This interview was done over email just before The Hippos left there beloved U.S.A for the land of Australia to tour with Swedish outfit Millencolin. The questions were answered by guitarist/vocalist Ariel.

Q: Just a quick get to know thing so people know who you are when they read the answers to these questions. Who are the Hippos?

A: Five nerds who listen to a lot of music and started a band to regurgitate some of what we listen too with our own sick twist.

Q: What would you guys be doing if you were'nt in The Hippos?

A: Devising a plan to take over the world (oh wait we're doing that now).

Q: Some Australians here may have only heard one of your songs, that is Wasting my life because it is popular on radio. But I've heard the new album and each song is very different and it's hard to describe your sound to those people. Describe your sound? (cos I tried and failed)

A: It is rather hard to describe, but if you were trying to rip off the pixies, the talking heads, the cars, the police, elvis costello, they might be giants, the kinks, madness and the beatles all in one band, you might be -the hippos-!

Q: Also Was that Wasting My Life on that Nickolodeon movie? (I swear I didn't see it, my little brother told me. I'm not kidding!)

A: Your little brother would be correct. It's pretty cool to hear your song in THX sound!

Q: Heads are Gonna Roll is out now down here, what are your favourite songs on the album?

A: It changes from time to time, but I think my favorite is "He Said" or maybe "Paulina"

Q: What have you guys been doing with yourselves so far this year touring wise? How has the touring been?

A: What haven't we been doing? we toured the states with the blood hound gang, smash mouth, unwritten law, goldfinger, the warped tour, and more!

Q: What's it like playing with other popular bands in Cali?

A: There are a lot of great bands out here and it's really neat to see and play with bands that are going to the best of our time. Good stories for when I'm old!

Q: What songs please the crowd you've played to previosly the most?

A: Well there is of course "wasting my life" but we always try to throw a couple familiar yet not played out cover songs that everyone can rock out to (always something there to remind me-burt bacharach, so lonely-the police, rebel rebel-david bowie, etc.).

Q: Your touring Australia with Swedish punks Millecolin. Ever toured with them before? If so, what were they like. If not, how did it come about?

A: We toured with them on the warped tour along with many other bands and look forward to hanging out with them.

Q: This is you first official international tour ever. You guys pumped up? Are you looking forward to hook up with Millencolin and No Fun At all?

A: Totally pumped, looking forward to making "the hippos revolution" international and couldn't think of cooler bands to do it with (millencolin, no fun at all).

Q: What kind of crowds do you hope for at your shows?

A: Hoping for open minded kids looking to have a good time and be entertained by the music and our jack-ass antics!

Q: What ideas do you have of Australia? What do other bands or people say to you when you talk about Australia?

A: Crocodile dundee winning the gold! j/k I've been to sydney before and think it's beautiful and the people are laid back...can't wait!

Q: Have you guys been watching the Olympics? Do people in the US go sport mad while the Olympics are on? Australia is sport mad all year long but when the Olympics on it's just crazy, that's all you ever here, but it's good to see Australia is putting in a good challenge against you Yanks so far.

A: I hope you guys win! Fuck those yanks.

Q: Are you looking forward to the Livid Festival in Brisbane? Most international bands haven't heard of it before until they actually play their. It's 60 bands along with a shitload of people.

A: Can't wait for livid- anyone reading this come early and go to the smallest stage, that's where you might find us!

Q: Any bands on the lineup that you are looking forward to meet or see?

A: One of my all time favorites...The Cure, the living end, no doubt, the whole thing is gonna kick ass.

Q: Can you tell me where I can find the hidden song on your website?

A: I could tell you but I would have to kill you.

Q: Well that's all I got for you guys, anything you wanna say to the skunks (that's ska-punk people) of Australia before you guys sweep the nation with Millencolin starting October 14 in Melbourne?

A: Do your home work!!!

Thanx for your time, hope you have a good time while you are out here in the Magical land of oz. Oh yeah, the new album kicks ass.

[Questions compiled by Jake]