You never sounded bad playing the drums?
I didn’t say that! I’m saying I never struggled. It was easy right away.
Why should people go out and buy the new Matches record?
Besides the stellar drumming? I’m biased because I’m in the band and I’ve been thinking up these great drum parts, but I think people that weren’t into our band previously will find something to like about it. And I think from start to finish, it’s a good record. I think it’s solid.
Would you rather people be introduced to your band via an album or a live show?
I think actually with this record I can now say I could go either way. In the past I might have said a live show and the record comes after that. But with A Band In Hope I can safely say you’re going to be as into us based on the record as on the live show.
Where does this album fit into your band’s career?
We’ve always been what we wanted to be. I think this record, even more so than Decomposer, will allow us to have our feet in different worlds. We don’t do that on purpose. We’re not like, ‘Oh let’s write a song indie kids will like.’ That’s not the point. The point is we write music we like. The songs just come out based on what we’re being influenced by at the time. I think this will open up more options for us as a band and will allow us to sustain a career.
What do you hope happens for your band over the next year or two?
I want to expand. Upward mobility. Moving forward. We’re trying to not be in the same place we are when the record comes out, if that makes sense. I’m hoping for the outside cover of The Aquarian Weekly later in the year. Maybe a drum solo. Can I tell you what I really want to do? If we ever do an arena tour, I want there to be a segment, like during a costume change or something stupid you do during arena tours, where a monkey does a drum solo. And then I take over halfway through and then we’re like dueling drummers and he’s on his little monkey drum set. That would get people their money’s worth for sure. I think it could change the world.
How would you encourage aspiring musicians to become the drummer instead of the singer or the bassist?
You can walk down the street in peace. You can stand in the back of the room in a venue where you’re headlining and have no one talk to you. That might sound sad, but it’s actually comforting. For me, I’m a more private person, and I like my privacy and I get to keep it for the most part. At the end of the day I know what I do, I know my role in the band and it doesn’t matter to me if people ask me for a picture or an autograph. That’s not why we do this. It’s about the music and I can focus on that completely, more than the other guys and I’m fine with that. Not everybody’s fine with that and that’s why some drummers have to set their drum kits on fire or come down from the ceiling.
This from the guy who wants to have a drumming duel with an ape.
But that’s more about him than it is about me. He can have the spotlight. My favorite drummers have always been the more subtle drummers, like the guy from REM or Ringo Starr, the underappreciated Beatle. I’d rather be the underdog and be under the radar.
That said, though, how much do you want people to bring this to your show at Irving Plaza on April 11 and ask you to sign it?
I would hope every single person will have it and will go get it framed immediately afterwards.
Finally, do you feel like you personally embody the stereotype of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll?
No not at all. I’m more like rock-n-roll, cupcakes and iced tea. I embody that really well.
The Matches will be performing at the Fillmore East @ Irving Plaza in NYC on April 11. A Band In Hope will be available March 18. For more visit thematches.com
