The Working Title

February 4, 2004
Full Schilling Restaurant
Chicago, IL
Interview by: Jayne*Star

Let me set the scene for you. We met up with the band in a restaurant down the street from the Metro.  The bar/restauant was dark and loud.  But, they squeezed us into their table and let me prod them with questions.  The Working Title is Joel (the illusive singer/acoustic guitar player), Chris (the non-shy, way fun bass player), Ross (the all personality drummer), Adam (the metal god guitar player), and the new guy Jason (way cute accent and fun-haired other guitar player).  This is how things went... Enjoy!!!!

XROXX: So, I read that people have said that you guys cater to a listening audience of a broad sector of people.  I read that people that listen to Dave Matthews would buy your CD's and I've also heard you guys compared to my favorite band, Brand New.  Where do you think you fit in?
Chris: Good question.
Ross: I think we are just starting to find out where we fit in. [random yeah's from around the table] Just doing different tours with different bands and getting different reactions from fans of other bands.  Like, for instance, on this Mae tour, we've seen a really good reaction from the Mae fans.  So, um, I dunno, I think we're still finding out.
Adam: Yeah, we like all those kind of different bands too.
Chris: I was gonna say that too... I think it's a fair assumption, because we all listen to a really wide range of music, and they all sort of influence us.

XROXX: Who else have you toured with recently?
Ross: We did dates with Limbeck, Noise Ratchet, Switchfoot.

XROXX: How was the Switchfoot tour?  How was the response to your band?
Chris: Awesome!  That was really our first time out and they made us feel like one of the family.  It was awesome.

XROXX: You guys have a single, "Beloved," that was on the American Wedding soundtrack.  Did that get you guys a lot of attention?  Did that help springboard anything?  Or was it just like "we're on a soundtrack, now what?"
Chris: Somewhere in the middle of all of that.
Ross: I wish the story was like a little more spectacular, but our label put out the soundtrack.  It was just a good way for the label to introduce us in a mild way.  We have gotten a reaction, but it's not huge.  It was just a nice nod from the label.

XROXX: You are on Universal now.  How is that working out for you?
Chris: Great!
Ross: Awesome!
Chris: You know, it was an interesting experience.  We kind of all dabbled in the punk and indie scene and we know what it is like.  We did not want to be like one of those bands that comes out on a label and is like, "Hey, you're on the radio, but who are you?"  You know what I mean?  Universal was awesome at working with us.  We wanted things to be like an indie label and not jump the gun and establish ourselves as a touring band.  We want to be around as long as possible.

XROXX: How long have you been together as a band?
Ross: About two and a half years.

XROXX: Really, wow?  How do you plan to separate yourselves form every other band out there?
Adam: I don't really think we have a plan to.  I mean, I hate to sound cliche, but like we'll just let the music speak for itself.  Let the music separate us form whoever.
Chris: Our plan is not to be different from anybody else, just to make music, and if some other people think it's different, then that's their opinion.

XROXX: Since you are touring all the time, what is something you want a kid leaving your show to think?
Adam: I think it would be cool if someone left the show the same way I leave a good show that I liked.  Just to be like "Wow, that's an amazing band."  Kind of like that and want to keep up with the band and follow what they do.
Joel: We're really into the music.  That's what it's about; not the money, or the fame, or the girls. [Looks at Jayne and I blush on the inside.] 

XROXX: OK, I have some personal questions for each one of you. Chris...
Chris: Yes?
XROXX: You are a big fan of Alkaline Trio and My Chemical Romance.  How would you compare yourself to Matt Skiba?
Chris: Wow.  That's a tough one.  I honestly have no idea how I would compare myself to Matt Skiba, but I do know that they are one of my favorite bands.  One of the things I love about music is that it tells about a time.  How hearing something's remind me of a time in my life.  Alkaline Trio, early in high school, and after high school was one of my fave bands.  And, I dunno, I think Matt Skiba tells really interesting stories.  I really admired that in his songwriting, and I still do.  They're still one of my favorites.  I'm just glad that I can be in the same group as Matt and Alkaline.  I don't know if we have anything in common, but I'm sure he's a nice guy.
XROXX: So, I am gonna go out on a limb here...
Chris: [INTERRUPTS] Just to prove that point. [Pulls up shirt sleeve to reveal Alkaline Trio-esque tattoo.]

