popwreckoning

You may know her better as “Agent M” from the modern legendary punk outfit Tsunami Bomb, but Emily Whitehurst hasn’t slowed down despite the demise of her first act in 2005. Fellow ex-Tsunami Bomber Matt Mckenzie joined Whitehurst in the 2006 creation of The Action Design, which nods to the pair’s punk rock roots but infuses hooky bass lines and powerful rhythms to create a catchy dance rock sound.

Editor in Chief Jessica caught up with Emily prior to the Philadelphia leg of their national tour with friends Killola. Rather discuss Whitehurst’s previous outfit, they talked about touring, tribute albums and Santogold.

Jessica, PopWreckoning: I can’t believe it’s already almost September 23rd! Your album comes out next week.
Emily Whitehurst, The Action Design: Yeah.
PW: That’s exciting. Would you talk about it a little bit. What went into making your debut album?
EW: We would come to practice with a basic guitar part or a bass part and then we all build on it from there, basically. Then I take the song home and work on it as far as vocals and melody. Then we get back together again and rearrange it. We do it over and over again as far as arranging goes, so each song is really process. We want to make sure that we’re happy with everything about it. And we are.

PW: How long did it take to actually get the album to where you were happy with it?
EW: I think we started writing the songs maybe 6 months in advance. We weren’t on a super strict schedule so we just wrote when we felt like it. We didn’t have the contrary much which was good.
The recording, I believe, it was kind of sporadic, too. It was recorded by the label owner; he owns his own studio as well. It wasn’t super spread out, but I think it took longer than it normally would have. Overall was the mixing and everything that took six weeks or so.
PW: How did The Action Design get involved with Pop Smear?
EW: We released our first EP (listen) with them before this, which was an introduction to The Action Design in the summer of 2007.

PW: You guys are part of a Seaweed compilation called Hours and Hours. How did you get involved with that?
EW: Some of the guys in the band love Seaweed and are really influence by them. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I mean, I like Seaweed, but a couple of our guys are in love with Seaweed. Our bass player Matt [Mckenzie] heard about the comp and wrote to the label that was putting it out, KOI Records, and said, “We wanna be on this comp. We love Seaweed! Please let us be on it!” They said OK so we did the cover of “Kid Candy” and we were really happy with that. It’s really different from the original, which is what we wanted.
PW: So you guys got to choose that song or did they ask you to do something that hadn’t already been taken?
EW: Well, they told us what was already taken and then we went through the whole catalog and figured out which song we could translate best. And “Kid Candy” wasn’t taken, so it worked out.

PW: In support of the album that comes out next week, you are currently co-headlining a tour with Killola.
EW: Killola, yeah.
PW: How long have you been on the road already?
EW: I guess about two weeks.
PW: How has the tour been?
EW: It’s going great! We’re heading to Vienna, Virginia right now.
PW: What’s been the best stop on the tour so far?
EW: The show was surprisingly good in Baton Rouge. We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to because of the hurricane and neither band had ever played there before. It was a really great crowd that just danced all night. It was pretty awesome. The show in Atlanta was in a really cool spot. It looked like Georgia architecture is a lot of brick buildings, it was a really cool area.
PW: Yeah, Atlanta is cool. The tour goes through the beginning of October, which is rapidly approaching, I’ll see the Philadelphia show on Friday. What can the crowd expect?
EW: Well every night we try and put all of our energy into the show, and we haven’t gotten tired yet. So hopefully we’ll still have that energy at the end of the tour.
PW: I’m sure you will. It’s a really cool place that you guys are going to playing. They have a really great sound system. It’s a bar so you think it’s going to be bar acoustics, but they have a really great sound system.
EW: Nice.

PW: Over the summer, you played on a bunch of Warped Tour dates. What was it like playing at Warped?
EW: It was really hot! [laughs] Our air conditioner broke in our van, so it was a very hot tour. Aside from that, it was pretty cool. There are like a 100 bands on everyday at Warped Tour, so we got to see a bunch of really cool bands and meet some great people. We made some good friends.

PW: How did you end up on Warped Tour?
EW: We played 5 dates last year, so this year. We were on the Kevin Says Stage. You submit for it through Kevin [Lyman] and he picks the bands. We were received pretty well last year so he gave us more dates this year.

