BAND: Against Me!
INTERVIEWER: Liz Wise (Liz@bandvibe.com)
INTERVIEWEE: Andrew of Against Me!
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 07.23.06

BAND MEMBERS:
Tom-Guitar/Vocals
Andrew-Bass
James-Guitar/Vocals
Warren-Drums

BV: Is this your first Warped tour?
Andrew: It is actually. We had been asked before and the timing just wasn’t right until now. These bigger things can get grading. It’s hot, there’s not a lot to do.

BV: Is it better to tour on your own or as part of a festival as this?
Andrew: Variety is the spice of life. The more different experiences we can have, the better we’ll play. Whether it’s a huge tour or a club where 100 people are going crazy.

BV: How hard was/is it or what was it like looking for a record label?
Andrew: We’re on Fat Wreck Chords. We didn’t actually have to look for one. If you tour all the time you’ll get noticed. We were lucky too. Things seemed to happen in a very nice progression.

BV: Do you have any advice for bands getting started?
Andrew: Tour.
BV: A lot of bands have been saying that, so how about if you’re a guy who works a lot and just can’t leave for months at a time?
Andrew: Start small and just play some guy’s basement in another state. Don’t think you’re just going to get a spot on Warped Tour, start small. And that can go for anyone, not just the working guys.

BV: Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?
Andrew: Well where are you from?
BV: Um, Wyoming.
Andrew: We played at the Cowboy bar in Cheyenne. We went through and played with a local pop/punk band there.
BV: Yeah, I know the Cowboy- I’m from Cheyenne. That’s pretty crazy, small world.

BV: Any plans for after Warped Tour?
Andrew: We’ve got some European festivals then we’re heading back to Florida to record.

BV: Influences?
Andrew: CCR, Springstien, a lot of old country anything passionate. I don’t listen to too much punk.

BV: What would you like to tell your fans?
Andrew: Hi, let’s hang out. “Shine on you crazy diamonds.”

For more information on Against Me!, log onto:
+http://www.againstme.net/
+http://www.myspace.com/againstme