Free Energy caught my attention when they opened for Hot Chip at the free myspace secret show last month. Their exciting blend of catchy guitar rock caught my attention instantly. They have become one of my newest obsessions, with way too many plays of their debut album, Stuck On Nothing. It is a great album full of tight guitar riffs and catchy pop hooks. Hell, James Murphy of DFA produced the album, so you know there is a lot to love here.
The bands lead singer, Paul Sprangers, took some time to answer some of my questions about the band. He’s the man. Check it out below:
Will: Hey Paul. I saw you guys open up for Hot Chip at Highline Ballroom. (Your set absolutely blew me away. Great gig!!)
Paul: Thanks!
W: What were your thoughts on the crowd that night? They seemed pretty into it!
P: The crowd was awesome. It started kind of cold, but eventually people were nodding and dancing. It can be tough opening for a good band (we all love Hot Chip).
W: Tell me about how you guys came together as Free Energy. Paul and Scott used to be in Hockey Night right?
P: Yep.
W: What happened with Hockey Night, and how did you guys meet up and become Free Energy?
P: Hockey Night just ran it’s course. We actually stayed together as Hockey Night long past the point it stopped being fun. After it ended, Scott and I kept writing and recording like we always have, and eventually went to NYC to record the record with James (Murphy). When it was mostly completed we moved to Philly where Geoff lived. Evan, Scott’s brother, moved out from San Francisco to play bass. Nick moved out from St. Paul to play drums. Then finally Geoff was kind of absorbed to play rhythm guitar. We started rehearsing the songs in our basement.
W: One of my favorite songs of yours is “Something In Commonâ€. You left it off your debut album, how come?
P: It doesn’t really fit. We recorded it as a b-side long after we finished recording and mixing the album. And we only got about 2 days to record and finish something in common!! We barely got to work on it. So, there are some problems with it, and it doesn’t really hold up to the quality of the other songs on the album. We like it though. We just wish we could have put more time into it. But that’s why it’s a b-side. We didn’t have any money to spend longer in the studio.
W: I know it’s one your Free Energy EP, but I believe it was worthy of a spot on the album!
P: We demoed “something in common” before we recorded the record. but neither James nor Jon thought it was good enough to go on the record!! So please send all comments regarding this issue to information@dfarecords.com. Put in subject: we told you so
W: What was the recording process like for your first album? How does a Free Energy song come to life?
P: Scott and I write the songs together then we record demos of them. Sometimes we record multiple drafts. Then, we usually try playing it live with drums and bass to see if it’s working, and if we need to change things and maybe re-demo. Eventually we have a general idea of how the song goes and how it sounds, but usually there’s enough room to experiment and change things in the studio if we need to.
W: You guys are getting plenty of comparisons to glam rock bands such as Thin Lizzy. How do you feel about these comparisons? Is that what you guys were aiming for?
P: I think the comparisons are a good starting point. Obviously we love Thin Lizzy, and there’s certainly a shared love of harmonies and badass riffs. We’re fine with all the comparisons. I think the comparisons tend to be over-simplistic. We definitely weren’t aiming to get these comparisons. We’re just aiming to be the best rock band in the world, and i think when you do that you’re inevitably going to be compared to other greats.
W: Following up the previous question, what bands inspired you to pick up instruments?
P: Pavement. The Coctails. Guided by Voices. Punk bands. 80s/90s indie bands.
W:Any specific influences that impacted the sound on your debut album?
P: Mike Post tv themes. The cars. AC/DC. Late Rolling Stones. Fleetwood Mac. 80’s commercial jingles. Iron Maiden. Christine McVie.
W: Please explain how you guys got locked up with DFA! I was pretty surprised to see that a rock band signed with a label that is known for having a strong collective of electronic/dance artists.
P: We’ve been in touch with DFA for over 5 years, emailing and talking about music. We sent them the last hockey night record, and all the demos we were recording.
DFA signs good music. I think there really haven’t been any good rock bands for a long time, and they were excited that we were making something good. They were all big fans of the first strokes record. They definitely have been looking to put out some kind of rock music, I think.
W: James Murphy produced the album, how awesome was it working with a guy like that?
P: Totally awesome.
W: Are there any plans for a LCD Soundsystem/Free Energy collaboration? That would be the best of both worlds!
P: We’re mixing an LCD/Free Energy comedy/ska record right now!
W: How do you think you guys would have fared in the 1970’s? Would you have survived the scene?
P: Same as it ever was. I think we’d be doing the same thing. Yeah, I think we would barely survive the scene. Kind of like now.
W: You guys were on many lists for bands to watch in 2010. Is it cool to say that you guys are getting a lot of hype?
P: That’s cool with me.
W: In this musical climate what does this mean to you guys?
P: I honestly don’t know what the musical climate is right now. it seems like there’s more good music than ever. I think we live in a very inspiring time. People aren’t dumb. They can cut through the hype, and they know when something is actually good, and earns the hype, or when it’s faked or bought.
W: Do you pay attention to this “hype”?
P: Around us? No. Around other bands? I guess, but it doesn’t affect my enjoyment of their music. I like Coldplay and some Black Eyed Peas songs. A good song is a good song. Doesn’t matter if it has tons of hype or no hype.
W: Whats your “Almost Famous†moment. If you’ve never seen the movie (watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qn3tel9FWU ). In other words, what is that one “defining†moment that you will always remember during your time as Free Energy?
P: Seeing Geoff’s wet underwear hanging out the van window as we cruised away from Seattle.
W: With that said, what is the best tour moment that you guys have experienced together on-stage or on your way to a show?
P: This tour with Foreign Born has been great. Free Energy is getting stronger and tighter. We’re having a blast.
W: Favorite Beer of the band?
P: Bells Two Hearted
W: A hot new band that I should post about that no one knows?
P: Bronze. The Tough Shits. The Blank Tapes.
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