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Jen vs. We The Kings.
The first time we talked to the guys in We The Kings, I had only listened to two of their songs…the night before. I knew who they were because of our good friend Travis, but I hadn’t actually listened to them. I hate myself for it. Before even seeing their set I told Natty that we NEED to talk to them again and I would really like to do it. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met and I can honestly say I love their music. They have become a regular on my playlist and Manda and I have even scared some fellow subway riders as we sang and danced to 'Check Yes' on our way home from the mall!
I really wish I had more to say in this blurb because We The Kings are one of my favorite bands, but I am lacking in the idea section. All I can say is they are such nice guys, amazing musicians and I can not wait for the next album!
"If I were in charge of the music industry I would get every band ever to play on the moon." - Hunter Thomsen. We The Kings.
For our readers who don't know who you are, could you please introduce yourself, again and what you do for the band?
Travis: My name is Hunter and I play guitar and sing for We The Kings.
Danny: My name is Travis I play drums.
Hunter: My name is Danny and I play Bass.
(Laughs)
Danny: That’s not right at all!
Travis: My name is Travis and I sing and play guitar for We The Kings.
Danny: My name’s Danny and I play drums.
Hunter: My name is Hunter and I play guitar.
Danny: My name is Travis I play drums.
Hunter: My name is Danny and I play Bass.
(Laughs)
Danny: That’s not right at all!
Travis: My name is Travis and I sing and play guitar for We The Kings.
Danny: My name’s Danny and I play drums.
Hunter: My name is Hunter and I play guitar.
Last time we spoke you mentioned that you have been writing new songs for your second album…
Travis: Yes! (Throwing his arms up)
Are you excited about that?
Travis: Yeah. We just sent twenty songs to the label, to the management to see if they like any of them. See if any of them catch. They’re awesome. They’re like well worked songs. They’re good.
That’s awesome! How do you feel the albums differ? Do you feel like your music has evolved?
Travis: Yeah they are completely different. People are going to hate them.
Oh…?
Hunter: Oh well!
(Laughs)
Danny: He’s lying!
Travis: We wrote the songs throughout the last year and a half so you can see some changes and stuff, but we’re still the same kids. We’re still writing about the same stuff and we still like writing happy up-lifting stuff. We still like writing fast, loud music. So it’s all the same in that sense. I would say some of the songs differ because I love playing piano, so some of the songs have a little of that.
(Laughs)
Danny: He’s lying!
Travis: We wrote the songs throughout the last year and a half so you can see some changes and stuff, but we’re still the same kids. We’re still writing about the same stuff and we still like writing happy up-lifting stuff. We still like writing fast, loud music. So it’s all the same in that sense. I would say some of the songs differ because I love playing piano, so some of the songs have a little of that.
Awesome! I love piano. I play too!
Travis: I wanna have a big piano on stage too.
Big grand piano?
Travis: Twice that size. Yeah and have Hunter stand on it!
Hunter: Yeah you’d be like… ?
Travis: Yeah for real!
(Laughs)
Travis: I wanna be like (runs his fingers over imaginary keys)
Hunter: Yeah you’d be like… ?
Travis: Yeah for real!
(Laughs)
Travis: I wanna be like (runs his fingers over imaginary keys)
When writing your songs, do you prefer to be completely prepared when going into the studio? Or going in with ideas in mind and just making a song as you go?
Travis: We like to be as prepared as possible and then kind of like go off on…
[Jen’s note: At this point VersaEmerge started their sound check directly behind us. We then tried the question again, but neither Travis nor myself could remember what the question was. Because I am a fantastic journalist.]
Travis: I think being the A.D.D kids we are, we like to have things as worked out as possible, but then when we actually get into the studio we go off on tangents.
[Jen’s note: Versa is getting louder]
If you could rewrite any song you've written, which would it be and why? And if you wouldn't change any of them, again, why?
Travis: That’s a very…I’ve never gotten that question…
Hunter: Yeah. That’s a very good question.
