How did we get here?: Hank.

I briefly interviewed Hank. after their band practice and my late night raspberry bar-run. On the phone, we talked about random things like music and touring, and about more important things like… Halloween.Catch Hank. from 10:15-10:45 at the Independent Media Center on Friday, Sept. 27 for Pygmalion Fest! Michelle Patino: Hi everyone! Thanks for giving me some of your time for this interview. I’ll be asking just a few questions. My first question is: Do you have any tours in the works right now?Various speakers behind the telephone:  Yes, yes, actually we are going to check that out after this phone call! So perhaps there is something in the works…MP: Neat!  Speaking of touring, if you could tour with any band in the world, with whom would you tour? Realistically and unrealistically.Nelson: Realistically? Narwhal. They’re just really cool dudes, you know? And unrealistically…. Tears for Fears…Ryan: I’m gonna say Pisces at the Animal Fair and unrealistically, I think I’d tour with American Analog Set.Ted: Realistically, I’m going to pick Animal Fair too…MP: Yes, that is a popular choice this evening!Ted: And unrealistically, Enemy.MP: Great so—Various speakers emanating from telephone: Who would YOU tour with?!MP: Um… wow… I was not expecting this…  unrealistically… can I say Rod Stewart? Is that cool? Could I keep my cool person reputation if I said Rod Stewart??Various voices: Ah… ohh.. ok yes.MP: Realistically… can I tour with Hank. the band? Would that be ok?Various speakers: Yes! Let’s fucking do it! Yeah!MP: I’m not talented, so I’ll play the triangle. Oh my god. This is going to be awesome.  (Laughs) Anyway, onwards with the questions. You recently released Pinched. It was awesome. How long did it take to make? What was the best part of the process?Unidentified speaker: It took us four days to record… and like… a year to write. Honestly, being done with the record was the best part. The best parts were…  learning all the little bits of the songs. And listening to what everyone had to contribute. It was awesome to see how we all worked together through it… to see the synergy of it all.MP: What are your favorite songs from Pinched.?Ted: I think that Keanus Becomes the Reeves is my favorite because it has the most meaningful lyrics. It also has a really hectic ending which I think brings it all together.Darwin: I like Watercolor. I just had a lot of fun playing it.Nelson: Judging Giraffe Always Looks Down! I really like that one.Ryan: Um, That’s a Fact. It goes from really loud to really quiet. It has this… crushing, heavy ending. And a big bass. And beautiful but heavy chords.MP: Awesome. Yeah, it’s a great song. And so, I have one more question, but it is the most important question of this interview: will you be dressing up for Halloween, and if so, as what or whom?Darwin: Yes, absolutely. I’m going to be a drunken unicorn. And by that I mean I’m going to put a unicorn horn on my head and walk around drunk. You know, a couple years ago I was a drunken vampire. Basically, I carried around wine and pretended it was blood. It was so awesome.Nelson: Um… a cat.Various speakers: Did you know Nelson is actually a cat? He is a cat. He is dressing up as a boy for Halloween.Ryan: I’m going to go as… Dave Grohl. Have you ever seen him? In real life? IRL??MP: Oh my god. That’s amazing. Sadly, I’ve only seen him on the Internet. Not IRL. Let me ask you something else: are you really Dave Grohl, and are you only pretending to be in Hank.?Ryan: Yes, I am actually Dave Grohl.Ted: I’m going to be… a satyr.MP: I… what… how…Ted: My mom makes costumes at the Krannert! I’m going to ask her to make me a costume with like… elf ears and a crown of leaves. And I want a gourd to drink from.. yes.MP: That’s… amazing.Various speakers: What will you be for Halloween?MP: Wow… I’m not really sure yet. I’ve been contemplating many things.Various: What’s been cookin’ up in that head of yours?MP: (Laughs) Well, I was leaning towards… something that is not usually a Halloween costume… perhaps something inanimate. I’m not sure. Something weird.Various: So.. like a spatula?MP: Actually, oh my god. Yes. Exactly like a spatula. I’m actually going to be a spatula for Halloween.  Well guys, thanks so much for your time. I had a lot of fun. Good luck at Pygmalion. You guys are going to rock the house.