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The Paper Chase Interview

Coming from good ole' Dallas, Texas, the Paper Chase have just released their great new record God Bless You Black Heart on KRS. Headman John Congleton gave some time to answer a handful of questions from us. Somehow we forgot to ask the bonus, but maybe it's past due anyway. Read below to see where the meanest city is according to John.

How does you latest record on KRS God Bless Your Black Heart differ substantively from previous endeavors?

I really think it's up to the listener to determine that. It means different things to me but not really anything I can put into words or anything.

What would you say to someone to convince them that they should care about the music of the Paper Chase?

Some people just don't get it...that's ok, I don't "get" Nickleback or Hoobastank. Some people like their emotion controlled and contrived to fit until some pop culture idea of this is what pain is. You can hurt this much but not that much...you can say this but you can really "say" this.

How does the Paper Chase write their songs? For instance, is it pure collaboration or do people come in with their "own" songs for the band?

I write everything and bring it in. For example on this last album I demo'd most everything with a drum machine at home and burned cds and gave them to the guys and then we gathered together as a band and saw how they felt.

What is your favorite vinyl coloring (e.g., blue marble swirl, etc)? Has the Paper Chase entered the color vinyl world at all with releases?

No, colored vinyl just hurts the actual sound of the record. Sure it looks cool but it doesn't look cool enough. But if I was to pick one I would probably do blood red.

Is Ralph Nader hurting or helping America right now?

Ralph Nader's existence is always helping America...all the way back to when he wrote unsafe at any speed. I mean he basically is the father of modern safety requirements in automobiles! That being said I think the only thing that matters right now is getting Bush out of fucking office and the Green party knows it that's way they 86'd Nader. It would take the re-animated corpse of Stalin running opposed to get me to vote for Bush right now.

What artist(s) are you most interested in snaring into a tour?

Our tour with Xiu Xiu a year ago fell apart so it would be cool to do that for real.

What is your favorite theme song?

Different strokes, it's actually my ringer on my cell phone.

Generally, what city is the craziest to the play - due to crowd, random shit, etc.?

The crowds in Texas are usually pretty over the top. But the worst and meanest town is usually Philly. The kids are cool but what a bunch of assholes in that town. What is it with that place?

Do any of the members have side projects?

Yeah actually Weaver is in a country type project band. And you're gonna think this is really lame, but Kirkpatrick is in a Nick Cave cover band. Dalton is doing some solo stuff and I am constantly writing for other people and whatnot.

What are the short term plans for the Paper Chase?

We have the rest of the touring planed out for this year. Europe, Midwest and the west coast. I'm working on a new piece of music for the band. I guess that's about it. Oh yeah, world domination.