Fearless Records’ rising stars Sparks The Rescue took time out of their busy schedule on the Revolutions And Resolutions Tour to speak to us about their formation and future. And dragons. And socks. Don’t try this at home.
Tanya@RRR: Will you please state your name and what you do in the band?
Alex Roy: I’m Alex and I sing in Sparks The Rescue
Tanya@RRR: Just for a little background info, how did you guys come together to form Sparks The Rescue?
Alex: We all started playing in high school together and then, I was in a local band, they were in a local band. They started playing in 8th grade, Toby, Nate and Ben. And I was in another band freshmen year, I was a grade above them.
Tanya@RRR: So were you guys in rival bands?
Alex: Yeah, we did rock-offs against each other but we were all friends because we all played shows. So we did that, and then after high school, the bands sort-of parted ways and I was like “You guys would be really good if you know, one of you could actually sing.” No, okay, I didn’t really say that, but I was like “you guys need a lead singer.” And I’ve always played guitar and sang, so I wanted to try to be a lead singer, so I joined, and that was 5 years ago, and we’ve been playing music ever since. We got the band name from a Nicholas Sparks novel called “The Rescue.” A lot of the time we tell people we were backpacking through Europe and hunting a dragon and he flew over and we stabbed him in the heart and we climbed down and written on his neck in fire were the words “Sparks The Rescue.”
Tanya@RRR: How many people actually believe you?
Alex: Honestly, you just heard the short version of the story, but that story goes on for like 10 minutes. It’s like we’re trekking, and a dragon is swooping over, breathing fire. The real story is, I think it was in someone’s bathroom, and they were pooping all the time and they were looking at the book and they wanted to be “The Rescue.” Tried to be “The Rescue”, already taken, so we were like “Fuck, let’s just be Sparks.” That’s already taken too. If I could, I would change the name from “Sparks The Rescue” to “Sparks.”
Tanya@RRR: Do you believe there was a big change between the styles of The Secrets We Can’t Keep EP to Eyes to the Sun?
Alex: Yeah, definitely. It is more mature, and we made a conscious decision to not scream and not have breakdowns. That was basically it. A lot of people are like “Woah! It’s so different.” But really, it’s not that different, there’s just not a breakdown. I feel like the songs kind of sound the same, but yeah, it’s definitely different. We got older, more mature, there’s less teenage angst on our new record. It’s more thought-out, more logical. I feel like our old record is more sporadic.
Tanya@RRR: What prompted the re-release of Eyes to the Sun?
Alex: It was basically Fearless. They had the old record and they thought it could be stronger. They weren’t really pumped about the last two tracks on the album. So we were like “Damn, we want to keep these two songs, but it was a give/take kind of thing.” We jumped on the opportunity to record three new songs, and I think it was a good decision.
Tanya@RRR: You just finished the “Who’s Driving Tour”, and the next day, started the “Revolutions and Resolutions” tour, do you ever get tired of being on the road?
Alex: There’s no off tour. We’re always on tour. It’s fun, but you get tired. It’s like anything. Some days you’re pumped about it, and some days you don’t want to play a show. But once you see all the kids you get pumped up.
Tanya@RRR: Besides seeing all the people and fans, what are your favorite and least favorite parts of touring?
Alex: Favorite is hanging out with friends, meeting new people, having a good time, seeing new places, getting inspired by new things, different cultures. Least favorite? Riding in the van. Like, I don’t mind the van, but two days ago we drove for 14 hours. Everyday is 4 or 5 or 6 hours in the van. We just got WiFi so that has made it a lot better, until your computer dies.
Tanya@RRR: Craziest tour story?
Alex: I’ve got some that aren’t PG, a lot of funny things happen on tour. I usually like to mess around with people, and this isn’t the craziest story, but I’ll tell you it. You know how you can light your socks on fire? Have you ever done that?
Tanya@RRR: No…
Alex: Hold on, we’re going to try this.
Tanya@RRR: Are you serious?
Alex: Yeah, hold on. I don’t know if this is gonna work…
(Alex proceeds to literally, light his sock on fire)
Tanya@RRR: Whatttt! Does that hurt?
Alex: No, you gotta get a better sock though. Anyway, so one time I was doing that and Ben was driving and it was pitch black at night and he’s got a sweater on. And I light his sweater and he goes up in flames and he just sprayed himself with Axe and its pitch-black, and all you see is Ben on fire screaming “OH MY GODDD!” and I’m putting him out. That was pretty crazy. A few times we get bored and we have fireworks and we think it’s funny to go to a neighborhood and light up a thousand fireworks.
Tanya@RRR: What are your plans for 2010 in terms of writing and recording?
Alex: I’ve been demo-ing a lot lately. I have a studio back in Maine and we’re gonna record in the fall, but right now we’re writing, writing, writing, getting ready for the new record and we’re pretty excited for it.
Tanya@RRR: Any plans for more music videos?
Alex: We’re making a real video for the song “Hello Mexico” I think after this, and then, with our buddy, we’re going to either do a video for “My Heart Radio” or “Pinetree State.” I think we’re gonna do “My Heart Radio” and throw a party and dress up as cops. It’ll be pretty funny.
Tanya@RRR: What was the first song you ever learned on the guitar?
Alex: The first song I learned was “Dammit” by Blink 182, I think. Actually, it might have been a Counting Crows song.I was like 12.
Tanya@RRR: One of your fans on Twitter wanted to know if you could be any cereal, which one would you be?
Alex: I really like Peanut Butter Crunch, but Toby’s allergic to nuts so I can’t eat it around him. But, Peanut Butter Crunch or the Rice Crispies Treat cereal are pretty good.
Tanya@RRR: What’s one band that your fans would be surprised that you listen to?
Alex: Surprised? I listen to a lot of indie…lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Pheonix, but that wouldn’t really be a surprise. I don’t know… Alanis Morisette? Is that a surprise? I love her.
Tanya@RRR: What were some of your favorite records from 2009?
Alex: The Train record. I really like the Jack’s Mannequin record. I don’t personally dig it a lot, but everyone in my band likes the new fun. record.
Tanya@RRR: What! You don’t like it?
Alex: Listen, I LOVED Dog Problems…I just can’t…I like “All The Pretty Girls”, but I haven’t been jamming it in the headphones lately. I love the new Conor Oberst record, Pheonix’s new record is so good. I like the new Weezer record that recently came out as well.
Tanya@RRR: Well that’s all the questions we have, anything else you’d like to add?
Alex: Come check us out on tour! We’re probably coming somewhere near you!
Eyes To The Sun is out now, via Fearless Records. Be sure to catch the band with The Dangerous Summer on the Revolutions & Resolutions Tour.
Gaaah, I love Alex so much. And I love how it’s “Rice Krispies Treat Cereal” and not just Rice Krispies. Hahaha. Don’t worry, Alex, I love Alanis Morisette, too. A lot. And I’m really, really pissed that I missed the Who’s Driving tour. Really. Really. Pissed.