PW: Cool. Were there any bands that you played Warped with last year that you got to see or hang with again?
EW: I think for the most part it was all different bands. Usually they switch it up every year, so I don’t think there were any bands that we played with both years.

PW: Do you like shows like Warped Tour, big festivals or do you prefer what you’re doing right now with headlining a show in smaller clubs?
EW: I think there are advantages of both types of touring. I think festival shows are really good for the band as a method of gaining new fans since the draw is not primarily The Action Design. We meet a lot of new people, which is really great.
When we’re on our own, regular tour, the attention is a lot more focused. At Warped Tour it’s hard because there are a hundred bands playing so it’s difficult to obtain those new fans. It’s like a double-sided thing.
PW: Festivals can definitely be overwhelming with so much going on at once. A lot of festivals now have competition from non-musical acts, too, so even for the music lovers in attendance, it’s hard to try to fit everything in. And the schedule always overlaps so you can never see a full set of half the bands you’re there for.

PW: If you and the guys were able to set up your dream tour, you could share the stage with anybody you wanted, who would you want to play on the same bill with?
EW: Oh, that’s one of the hardest questions ever!
PW: It’s become one of PopWreckoning‘s signature questions and everyone says that. [laughs] It doesn’t even have to make sense as far as a cohesive tour, though. It could totally be crazy. Just whomever you want to play with.
EW: We all have really different tastes in the band as far as our favorite bands. One favorite band that we all have in common is Bloc Party. Who are still around, so it could be possible! Maybe Ween or somebody like that. Yeah, why not? Oh, and then a band that we met on Warped Tour that we’re all super good friends with now and that we hope we can play with again is called Beat Union.
PW: Where are they from?
EW: The UK.
PW: Sweet, I’ll have to check them out.
EW: Yeah, they’re really good!

PW: What kind of music are you listening to now?
EW: Well, Beat Union, for one. [laughs] I’ve also been listening to Santogold a lot. Have you heard of her?
PW: Yeah, absolutely, she’s great! Totally blowing up all over the place in TV and film and commercials.
EW: She’s just now starting to reach the West Coast.
PW: Oh, OK. Well she’s originally from Philadelphia, which is where I’m from, and she was in a punk band around her for a while. Now she’s off doing this totally different thing with is taking off like crazy.
EW: Oh, that’s awesome. I just heard about her a few months ago and I love it. So I guess maybe I don’t have anything new to tell you about. [laughs]
PW: Oh, no, that’s cool. Sorry to burst your bubble! [laughs] Beat Union is new to me, though, so they’re new to me.
EW: Phew!

PW: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat. I’m looking forward to the show on Friday!
EW: Yeah, we have you on our list so you should come up and say hi!
PW: Absolutely! Thanks again, see you soon.

The Action Design: website | myspace | live review

Continuing in a series of interviews from the Bonner Springs, Kan., Warped Tour show, I took a moment to speak with the lead singer of Beat Union, Dave Warsop. He had just wandered in from catering, but he kindly put his plate down to speak with me.

