2. How would you describe The Kickovers and your music? The Kickovers is a cool mixture of all of our favorite music and styles. There are so many different influences on us. Our music and live performance is very versatile.
3. Just how cool is it to be in this band and play with such awesome musicians? It is so much fun. Nate is such a gifted songwriter and guitarist. I was his guitar tech briefly when he was in the Bosstones and would watch in awe. To be next to him every night is truly an honor. Mikey plays the bass the way a bass should be played, not too busy, and with rhythym and personality. Joe Sirois is without a doubt my favorite drummer, very energetic and animated. Everytime he plays you can tell he loves what he does. Jamie is a great drummer as well. A gifted rock drummer...we're really lucky to have him.
4. How have you reacted to the response from the fans to the release of Osaka and the reception you receive on tour? I have really been surprised by our reception so far. I knew it was a good record and I knew we put on a fun show but I figured it would take a bit longer to catch on.
5. You have such a loyal and supportive fanbase already? (I should know, I travelled all the way from another country to see you play and hang out with you. I've met so many other dedicated fans.) How cool is it to have such loyalty at this early stage from such dedicated fans? The loyalty at this early stage is so awesome! If we have a show that I'm not freakin' over or I'm having a bad day, I go to the guest book and it really cheers me up! It really makes us work harder and play for all our fans
6. What qualities does each individual bring to The Kickovers? Nate brings creativity and vision, Mikey brings art, Jamie brings Snoop Dog, Joe brings an inconvenient schedule, and I bring an overly-active business mind.
7. What is most rewarding; touring or recording? Touring for sure. You can see the end result of the recordings you make.
8. Which is best; concentrating on one project or having your fingers in a few pies? I know you have your fingers in a few pies so I have an idea how you'll answer but I'm really interested to see how these projects balance eachother out? Tough question...you can excell if you concentrate on one project. I really enjoy the business side of music but if you take on too much at once it leaves very little time for family.
9. How do you like the spend the little spare time you get? Any hobbies? My hobbies are pretty much my children. Isabella's first birthday is May 29th. Marilyn will be 7 in July. I also enjoy surfing and skateboarding.
10. What makes you angry? Narrow minds.
11. ...and what brings you inner-peace? Surfing.
12. Tell me something about yourself that might surprise everyone else? Hmm. Late at night when I'm driving I listen to Delilah...it is a radio show that plays love songs and dedications. Very sappy, it makes me smile.
13. I'm lucky enough to have hung out with you guys and theres a lot of appreciation for that on my part...the general consensus from the fans who've met you has been one of great appreciation; we all think you're awesome, sweet and really genuinely cool people; are we threatening your tough-guy image by describing you like this? (Tongue firmly in cheek for this question!) No, I hung around tough guys growing up. I think they're all dead or in prison by now...my true friends and family would hopefully agree with you!
14. In the music business you've done a bit of everything; so how did you get into this business in the first place? A natural progression I suppose. I grew up in the punk scene, when Green Day broke it made it possible to make a living with the music I love.
15. You have lots of awesome tattoos and I'm a big tattoo fan, how many tattoos do you have and can you tell me a little about them all? I have about 20 of them. Each tells a different story from my past and present. I guess my favorite would be Joe Strummer's autograph. I met him with The Bosstones and asked him to sign my arm. The next day I had it tattooed. He is a true genius and living legend.
16. Who would you say are your greatest musical influences? As far as all around songwriting and guitar playing goes I would say Strummer and Paul Westerberg. Mike Ness was a big influence as well.
17. Who are your favourite bands? The Clash, The Replacements, Ramones, Social Distortion, Husker Du, Descendants, Hotrod Circuit, Lost City Angels.
18. Not all influences have to be musical obviously, so what else inspires you? My family, and an episode of behind the music with Bustah Rhymes.
19. Were you musical as a child and do you play any other instruments besides guitar and bass? I played clarinet in middle school, I played stand up drums in High School for a rock a billy band called the Uglies. I have always loved music but with my A.D.D. I was destined for 3 chord guitar rock!
20. What was the last CD you bought? Jimmy Eat World.
21. What are your feelings about the internet? I can't get enough of it...it can occupy so much time though.
22. What was the first record you bought and the first band you saw live? The first record I bought was the Grease soundtrack. The first live show I saw was Jimmy Cliff with my older brother.
23. Which band would you love to tour with and why? The Foo Fighters, they mix a sense of humor with damn good rock songs.
24. Tell me something funny about the others? Mikey and Nate fight over who will play with my baby daughter and who she likes better. Jamie constantly plays old school hip hop.
25. Who'd play you in "The Kickovers - The Movie"? Matt Dillon...When I was a kid I wanted to be in The Outsiders.
26. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why? I'd like to ask Keith Richards how he's stayed alive, or if he is in fact alive...
27. What's your favourite joke? Mushroom walks into a bar, bartender says "I'm sorry we don't serve mushrooms" mushroom says "I'm not a mushroom, I'm a fun-gi"!
28. Do you have any hidden talents? If so what are they? I'm a good juggler!
29. What is the most embarrassing thing thats ever happened to you? I went to the bathroom in my pants in the 2nd grade...horrifying!
30. What do you hope the future holds for The Kickovers? I hope we continue to make the songs we love and believe in. I hope we play to as many audiences possible and still maintain a well ballanced personal life.
Thank you so much for reading through this bunch of questions, they may not be the greatest bunch of questions in the world but they have truly good intentions, ha-ha!
I actually really enjoyed these questions!