New York indie pop quartet Nightmare of You has earned admirable comparisons to The Cure and The Smiths for their self-titled debut’s melancholy melodies. Frontman Brandon Reilly and drummer Sam Siegler recently rested on mtvU’s Hot Seat to talk about The Beatles, books and being on tour.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
Brandon: Opening up for a band in which I had more talent in my pinky than they had as a whole band. That’s pretty crazy when I think about it.
Sam: The other day was up there, Easter Sunday in Indianapolis, stumbled into a gay friendly restaurant for some lame fish sandwiches, then into a rowdy red neck sports bar where they threatened to kill us if we made passes at our young lady fans and praised 50 Cent. Then the show, which was at a one time porno theatre, we played, watched a band called Hello Goodbye dress up like animals and rap, then we drove off into a tornado infested rain storm. It was sweet.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
Brandon: I’d like to take a class as an entertainment lawyer. The thought of making an actual living excites me mildly.
Sam: I took a bartending class at Columbia University once, they used real alcohol and there were friendly ladies in the class, I would take that one again, bummer I didn’t get left back.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
Brandon: I like seattle. Strong coffee and strong resentments of George Bush. All of the makings of a euphoric city.
Sam: San Francisco is dope, aside from NYC which is home and rules the nation. SF has House Of Nan King, the best Chinese restaurant I’ve ever been to. You can walk, and the last time I was there I met Jello Biafra, I always have a good time there.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
Brandon: Never eat snow when its yellow. Even if you’re 99 percent certain its lemonade.
Sam: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don’t eat at an empty restaurant Avoid Chinese restaurants that serve fried chicken and have pictures of the food.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
Brandon: Usually The Beatles. I don’t listen to too much current music. The Beatles are still ahead of our times. Even in 2006.
Sam: Men Women and Children, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Leeway.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
Brandon: I’m addicted to the TV show “Lost.” The last good book I read was “A Man Without A Country” by Kurt Vonnegut.
Sam: The Office, or maybe Six Feet Under, Chappelle as well as the Daily Show do it for me.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
Brandon: It was the very first warped tour, which was the best warped tour. Seaweed, Quicksand, Orange Nine Millimeter, etc.
Sam: That would have been the Stray Cats at Roseland, NYC, good times, chillin on my Dads shoulders. Next was the Beasties opening for Madonna at Radio City.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
Brandon: John, Paul, and George
Sam: Weights, books, and my beloved crystal ball to see into the future.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
Brandon: The Beatles and Bob Dylan
Sam: Bad Brains, The Clash, Neil Young, and Bob Marley. Oh yea, the Beatles, Coltrane, Miles, and CCR.
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
Brandon: I give awful advice. Don’t listen to me.
Sam: I am the Walrus?
