Matt Thiessen Interview

1. Who are the new guys!?

Matt: John Warne and Jonathan Schneck...they = :-)

2. Why is the new album so different from all your others? Were you trying for a new apporach?

Matt: I don't think it's extremely different, but we were trying to not make the same album twice

3. What happened to Brian?

Matt: Brian quit the band to pursue a landscaping career. we're still buddies...he was just tired of the road.

4. What does it mean to you to be a Christian band (that is if you clasify yourselves as one)?

Matt: We don't actually tell people that we're a "Christian band"...but we also don't care if people choose to call us one. We don't shy away from the fact that a ton of our lyrics are about our faith in Jesus Christ. We also don't try to force our beliefs on the people that listen to our music.

5. A lot of the new songs seem to be about struggles with God. But everyone keeps telling me that the band is going secular, is that true?

Matt: We're the same old band.

6. What would you say to a teen who can't see past worldly ambition?

Matt: Other people are the most important things in the world.

7. Just wondering why you guys decided to go on tour with good charlotte and simple plan.

Matt: It was a good touring opportunity that was offered to us. Its a chance for us to get some new listeners into our music.

8. What is your favorite song that you have written? Why?

Matt: When I Go Down. I like the ending...it makes me feel good to think about what the lyrics mean.

9. What does the name of your band mean? How did you decide on it?

Matt: Matt Hoopes use to drive a Reliant K car around. We made fun of him cause the car was pretty crappy. The inside joke turned into a band name.

10. What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Matt: John Warne landed a jump wrong on stage and fell over...i was laughing at him so hard, and trying to make fun of him. I ended up falling on my butt too. We were both just sitting on the ground trying to play a song.

11. What is with the penguins?

Matt: We wanted to do a photo shoot with live penguins....but we could only get taxidermied ones.

12. How old was everyone when they had their first kiss?

Matt: I was 14.

13. What kind of stuff do you like to do for fun?

Matt: Oh my. Boring stuff like watching movies and going on magic pony rides.

14. Boxers or Briefs?

Matt: boxer-briefs. small,FTL, and black (feel free to bring me some new ones)

15. Seriously, chicken or the egg?

Matt: Both. Chicken omelet.

16. Ryan Cabrera, true or false?

Matt: He is true. True blue.

17. If you had to make your own toothpaste, what would you call it?

Matt: Jesus Crest.

18. What's your favorite food?

Matt: A really good chef salad or one of those pigs with an apple in its mouth.

19. If you could choose one band to get in a clown car with, who would it be and why?

Matt: Josie And The Pussycats. Because they're girls...and they'll smell better than Rancid ;-)

20. Which cartoon character would best describe you?

Matt: Sgt. Slaughter (G.I. Joe)