Travis. No, I don’t think we would re-write anything. I mean there are some changes we could make to the record…
Hunter: We could have one song really reggae. One could be really really southern rock. One song like a techno.
Hunter: Yeah. That’s a very good question.
Travis. No, I don’t think we would re-write anything. I mean there are some changes we could make to the record…
Hunter: We could have one song really reggae. One could be really really southern rock. One song like a techno.
Do it!
Travis: Do it!
Hunter: Interesting…
Travis: I think there are obviously things we would change on the record, but I think that just shows progression towards a new like… we gave our best on this first record but like, as we grew as a band and as we started playing more there would be little parts where we’d be like, ‘oh this would have been cool if we did this,’ and we’re gunna be able to do lots on the next record. So I dunno…we’re definitely not out of ideas. But the club thing is awesome! Little techno…
(Hunter starts in with a techno beat)
Hunter: Interesting…
Travis: I think there are obviously things we would change on the record, but I think that just shows progression towards a new like… we gave our best on this first record but like, as we grew as a band and as we started playing more there would be little parts where we’d be like, ‘oh this would have been cool if we did this,’ and we’re gunna be able to do lots on the next record. So I dunno…we’re definitely not out of ideas. But the club thing is awesome! Little techno…
(Hunter starts in with a techno beat)
That needs to be done! Will you please do that?
Travis: Yes!
Thank you! You've done videos for Skyway, Check Yes and now Secret Valentine. What is your favorite thing about making a video?
Danny: The chicks!
(Laughs)
Danny: Sorry.
Travis: I would say working with the directors. Most of the directors are crazy. Like, out of their minds. And it is so fun to work with them because it’s like, you’ll ask them a question and they’ll be looking at you and they won’t be listening, at all! They’ll just be thinking about the next move.
(Laughs)
Danny: Sorry.
Travis: I would say working with the directors. Most of the directors are crazy. Like, out of their minds. And it is so fun to work with them because it’s like, you’ll ask them a question and they’ll be looking at you and they won’t be listening, at all! They’ll just be thinking about the next move.
And I have to add that the ‘ten minutes later’ for Check Yes, Juliet was absolutely hilarious! I made all my friends watch it!
(Laughs)
Travis: We wanna do that for every video that we’ve done. The ten minutes later.
Hunter: For every single one!
Travis: We wanna do that for every video that we’ve done. The ten minutes later.
Hunter: For every single one!
You should! My friend loved your (Danny) reaction, ‘who is that guy?’
(Laughs)
Travis: Yeah that girl…had a lot of facial hair.
Travis: Yeah that girl…had a lot of facial hair.
She definitely looked different.
Travis: Those of you who don’t know should go to iTunes pod-cast and then you’ll know what we’re talking about.
What do you think each member of We the kings brings that's special to the band? What does each of you contribute to the band dynamic?
[Jen’s note: Right as I asked, Versa started playing drums.]
Hunter: I’m sorry I didn’t hear that question. (Laughs)
[As I started to repeat the question Travis pulled his hair behind his ears and kind of pushed his ears forward]
Travis: That really works. If you put your ears out like that, you can really hear.
Can you really?!
Travis: Yeah! Maybe it’s all that hair that’s blocking them.
(Laughs)
Travis: I think Danny brings the comic relief to the band.
(Laughs)
Travis: See exactly! And in very serious moods he can say something and be like, it almost pisses you off because your like, (in an angry voice) ‘I don’t wanna be happy right now. I just wanna be angry!’ (Laughs) but no like, he’s an incredible drummer but apart from that we’ve all been friends forever and so he offers a lot of the…
Danny: humility? Like I’m humiliating? (Sounding all sad)
(Also, Hunter is dying of laughter at this point!)
Travis: No. Not humiliating. Just like…
Danny: That’s cool man. I humiliate the band.
(Laughs…and Hunter is still laughing hysterically)
Travis: I think Hunter brings nothing but rock and roll to our band.
Hunter: That’s right, Trav.
Travis: He’s the biggest rock star in the entire world. When (Laughs) he walks in the room we all get chills like, there’s Hunter.
