Bethany Smith, Popwreckoning: How did The Action Design form?
Emily Whitehurst, The Action Design: The two of us used to be in another band together called Tsunami Bomb and when that band broke up we decided to keep playing and we all kind of came together as friends that’s the basic story. We’re all big fans of music obviously and we just work really well together.
Joshua Hammond, Popwreckoning: How is this band different from the previous act?
Matt McKenzie, The Action Design: Definitely not as digital. Tsunami Bomb is pretty strict punk band and, not that we set out with this band to do a specific thing, the only kind of premise we had when this band started was to not have such strict limitations on the music.
EW: We decided that we were gonna use keyboards and kind of open it up musically that way using keyboards and electronics and we kinda feel like we can do anything. We can throw sound effects in there and do all kinds of stuff that we felt like we couldn’t really do in Tsunami Bomb because it was so limited and narrow.
MM: Also, musically Tsunami Bomb was more of the wall of guitar kind of punk rock, everything on ten all the time and this band definitely writes more of a groove oriented bass and drum kind of groove stuff.
JH: When does your album come out?
EW: September.
JH: Okay, I have a confession. Before we sat down I didn’t even realize you were Agent M.
EW: That’s OK.
MM: You guys are probably doing like 30 interviews a day.
JH: Yeah I think we have like 45, which is rather ridiculous. You guys were recently chosen as one of alternative punks 100 bands to watch, how do you feel that that’s helped push your band forward?
EW: Well, any kind of exposure like that is good obviously. It’s really helped to have some coverage as The Action Design, you know, a lot of people know Tsunami Bomb and not as many people know The Action Design so that has definitely helped to get our name out there.
BS: How do fans react to the Tsunami Bomb/Action Design switch? Did they follow you over or did you get some backlash?
MM: I think the hardest part is just letting people know.
EW: A lot of people still don’t know that Tsunami Bomb is broken up.
MM: Yeah they’re still writing saying, “When are you guys playing again?â€
EW: Yeah we’ll do an update saying, “Hey The Action Design is playing a tour at this time, come check us out!†and people are like, “What? TB broke up! I can’t believe this I’m so heartbroken!†So yeah.
We have had some cross over some people are really into it some people say, “I liked TB better†and some people tell us they like The Action Design more which is nice but for the most part I feel like a lot of people still don’t really know.
JH: Have you guys ever played SXSW before?
EW: Nope, this is our first time.
BS: So as a first timer, how does this compare to any other show or festival you’ve ever done in the past?
EW&MM: (laughing)
JH: You guys have done the Warped Tour scene a lot?
EW: Yeah we were gonna say that. It definitely has a Warped Tour feel to it we think, except on the indie rock side. It’s like an indie rock Warped Tour.
MM: It’s definitely better than Warped Tour.
EW: Yeah, for sure.
JH: Do you think it’s less organized though, because I know Warped Tour is pretty good about being on time. Band wise have you guys gotten into the your band starts 45 minutes late because every band has progressively started five minutes late?
EW: Well, I think that’s how it is for most shows in general it seems like I mean Warped Tour is pretty organized in that way
MM: Warped Tour is like a structure though in that it’s all run by one thing and this is like just a bunch of shows together. It’s definitely it’s got the negative thing it has in common with Warped Tour is the advertisement overload…
EW: People walking all over the street…
MM: Power bars and frickin’ water guns….
EW: …And free hugs!
MM: And free hugs.
EW: And oh you would like to learn about Christianity?
JM: What happened? Did you guys get evangelized yesterday?
EW: We almost did didn’t we? Isn’t that was that guy was trying to say? Some guy walked up in a tie and button up shirt, I think he wanted to talk about religion.
MM: Just the in your face like:
“Hey you look like you like good music!â€
“Eh, I don’t care, man.â€
“Oh you don’t like good music?â€
“I’m just trying to take a piss here, dude.â€
JH: Ee were definitely thankful for the Power bars yesterday.
(laughing)
EW: You keep passing by?
JH: We would follow those women, just to get a snack. We totally stalked her.
BS: Who have you guys already checked out here, and who else do you wanna see?
EW: Last night we caught some Lights Resolve, and they’re pretty good. I think we’re gonna go try and see Cursive, right?
Jake Krohn, The Action Design: Who is Cursive is playing with? They’re really great.
EW: With These Arms Are Snakes maybe?
JK: We actually are not as informed as we wish we were. But we have friends who are, one of our best friends is here and he’s already all detailed it all out for me and hopefully he’s gonna take us out today.
BS: That’s nice to have an awesome tour guide.
MM: We’re actually right in the middle of a tour with The Start and Roxy Poxy and The Rebound and I know you’d think being in a band.
EW: What’s happening? There’s music coming from everywhere.
JH: Yeah I don’t think that anybody here is as organized as they think they are.
BS: We ran into a woman the other day who had just gotten off the plane from London, she was like, “I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just wandering around.â€
JH: We spent at least nine or ten hours laying out our schedule and it went to crap yesterday. Planning doesn’t help either so you guys are probably on the better end of the deal.
MM: Our schedule of priorities is pretty culinary oriented. Where there’s tacos and then buffalo burgers and then If we hear some bands in between the restaurants that’s cool.
JK: We have low expectations. Whatever happens, happens.
JH: We have a list of all the places that are serving free food we could show you guys if you are interested.
All: Yeah. Awesome! That’d be great.
BS: Is there one thing you wish people knew about your band, that they didn’t?
MM: Just that they knew about it.
EW: If you try and break into our van our spirit animal, a wolf, is gonna attack you. His name is Stuart he is very vicious. He’ll get you.
JH: That’s fucking awesome. Could be the greatest line I’ve ever had happen in an interview. It’s right up there with the Yamagata, kiss your kittens quote.
BS: … and it’s good advice for people.
The Action Design: website | myspace
Photos: Jessica McGinley
