Lessons for Young Bands

You've mentioned that you're already thinking about your fourth record. Are you always thinking ahead?

Stephen Carpenter (guitarist): No. The reality is that the only reason I can say that our fourth album will be as dope as any we've ever done is because what we've always done is write to how we feel. Like our first record, it was just all the songs we built up over time until we were there. Our second record, we literally just went into our practice place and started writing. It wasn't like, "What's going on, what's hot?" We just went on and wrote our songs. Same thing when we did this one -- only this time around, we've been doing this for so long that everybody had their impression of what they thought we should do. So there was a lot of tension pulling sounds from so many different backgrounds and trying to find a place where we were all happy. And the next time around, it'll be the same thing. It'll be after two and a half years of touring or however long we're out for. We'll end up sitting around for a few months just being wastoids …

Frank Delgado (turntablist): Getting fat …

Carpenter: Just getting bloated, and then we'll start writing. All we take serious is that when the music is done, it sounds the best that we could've made it.

What lessons can you pass along to new bands from your experiences?

Carpenter: Don't worry about radio or MTV, just make some good music that you like.

Delgado: Keep playing, keep making noise, man. It doesn't matter if it's your backyard party or barbequebarbecue or your friend's house.

Carpenter and Delgado: And if someone says turn it down, turn it up!

Delgado: Just keep playing, man. People will catch on if it's good. If they like it, they'll come. Don't worry about getting a deal or getting signed or catching radio.

Carpenter: And if someone thinks you suck, just turn the other way, and carry on with your sorry-ass music [laughs].

Carpenter: If you've got a lot of determination, it will pop.