Hunter: I do have that presence.
Travis: You do! Uh, Drew is very shy and mysterious. There’s this presence about him that you don’t know what he’s thinking at any given moment. And he is very good at disappearing.
Hunter: Very good at disappearing.
Travis: Like you think he will be on stage tonight, but he won’t be!
Danny: He’s really smart too. You can ask him any question about when happened in history and he’ll know it.
Travis: It’s true. And even when he’s wrong he will make you think he was right. That was a really thought out, well-spoken answer…there’s no way that was false. And you’re just like, god he’s the smartest guy ever.
Hunter: Travis definitely brings the most seriousness to the band. Brings us all together. He’s like an adult. He really is. He’s like a grown man.
Danny: Travis is our rock.
(Laughs)
Hunter: He is my boat.
(Laughs)
Travis: I think Danny brings the comic relief to the band.
(Laughs)
Travis: See exactly! And in very serious moods he can say something and be like, it almost pisses you off because your like, (in an angry voice) ‘I don’t wanna be happy right now. I just wanna be angry!’ (Laughs) but no like, he’s an incredible drummer but apart from that we’ve all been friends forever and so he offers a lot of the…
Danny: humility? Like I’m humiliating? (Sounding all sad)
(Also, Hunter is dying of laughter at this point!)
Travis: No. Not humiliating. Just like…
Danny: That’s cool man. I humiliate the band.
(Laughs…and Hunter is still laughing hysterically)
Travis: I think Hunter brings nothing but rock and roll to our band.
Hunter: That’s right, Trav.
Travis: He’s the biggest rock star in the entire world. When (Laughs) he walks in the room we all get chills like, there’s Hunter.
Hunter: I do have that presence.
Travis: You do! Uh, Drew is very shy and mysterious. There’s this presence about him that you don’t know what he’s thinking at any given moment. And he is very good at disappearing.
Hunter: Very good at disappearing.
Travis: Like you think he will be on stage tonight, but he won’t be!
Danny: He’s really smart too. You can ask him any question about when happened in history and he’ll know it.
Travis: It’s true. And even when he’s wrong he will make you think he was right. That was a really thought out, well-spoken answer…there’s no way that was false. And you’re just like, god he’s the smartest guy ever.
Hunter: Travis definitely brings the most seriousness to the band. Brings us all together. He’s like an adult. He really is. He’s like a grown man.
Danny: Travis is our rock.
(Laughs)
Hunter: He is my boat.
He is your what?
Hunter: My Boat.
Oh Okay.
Travis: I help you float.
Hunter: I thought we were just naming objects.
I first thought you said he was your beau.
(Laughs)
Travis: I am the light.
Hunter: Cause you have a lamp shade on your head.
(Laughs)
Travis: And we all love lamps.
Travis: I am the light.
Hunter: Cause you have a lamp shade on your head.
(Laughs)
Travis: And we all love lamps.
If you could play any other instrument for the band what would it be?
Travis: Drums.
Hunter: I would sing, if I could sing well.
Danny: I would sing with Hunter.
Hunter: I would sing, if I could sing well.
Danny: I would sing with Hunter.
Two singers and one drummer. That’s about it? I think one of you guys should play the harp.
(Laughs)
Travis: Harp?
Yes.
Hunter: (Pointing to Travis) You could try that.
Travis: Don’t you have to have a halo and … (Sorry, VersaEmerge got way too loud for me to hear)
(Laughs)
Hunter: You’ve got long hair.
(Laughs)
Travis: Don’t you have to have a halo and … (Sorry, VersaEmerge got way too loud for me to hear)
(Laughs)
Hunter: You’ve got long hair.
(Laughs)
I’m not going to lie, the line up for the SV tour is pretty amazing. What has been your favorite moment so far touring with these bands?
(Huge apology for the way lateness of this interview. We have had a lot going on.)
Travis: Probably last night.
Hunter: Last night. That was pretty amazing.
