The Get Up Kids, armed with their fresh new album ‘There Are Rules‘ are headed to Australia this August as you would’ve no doubt heard earlier in the week. Tickets will go on sale this Friday. Deborah Konopnicki recently caught up with Matt Pryor from the band for a short chat. Click below to expand this post and take a read and re-cap the tour information.
What are you up to at the moment?
Just enjoying my time off tour … hanging out with my kids.
You’ve just released you new album “There Are Rules”. I had a bit of a listen to it yesterday and really like what I’ve heard so far. How are you feeling about that material at the moment?
We’re really pleased with the way that the record turned out. We tried to push ourselves creatively and I think it paid off.
“Simple Science” was the first official release after the break for you guys. How was it getting back into the swing of things and releasing music again? Did it feel a bit refreshing?
It really wasn’t that big of a deal. We’ve all been doing our own projects during our break so it’s not like any of us have been away from music necessarily. It was nice to finally get some new material out though.
How do you find the song writing process now? How has it changed since you first started in the band?
The way that we did this record was more of a songwriting experiment. We would all just sit in a room and jam on some ideas, nobody came to the table with a finished song. If something didn’t stick within thirty minutes then we’d scrap it. It was really refreshing. That’s the way we wrote our first album.
Did you have many ideas of where you wanted this new album to head? It has a very different sound from your earlier work.
We just wanted it to be interesting and to move forward creatively. We try not to ever make the same record twice.
Was there anything that was inspiring you to head in this new direction or is it just you maturing as musicians?
A little of both. We referenced Fugazi a bunch while we were making the record.
What are the tracks that you’re most excited about? I have to say that “Regents Court” is one of my favorites at the moment. It’s such a fun song.
Thanks. I like that one a lot too. Lately, I’ve been into some of the weirder stuff “The Widow Paris” is one of my favorites just because it’s like nothing we’ve ever done before.
How have you found fans reacting to the new material live?
They don’t really know it that well yet so they tend to kind of stare and listen. We’ve had some people singing along.
Did you find that there was much pressure and expectation with any new material that you were to release?
There wasn’t any pressure from us. We’re anti pressure… it makes the band not fun. We just like making music together. I’m sure people had expectations but the only ones we are care about are our expectations and we fulfilled those.
Ed Rose produced this record like he has with a few other Get Up Kids records. What do you think he brings to the album?
Ed is basically the sixth member of the band when we’re in the studio. We work really well together. He can reel us in and tell us if something sounds stupid or awesome. Sometimes it’s a fine line between the two.
What made you decide to release this album on your own label, Quality Hill Records as opposed to having it come out on Vagrant again?
We’ve got nothing but love for Vagrant but we wanted to take the leap and see if we could do it on our own. It’s like getting our drivers license. No more getting picked up in mom’s mini van.
Did you find that you missed having The Get Up Kids as that particular musical outlet while the band was out of the spotlight?
Not really. I was always doing my own thing. I like playing in this band but it’s good for all of us to do other things that are just as fulfilling.
You Re-released “Something To Write Home About” for it’s 10th anniversary. There are songs that you’ve been playing for the best part of a decade and it’s most definitely a fan favorite. How does that album sit with you at the moment?
I like it. In hindsight I wouldn’t have sung every song at the top of my range. It’s hard to belt all those songs out live sometimes. Ha.
You guys played at the Soundwave Festival last year. How did you find it playing shows in Australia after so long?
Hard to say. The festival was fun but you can’t judge a place based on a festival. I’m really looking forward to getting back and headlining in August.
How did you find the festival itself? Did you have any highlights?
Hanging with the Jimmy Eat World guys, seeing the Anvil guys backstage. Scott Ian in our hotel. Good times!
Would you say that The Get Up Kids is your full time baby at the moment or can you foresee anything happening with your other projects or even another solo record in the future?
I’m working on another solo record at the moment. I think that we all need to have other outlets in order to keep this band fun.
Just finally, what are you expectations for The Get Up Kids in 2011?
TOUR OZ!!!!!!
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Soundwave Touring, Hysteria Magazine and Sludge Factory Present…
THE GET UP KIDS
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 15 APRIL, 9AM
FRIDAY 5TH AUGUST – BRISBANE, THE HI FI [18+]
www.thehifi.com.au 1300 THE HIFI & Moshtix outlets
SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST – SYDNEY, THE METRO [Lic A/A]
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849
SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST – MELBOURNE, BILLBOARD [18+]
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849, www.billboardthevenue.com.au
TUESDAY 9TH AUGUST – ADELAIDE, FOWLERS LIVE [Lic A/A]
www.venuetix.com.au, www.moshtix.com.au & outlets
The Get Up Kids - There Are Rules
Instores now – Available on CD and LP [Order Yours Online Here]