Bethany, PopWreckoning: Hi, I’m Bethany. Can I get you to state your name and position in the band?
Dave Warsop, Beat Union: Dave. Singer. I’m the vocalist and leading guitarist.
PW: Your album, Disconnected, talks a lot about anxiety for the future and technology issues. Do you think technology really is a big problem and how does it affect musicians?
DW:I don’t think technology is a problem at all. That’s something that I don’t want people to get the wrong idea. On that song, that’s a song that I think you just realize your surroundings. I think every band, every songwriter is some what of a philosopher or… well… I’m going to rephrase that.
Every band, every songwriter is what’s in your mind and coming to conclusions about your surroundings and that song was literally just about taking in how things were changing with technology and not wanting to be left behind. I don’t think technology is a bad thing at all. It’s just realizing in that song how much things are changing with MySpace and people downloading music. But it’s not all a bad thing.
I think it’s very much a good thing to explore the music. That song’s just about change.
PW: How do you feel about music downloads?
DW:I’m all for it. I’m the kind of guy who wants to go to a record shop: find the CD, find the vinyl. I want the physical product so I can take that home with me and look at the pictures and read the lyrics, that’s the kind of person I am.
But that’s just me and not everybody has to be that way. I think downloading music, well music is as healthy as ever, it’s just the way that it’s being sold to people has changed completely and I guess that’s what the song “Disconnected” is about.
I actually think “Disconnected” can be so much more than that. That’s just a song about alienation as well, you know what I mean? It can be a lot more than that. It can be alienation, solitude and I think those are things which all human beings feel. I mean everyone is disconnected to a certain extent being trapped in a human body.
PW: Have you found the American audiences pretty welcoming to your band’s music?
DW: Definitely, yeah. American audiences have been really, really great to us. They’ve been really, really good. We’re just excited to be touring over here and getting a shot at it.
There’s not many bands where we’re from [the UK] given those kinds of opportunities. We’re just really grateful that we have them for what we do and play for an American audience. I think the American audiences are a little bit nicer to us actually. Purely because we’re a different sounding band because we’re English, so maybe we stand out a little bit more here and we sound different in the American music market. So, people seem to take to us quite strongly, it’s been very flattering. We’re real happy to be here.
PW: Is there a different way to approach America versus England or is it pretty much the same type of touring? You choose the same type of songs?
DW:Definitely, I’d say. Well, that’s quite an interesting question because I’d say in America we try to emphasize our Englishness. At home we’re still seen as quite an English band and a lot of our influences come from the late 70s sort of music, more English music.
Well, I think again, the whole part that stands out a little bit more, so we definitely emphasize our Englishness: that we’re from England and have English accents when we sing. We don’t really try, but we want it known that we’re an English band in America because that’s what we are.
PW: Are there any wild stories you have about Warped?
DW:Nothing too wild so far, sorry to disappoint you. I guess since it is a rock and roll tour, it hasn’t been very rock and roll for us so far. It’s been a lot of hard work getting up early mornings, setting the tents up, playing in the heat and trying to meet as many people as possible. I talk to kids and try to make some new friends and try to make some new fans out here.
So, yeah, as of right now there hasn’t been too much partying. Although we did-after our show in Denver there was a free bar for all the Warped bands and we went along because we’re from England and fond of a few drinks. I think if you put any band in front of a free bar, it’s going to get messy.
Actually that night did get messy. So actually to answer your question, that’s the one night things went crazy. Our merch guy got naked and I’ll admit that I loved some one. I told someone about my undying true love for them, which was possibly alcohol induced.
What else happened? A fight nearly broke out outside with us and some locals, so yeah that was kind of a crazy night.
PW: Any plans to celebrate the end of Warped in Kansas City?
DW: We just, well, we’ve got another show tomorrow, so we’ll probably just be enjoying the day. Soak up what we can of Kansas. We’ll have to get drunk another night. So that’s the tough part, it’s work. It’s such a grueling schedule, so there isn’t a lot of time partying on the tour. I wish there was.
PW: So it’s not quite as rock and roll as people expect it?
DW: No, I’m sure other tours are more suited to the rock and roll romantics.
PW: Ok. Final question. What’s playing currently on your iPod?
DW: I recently got this off a friend’s iTunes and I got Ben Folds Rockin’ the Suburbs, the entire album. It is really, really nice. I’m a Ben Folds fan, but I didn’t have that album.
PW: What’s your favorite song?
DW: “Not the Same,” the first song “Annie Waits” and the third song “Still Fighting It,” I think it’s called. They’re three really good songs off the album. I’m also listening to Nick Lowe at the moment because I’m a big fan of Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe is a songwriter that actually produced all of Elvis Costello’s records. I’m also really enjoying a Swedish singer called Robyn. I think she’s really good. I try to listen to as many different types of music as possible.
PW: That’s awesome. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. It was nice meeting you.
DW: You, too.
PW: Good luck on the rest of the tour.
DW: Again, it is really, really a good time. It’s a pleasure to be out here. I’m really glad our band has this opportunity. We’re very grateful. So thank you for taking the time out of your life to talk to little ole me.
PW: Aw. Thanks. Best of luck to you guys.