Travis: Last night was The Maine’s last show and everybody from the tour, when we played Secret Valentine, they all came out on stage and laid down. And it’s like, fifteen people laying on the stage and we were stepping on people. And it was one of those things where it was such a fun tour that people can come out and lay on stage and it’s the funniest thing ever.
Hunter: Last night. That was pretty amazing.
Travis: Last night was The Maine’s last show and everybody from the tour, when we played Secret Valentine, they all came out on stage and laid down. And it’s like, fifteen people laying on the stage and we were stepping on people. And it was one of those things where it was such a fun tour that people can come out and lay on stage and it’s the funniest thing ever.
(Hearing that actually broke my heart a little. I would have given my left kidney and half my liver to be at that show.)
If you were in charge of the music industry, what would be the first change you’d make?
Hunter: I’m really sorry, I didn’t hear that question.
Travis: I hear your mouth moving…
Hunter: Yeah…or see…
Travis: But all I hear is dadadadada (playing air drums)
Travis: I hear your mouth moving…
Hunter: Yeah…or see…
Travis: But all I hear is dadadadada (playing air drums)
Manda: Wait. Did you just say that you can hear her mouth moving?
(Laughs)
Hunter: You’re speaking drums right now.
Hunter: You’re speaking drums right now.
I sing guitar all the time.
Travis: Go! Right now. Try the bass!
(I asked the question again once Versa quieted down a little.)
Travis: I would make, I would put soda machines in all the classrooms.
(Laughs)
Danny: A million dollars.
Travis: I would give everyone a million dollars and find the cure for cancer.
Hunter: If I were in charge of the music industry I would get every band ever to play on the moon.
(Laughs)
Danny: A million dollars.
Travis: I would give everyone a million dollars and find the cure for cancer.
Hunter: If I were in charge of the music industry I would get every band ever to play on the moon.
(We all agreed we would be there!)
Big party on the moon?
Travis: I would make sure sound checks didn’t tap into interviews.
(We all agreed with that one)
So we usually do five random questions…
Hunter: Translate?
Did you just wanna see it?
Hunter: Yeah!
(laughs) (Travis starts singing the guitar) Travis: Okay go! Go!
(laughs) (Travis starts singing the guitar) Travis: Okay go! Go!
Five random questions, are you guys up for them?
All: Yes!
What movie title best describes your life?
Hunter: Pineapple Express.
Travis: Diarrhea Island.
(Laughs)
Danny: The Land Before Time.
(Laughs)
Travis: Diarrhea Island.
(Laughs)
Danny: The Land Before Time.
(Laughs)
Oh! Can I give you a high five please?!
(The Land Before Time is my favorite movie.)
Danny: My life is The Land Before Time. And yes you can!
(Awesome high five!)
Travis: Mine would be The Lion King.
(Laughs)
Hunter: I’m kind of split. Either mine would be Pineapple Express or From Hell.
(Laughs)
Travis: Dark bro…
(Laughs)
Hunter: I’m kind of split. Either mine would be Pineapple Express or From Hell.
(Laughs)
Travis: Dark bro…
Would you be the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker?
Hunter: The Butcher.
Travis: The Baker.
Danny: The candlestick maker sounds like … (flips his wrist)
(Laughs)
Danny: Do you need a candle? (making some hand and arm motions.)
(Not just laughter, hysterical laughter.)
Danny: I can make you a candlestick. No. I would be the butcher too.
(Laughs)
Travis: The Baker.
Danny: The candlestick maker sounds like … (flips his wrist)
(Laughs)
Danny: Do you need a candle? (making some hand and arm motions.)
(Not just laughter, hysterical laughter.)
Danny: I can make you a candlestick. No. I would be the butcher too.
(Laughs)
If you were a scented candle, what would you smell like?
Travis: There are a lot of candle questions.
It’s the last one. I promise.
Travis: I would smell like chocolate and peanut butter. I would smell like a Reeses. Or a snickers.
Hunter: I would smell like orange-pineapple-coconut.
Travis: I would smell like…
Hunter: Like GINGER!!
Hunter: I would smell like orange-pineapple-coconut.
