>(Steve Perry) Singer/ Songwriter
(Dana Heitman) Trumpet
(Joe Manis) Alto Sax
(Jesse Cloninger) Tenor Sax
(Dan Schmid) Bass
(Tim Donahue) Drums
(Jason Moss) Guitar
(Dustin Lanker) Keyboards

We know it has been a long time since you have recorded anything for a new full length. What was it like getting back into the flow of things?

>The music business has changed so much since we put out our last record in 2000, I think that its a new opportunity to showcase what it is that we have always done. Which is make records that have a wide variety of styles on them. I think in the era of the Ipod where people are used to listening to a wide range of music back to back, that our method seems less weird than it used to.

How did the writing and recording process go on "Susquehanna?"

>I recorded a lot of it as demo’s in my studio at home, and then we would transfer them to Gung Ho Studio’s in Eugene where we have recorded the lions share of our previous records. When we got them to Gung Ho the band would play the songs and the sound would then evolve.

What were some of the influences for this album, both musically and lyrically?

>Lyrically I wanted to paint a character sketch of a person dealing with a dissolved relationship and the history of his character that somehow led to the dissolution. So I guess Lou Reeds- Berlin, in a way. The movie Pierrot le Fou by Godard. Musically I didn’t want it to be to eggheady, and “white” i.e. uninteresting rhythmically. There are swing elements, flamenco, and bossa nova moments, ska, and soca. I wanted it to be chordally bluesy as well, with bent notes and subtle dissonance's.

How far did you get with the side project White Hot Odyssey?

>WHOdyssey recorded one album on jive records. It got too difficult to get everybody together after a while, it was a side project for everyone involved so not a top priority. I love that proto glam punk thing though (Dolls, Iggy, Dead Boys), and I plan to add a pinch of that into Daddies records as we go along.

We heard that you guys were touring extensively during the last 7 years. What kind of material were you playing? New, Old? Zuit Suit?

>We have been playing festivals and casino type shows a lot the past few years, we have been doing more of our swing material like the stuff from Zoot Suit Riot, because that is how people are mostly familiar with us. We would like to play more club shows now that we have a new recording, where we can really do a lot of different material. Material that is more rockin’ and experimental at the same time.

What's it like having 8 guys putting ideas towards a new record? And hell, what's it like having a band with 8 people in it in general?

>It can be a mess with 8 people in a band, unless everybody realizes the need to make space for everybody else's moment. So its kind of like a orchestral frame of mind. We are all trying to improve the songs, so anybody who has ideas for that gets the floor.

You guys have toured with everyone over the last 19 years. Which bands have been your favorite to play with?

>One of my favorite bands we have toured was Suicidal Tendencies, because they are musicians who take chances. They play funk stuff with Infectious Grooves as well as the hardcore they are known for. I respect their musicianship and their ruthless independence. I guess Bad Brains and Fishbone have similar backbones when it comes to their choice of material.

On the same subject, where were your most favorite venues to play at?

>I think my favorite venue’s are outside with the sun going down. (and getting caught in the rain)

What is the craziest thing a fan has done for you guys? Dressed up in full swinger gear at a show? ha

>We are considerably crazier than our fans. We have driven around stage in an enormous dildo shaped car that engorges itself and shoots, I don't think we’ve ever blinked at any of our fans hi-jinks.

Thanks for taking time to answer our questions, is there anything you would like to say to the readers of Skylinepress.net?