The Get Up Kids interview

When The Get Up Kids release a new album after a couple of years of silence and we have the chance to do a short email interview with them, who are we to say no? Read it quickly (did I mention it's short?) and check out the band's new album "There Are No Rules" which is out now. Luckily the album is longer than the interview.

PRT: Hello. Who are you and what would you like to tell us about yourself?
Jim: My name is Jim. I am a dad. I play guitar in The Get Up Kids. Other then that I am not that interesting.

PRT: You guys have a new album out, called There Are No Rules. Anything particular you'd like to share about it?
Jim: I think it's the best album we have ever made. Some people aren't going to get it. That's OK. People didn't get "On a Wire" when it came out, now they loudly sing the songs at every show.

PRT: What are there no rules for?
Jim: I don't know? There are rules every where.

PRT: What do you think is the stupidest and lamest rule ever invented?
Jim: Any rule that in the end involves stoning. The rock kind not the bong kind.

PRT: Since getting back together, you recorded a 7" and now this album. What was the experience like to be back in the studio with The Get Up Kids?
Jim: It' been fun. We really enjoyed working with Ed Rose again. We have been doing this a long time so it felt quite normal getting back in the studio.

PRT: On There Are No Rules, there is an obvious shift to using more electronics. Why?
Jim: Why not? We are always willing to try new things. The record has electronic elements but it is not a pro-tools album. It is live and raw. Recorded to tape.

PRT: Your reunion was focused on Something to Write Home About. How did you feel playing the same ten year old songs every night, and fans continuously asking for those songs after all that time?
Jim: We never stopped playing them before we broke up. We don't mind playing old songs. That's what got us here.

PRT: Do you see that album as somewhat of a curse or a blessing? Or both?
Jim: A blessing. We are proud of all our records.

PRT: What struck me at the live shows, when you guys got back together, was the fun you seemed to have on stage. Would it be okay to say that this element was sort of lacking at the end of your first run?
Jim: The lack of fun is why we broke up in the first place.

PRT: Are you approaching things differently this time?
Jim: We seem to be taking it one day at a time and not over thinking everything.

PRT: What's TGUK's priority in 2011?
Jim: Tour, tour, tour.