Beat Union: myspace

Photo Credits: With the exception of the first two official Beat Union pictures, the third photo is courtesy of Joshua Neal.

As a journalist, Warped Tour is something for which you have to train. With a set up structured to featured as many as 100 bands spread across as many as 10 stages, you simply have to have your ass in shape to maximize your ability to catch as many acts as possible. I often found myself running the entire length of Capitol Federal Sandstone Amphitheater to get shots of a band we had interviewed. While the bands themselves only play for up to 30 minutes, the schedule of 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is unreal. Couple this with raging heat and limited resources for comfort, the day borders on over stimulation to the max. Furthermore, often times a band’s set will overlap other band’s, making it absolutely impossible to cover every act. The start of the day consists of picking and choosing which acts to cover and which acts will be shunned.

Below, I have listed the schedule of events from my Warped Tour and the notes taken throughout the day. While slightly informal, I hope you enjoy.

10:35 A.M. – Sign In, Set up Interview

After receiving credentials that allowed me to enter the venue, Bethany and I wandered back to the press room to check the list of bands that would be doing interviews throughout the day. After a long discussion of who we should pick, the Popwreckoning team narrowed it down to the following list: Beat Union, The Color Fred, Norma Jean, Cobra Starship, The Academy Is, Jack’s Mannequin, Story of the Year and We the Kings. We also learned that our interview with Gym Class Heroes had been canceled due to an incident the previous evening in St. Louis.

11:20 A.M. to 11:50 A.M. The Academy Is – Route 66 Stage

I saw these kids years ago opening for Midtown and Fall Out Boy on a Fueled by Ramen tour showcase. At the time I have to say that I left the venue relatively unimpressed by their performance. But the thing about music is that bands very seldom stay the same. Lineup changes and years of practice can make a fairly ignorable outfit become a pretty big deal on stage. With tight and catchy guitar riffs over very infectious vocals from the the band’s ridiculously charming front man, William Beckett, The Academy Is not only did a splendid job opening Kansas City’s Warped Tour, they bordered on being one of the best bands to watch. Those of you who were stuck in line or just decided to come late, you missed one hell of a set.

Grade: A-

11:50 A.M. to 12:20 P.M Story of the Year – Highway 1 Stage

No lie, Story of the Year is the hardest band I have ever photographed in my life. Their movements are extremely quick and their set consists of a ton of jumps and spins. Keeping them in your lens is no small feat. The band puts on a fairly entertaining show for those who like to watch a lot of stage antics. I must confess that I was less than impressed with their musicianship, however. There simply seemed to be a lot of dropped notes and vocals slightly to extremely out of key. To me, it is very important to be able to play first, move later, and not the other way around. I was extremely disappointed and ended up leaving this band’s set early to steal a hot dog from the press room.

Grade: D+

12:45 P.M. to 1:15 P.M. Beat Union – Hurley.com Stage

Beat Union was the first band of the day that I had seen that I would willingly classify as a “punk” band. Their sound reminded me of a mixture between The Clash and Elvis Costello. More than likely this familiarity had a lot to do with the group hailing from the United Kindom. With a slight feel of dirty rock surrounding them, this group seems to me to be the ideal band to catch in a dive bar like the now defunct CBGBs. Sadly, I only caught roughly a song and a half of what I imagine would have been an extremely entertaining set before having to rush over to snag an interview in the press room.

Grade: B+

1:15 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. The Maine – Smartpunk Stage

Combining the sounds of power pop and arena rock, The Maine has a pretty nice set up going for them. Hell, my biggest complaint from their set was nothing more than the fact that two members of the group were sporting the same shirt on stage. Tacky! Thankfully, we were covering Warped Tour and not “America’s Next Top Model.”

While I only got to see four songs by The Maine before sprinting across the venue to catch The Briggs’ first three songs, their set left me wanting to see a lot more of them. Their vocals are quite catchy and the band hangs on the hooks they have constructed. This is the type of band that gets stuck in your head for days. I will be doing my best to catch them in the future.

Grade: B

The Academy Is: website | myspace
Story of the Year: website | myspace
Beat Union: myspace
The Maine: myspace