On their latest album, Searching for a Former Clarity, Florida’s Against Me! continues to refine their politically-charged brand of punk-folk. From the blistering protest of ‘From Her Lips to God’s Ears’ (perhaps the first song to namecheck Condoleeza Rice), to the dancefloor-ready ‘Unprotected Sex with Multiple Partners,’ the foursome continues to make good on the promise of their early releases. As Against Me! gears up for a winter tour of New Zealand, Australia and the U.K., frontman Tom Gabel took the time to talk to mtvU’s Hot Seat about being a 90-pound mosher, the joys of Cincinnati and more
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: It’s kind of hard to narrow it down to one “crazy” touring experience. We’ve been through pretty much everything a band can go through. We’ve been hit by a semi truck, we’ve fought in street fights, we’ve had our tires slashed by angry fans, we’ve been stuck in elevators and rescued by the fire department, we’ve had to bribe border guards, we’ve had to sneak across borders on foot, we’ve had to sneak across borders on foot…and eaten sheep heads. Oh yeah, did I mention we climbed a mountain in Alaska?
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I would probably choose some kind of literature class. I like to read. I’ve never been good at math so that’s right out the window.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: That’s a tough one. There’s many answers for different reasons. If I had to choose one though I would say Cincinnati. They’ve got Skyline Chilli, the Bengals, Mike’s Music, Acme Tattoo’s, Kings Island, Bogart’s, and Sudsy Malones, not to mention the shows are always top notch.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Pick your battles.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: The new Grabass Charlestons “Ask Mark Twain”, MoneyBrother “To Die Alone”, the new David Dondero record, T.Rex “The Slider”, and the new Constantines record “Tournament of Hearts”.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
A: Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: The first “real” concert I ever saw was Greenday. I went with my best friend. We both dyed our hair green like dorks. I remember I felt obligated to try and go in “the pit” even though I weighed all of 90 pounds and was scared to death of being hurt. I went for it all the same.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Dial anti-bacterial soap, Clean restrooms, and my Blackberry.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: I feel like Im constantly discovering bands that I will forever love, different bands influence me at different periods of time. Sometimes you can define an era of time in your life by what your listening to. For instance I will always associate being 10 years old with Guns n Roses, 12 years old with The Doors, 14 years old with Operation Ivy, 16 years old with Crass and Civil Disobedience, 18 years old with The Young Pioneers, 19 with Billy Bragg, and so on. There’s some bands that youll always love even though you might not listen to them everyday. You might not even listen to them for a couple of years, but you can always come back and remember what you loved about those records. I dont think I can name any specific musical influence as like “the bands” that I strive to emulate but there are many, many bands that I appreciate and respect and have been an integral part of my life.
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: No. Thanks for the interview.
