Tickle Me Pink Interview
By: Alison Tuck |
Tuesday June 24, 2008 |
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| Fort Collins, Colorado hometown-heroes, Tickle Me Pink are set t release their debut album Madeline on July 1st through Wind-up Records. These Rockies state-based bys are gearing up for a tour of the States, including dates with Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Finch and the Warped tour. On their first video from Madeline, “Typical” you’ll get to see the guys in all their indie glory, live onstage at The Aggie Theater in Fort Collins. Despite the fact that half of the boys in the band can’t legally drink, they’ve been selling out bar shows for years and have studio experience that would make some of the radio-friendly chart toppers blush. Many of the quotes on the MySpace site have a great deal of religious and moral subtext, how has the role of religion and growing up in an idyllic suburbia shaped the music? Stefan: There comes a certain point in every person's life where we begin to question everything that was once so firmly established in our heads. Suburbia ideals make it all the more challenging to figure things out on our own. A battle between what is truth and what we have been told is truth are hard to distinguish. We will always try to capture these feelings of discontentment in our music. How did you guys get together? Where did the name "Tickle Me Pink" come from? Stefan: Sean and I (Stefan) met at a high school talent show… We immediately hit it off and began rehearsing and writing songs. Soon after, we decided to go into the studio, more specifically, the studio Johnny worked at. After meeting Johnny we decided he would make a great addition to the band. We were a trio for about a year before deciding to add a fourth to the group. This decision came following the release of our newest record “Madeline”. We felt that we weren’t doing the songs justice by playing them as a three piece. That’s when Steven came into the picture… Adding Steven proved to be one of the best decisions this band has made, he really helped us become a more cohesive group. The name “Tickle Me Pink” initially came about as a complete joke. We had booked a show and had no band name yet and were brainstorming while watching Fuse trying to get inspired. The more and more we analyzed band names, the more we realized how absurd and ridiculously serious they all were. We decided to go with the exact opposite and find a band name that was both memorable and most un-serious. People either love or despise our band name, either way you want to look at it, we’ve chosen a name that is quite distinct. Who would you say are your biggest influences? I saw on your MySpace site that two of them are Third Eye Blind and Rage, in what ways to you integrate these two hugely different groups into your music? Stefan: We listen to so many bands, there will always be a broad spectrum between what we classify as our influences. It is important for us to have a style of our own. We have always felt this is the only way to be innovative in this foggy modern-day music culture. Third Eye Blind and Rage are both straight forward at what they do. We like to be straightforward but still incorporate the diversity of many different styles and dynamics. We have pop sensibility but are rock-n-roll at heart. You recorded Madeline with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Puddle of Mudd producer/engineer, Lee Miles, how did you get hooked up with him? How do you think his experience shaped the new album versus your previous two? Stefan: Lee Miles came into the picture while Puddle Of Mudd was recording at The Blasting Room (the studio Johnny was working at). He heard our demos and pretty much begged us to let him produce it. We were hesitant at first seeing as we’d never had a real producer before, but after a few weeks of pre-production in California and Colorado, it proved to be the greatest decision we could have made. Our previous albums had never been very focused or thought of as a collective whole, but with Madeline Lee really helped us define ourselves stylistically. Plus he’s the funniest mother f***er I know…. Is there a “Madeline”? Who is she? Stefan: There is a Madeline. However, we don’t really like to get into too much detail about her or the song. You're all fairly young to have gained so much experience and notoriety. For each member of the band: What has been the most pivotal moment in your life thus far? Stefan: Joining this band…. About three years ago I found myself living in my parents’ basement and playing drums in this band. I didn’t go to college and I barely graduated high school. At the time it seemed like a grim outlook for me. Fortunately for me, I got stuck with three incredibly talented songwriters. Before I knew it, the band became a business and I couldn’t have been happier to take charge of the business aspect of everything. I really enjoyed learning how to read legal documents, networking with various people in the industry and everything else that comes along with being in a band. It’s been quite eye opening and motivating. I think drummers have a natural tendency to try and be a cohesive entity, and that’s exactly what I will continue to do. Johnny: Musically, the most pivotal moment in my life thus far was when I received a Canadian Platinum record for my work on the Rise Against Record “The Sufferer and the Witness.” I was only Nineteen when I worked on that record and I know for any musician or engineer one of the highest achievements you can receive is a certified gold or platinum record. Sean: We played a show in Denver that Wind-Up Records co-owner and head A&R, Diana Meltzer flew out to. We had done a few other showcases, but I had a good feeling about Wind-Up Records and really wanted an offer. I laid my heart out on the stage that night and knew I could do nothing more. After the show, Diana and I were walking down the street and she said, "Want to sign to Wind-Up?" Steven: The day Sean asked me to be in the band was the most pivotal moment in my life, thus far. Making music has always been my passion, and being in a rock band is all I’ve ever wanted to do. This band has not only allowed me to do what I love for a living, but has also introduced me to three of my best friends. What's next for Tickle Me Pink? Stefan: Tour, tour, tour in support if our new record Madeline. |
