>(Alex) Alex Bars, Guitar/Vocals

>(Brendan) Brendan Brown bass/vocals

>(Andrew) Andrew, I play drums.

>(Nate) Nate Patterson....guitar/piano

We're really excited about your new album "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi." How was it different from your first full length and how did the writing and recording go for it?

>(Alex) I think that this record is much more cohesive. It feels like songs are intertwined rather than pasted together. Overall, it represents a much more mature, and tactful TREOS. We definitely had a lot of material waiting to get out throughout the last two years, which made writing that much easier. While we were writing we tried to do as much editing as we could with the songs. Once the framework of a song was laid out, we'd record it, mix it, and then re-evaluate the song. This way a new way of writing for us, that I'm sure we'll continue to do.

>(Brendan) I feel like despite the proconceived notion of the pressure that comes along with a sophmore release, it was a more relaxed writing enviroment. This time around we had already proved ourselves and we were more focused on writing good, memorable songs. This, of course, is no easy task but I certainly felt less pressure. I think it may have had a lot to do with certain circumstances in all of our lives that truly put the band, and our career, in perspective with life. In the long run it's all just music, and it should be enjoyable or else it isn't worth it.

>(Andrew) I think it's a more mature record, both musically and lyrically. The writing was a more concentrated effort this time around, and was completed in less time than the first. When we wrote the first album, we were still trying to figure out who and what we were as a band. This time around, I think we had a much more firm grasp on our identity as a band, and as individuals within the group. And of course, we have Brian now, so a new person always effects the creative process. Lucky for us, the effect was positive!

>(Nate) We are now 3 years older so the music is much more mature and much less selfless. We are now focusing in on what is important for the song and what feels right, rather than what part sounds the coolest. Recording was obviously stressful at times but most of the time it was a time in my life that I will see as magical and unforgettable.

We know you guys have performed under the pseudonym "The Red Eye Of Soromon" (TREOS) to showcase new material, why not "Saruman" and have you ever played under any other pseudonym before?

>(Alex) Being a LOTR buff, I guess I should have checked the spelling first, but no, that's our only other side project band we are all in.

>(Brendan) I don't know what you are talking about. Although I have had the pleasure of seeing The Red Eye of Soromon a couple times when they were off from selling out arenas over seas. It was unreal!

>(Andrew) Well, we've played under that name twice now, and we basically just didn't look up the spelling the first time and came up with the name on the fly, so it stuck that way. The first time was for a Halloween show, and that's the only other name we've used than our own, to date.

>(Nate) To be honest with you that was just the first thing that popped into our minds and it was just really funny. No we have not played under any other pseudonym.

Does TREOS have a completely different feel now that Casey left and Brian has filled in his duties?

>(Alex) Things are definitely different now that Brian is in the band. I feel like in the late stages of Casey in the band, we had a catastrophic communication breakdown. We can actually talk with eachother again, write music together, and be honest with everyone, and we all can be true to ourselves. I think that I smile more on stage. Life is relaxing again.

>(Brendan) I wouldn't say the feel is completely different. We are still, undoubtedly, the same band. Despite this, Brian has added a lot to the band, and I think the fact the we are all older and more experienced helped positively effect the outcome of this record as well.

>(Andrew) Yeah, like I said before, a new person is a new variable, and the equation changes completely. Luckily it was for the better and he fit in really well.

>(Nate) No absolutely not. Obviously Caseys voice is not present on this new record. This record has a whole new attitude behind it. 100% positive in my mind. Brian is the best thing that could have ever happened to TREOS. very happy with brian.

How well has Triple Crown Records been at realizing your vision for what you want and what the band wants?

>(Alex) Triple Crown has always given us creative control. Fred has never tried to mold our sound in any way, or pressure us into writing something that wouldn't naturally create. Obviously, it is a business, and business decisions have to be made around our music, but Fred has always done a good job balancing the two.

>(Brendan) They have put up with us for sure. From the very get-go one of the main things that swayed us to sign with them was they were willing to hand over all creative and artistic control over to us. We pretty much do whatever we want, no questions ask. This is definitely something most bands can't say. Not to mention we have finally say on all artistic elements of the band including press. Pretty righteous!

>(Andrew) They are cool because they let us be who we want to be, and don't try to steer us in any weird directions or make us to conform to any standards that we know we want no part of.

>(Nate) Fred and everyone involved at Triple Crown have always been behind us. Sometimes we disagree and we must make comprimise but in the end both parties are happy. Fred is our dad.

