or anything this fall. Matt: There’s some stuff that’s in the works right now. Tony: There’s a big fall tour. That can be announced can’t it? Matt: Yeah, I think so... Tony: I’m just going to say it! Should I say it? Matt: You heard it here first! Tony: In the fall it’s going to two months long...and actually there’s going to be a fifth band, but I dunno who the fifth band is yet. But it’s going to be Boys Night Out, us, The Starting Line, and Fall Out Boy. Any last comments? Tony: I talked to Matt earlier and he hoped he had an interview that he could say everything that is on his mind. So I’d like to direct this to Matt! (Laughter) Matt: I would like to thank Tony for that...a lot! (Laughter) Um..I’m sorry! (Laughter) Tony: I never know what to do for that question. Usually people are like, “is there anything else you’d like to add” but I can barely add anything to the original question! (Laughter) Impromptu is not my field really! |
