1.As youve just released a new EP, can fans also expect a
sophomore album and tour dates this year as well?
I hope it will be out this year. We take forever to do everything,
but the second album is in the home stretch. Who knows, we could get
caught up in artwork for two years, but I hope it comes out soon.
2.Would you say that your new songs are an evolution both
musically and lyrically from your previous work?
I would definitely say that. I wrote about 40 songs since the
first album and I think my songs have evolved and maybe are a bit more
mature, but not all of them!
3.Does your environment and personal life affect your songs, and when
writing and recording, do you build tracks step-by-step, or can they
develop anyway, anyhow?
Every song happens differently, but my environment definitely
affects everything. I've been living in the most depressing apartment
for so long, I had an album of major bummer songs but then I wrote more.
The best songs just happen and I have no idea how they got there.
4.One of the first things that drew me to Giant Drags music,
was the array of mesmerising guitar sounds and tones in your songs
but from the music that you love, do you have any favourite guitar parts,
riffs and solos + any guitar heroes?
I love the simplicity of Neil Young's riffs and solos, they're simple
yet incredibly powerful and moving without moving around the guitar
that much. My guitar heroes would have to be Neil Young, Todd Rundgren...
yeah, that's it.
5.Of all the records you own, which have you played the most?
Fuuck, that's a hard one. Better Can't Make Your Life Better by
the Lilys. They're just called Lilys, but it sounds weird without throwing
a 'the' in there.
6.Is there an interesting story behind each of your album / EP titles
+ were there any alternative titles that were nearly used?
The titles are like the songs and they just happen, but my best
friend and the dude who has been producing the new album, Joe Cardamone
(from the Icarus Line), always seems to be there when a title is decided
on.
7.If you were asked to record a Split EP with one act,
where you would both cover each others songs who would
you choose and what track, plus which song of yours would you like them
to cover?
I'd cover Sound And Vision by David Bowie and he can cover High
Friends In Places just for kicks.
8.I saw that you have your very own Giant Drag eBay store, but do
you yourself shop on eBay, and if so, what are some of the coolest things
that youve ever seen or bought?
I stopped eBay shopping because nothing is ever as good as it
is in the pictures. I bought a cool vintage suitcase like 6 years ago.
9.What inspires you outside of music?
Life stuff, relationships, love, hate, pizza.
10.Whats the best and the worst gig that youve ever played?
I don't know, because my memory sucks, but maybe my favorite show
was in Brighton. The worst was probably at South by Southwest when I
had the stomach flu.
11.Continuing with this train of thought, as someone who enjoys a
bit of banter with an audience in-between songs, of all your stories
/ jokes, which ones have been the best received?
One time, I really burned someone in the crowd who tried to heckle
me, I don't remember what I said, but I remember the whole crowd making
that "awww you just got burned asshole!" sound.
12.If you could put together a fantasy Guest List featuring musicians,
producers, writers, poets, artists, actors, film directors anyone
that you admire really with the guarantee that all of these people
would turn up to watch one of your shows, who would you most like to
invite?
I don't really care... It'd be awesome if Oprah came to one of
our shows and loved it.
13.As you have a Club DJing past, which tracks should every aspiring
DJ have in their record box?
All the records Micah borrowed a year ago and hasn't given back.
I like to split a room and play Hunger Strike by Temple Of The Dog and
watch half the room get bummed and the other half get stoked.
14.What have been some of your favourite memories since you first
started the band, and if you could go back in time and give yourself
some advice, what would it be?
My favorite memories are from when we did everything for fun and
didn't think of the fact that people would hear the songs on a record
and judge them. I wouldn't change anything, because I'm sure it was
all for a purpose.
15.Lastly, chips or cream buns?
Cream buns, I don't even know what that is, but it sounds sweet
and dirty... just like me.
A very special thanks to Annie, and to Giant Drags
Manager Brigitte, for all of their time and help.
www.giantdrag.com
www.myspace.com/giantdrag
Youre full of shit (check out my sweet riffs)
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