Home Band Interviews Interview with The Academy Is...

Interview with The Academy Is...

Written by Art Michalski

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

Inside the band’s inner sanctum of their dressing room, I was able to interview bassist Adam Siska of The Academy Is... Besides a good 10-minute conversation with Siska and lead singer Will Beckett about the recently wrapped up Pistons/Bulls series, I got to ask Siska about cover song choices and places Siska never wants to play again. Here is the interview: DetroitBuzz: How was the writing process different with the new “Santi,” versus past records? Adam Siska: On the start of the past record (Almost Here), Will and Mike Carden (guitarist) wrote on almost all of the record. Once I came in during that last record, I was able to bring a little more to the table. When it came time to record Santi, we rented a warehouse in Chicago and went on writing everyday. It became more of a collaborative effort on this record. DB: Were there any changes to influences on the new record? AS: I think our influences for the record went back to our roots. We were listening to a lot of the Replacements, the Clash and Smashing Pumpkins. We wanted to have more of a spontaneous feeling on this record. DB: You guys recently recorded a cover for the Smashing Pumpkins’ tribute album, when you did “Mayonnaise;” what would be your for second choice for a song on the album? AS: (pauses, thinking hard) Good question. I would have to say “Thirty-Three,” but I think the Decemberists did that one. If there was one that wasn’t picked, I would say “Geek USA.” That’s just a fun song to do. DB: Fill in the blank on this one; If I had to play the (blank) one more time in Chicago, I would go crazy. AS: I have a lot of love for the venues in Chicago, it was essential with us coming up. But I had to pick anywhere I got tired of playing when starting out, I’d answer a high school cafeteria. We played a lot of those early on. DB: In the video for “We’ve Got A Big Mess On Our Hands,” Will plays an evil version of himself. What was more fun, watching his evil version or watching the normal Will beat the crap out of his evil version? AS: A little bit of both. The video shoot was fun, we found a body double who we found wandering the streets of Chicago the morning of the shoot. He had been up partying all the night before. We cut his hair and dressed him up. But when Will when to beat him up (at the end of the video), he accidentally punched the guy in the face. It was funny, but probably not for him. DB: That video has received a lot of love from both Fuse and MTV. Which one provides the better outlet for you guys right now? AS: I would probably say Fuse. We’ve gotten to know the people there pretty well. It’s been more beneficial for us and we’ve done more things at their studios. DB: The band will not be playing the Warped Tour this summer, for the first time in a couple of summers. Are you more relived or bummed about that? AS: A little of both, some mixed feelings. It’s like musician summer camp out there, and you meet a lot of cool people. But it gets really hot and the shower scenario isn’t that great. I wont miss that. The Academy Is’ record “Santi” is out now.

 

< Prev		Next >