While this record does feature former Fifth Hour Hero front-woman Geneviève Tremblay, you won't find a follow-up to her former act with Rome Romeo. Instead what emits from the speakers are five danceable, bass-heavy numbers that rock more like Fugazi or Le Tigre than anything from the No Idea catalogue. For such a relatively new band the songs have maturity and depth difficult to find in bands that have been around for years. "Money Loves Money" swaggers along with a sound that's heavily influenced by '50s era rock and a chorus that easily has the strongest sing-along moment of the record, while "Good Friends" is a pounding, percussive number that musically wouldn't feel out of place on Repeater. But the clear standout on this EP is the danceable "Lose Your Head," a song that allows the rhythm section to shine while guitars and keyboard pierce the air above the low end with a haunting sound that makes the soaring vocals sound eerily powerful. This is a dynamic and enticing record that begs the question: how long do we have to wait for a full-length?
This is a pretty big change from a lot of your past bands. Was that intentional or did it come fairly naturally?
Tremblay: We actually knew what we didn't want it to sound like: just like our old bands. I felt like I needed to be musically challenged after being in the punk rock music scene for ten years. So, yes, I would say that it was intentional but it didn't take us long before we really started to feel that we were going in the right direction.
For a band that haven't played many live shows you have a very polished sound. What do you attribute that to?
It's true that we haven't played often yet but each of us has a good stock of live experience. Although, let's face it, the magic of studio recording can turn anybody into an amazing performer, which is why the only way you can truly judge an artist is on stage. For us, we had been playing these songs for a while, we knew how we could make them sound live and we tried to stay as close to the recorded version as possible. And since we were recording the EP ourselves it was easy to stay on track.
Is it difficult starting a new project after experiencing some success with your previous bands?
I guess it would be easier if we were still revolving around the same music scene. But, you know, what I think is the most difficult is starting something new at 30 years old instead of 20. Not because the gap is enormous but because the compromises and sacrifices leave a bigger mark on you as you get older. Decisions are more difficult to make because there is a little more at stake, as opposed to when you just finished puberty.
Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish with this recording?
I can't say there was a specific goal making this record but maybe just putting out the best of what we've been dwelling on the past few months. You know, putting out a record is also leaving the door open to the whole world and letting them see what goes through your mind. So, explaining the songs, the sound or the lyrics, to me, would be too much of an intrusion. And doesn't it kill the mystery of it, if there is any?
What sort of bands were you listening to when you were writing these songs?
A bunch of different stuff; I really got into the Wipers recently - better late than never. Also, I don't know, maybe the Talking Heads, Nick Cave, David Bowie, the Knife, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and a lot of soul, and many more bands and artists.
Are there any plans to tour in the near future? Are you planning a full-length record any time soon?
Of course we want to tour but we want to have a full record with us if we go on the road. And we are working on it!
(Machette)This is a pretty big change from a lot of your past bands. Was that intentional or did it come fairly naturally?
Tremblay: We actually knew what we didn't want it to sound like: just like our old bands. I felt like I needed to be musically challenged after being in the punk rock music scene for ten years. So, yes, I would say that it was intentional but it didn't take us long before we really started to feel that we were going in the right direction.
For a band that haven't played many live shows you have a very polished sound. What do you attribute that to?
It's true that we haven't played often yet but each of us has a good stock of live experience. Although, let's face it, the magic of studio recording can turn anybody into an amazing performer, which is why the only way you can truly judge an artist is on stage. For us, we had been playing these songs for a while, we knew how we could make them sound live and we tried to stay as close to the recorded version as possible. And since we were recording the EP ourselves it was easy to stay on track.
Is it difficult starting a new project after experiencing some success with your previous bands?
I guess it would be easier if we were still revolving around the same music scene. But, you know, what I think is the most difficult is starting something new at 30 years old instead of 20. Not because the gap is enormous but because the compromises and sacrifices leave a bigger mark on you as you get older. Decisions are more difficult to make because there is a little more at stake, as opposed to when you just finished puberty.
Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish with this recording?
I can't say there was a specific goal making this record but maybe just putting out the best of what we've been dwelling on the past few months. You know, putting out a record is also leaving the door open to the whole world and letting them see what goes through your mind. So, explaining the songs, the sound or the lyrics, to me, would be too much of an intrusion. And doesn't it kill the mystery of it, if there is any?
What sort of bands were you listening to when you were writing these songs?
A bunch of different stuff; I really got into the Wipers recently - better late than never. Also, I don't know, maybe the Talking Heads, Nick Cave, David Bowie, the Knife, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and a lot of soul, and many more bands and artists.
Are there any plans to tour in the near future? Are you planning a full-length record any time soon?
Of course we want to tour but we want to have a full record with us if we go on the road. And we are working on it!
