On their major-label debut Teenage Graffiti, Nashville trio Pink Spiders deliver slick pop-punk that’s as stylish and full of attitude as their trademark pink-and-black get-ups. Fresh from this summer’s Warped Tour, Spiders frontman Matt Friction hit mtvU’s Hot Seat to talk about Ric Ocasek, Charles Bukowski and a little town called Frostburg.
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Pink Spiders
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: We’ve had all sorts of insane things happen on the road. I guess the craziest would have to be when our van broke down in Frostburg, Maryland. It was the winter of 2004, one of the coldest in decades. Our engine seized on top of a mountain so we set up camp at the only open establishment, the local pub. After several drinks, we rented a Uhaul truck (with our old guitar player Jamie locked in the back cargo space with the gear) and headed to New York City. We had a weekend of shows in Brooklyn and Manhattan. After the show in Brooklyn, having nowhere to sleep and no money in our pockets, we spent the night sleeping in the subway looping the city. We would occasionally come up to get coffee in all-night diners or warm the clothes off our backs in 24-hour laundromats. After the show that next night, we did the same thing and eventually rented a car to get home with a borrowed credit card. Some friends of ours carried our gear back in their trailer
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I was in college for about a year and a half and really loved Sociology. Human nature is very interesting to me and it’s really fascinating to break down why we do the things we do. Class systems, the politics of power and control, as well as the various hierarchies in modern society are so intricate and at times subtle that you could spend a lifetime studying them
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: I love visiting Los Angeles and New York City. We lived in both cities for a short time but left soon after. They’re so great to visit though because the party never stops. That’s also why it’s so hard to live there.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: The best advice I ever got was from Ric Ocasek. He told me to never compromise artisticly to please other people. Its so easy to do as a new band, make music to pander to a certain audience, whether it’s ‘tastemakers,’ the industry at large or the common denominator . If you water down your music or try to be something you’re not, you’ve killed your essence.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: I’ve ben listening to the bands on my record label, Mean Buzz Records. Baby Shakes, The Red Hearts, The Power Chords and The Privates, they’re my favorite bands out right now as well as a band from Nashville called The Casual whose debut record I just produced. All of those bands have King Kong balls and songs to match.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: I used to read a lot on tour but lately I’ve cut back due to motion sickness on the bus. I’ve still been reading a lot of William S. Burroughs, Kurt Vonnegut and Charles Bukowski whenever we’re not moving. I’m addicted to several TV shows as well, although I only watch them on DVDs, usually marathon-style. 24, Lost, The Office, Arrested Development, The West Wing, Home Movies and Entourage are all big-time obsessions of mine.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: The first concert I saw was Weezer at a small club in Nashville. Ash opened and it was really eye-opening and amazing. I was so young and it really turned me on to rock music.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Blackberry, DVD collection, guitar
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: My main musical influences are John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Brian Jones, Freddie Mercury, Pete Townsend and Ron Wood
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Listen to and love the Pink Spiders. We’re what you’ve been waiting for.
