| Run, HEY MONDAY. Run. |
| Written by Shahlin Graves |
| Sunday, 15 March 2009 17:52 |
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from left to right: Mike Gentile [ lead guitar ], Alex Lipshaw [ rhythm guitar ], Cassadee Pope [ vocals ], Elliot James [ drums] & Jersey Moriarty [ bass]. If TV killed the radio star and Britney broke your heart, then the Internet re-invented band ethics via Myspace adds by Youtube plays... Re-capturing superstar dreams, whole again. While the 'make' or 'break', is no longer a decade of slaving away in the wretched underground... that doesn't mean that the modern generation of upstartly new bands ought to be any less credited for their dedication to fans, relentless touring and just, being more famous than yourself while the same age... or younger.
Let's be frank. New Zealand is of such a disproportionate population, that if we ourselves aren't in a wannabe band, then our best friend or sibling is. As a nation, we struggle with Tall-Poppy syndrome. As music elitists, no-one wants to like that band that played on MTV once, twice... everyday. But. When you could be having as much fun as HEY MONDAY, why count a teenage average age as a loss? Maybe you don't go weak in the knees... but only the green-eyed monster wins, in the denial of such hurricane conquering fun. Unconditional originality, is impossible. If every cheap comparison formed by lazy listeners were taken at face-value, then the world would be a dull, lifeless two-dimensionalscape. Give a little bit and just sing along. Hey Monday, are watching Florida disappear in their jet-setting rear-view. With, or without you. NB: Ice-cream cake to Cassadee & Mike for re-answering all questions, after my technologically-awesome iPod recorded twenty minues of enlightening silence. "Jealousy is probably my least favourite trait in people. It turns into something ugly and hurtful for others."
COUP DE MAIN: Once upon a time, you were in a band called 'Blake'... How did you get from Blake, to Hey Monday and being signed to Pete Wentz's Decaydance Records? HEY MONDAY - CASSADEE POPE: Well, Mike and I were in a band called 'Blake'. That band broke up and we still wanted to play together, so we called up a few friends... started practicing, made an album, then the ball started rolling. Pete (Wentz) from Fall Out Boy, heard an old demo in the Crush Management office and liked it. Columbia and Decaydance did a joint venture for us. CDM: Fall Out Boy have been showing Hey Monday the world, via extensive touring... You seem to have a family relationship with FOB, especially with the prank pulling on-stage... HM - CASSADEE: Touring and hanging out with them is unbelievable. We're so taken back by how awesome and down to earth they are. We've been fans of theirs for years, so it's kind of surreal we get to share the stage with them. The pranks are fun. They are definitely pros at that. We're still planning out what we'll do for the U.S. prank! CDM: Cassadee, you were in the music video for Fall Out Boy's America's Suiteheart's single. Thoughts on the media circus and fame-game? HM - CASSADEE: I couldn't have explained the media circus better than the video. It's tragic how some get sucked into that world and become these celebrity monsters that dig a hole, deeper and deeper for themselves. I love how unaffected Fall Out Boy are by the press. You can't really talk about that stuff, without experiencing it yourself. But I know people that deal with it first hand. I know there are ways to cope and deal with the media. CDM: You're shooting your second music video, for 'How You Love Me Now' soon! What can you tell me about the concept behind it? HEY MONDAY - MIKE GENTILE: It's gonna be really cool! Think 'Saved By The Bell'... Think the beach... Think competitions... Think big! CDM: 'Hold On Tight' your debut album, begins with the song 'Set Off'. Why do people love to bring each other down? HM - CASSADEE: People bring each other down, for something to do. In most cases, it's because of jealousy. Jealousy is probably my least favourite trait in people. It turns into something ugly and hurtful for others. A few mean comments and rumours can really affect people in terrible ways. CDM: Do you think people take gossip too far? HM - CASSADEE: I think so. People don't understand the words they say sometimes. Sometimes people will say things to make their peers laugh, or to seem witty. But it's just cruel and a waste of time. CDM: For example, the Livejournal community FBR_Trash? HM - CASSADEE: We laugh at the things they say about us. Personally, the only thing about that site that bothers me, is when they say things about my friends and people I care about. It also freaks me out, that most of them are so young and say the things they say. Hopefully the older they get, they'll realize it's not worth it and spend their time doing things that benefit them. CDM: Apparently, West Palm Beach is notorious for power outages caused by hurricanes... What's your craziest hurricane story? HM - MIKE: When I was little, we had a really bad hurricane and all the power was out. The streets were flooded with 3 feet of water, so my sister and I snuck out of the house and were running down the street in the pouring rain. Mom noticed we were missing, so she went looking for us. We got in a lot of trouble, but that was probably my craziest hurricane story.  CDM: Is your song 'Josey', based on personal experiences? HM - CASSADEE: That song is based off of friends I've had, that party 24/7 and can't have a good time without doing so. I chose the name Josey because it sounded the best, phrasing-wise. It's just my way of reaching out. Sometimes it's hard for me to reach out by talking. Writing is easier for me. CDM: Obviously you are all about fun, but do you think there's pressure on teenagers to take partying too far? HM - MIKE: For sure. A lot of people, get caught up in what other people think of them and think that if they take partying too far, people will like them more. CDM: Do you believe in obvious, first love at sight? HM - MIKE: That's kinda hard, cause everyone's different... But I do believe in love, at first sight. CDM: If you were a lover scorned, what would you plan as the ultimate revenge and why? HM - MIKE: Hmm I'd probably make a voodoo doll and keep it naked at all times. Although, I believe what goes around comes around. So I don't really ever try to get revenge. CDM: What's one thing, you wish the opposite sex would realise about relationships? HM - MIKE: I don't really think this is a gender based question... But all people engaging in relationships, should definitely just be honest, up-front and thoughtful. CDM: Complete this sentence, Hold on tight to... HM - CASSADEE: ... life. You never know if it will drift away. HM - MIKE: ... your pants on a windy day. CDM: Future plans for Hey Monday? HM - CASSADEE: Touring galore!! We'll be releasing our next single 'How You Love Me Now' and a video. We hit the U.K. with We The Kings in May and will then tour some more... and probably tour some more after that... and then tour some more!!! HM - MIKE: The world. Haha just kidding. But heavy touring for the next few years! New single very soon. CDM: Will you be returning to New Zealand? HM - CASSADEE: We'll definitely come back to New Zealand. We had a blast there! HM - MIKE: Yes! Hopefully before the end of the year, if not early next year sometime. HEY MONDAY's debut album 'Hold On Tight' featuring the single 'Homecoming', is in-stores now.
HEY MONDAY with FALL OUT BOY & THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS live at the Vector Arena, February 23:
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