>>running music scenes in the country, what do you guys as a collective feel keeps a scene moving towards musical growth as opposed to everyone just being a Ramones or Black Flag cover band?

* I think there's a real ebb and flow the quality of music that's come out of DC over the years. At the moment, the scene feels a little dry to me - there aren't too many new bands killing my ears. But I always love moments like this because it feels like the quiet before the storm. I know there are bands forming and practicing right now who are going to be playing wonderful music in six months. Regarding the city's musical growth: I think the standards are high here in Washington. There's a history of really great music in this town, so you can't bring something weak and expect people to indulge you in the name of hometown pride. You have to keep it fresh and put some love into it. 

>>2. Your last album seemed to be built much more around rythym than melody, yet the album as whole was very intricate and melodic, most bands don't sit down and say this is how this has to sound, yet were you surprised with the outcomes of Different Damage?

* We just do what feels natrual, try to listen to as much music as possible and challenge ourselves to try new things. I think that's what makes a band interesting. I want to grow and I want our listeners will grow with us. We just finished mixing our new album "Power" this week and it's quite a leap from "Different Damage." It's really not a guitar-rock record in any sense. Most of the guitar work is coming from the influence of people like Prince, King Sunny Ade, or Nile Rodgers. And there are lots of synthesized sounds. 80s funk sounds, or Dr. Dre sounds, medieval sounding synth-flutes. I'm really proud that we took (what feels like) a big step, because it's definitely the best music we've ever made. I can't wait for people to hear it.

>>3. As a band that uses politics in their music do you feel a direct in your face attack like Jello Biafra is more or less effective than planting a seed that could lead to people developing their own political tendencies?

* I'm not too familiar with what Jello is up to these days, so I can't really comment.

* I don't think it threatens us. The music industry is in a panic because they know that they're peddling inferior music. Ever notice how the White Stripes don't seem to give a whiff about piracy, but Metallica is up in arms about it? It's because Metallica's career is over and they're trying to protect their dwindling piece of industry-turf. People would buy records if the records weren't pathetic. We put out good records, so we don't have to worry about it.

* Thanks. Q and U always appear side by side in the English language, so we thought we would take them apart.

>>6. If you guys weren't musicians, what would you be doing with your lives?

* I don't think being a musician is a choice - it's just part of you. If this band stops tomorow, and I never perform for an audience again, I'll still be a musician for the rest of my life. That said, we are still involved in plenty of other things. I plan on going jogging as soon as I finish this interview.  

The most played bands in the van would be: Ramones, Daft Punk, Fela Kuti, Bad Brains, Beach Boys, Prince, Slits. I had to put a moratorium on the Buzzcocks and the Undertones - those songs have been drilled into my head in a bad way. We also try to make a lot of mix cds to listen to on tour. Harris, John and Muddy (our roadie) always turn me on to such rad stuff that way. Oh, and we've also really been into books on tape and stand-up comedy CDs. Chris Rock has traveled with us quite a bit.

>>8. Is the word sellout a fair word to use when talking about any band reguardless of the music they make?

* I'm not sure. I think the term "sellout" is a turning into thing of the past. It seems impossible to sell out these days. So many indie bands are selling their songs to car commercials, signing to major labels, making videos - and not a soul seems disappointed or upset about it. I never thought Le Tigre would have signed to a major, but even more shocking is that NOBODY CARES. That shit would have caused a tidal wave ten years ago.  It makes me wonder if the mainstream is a better place than it was in the 90s? Do artists have more control? I definitely think it's high time to break free from the 90s indie-vs-sellout template of thinking. We've thought about making a video, but it only appeals to me if we can use it to make a political statement that otherwise wouldn't get the airplay. I dream of doing something blasphemous on "Saturday Night Live."  

 >>9. What musicians, of any genre, would go on your dream tour with you?

* Realistically, I would love to tour with a D.C. go-go band. We played a show with Uncalled 4 Band two years ago and I thought "This would be incredible in Chicago. This would change people's lives in San Diego." And my fantasy dream-world tour would be with Fela Kuti and Africa 70, Caetano Veloso backed by Os Mutantes, Bikini Kill, Led Zep, Black Flag, Jay-Z, Prince, Curtis Mayfield, the Clash, El Guapo, This Heat and Brian Eno with all the DJs on B-Pitch control spinning between sets. I guess it would be a travelling festival of sorts.

>>10. This is an election year, and I noticed you have a link on your site so people can register to vote, do you feel that ending voter apathy is more important to the sucess of a democracy than trying to convince people to vote for a certain political ideology?

* I think American media and consumer culture has numbed our generation to the urgent events going on in the world right now, and a lot of young people don't understand that this country belongs to the people that live in it. I know the Bush administration doesn't represent my values or ideals in any way, whatsoever. And if people are connecting with our music it might be safe to assume that they feel a similar disconnect. I don't really believe in pressing an agenda on anyone, but I think if you care about music and the sense communion that it engenders, it's pretty easy to see that the Bush administration is having an absolutely devastating effect on our world and our future.