Hey Kids, remember straight up rock and roll? Before everything became a subspecies of the foolishly titled “Indie Rock” genre? These guys certainly do, and they’re launching a great new album this Saturday night at The Rockhouse (joined by Pathological Lovers and Lady Brett Ashley). Enjoy the video and interview (with Jeremy Rice) below.

If I made you pick a favourite song off the album, which would you pick? Any reason why? 

That’s a tough one. I’ve loved and hated them all at one point or another. These days I’m leaning towards “Heart Stops Beating.” I like the rumble, and lyrically I feel like it captures the intended sentiment. Plus Leon’s solos are particularly deadly on this track.

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And if I let you pick another favourite?

“Retribution.” This one just came out nicely.

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Is there a song on here that’s a little different for you, or that you questioned including? 

We questioned including “Seeds of Joy.” Our engineer Krisjan Leslie and I struggled with the mix on this one right up until the end. We finally amped the vocals through my vox and doubled the synth. Suddenly we had an opener for the album. Funny how little it takes to make or break a song.

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Which one of these songs came out the hardest, or was the longest in the crafting? Why?

The longest song to produce was probably “Right Now.” This was mostly because there were 24 tracks of strings that needed to be worked in there. But It was a surprisingly simple and enjoyable. The hardest was probably be Cucaracha. That one involved a lot of second guessing and a complete lyrical overhaul. It also nearly didn’t make the cut, but we’re glad it did in the end.

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Share a random fact about one of your songs on this album, or the album itself.

The CD actually contains no data. What you are hearing is generated purely by your own imagination.

What’s a new album you’ve been loving lately?

The new Pathological Lovers EP. Great songs, great production, great band, great investment of four bucks. Check it out if you haven’t yet done so.

And if I lit your album collection on fire, what’s one album you’d think to save first? 

Breakfast in America. It’s not necessarily the best album or even the best Supertramp album, but we’ve been through a lot together.

There are many ways to evaluate a song. But for you, what’s one trait that makes a great song a great song? Name a song you love that fits that bill.

To me the best songs are honest and believable. I think good songwriters know to be themselves, and not to get lost in what they wish they were or what others want them to be. I’m sure Philipe Katerine subscribes to some version of this philosophy. Here’s a very cool song he put together a few years ago: (it helps if you speak french).

Other than music, name something else you love. 

My girls, above everything else.