I am hanging out with a band that I dare you to listen to and not move your feet and sing along like you know the words. Better than that go ahead and learn the words that way you can actually sing along. These guys have energy that is hard to find in today’s industry and matches it perfectly with incredible lyrics, smooth vocals, and powered instrumentals. A band that I am glad I have discovered, I am happy to introduce to you Athens.
Where did you guys all meat?
We met at the butcher shop. Our mutual friends Chuck and Patty introduced us.
How long have you been together?
461 days.
Describe your genre in one word.
Other.
Is there a ringleader in the group?
Athens functions much like the systems of the body. All have their essential functions that contribute to the survival of the body. In this way, Andrew is the central nervous system, Adam is the cardiovascular system, Nick is the digestive system, and Jed is the endocrine system.
Where do you guys practice?
We practice in the Church of Saint Francis, Liberal Catholic, which also happens to be the home of three of our members.
Do you guys all have jobs or is music it?
Most of us have day jobs.
What is your favorite venue to play?
Nature.
What is the largest crowd that you have ever played for?
I’d say the gross weight was about 10,500 lbs. of people.
The smallest?
Roughly 170 lbs.
Let’s say that you are headlining at Madison Square Garden. Who is your opener?
Annie Lennox.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
Whales, the universe, the Mayan Empire, oceans, etc.
What are your thoughts on MySpace?
It’s swell.
Where does the inspiration come from for a new track?
Thin air.
Who writes all the lyrics?
Andrew.
Let’s say you are offered a $250,000 record deal but it is some one else’s lyrics and it is a rap album. Do you do it?
Yes.
What did you guys have for dinner last night?
Beer, cheeseburgers, Domino’s pizza, bow tie pasta with traditional basil sauce, vegan macaroni and cheese, hot dog, potato chips, potato salad, Colt 45, Magnum, brownie, vodka watermelon, pasta salad, whiskey.
PC or Mac?
Both.
You guys have more photo albums than anyone I have ever met. Who is taking all these pictures?
The official band photographer is Nick Neiman, who usually goes by Dick Diamond.
So did you guys get any poison ivy standing in those bushes?
No, the bush is a Contorted Filbert (corylus avellana), also called a Corkscrew Hazel, or a Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. There was no poison ivy present.
I feel that I can get a lot about your individual personalities out of your photographs and lyrics. Is that a true statement?
Only you can answer that.
Any thoughts on a nation wide tour this year?
Yes, we’ve thought about it. We will not do a nation wide tour, though we are traveling to the east coast later this month for a nine-day tour.
Where can I buy some of your music?
Our CD, “What Would We Wear We Werewolves?” can be purchased on iTunes, CD Baby, in Indianapolis at Luna Music Broadripple and Indy Vinyl and CDs.
If you could be any one cartoon character whom would you be and why?
We’d each be a character from the Muppet Babies, for obvious reasons.
If you could meet any one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
The man who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-ding-dong. We’d like to shake his hand.
If you could tour with any band currently in the market who would it be?
The Flaming Lips.
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
We’ll be living in a modest castle with a moat and a bridge somewhere in Europe.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
We’d like to be remembered as the doers of good deeds.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
Thanks.
