This interview was done with Stephen Christian at Warped Tour in Camden, NJ on July 25th, 2008.

1. What inspired you to release a “lost songs” album and what was the process like compiling the songs?

Well, honestly, we didn’t want to put out a lost songs record because it was just a contractual agreement that we had with Tooth and Nail and because they said greatest hits or b-sides, we chose to go with b-sides. You know, we want to give as much as possible to our fans. I felt like we were ripping them off. I didn’t want that feeling so that’s why [when] the record label wanted 11 or 12 songs , we gave them 18. Our fans are our number one priority and that’s why I didn’t want to put out the b-sides because I felt like if you were an avid fan you’d probably have most of these songs anyway. So that’s why we gave them 18. It turned out great and people seemed to like it. That was really cool.

2. You played a show at Villanova University for MTVu recently. What was that experience like?

That was incredible. I had really, really great time. I mean that was one of the standout shows on that tour. So it was a lot of fun.

3. How have the crowds been on Warped Tour so far?

Um, besides Jacksonville and Orlando they were great. It’s like our hometown and it was kind of like “what are you guys doing?” you know? Obviously we’re not from Camden but we had much better crowds. And it’s just awesome. Warped Tour’s been incredible. Everybody’s been super great. All the bands have been really nice. So it’s been really fun.

4. What’s your favorite meal on catering?

The first day we had these sandwiches that tasted like Panera bread. And those were the best.

5. The phrase “sell out” is thrown around a lot, what’s your opinion on it?

Um, I’m not sure what “sell out” means really. I think everyone has different opinions. To me selling out is only occurs if you write something to or for money. Like if that’s the only way. But things like bands going to major labels or whatever. Like, I don’t blame them. They could have a job at McDonalds making more money than they do when they’re up on stage. I would say like 80% of everybody on Warped Tour could make more money as like a shift manager at McDonalds than they are making here. We’re pouring out our passion, our sweat, our art. And if somebody decides “hey you can move out of your parents’ house because I want to sign you to my record label”, dude that’s awesome. I don’t know. “Sell out” to me doesn’t have the same stigma that other people might have for it.

TMI
1. What’s your favorite movie?

Fight Club. I really like it.

Me: Good movie. Good book, too.

Chuck Palahniuk is a good author. Disturbing but good.

2. What’s your weirdest tour experience?

I don’t know. I have several. One of the funniest things that happened to us is we were driving down the road one time and this turkey jumped up and flew into our windshield and exploded in our front lounge. It was pretty bad.

3. If you were able to take one trip through time, would you go to the future or the past?

Hmm, that’s a good one. Man. Probably the past.

Me: Any particular time you can think of?

Yea, definitely. I’d like to be around for like when Jesus walked the Earth. And I’d like to see history. I’d like to see what life was like during World War I and World War II. I afraid like with the future I wouldn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t know where to go. I would have like a chip in my hand so I wouldn’t get to eat or anything. I don’t know. I’m more scared of the future than I am of the past. Because at least I know what happens in the past. And I could be rich. I could go back to the 1900s and know the stock market and be like “Well, I should invest in IBM because I’m pretty sure that’s going to do okay.”

4. Recommend a band from your home state.

Oh, man. There’s We the Kings, Against Me, um There for Tomorrow. There’s three great bands. And Copeland. Copeland’s an incredible band.

5. What’s a guilty pleasure you’d least like to admit to?

Hmm. Shoot. I’m trying to think. Dude, everyone on our bus likes Justin Timberlake. We’re pretty down with him. He’s pretty good.

Think Fast Questions
Red or Green Red
Shorts or Pants Jeans
Walmart or Target Target
CDs or iPod iPod
Mac or PC Mac
Warped Tour or Regular Tour Man, that’s hard because they both have so much good. But because I’m on Warped Tour, I’ll say Warped Tour.
TV or Movies Movies
East Coast or West Coast That’s a tossup, too. Oh man, my parents are going to kill me but West Coast.

Word Association
Robots in disguise
Apples oranges
Warped Tour awesome
Cellphones bills
School college
Weather hot
Batman Robin
Romeo and Juliet fictitious
Television 30 Rock