Vans Warped Tour July 3, 2002
Chula Vista, California
*Interview transcribed by: Jennifer Kochanski
TB: Tsunami Bomb’s collective reply
M: Agent M’s reply
D: Dominic’s reply
When is the new album due out?
TB: September 3rd. It’s called “The Ultimate Escape.”
What’s the style of the new album? How is it different to previous Tsunami Bomb CDs?
TB: Our keyboardist left, so that makes a huge difference. And it’s more aggressive. It’s catchy, but more aggressive. It’s also our first full length album.
Do you know which song you plan to release as the first single, and to whom do you plan to market it toward?
TB: It’ll be marketed most to college radio and specialty radio. The first single will be either “Roundabout” or “El Diablo.“
How is it different being on Kung Fu Records as opposed to Tomato Head? / Is Joe Escalante heavily involved in the process?
TB: At Tomato Head, it is basically one person running the whole show. On Kung Fu, there’s a staff of 12, so the amount of work 12 people can do is much greater. / Joe is very hands-on and very helpful.
This is your second time on the Warped Tour. Who are you looking forward to seeing this time around?
TB: Thrice is our favorite on this tour. Some of our other favorites are: Counterfeit, RX Bandits, Alkaline Trio, Hot Water Music, Flogging Molly and Anti-Flag.
Do you support downloading music on the Internet?
M: Yes! It allows fans to familiarize themselves with our music. We depend mostly on merchandise sales, so having people download the music gets people to the shows.
D: It’s also pretty hard to find our albums, and the Internet is crucially important in helping people find our music.
What would you be if you weren’t rock stars?
D: Friends. We’d still be friends.
M: Yeah, we’d still be friends. But I think I’d be a secret agent and learn to speak 10 different languages, and utilize them all.
D: I’d be a janitor at the building where she worked. No, I’m kidding. I’d like to do something in film, like directing ‘super spy’ movies.
Who’s your biggest musical influence?
D: All sorts of different musical styles have influenced us. But overall, I’d have to say Oingo Boingo, AFI, Skankin’ Pickle, Pixies, the Cure (that’s Agent M’s fault). And more than any of that, it’s all the live shows I’ve seen performed, and all the bands who have amazing, energetic live shows.
M: As far as vocal melodies & lyrics, I’d have to say my biggest influences are Billy Joe of Green Day, Chaney of the Living End, and Morrissey.
Who would you like to tour with?
TB: Thrice.
What’s your favorite movie?
M: “Goonies”
D: That one is really hard for me, but overall, out of all the movies, I’d have to say “The Godfather”
What’s the most embarrassing song you admit to liking?
M: Oh, that’s tough. (pauses) I can’t think of a specific song, but I’d have to say Destiny’s Child.
D: Okay, not the remix version, but the original version of the Backstreet Boys‘ “That Way.” I heard the beginning once and it had these cool guitar and vocals, but not the remix. I asked who it was and someone said the Backstreet Boys. I was like NOOOOOO! I felt dirty, like I should go take a shower.
What’s something everyone should know about you/your band?
M: That we’re not a techno band. People hear the name of our band and think we’re techno.
What are you passionate about besides music?
TB: Oooh, that’s a good one. We’ve never been asked that before. (Long pauses while Agent M & Dominic think about their answers.)
D: Art, film, photography and movies.
M: Art as well, but more like the drawing side of art.
What’s your favorite song to perform?
M: “…Not Forever”
D: I agree with “…Not Forever,” but I’d have to say “Top 40 Hit” as well (off the new album).
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
M: I was sleeping, I didn’t have breakfast.
D: Frosted flakes and chocolate soy milk, because that’s the only soy milk they had.
This interview is not verbatim due to the fact that there was no voice recorder. The answers are paraphrased.
