Thanks so much to Jerry from Warm Fuzzy PR, and Connor of Boys Night Out for their time!
Thank you for the opportunity for this interview, could please state your name and role in the band.
They call me Connor. I sing for the rock & roll outfit known as Boys Night Out. Thank YOU for the opportunity to enhance my typing and communication skills.
As it says in your bio, the self-titled album is a definitive statement. Is this the direction the music will be taking in the future?
It does say that in the bio, doesn’t it? Neat. Well, for us the ultimate goal when writing this record was to have a collection of songs that we would want to play over and over again; something that defines us as we are at this moment in time. Having achieved that goal, who’s to say what the future holds? I generally prefer to leave the future to its own devices and instead, focus on the present. Maybe the next record will be a collection of campfire songs. Who knows?
I’ve really enjoyed listening to the album this past week. Did you intentionally attempt to make a catchier, possibly more commercial records?
First of all, thanks for enjoying your listening experience. As far as an intentional foray into the “commercial” realm is concerned, I would say no. To this day I still think that most of what’s considered modern “commercial” music is – for the most part – boring and unoriginal. Obviously there are exceptions, but those exceptions just help prove the rule. Now, making a “catchier” record? I’m for it! Sign me up! I’ve always liked songs that I can sing along to, but that ultimately has something to say. This record is definitely more “chorus based” (hookier? Is that a word?) than our past efforts. In the end, if commercial radio wants to come hang out with us…hell…we’re down – but, we wouldn’t want to have to sacrifice our own voice to have a seat at their table.
Lou Giordano has been responsible for so many hit records, when you were writing the album did you feel that you wanted him to produce it?
Actually, working with Lou was a happy accident. Originally we had planned to do the album with somebody else (who ultimately had to back out in order to work on something more “lucrative”). After that, we learned that Lou happened to be available and enthusiastic about working on the same kind of record that we were looking to make. After we had looked into some of the other albums he had produced we decided that it would be a goddamn foolish mistake to pass up a chance to work with somebody of Lou’s caliber. He’s amazing at what he does, and he understood exactly where we wanted to go with this record. It was a great pairing.
What is the song writing process like for the band?
Generally somebody (Jeff, most often…but, more recently Dave and Andy as well) will bring the beginnings of a song to the rest of the band and we’ll all build something around the skeleton. One of my favorite things about being a part of this band is that everybody brings something unique to the table for every song. Once we have the instrumental foundations ready to go, the song is mine to do whatever I want – lyrically – with it. There are variations on that process, but that’s how it’s usually done.
Individually, what are some of your musical influences?
We all grew up in the punk rock / hardcore / emo / indie scene of Southern Ontario in the early to mid 90’s and some of us had even spent time playing together in various other bands. Our music has always reflected that musical upbringing. On top of that basic, underlying foundation we pretty much all enjoy listening to pretty much anything from old folk / gospel / country / music from the 20’s and 30’s to classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s to metal bands from the 70’s and 80’s to well… basically we dig music in general. On any given day, in our van you’ll hear anything from The Carter Family to Pantera. From Bob Dylan to Cap’n Jazz. From CCR to Third Eye Blind. From 7 Seconds to Joanna Newsom. We like jams…we LOVE jams.
Do you feel that an old vibe is back in the group with Ben Arseneau returning?
Definitely. It’s essentially like a family reunion with Shitty Ben back in the band. He’s the Bees Knees.
How has the current tour been? Also what are the future touring plans for the rest of the year?
So far it’s been a blast. The shows have been great and all the dudes in June, Emanuel and Olympia are always down to party. We had to cancel today’s show in Baltimore due to me getting my damn-fool-self sick and not being able to sing, but other than that it’s been totally radical. Once we finish this headlining tour we’ll be meeting up with Scary Kids Scaring Kids and touring with them until the end of August. After that we’re planning on traveling across Canada and then possibly heading down to Australia for a week or so. Basically our schedule is jam packed for the rest of the year.
How do you spend your down time while on the road?
It varies. Sometimes we’ll go out to a bar or two. Maybe have a hotel jam. Read a delightful novel. Play some Scrabble. Maybe even take in some fine cinema. Any time’s a good time for anything.
Is there a big transition from playing in Canada to playing in the U.S.?
Not at all It’s remarkably similar actually. Our Countries may differ politically or what have you, but a rock concert is a rock concert no matter what side of the border you’re on.
What gave you the idea to create the mockumentary “Dude, You Need to Stop Dancing?”
Uh…Well… we’re idiots and we like making fun of ourselves. We then combined that love with a parody of bands we’ve met and toured with who take themselves way too seriously. What you end up with is what came out of “Dude…”
Who created the concept for the new video for “Up With Me”?
That would be the brilliant and charming Marc Ricciardelli who also happened to direct the video. Visually, the video portrays – eerily well – what the song was saying musically and lyrically. Marc was also responsible for the video to our song “Medicating.”
I found Trainwreck to be one of the best concept albums made; do you have any desire to write another one down the line?
ThankYa kindly. That’s some pretty high praise, dude. Would we make another one, though? Perhaps. We’d have to have a really strong story to tell before we even thought about it, though.
What is the story behind the song “Let Me Be Your Swear Word?”
There’s no real story, really. It’s more of a collection of stories. I’ll leave it at that since I’ve never really been a fan of explaining lyrics too much. Take from that puppy what you will.
I cannot thank you enough for your time; do you have any final thoughts or statements for our readers?
You’re welcome. It was my pleasure. It was a good way to spend some time while I rest up and get ready for tomorrow’s show in Virginia Beach. Final thoughts or statements? Well…uh…check out our new record. Check out our website (http://boysnightout.com) for tour dates and come say hi. Check out the video for “Up With Me.” Also… remember kids music is everywhere. Some of the best music out there isn’t being featured in magazines or played on the television/radio. Seek it out. Rock and roll.
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