Hotspur takes some time out of their busy schedule to answer our burning questions in this week’s Hot Seat.
1. Tell us about your craziest tour experience.
We were touring down in Florida this past summer and managed to blow both of our trailer tires in the same trip. I didn’t even realize it when it happened–it was about 4 in the morning and I was half asleep at the wheel–I just remember looking in the mirror and seeing sparks flying from the trailer and thought I was hallucinating.
2. What types of college class would you most want to take?
I actually took a class in college–it had some long academic sounding name that I don’t remember–but it was basically “Happiness 101,” and it was all about existentialism and the human condition and how to be happy. We did case studies on famous historical figures and celebrities (Bill Gates, Einstein, Hitler etc.) and had to determine whether they were happy or not. I think it was the reason I decided to pursue music.
3. What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
One of our favorite places to tour is Charleston, SC. Every time we play down there we go down to the beach at night after the show; the water is warm and there’s a million stars and we usually end up drunk and naked.
4. What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
See question # 2.
5. What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/cd player right now?
I’ve been listening to the Carolina Liar CD a lot, also Lily Allen, and we’re all big fans of the new Muse album. Our keyboard player Dave has been listening to a lot of tribal music and zydeco and all sorts of weird stuff so our next album is gonna be crazy!
6. The last good book you read or TV Show you’re addicted to
Battle of the Bods. It’s on the Fox Reality Channel late at night; it basically puts five girls in bikinis in a room together and makes them judge and critique each other. It’s cruel and brilliant and makes for excellent TV.
7. What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
My dad played bass in a a polka band called “The Czech Mates”, so I think my first concert was seeing them at some dive bar in West Virginia. Needless to say it was awesome. Also we’ve had a few fans come up to us at shows and tell us Hotspur is their first concert, which always makes me nervous–it’s a lot of pressure being someone’s first…
8. What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
Trail Mix, iPod, Starbucks. Actually my iPod died last week. It’s a first generation so it was really sad to see it go.
9. Who are your major musical influences?
Right around when Hotspur first started, I got the Killers’ “Hot Fuss,” Maroon 5’s “Songs About Jane” and Muse’s “Absolution.” We’ve got a ton of other influences, but those three albums really shaped what I wanted Hotspur to sound and feel like.
Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to the mtvU watchers?
Drop out of school and go join a band! Just kidding. Finish school, THEN go join a band.
