Songs & Lyrics

Q 1- First things first, congratulations on AAC and indeed your career so
far! Now, I think its fairly reasonable to say AAC is a different direction
from FSF. While it has received acclaim from many this change of sound has
met resistance from some (weird) people, and flat out rejection from others.
I know you all have posted replies on the message boards to such remarks (I
hope John never meets Joe Mauer, real or fake. For his sake!), but how do
you really feel, about both the positive and negative reactions?

Jake - I take all reactions seriously as long as those reactions seem genuine.
I care what thoughtful people think about our music. Having said that, the
reaction which matters most is my own. AAC is different because our lives
had changed since the making of the previous record. I listen to it and say
"Yes, that's exactly where we were when we made the record." And I think
it's a great album.

Q2- You guys tour a LOT. Do you ever just feel like saying "enough already! I want to go home!"?

Jake - It goes back and forth. The worst part of touring are the hassles
generally associated with travel -- airports, planes, busses, lost luggage,
cancelled hotel reservations, the absence of a familiar place to retire to,
and the accumulating fatigue. The best parts, however, are playing the shows
and seeing the sights. I sat on the stoop outside my apartment in Brooklyn
last week and had an intense longing to be in London. I feel lucky to be
doing something that takes me there and other places several times a year.

Q3- Have you ever considered writing a novel? Your Road Diaries are
excellent and very funny. Are there any plans to compile them into a book.
Maybe you could team up with Matt Wilson and do a joint book.

Jake - I'm glad you like the diaries. I kind of stumbled into writing them,
and they've kind of taken off from there. I do plan to compile them into a
book at some point. I've thought of writing novels, but until I get a
burning desire to do that, I'll try to keep up with my other aspirations:
playing the drums, song writing, and writing more road diaries.

Q4- Sorry, diversion here, but, how is Matt anyway. No-ones heard anything
from him in a long time. Has he retired from his professional singing
career?

Jake - No, Matt has not retired to my knowledge. I think, however, this is a
question for Matt. I myself am a big fan.

Q5- Anyways, back on track. Its nice to see Down In Flames back on the set
list. Is it good to know that people are still in love with your older work?

Jake - It's good to know that people like the stuff on our earlier records, but
it's a struggle to keep all of the material active. I think it's harder than
most people think and therefore frustrating for them when we don't play
Sculpture Garden, Down In Flames, The Gift, No One Else, or I'll Feel For You
when one of those titles is shouted from the crowd.

Q6- Jake, when are we going to hear you sing lead vocals? Go on, you know
you want to.

Jake - I don't like watching drummers sing. It's never convincing. I wouldn't
mind singing sometime, but only in the right setting. As it stands, we have
two great vocalists. Why add a third mediocre one?

Q7- The decision to release Over My Head as the next single seems to be a
strange one. How was it that the producers of Summer Catch came to hear the
song and decide they wanted it on their soundtrack? And does this mean no
more releases frm AAC?

Jake - Our publishing company played all of the music we recorded for AAC for
various film music supervisors. The supervisor for Summer Catch realized
that the lyrics to Over My Head are a perfect fit for the film and the track
sounds great. So he called back the publisher and got the ball rolling.
That was months ago. I think we will have another single off of the record.
Stay tuned.

Q8- Now that you've produced an album by yourselves, are there any plans to
go into producing or perhaps increase this aspect, and gradually move away
from music making?

Jake - Music making is still what we love the most. Producing the record was
both rewarding and exhausting.

Q9- If a woodchuck could chuck wood how far could a woodchuck chuck wood?

Jake - It depends on windspeed and direction.

Q10- Who's the mother of the group? And why?

Jake - The mother of the group would be Minneapolis for geographic and musical
reasons.

Q11- And finally, for the love of God (not the game), PLEASE tell us how old
Dan is!

Jake - Dan is 65 years young. He stays in shape and looks and moves like a
man half his age. How does he do it?!

Thanks again Jake.

Jake- Cheers David!