Who are some of your influences now, and who were some influences i music that you had growing up?

>(Alex) Growing up, I went through a lot of different stages. Oldies, harder-rock..I was really into Guns N' Roses, Metallica, ACDC, and then more punk rock stuff. Now I really enjoy Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Mew, Magnet...kind of a mix.

>(Brendan) Right now I have been listening to a lot of Radiohead, as usual, Pedro the Lion, Wintersleep, Talk Talk, Peter Gabriel...the list goes on. Growing up, MXPX was the reason I played bass. Pearl Jam and Nirvana got me into rock though.

>(Andrew) Growing up, my favorite bands were all punk rock, Pennywise, Strung Out, Millencolin, Rancid, etc. As my tastes evolved, I hung on to my love for really fast, aggressive music, but found my mind becoming enchanted with newer, more mellow, and often more ethereal sounds, like Bjork, and Radiohead, things of that nature. I also grew to like indie rock a lot more. Being in this band has exposed me to so much music, and I'm really thankful for that. Some of my biggest influences musically are Thrice, Elvis Costello, and Dave Grohl in any shape or form.

>(Nate) Radiohead, Talk Talk ("laughting stock" album) Jazz guitarists and musicians, intelligent hip-hop (mos-def, supernatural, talib kwali, the roots, etc.) are just a few of my influences now. Growing up I would have to say Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Phish (don't laugh) and just improv music in general. I love the art of making music and seeing where it can go.

How has your touring been and how extensive will it get after "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi"drops?

>(Alex) We really "milked" the touring cycle of the first record. We didn't really have any reason not to tour every chance we got two years ago, and I think that being out so often helped us establish ourselves quite a bit. We will definitely be gone alot during this touring cycle, but we won't wait as long to write a new record.

>(Brendan) Right now is sort of the calm before the storm. We have done some small touring since recording to get the kinks out, but once the record is out, we will be the non-stop touring band we always were!

>(Andrew) We plan to be out for a while supporting this record. The good thing this time around is that we have momentum going into the record cycle, so we don't have to take every tour that comes our way and be on the road for 11 months out the year. We are looking forward to doing some tours (hopefully) with bands we really enjoy, and playing in front of (hopefully) more and more kids each time we go out.

>(Nate) Touring is always a blast. We find fun people everywhere we go, and the shows are getting better and better. I am constantly reminded how lucky we are to be able to say we do the job we do. I will sum it up like this for the touring of "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi" TOUR TOUR TOUR TOUR TOUR

What is one thing you can't live without while you are on the road?

>(Alex) Cell phone.

>(Brendan) my compter and a good book

>(Andrew) My computer. That one was easy.

>(Nate) My band

Also where is your favorite place to stop and get some grub while on tour?

>(Alex) Ruby Tuesday's. Jamba Juice.

>(Brendan) Sweet Tomatoes. It's this sweet midwestern/northwestern salad bar, pasta bar, soup bar, chain. Sooo good. Strawberry lemonade as well!

>(Andrew) Taco Bell, without a doubt.

>(Nate) Sweet Tomatoes

Many people would classify you as an experimental indie band. Do you guys try to add or differ things in every new album or EP that your produce?

>(Alex) For us, writing music is all about challenging ourselves. It's about exploring new facets and discovering what we are capable of. Whatever comes out, comes out, but chances are our sound will always change, and follow our growth as individuals.

> (Brendan) I suppose it is our goal as band to progress with each release but it is more of a natural progression than a thought-out preconceived progression. Life, and growing up changes us as people which changes us as players and writers, which, in turn, changes us as a band.

>(Andrew) I think it's healthy to add new elements to your music and try to grow with every effort. If you're not, you'll just become stagnant, and well, no one wants that.

>(Nate) People can classify us as whatever they want, we try to write songs around things we feel strongly about and what we feel inspired by. We will always be changing.

What is one release that you can't wait to come out this year?

>(Alex) I've definitely been a bit out of the loop lately, but I'm excited for the new Okkervile River record

> (Brendan) Radiohead's 7th studio album even though I have bootlegs of almost every song!

>(Andrew) New Radiohead album.

>(Nate) NEW RADIOHEAD......TBA....maybe November

I guess that's it. Thanks so much for answering all our probing questions. Is there anything you, or the band would like to say to the readers of Skylinepress.net?

> (Brendan) I think it is good that you read.

>(Andrew) Go Sox!! (Red Sox, not White)