The Art Of Using

After two years, American Hi-Fi return with a new album and tour. uk-fusion caught frontman Stacy Jones tucking into a greasy fry-up before giving him a grilling of a different kind

You were last in the UK in 2001. What’s been happening since your debut and your new album The Art Of Losing?
We’ve played probably 400 shows since then; it’s been crazy! I don’t think anything is different – we're just bringing back some rock’n’roll. We are a better band than we were two years ago.
Was it difficult to follow up the phenomenal result of your debut?
We personally never expect anything. That’s the one thing about the music business – there’s never any certainty. We’re just pleasantly surprised when things go well.  
Why is the new album shorter in track listing and duration?
I thought the last record was too long – I like shorter records personally and it’s not because of lack of material. There were a lot of really good songs that didn't make it onto the record.
There’s also a distinct change in sound for the follow-up. Are you bothered it’s had mixed reviews?  
Kerrang! totally slagged us off. I couldn’t believe it! When I read it, it was almost like that person hated us before they had even put the record on. We don’t really give a shit about that stuff any way!  We love the music we’re playing, it’s the kind of music we want to make and our fans seem to like it so what more do you need?
You haven’t seen our verdict.
Did you diss us too? I don’t think it’s that different [to American Hi-Fi]. It sounds different than the first one – sonically. To me it seems like the natural progression from the first album.
This album is more 'angry'. Are you feeling generally dissatisfied with the world?
All the songs are personal experiences that I’ve had but no, I never really thought of it being angrier. You just write the songs, make the record about how you feel at that moment, and that’s just where we were at the time.
There are some songs on the album that sound similar to other records.  ‘The Art Of Losing’, which briefly breaks into 'Kids In America', also bears a significant resemblance to the drumming Adam & The Ants'…
That’s exactly Adam & The Ants!
Are you a fan?
Yeah! Of course! When I brought that song in, it was grooved kind of like Adam & The Ants. Our producer heard my demo and said “Oh!  We should make this like that song ‘Ant Music’ by Adam & The Ants!” He was around when they recorded that record actually, so we duplicated it like he remembered them doing it. When we have something we think sounds similar to something else, we run more towards it.
Is ‘The Breakup Song’ dedicated to anyone in particular?
It’s actually about myself and two of my friends who also broke up with long-term girlfriends around the same time.
What’s your current status?
I have a lovely girlfriend.
What was life like on the road with Sum 41?
They’re awesome guys. We toured a lot with them in the States so we’ve known them for a long time. It was great to watch them play every night and see how big they have gotten over here.
Apart from frontman Deryk Whibley.
Yeah! He is small! He has a big voice, though.
Nick Launay has produced the new album (he's done quite a lot of punk/alternative stuff in the past). Did you pick him particularly with the thought he'd give you quite a hard-edged sound?
We loved the way his record sounded when we met with him. He had the same sort of aesthetic in terms of recording that we wanted to do, which was not using a lot of digital crap. He wanted to set us all up in a room together and track it live and that was exactly what we had in mind.
You feature on the American Pie 2 soundtrack with ‘Vertigo’. How did that come about?
They asked us to do it and we had that song lying around. We are asked to do a lot of stuff like movies or commercials. It’s a really nice way to get your music out there.
How do you pick which ones to go for?
Obviously the American Pie movies are stupid but they’re funny. They’re well done for what they are. We have been asked to do things that we declined because we didn’t care for the product.
American Pie 1 or 2?
There is a third one, which we may have a song on as well!
Is that an exclusive to us or have you told others that?
No, I haven’t. That’s an exclusive!
Thank you!
…but I don’t know if that’s gonna happen. I think 1 was better but 2 was funny – they both had their moments.
What’s the best thing you’ve heard this year?
My favourite record right now is The Movielife’s 48 Hour Train Back To Penn. I love that album.
Sebastien from Simple Plan wants to know why you all have girls’ names (apart from Brian).
Ha ha!  I know it’s true, we do. We’re girlie men.
Do you think Chad Kroeger is ugly?
I’m not prepared to comment on Chad Kroeger’s physical appearance.
What do you have in your pocket right now?
I have a cell phone, my wallet and an asthma inhaler.
What are the other guys in the band like?
Brian’s quiet, Drew is kind of like me and Jamie is kind of like a stoner!
I’ve mentioned today’s interview to you to several people (including Simple Plan) and they all say “He’s very good looking!”. What do you think about that?
Really? I don’t know.  I’ve never fancied myself! I think I am kind of a weird looking dude, myself. Er……er…..(seems lost for words) I don’t even know what to say!  That’s very nice of them.
Have you had underwear thrown at you?
We do, yeah! 
You don’t wear them, do you?
(starts to laugh) No, we don’t wear them.
What do you think of guys who like to wear women’s underwear?
Whatever gets them off. It’s not my thing – I’m a boxers man.
Was it a tough decision to go ahead with the UK tour (considering the present state of international affairs)?
We’re not worried about it. What are you going to do – live your life in fear? That doesn’t mean we’re ignoring what’s going on; we’re very tuned into it. It’s unfortunate but you have to get on with your life. You can’t sit at home and watch CNN all the time.

The Art of Losing  American Hi-Fi

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Photos: Afsheen Shaikh