‘My Dinosaur Life’ feels far more rock-orientated than previous releases. What was the response to this?
Justin Pierre – I think the direction to “rock” more on My Dinosaur Life came as a direct result of “rocking” less on Even If It Kills Me. That was the only conscious decision we made going into writing this record. We wanted it to be more raw and less “produced” sounding. Don’t get me wrong, Mark produced the shit out of this record. I think the fans have been digging on it. I foresee more rocking and less production in our future. I’m not sure what that means, but it feels good to say.
It’s no secret that you’re a big fan of Blink-182. How does it feel to have toured and worked with them?
Justin Pierre – It’s been quite awesome to have played so many shows with them over this last decade. Mark has been a huge part of helping us make music over the years, both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes (is that a term?). I’m very nervous about being the opening act at Reading/Leeds. Luckily, the crowds will be forced to watch us. I just hope they don’t throw sharp objects. I saw that happen to Kelly Osbourne in England a few years ago. It wasn’t pretty, but she handled it like a champ.
If you’ve got any time before or after your Reading/Leeds set, who are you most looking forward to seeing?
Justin Pierre – If I have time and nobody kicks me out, I’d love to see Minus The Bear, The Joy Formidable, Weezer, Paramore & Blink-182. I am most excited for The Joy Formidable. They gave me hope that the future of music will be radical again. They also depress me because nothing I write will ever be that good. Bastardos!!!
Touring has been a huge part of your band, with you once reportedly playing 320 shows in one year. Absolutely wild. How on earth did you manage that?
Justin Pierre – For a while, we did it because that was the only way to make money, and none of us had lives. We’ve scaled it back a bit from what it used to be, but it’s the only thing we really know how to do (this is absolutely debatable, good people). We finally get to do a tour with Say Anything & Saves The Day in the States this fall, which we’ve been trying to do for years!
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Justin Pierre – I can often be found only wearing a Batman cape while trying to hit members of the band with little balls of raw hamburger meat.
On that note, can we expect a UK tour in the near future?
Justin Pierre – Not a tour at the moment. But we are playing at the Underworld in Camden on the 26th. You should come.
No doubt. I’ll see you at the front.
We’d love to know more about the process for your ‘Give A Little Help’ campaign.
Justin Pierre – That song is about needing help. We put a delicious spin on it and came up with a way to get people motivated to embark on creating some kind of positive change in the universe. We wanted to throw some money at people who were creative and wanted to help others. By having the people in our little community vote on their favourite ideas, it allows for a general consensus to be taken of what said people are getting behind. It’s simply a fun way to do good in the world and get others excited about doing good for good’s sake and nothing more.
You’ve been through a lot together as a band, with changes in the line-up and labels. That can’t have been easy.
Justin Pierre – Nothing is easy. Unless, of course, you are Lionel Richie, in which case Sunday morning is just that. Easy. But I digress… I think we tend to just do and not think about much else. We try to keep moving forward, whatever that may mean.
Do you get to spend a lot of time with fans? How do you go about it?
Justin Pierre – No. I tend to lose my voice easily. I can’t shut up. So I try to mingle after a show for a bit, but it’s strange when I nod and smile but don’t speak. Kids tend to hate that. But it’s the only way I cannot lose my voice for the rest of the tour.
What has been your most bizarre fan experience?
Justin Pierre – I once received a peg leg from a woman named Nancy Klondike, who lived in Shoulderblade, Kentucky. She claimed it was a gift from the ‘real’ Spaghetti Jesus. She was a ridiculous woman. She could whistle any tune by Herb Albert. I wonder what ever became of her.
What is your favourite way to waste time on your tour bus?
Justin Pierre – I like to watch movies, read, and eat on the bus. Sometimes, I even urinate if the feeling strikes me.
What has been your proudest moment as a band?
Justin Pierre – For me, it was playing First Avenue in Minneapolis, the city where I live. I used to be frequent at the club as a teenager to see all my favourite bands growing up. It was pretty surreal to play on the same stage as Fugazi, Superchunk, Jawbox, The Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins, The Boo Radleys, The Jesus & Mary Chain, etc…
What’s next?
Justin Pierre – I’d like to become a fully functioning human being whose first response in any given situation is to love instead of hate. But I’ve got a handful of work to do in that particular department.