Interview by Veronica
"I'm like a record player, I keep goin' round. With a needle in my arm, making someone else's sound. And lately I've been dreaming of blue and empty skies, but nothing like that ever crosses red and weary eyes.
I've been traveling with bottles, working close with cans. Sitting up for hours with my best friends in a van. Now, they say that this ain't living, but I don't know what they mean- Cuz I don't feel dead, and baby, you look alive to me. It's the only game that I know how to play.
The time, the time, to say goodbye passed us long ago. And I would say I've overstayed my welcome, but you know I don't think I'm ever going home.
I don't need a doctor, cuz anyone can see that I had all of these shots, but, lord, I'm still sick as I can be. I think I need to rest my head, so baby come with me. Lay down here beside me, keep me warm while I sleep.
There's trouble on the way, huh! You'd best believe there always is... don't worry, sit and have a drink with me. When we go, all we got is these days that we made and I don't wanna waste them being wistful or afraid.
Without all of you I'd be even lower down, you know what I wanna say but I can't get it out.
The time, the time, to say goodbye passed us long ago. And I would say we've overstayed our welcome, but you know I don't think we're ever going home. I don't think we're ever going home, oh no." - Like a Record Player, The Lawrence Arms.
Meet Brendan Kelly. Bassist of TLA.
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photo: Hiro Tanaka
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Veronica: Describe the Lawrence Arms in five words.
Brendan: Best band in the world.
V: Who makes up the Lawrence arms?
B: Neil and Chris and myself.
V: A lot of people assume that bands today have "goals" or dream of achieving levels of success, etc. You guys are here to play shows and have fun doing it. Can you tell us about your experiences thus far with the Lawrence arms?
B: Well, we started this band, and despite never really getting any fans, we've managed to put out several unsuccessful records and tour all over the world. Dreams do kind of come true.
V: 5 albums + a b-sides album + a couple splits, and a 7 inch. Which is your favorite? I'm so sick of bands telling me their current release. May be true, but give it to us straight. (cough cough- The Greatest Story Ever Told- cough)
B: Well, I like Greatest Story. I was pretty proud of that record, and I still am, but I just love the sort of throwback quality of Oh! Calcutta! It's what I think is missing from rock today, so for that reason, at least today, it's my fave.
V: What song embodies the most of YOU? (I love 'Fireflies' personally, haha).
B: I would have to say 'Like a Record Player', and I know the jury is really out on that song, some people really love it and others think it sucks, but it's the song that's literally about our band, us as three guys who don't know when to hang it up and don't care to. That's what our band is about... long van rides, laughs, shots, exhaustion and friendship.
V: Slapstick to the Broadways to the Lawrence Arms to the Falcon... Differences?
B: Members, songs, styles of music.
V: Can you share with us one of your most fun experiences while being with the Lawrence Arms?
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photo: Scott Cole
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B: After our Australian tour last year, we took an extra ten days and just stayed on the beach in this high-rise hotel. It was where we discovered the bar called 'Cocktails and Dreams' which we named our b-sides record after. That was an amazing time. Also, the Hot Water Music/Lawrence Arms tour was pretty great, for obvious reasons.
V: Favorite show you have ever played?
B: We just headlined the Metro in Chicago, and it was our first time headlining our hometown in 2 years. It was amazing.
V: Favorite venue to play? City?
B: Chicago, Metro. It's nice, all my friends work there. It's home.
V: On Halloween, why'd you ditch the K-Fed costume??
B: Didn't you hear? K-Fed is done. I wanted to do the most accurate K-Fed I could do, so I had to be in the public eye for a second, and then vanish.
V: Why the fuck can't you play fireflies live??????!!!???
B: It's slow and long, and the few times we've played it, it just hasn't gone over well, even to the people who really wanted to hear it. I love that song too, but it just doesn't translate to the stage well. We have a few songs like that. The other notable ones are 'Boatless Booze Cruise' and 'Corpses of our Motivations'.
V: What are your favorite songs to play live?
B: I love all the songs where we switch off, like 'Margret', 'Cut it Up', 'Ch. 13', 'L&L'. I love playing 'The Raw and Searing Flesh' and 'Brickwall Views', but my fave right now is probably 'Like a Record Player', for reasons mentioned above.
V: What was going through your head the first time you performed live?
B: 'Oh my god, my voice is terrible'
V: What tour plans can you enlighten us of?
B: We're going to Australia tomorrow.
V: If you could pair up any bands for your tour, who'd it be?
B: Hmmm... the original Guns n' Roses and the original NWA.
V: What bands are considered influences to you?
B: Goo Goo Dolls, Fifteen (just Buzz, pretty much), Guns n Roses, Nomeansno, NWA, Willie Nelson, Oblivion.
V: Other than influences, what music do you listen to? What CURRENT, new bands do you consider to be making their mark in your musical mind?
B: I like Ratatat. I also really love the new Propagandhi (which isn't that new). Who else? Okkervil River is probably my favorite band right now. They're really great.
V: What do you do in your spare time?
B: Read, write, ride bikes, swim, drink, laugh, sleep.
V: Are you willing to drop a #2 anywhere? Gas station bathrooms? Backstage? Haha...
B: I just rocked the deuce in the most revolting bar in the world (in Colorado), so right now, the answer is yes.
V: Some musician friends present while writing this wanted me to ask you how you developed your left handed clap technique?
B: I don't really know what this means. I'm left handed, if that answers the question.
V: Every girl has their band guy crush. Does it make you feel weird that you were one of mine? hahahaha.
B: Aw... shucks. I'm blushing.
V: Thank youuuuuuuu!
B: You're quite welcome.
To see more of The Lawrence Arms go:
myspace.com/thelawrencearms
www.thelawrencearms.net
