Tiger Army are set to kick off their Australian Tour next week, see out gig guide or international tour guide for all the details, tickets on sale now.

THE BASICS

Name : Nick 13
Band : Tiger Army
Job In Band : Singer/guitarist/songwriter
Website : www.tigerarmy.com
Hometown : Los Angeles, CA USA

THE BAND

What's the story behind the name?
It's something that popped into my head. It symbolizes thinking and acting for yourself, apart from the herd.

How did the band come together?
This lineup came together when I looked up Jeff (stand-up bass) and asked him to do a tour with us. We were acquainted before that, I knew his playing well. He recommended James (drums) who was also a friend and was already in a band with Jeff at the time. The tour was a success, and we took it from there.

How long has the band been around?
The band originally started in late '95 with no drummer, or in early '96 when we played our first gig, depending on how you look at it.

Briefly describe your sound…
This is always a hard question for me, basically we're a three-piece with a stand-up bass that mixes elements of rockabilly, punk and dark pop. You can call it psychobilly, or not. There's an emphasis on melody and songwriting. It's generally got sort of a dark feel to it, sometimes quite aggressive, sometimes more melancholy.

A few influences…
I'm really bored of that question, sorry.

What's your current release? Tell us a little about it…
Our latest album is called "III: Ghost Tigers Rise," it came out a little over half a year ago. I'm really happy with how it turned out, it's the album I'd been wanting to make for a long time. I'm proud of all our albums, but this one is my favorite. I guess it's a bit slower at times. It's a development as far as songwriting, playing goes. It's still got its hard side as well, but by slowing it down a bit some of the stuff grooves more, is heavier, hits harder. Some people hear an 80s influence in it, which wasn't conscious but I do listen to a lot of dark pop & post-punk from that time so I guess it must've seeped in.

OFF THE STAGE

When did you decide you had to be a musician, and how did you go about it?
I knew I had to pick up a guitar when I was in junior high (age 12 or 13), the discovery of punk was just too much for me to handle as a listener, I had to pick up an instrument and be a part of it. It didn't seem so impossible to do either as the music was about rawness and emotion, not playing ability. As far as doing it with my life, I guess I realized in my early twenties that I'd rather try making music my life and fail than succeed at doing something I didn't really care about.

What was your first band name and what style did you play?
The first band name was "Iconoclasts." We never played a gig, we only rehearsed in my bedroom, mostly Ramones, Black Flag & Misfits covers. It was punk, needless to say. This was when I was 14.

Tell us three albums you couldn't live without in your collection…
Meteors, "Wrecking Crew"
The Clash, "The Clash"
Depeche Mode, "Violator"

Best piece of musical advice you've been given…
I don't know!

Two groups/artists you'd love to take out on the road…
Battle of Ninjamanz (Japan) and 12 Step Rebels (who we are taking on the road in the spring in the US).

Favourite song of your group?
That's hard. Probably "Rose of the Devil's Garden".

The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is…
The moment the van pulls away from the curb, when preparation is done for better or worse.

The thing you least look forward to before a tour is…
The stress of packing, making all the last minute arrangements, tying up all the loose ends before you go.

When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing?
Sleeping or watching DVD's. Occasionally I leave the bed to eat or go shopping.

ON THE STAGE / ROAD

What gear do you use?
Live I play Gretsch '57 Duo Jet re-issues. I have an original '57, but it doesn't tour and I play mostly early-60's Gretsch Anniversaries on record anyway. Amp is a Fender Tone Master with one or two 2x12" cabinets. Pedals are old Boss Analog Delay (DM-2) and some kind of chorus, which varies.

Favourite place (city/town/country) you've played… and why?
There are too many to name. Los Angeles & Orange County are always great. The show we just played in London in January was one of my favorites in a long time.

Favourite venue to perform at and why?
House of Blues, Los Angeles. Great sound and a cool room that holds quite a few people but still has an intimate feel.

Who hogs the stereo in the van the most?
Hard to say, I've usually got my headphones on in the back.

Who in your group has the worst "bad habit" on tour, and what is it?
Well, it couldn't possibly be me, so it must be someone else.

Most embarrassing moment on tour?
Nothing comes to mind!

Give us a good quick 'on the road' story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever…
On our last tour in the UK, we were hanging out in the lounge on the bus and for some reason as part of a conversation our guitar tech blurted out, "I've had sex twice!" It was meant to be part of a longer story, but he stopped there and never got the chance to finish over everyone else's laughter. He didn't hear the end of that one, I'm afraid.

RIGHT NOW

What's getting the most spins in your stereo right now?
Recently, overall, "You Are The Quarry" by Morrissey, the deluxe edition with B-sides. Since I got an iPod, I'm not really listening much to any one band or album, it's just a huge mixture.

Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why…
Uh, Tiger Army? I don't know, new music disgusts me. Check out the Louvin Brothers, a two-brother country duo from the 50s who made some of the best music EVER.

A word of advice to those slugging it out in empty pubs on Tuesday nights…
Try playing all ages shows, most people in pubs care more about their beer than anything else.