Interviews

Reubens Accomplice

Interview with ... on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

PB: First off, I enjoyed seeing you guys open for Jimmy Eat World. What was it like playing on a tour with a band that has absolutely exploded on the music scene this year? What did you take away from the tour?
RA: We have toured a lot in the past years but this was our first time playing at great venues that were all sold out. It was a really positive experience for us, getting to play for so many kids every night especially because we finally had an album to offer them. It was a pretty crazy scene at the shows; there was a lot of rock star treatment that we are not use to at all. The calming factor was probably that we have known Jimmy Eat World for so long that we felt very comfortable and excited to see them doing so well. I think we took away a new level of professionalism from this tour. We were forced to be pro when it came to dealing with all of the clubs. Thanks to our friend Irwin Swirnoff I think we fooled almost everyone into thinking we were as big as the other bands.

PB: You guys came from North Phoenix and I've never heard the "scene" there ever talked about. What is your "favorite scene" to play in and why? Are there any places that just don't give you a great response and How do you deal with that?
RA: There's a good reason you have never heard of a North Phoenix scene. There isn't one. I'm not sure that there is any scene in particular that we would describe as our favorite. A lot of the big cities with cool scenes are usually the ones where the kids are jaded because they get to see so many great shows. Smaller towns are where the kids really get into it and are super excited that you came and that always makes for a fun show. As for places where we don't get a good response, I don't think it has anything to do with the place it's more about the bill. We have played hardcore shows and we don't go over very well at those, but you just roll with it and hope that at least one person is enjoying himself or herself.

PB: I hate seeing this question asked in interviews, but with such a unique name I have to ask where the hell did you guys come up with the name?
RA: Sorry that's classified information. I will however tell you that any rumors you hear as to the name's origin is completely false information we have leaked to the press in order to throw them off course in their attempts to unveil what we have deemed to be sacred information.

PB: What's your mission as a band? Are you on track to accomplishing it, and what else do you want to do as a band but haven't had the chance to do yet?
RA: We want to simply put out great records. I believe we are on track to accomplishing this goal, the first record is like a greatest hits of the past three years. Since it was our first record we had a lot of material to choose from. We are very excited to have finally gotten a chance to release what we have been working on for so long. We are equally excited to push ourselves on the next record. Which will be a more current look as to what we are doing at this moment. We would like to be an ever-evolving band that continues to mature and solidifies a familiar name in the "indie rock" scene.

PB: How hard has it been to be a DIY band for the past ten years. So many bands form and fall, but then there are ones like Reuben's Accomplice that find a way to stick around. What is behind your success?
RA: We are friends first and a band second. I think that is probably why it took six years before we made a record because there was never a really good time for all four of us until recently. Everyone has equal say so everyone is usually happy with the outcomes. It's definitely not easy and we have had our fair share of hard times but when you really enjoy something you find ways to make it work.

PB: What can we expect from your first album "I Blame the Scenery". What's behind the title and how can we get our hands on it?
RA: You can expect a solid pop based record from start to finish. You can expect to hear songs that were thought about and given time to develop based on their arrangements. The title is as much a cheap shot at Arizona as it is a way of giving credit to a state, a town, and a scene that created us. It's not bad or good it's just responsible. I hope you can get the record at most record stores if not you can get it online at www.betterlookingrecords.com.

PB: When I saw you guys in Philly if I remember correctly I saw one of you wearing an "I Love Jesus" shirt. If I did in fact see that, I was wondering what role religion plays in your band and how it effects your music?
RA: Yeah there was an "I Love Jesus" shirt there was also an "I Love New York" shirt. We don't share the same religious beliefs as a band and so as a role in our music religion plays little to none. Jesus is an interesting subject as is organized religion in general and so lyrically there is both questioning and confirming of the existence and overall worth of it.

PB: Lastly, if you were walking down a side walk and a "heavy set" person tripped and fell, what would you do if you couldn't pick them up? A. Walk away B. Run to Mc Donald's and buy 'em some fries C. Do a belly flop on 'em
RA: D. Play them "I Blame the Scenery" until they couldn't fight the uncontrollable urge to jump up and dance.