XROXX: Niiiiiiiiiiice!!!  Um, let's see, Adam would be you. [Points to Joel]  No. You? [Points to Ross] No.  I'm bad at this game.  Sorry.  OK, I read that "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is one of your favorite books.  I was wondering why you liked it so much?
Adam: Um, I liked everything about the book.  I loved the story about the kid who was kind of weird, you know, kind of like all of us.  You know, just really the story about growing up, and finding the girl you really like.  I thought it was a story I could relate to.  And, I thought the ending was perfect.

XROXX: I have a Ross, is that you?
Ross: Yep!
XROXX: Rawk!  I know that Mae is one of your favorite bands.  Is it really cool to tour with them?
Ross: [Mouth half full of a cheddar burger.] Not only musically are they incredible, but as far as the members, all of them are really nice guys, and easy to get along with.  As far as a headlining band goes, you kind of feel under them you know what I mean, because you open for them, but they put you on the same level.  It's great to play with a band like Mae, and be friends with them.
XROXX: [Trying not to laugh.] I also read that you crochet.
Ross: That is a lie.  It says that, but I don't.
Tour Manager Steve: It would actually be better if you did crochet. [Band laughs and random jokes are made about knit hats that are being worn.]

XROXX: That leaves Joel.  Wait, did I miss someone?  Did you add someone to your band??
Joel: Yeah, this is Jason.
Jason: Hi, I'm Jason, nice to meet you.
XROXX: Hi Jason.  Can you tell me what you do in the band?  And something about your self.
Jason: [With the cutest accent I have ever heard] I play guitar.  I like long walks on the beach.  Um, I dunno.  I kind of met these guys about ten months ago through mutual friends and just kind of got taken on as the new member.  I really don't have too much to say I guess.
XROXX: Sorry I didn't have anything on you, but you have killer hair.
Jason: Well, I do enjoy hair, you can put that.
Joel: We cannot go into Wal-Mart or anything, and Jason has a new hair product.
Jason: I have ten now.
Joel: He'll have 11 tomorrow.

XROXX: So, Joel, you are the singer slash acoustic guitar player.  I read that you like Radiohead.  Most bands that are influenced by Radiohead explore textures and depths that are not conventional in music.  Do you see yourself doing that as well?
Joel: We're definitely into exploring music.  Me, as a songwriter, I draw from like tons of different music.

XROXX: Do you guys have plans to play Skate and Surf Festa or Warped Tour?
Chris: We are playing that thing in Asbury Park.  We have a couple Warped Tour dates with options for more.

XROXX: OK guys, one last thing, I want you to tell me a couple of CD's you could not live without right now.
Joel: This could take a while.......
Jason: Radiohead-Hail to the Thief, Coldplay-Rush of Blood to the Head
Ross: Ben Folds Five-Whatever...
Tour Manager Steve: Going old school. That's sad that that is old school.
Ross: Mars Volta, and Bjork-Greatest Hits
Chris: The Decemberists-Her Majesty, Against Me!-As the Eternal Cowboy
Adam: Iron Maiden-Hallowed Be Thy Name
Tour Manager Steve: Mr. Hanky's Christmas [Chuckles all around.]
Adam: Jimmy Eat World-Clarity, and the Darkness
Tour Manager Steve: You are so trendy...
Joel: Counting Crows-Satellites, Jimmy Eat World-Clarity
Adam: I want to take back the Darkness.

XROXX: Thanks guys, I had a great time.

Keep your eyes on XROXX for my CD review of the Working Title's EP, Everyone Here is Wrong, and my concert review of The Working Title / Copeland / Mae concert!!!!

Jayne*Star
jayne.star@XROXX.com