Travis: I would smell like…
Hunter: Like GINGER!!
(We all broke into hystercal laughter because as he yelled that in Travis’ ear, his hair did this flippy thing! It was so funny! We often immitate it.)
Travis: Like ginger! I would smell like Danny.
Danny: Try capturing that in a can.
(Laughs)
Travis: I dunno. Actually I would smell like a rack of ribs.
Danny: Try capturing that in a can.
(Laughs)
Travis: I dunno. Actually I would smell like a rack of ribs.
(Danny started to say something, but Versa got SO loud that we were actually about to go into the bathroom to finish the interview. This was the funniest part because we all felt kind of awkward and they started to jokingly sneak away. Under the table, rolling off the bench and walking behind a coat.)
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of forever what would it be?
(I had to write this one down for them to read because Versa was so loud and I felt horrible for making them wait)
Danny: The question was what meal would you eat for the rest of your life? I would say macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs in it. Because the hot dogs are so gross but the macaroni and cheese is good. No one heard me answer this but that’s okay.
(Actually Danny my dear, you said it right into my voice recorder, so I did!)
Travis: I don’t know what Danny just said. I’m pretty sure the question was about food. I can’t even think.
Hunter: This sounds like Unsolved Mysteries. (He started to dance)
Travis: I thought it(Versas' soundcheck) was over. I would eat carrots. No, steak.
Hunter: This sounds like Unsolved Mysteries. (He started to dance)
Travis: I thought it(Versas' soundcheck) was over. I would eat carrots. No, steak.
(I asked the question again)
Hunter: I would eat cottage cheese and pizza.
Travis: I would eat chips and guacamole.
Travis: I would eat chips and guacamole.
What would your band mascot be, excluding the obvious, which is a king!
Travis: We can’t use that creepy Burger King guy that hides?
Manda: Naw!
Danny: A huge jellyfish!
Hunter: I think our best mascot would be this kid walking around in a green shirt and mutton chops. He would describe us best.
Travis: I like the jellyfish.
Danny: We would just wheel him out in like a giant… and bring him on stage and people would be like, hey is that a jellyfish?!
Travis: Ones that kill. We could dangle it above the crowd and if anybody jumped too high they’d be like, (squirming away) “Ahh!”
Danny: That sounds terrible!
Travis: “You guys rule!” (Thorws his hands up and makes a stinging noise.) “Ahh!”
(Laughs)
Travis: Crowd surfers would get tangled in it and it would suck them up and eat them.
Hunter: … (He mumbles) would be killing people in the crowd. That’d be awesome! It sounds like a death clock episode!
Travis: Then you’d have Nemo, Him and Dori, but Dori gets caught.
Danny: Yeah, that’s our mascot.
Travis: That’s where they met the sea turtles.
Hunter: I think our best mascot would be this kid walking around in a green shirt and mutton chops. He would describe us best.
Travis: I like the jellyfish.
Danny: We would just wheel him out in like a giant… and bring him on stage and people would be like, hey is that a jellyfish?!
Travis: Ones that kill. We could dangle it above the crowd and if anybody jumped too high they’d be like, (squirming away) “Ahh!”
Danny: That sounds terrible!
Travis: “You guys rule!” (Thorws his hands up and makes a stinging noise.) “Ahh!”
(Laughs)
Travis: Crowd surfers would get tangled in it and it would suck them up and eat them.
Hunter: … (He mumbles) would be killing people in the crowd. That’d be awesome! It sounds like a death clock episode!
Travis: Then you’d have Nemo, Him and Dori, but Dori gets caught.
Danny: Yeah, that’s our mascot.
Travis: That’s where they met the sea turtles.
Pardon me?
Travis: Sea turtles.
Manda and Myself: Yes.
Travis: Yah know? Squirt? Fin? Noggin? Duuude.
(Laughs)
(Laughs)
We then got into a conversation about how Canadians say ‘pardon’ over ‘what’ and ‘washroom’ over ‘bathroom’ because Danny pointed out that I said pardon. Then Hunter did the stanky legg and we all laughed.
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