Brooklyn's Nick Chiericozzi, Chris Hansell, and Mark Perro formed scuzzy post-punk group the Men in 2008. Before recruiting drummer Rich Samis, they self-released the albums We Are the Men and Immaculada, as well as a few tapes. The band recorded in Python Patrol studio for their Sacred Bones debut, Leave Home, which was released in 2011. They returned the following March with Open Your Heart, expanding their musical palette to meld country, psych, and surf influences with their blistering rock. Their fourth album, New Moon, arrived in 2013. (www.allmusic.com)
You've been together since 2008. Intruduce yourself to our readers?
We Are the Men. We're a rock and roll from New York City. There's 5 of us - Me, Nick, Rich, Kevin, and Ben.
Your new record "New Moon" is out on Sacred Bones. Are there any main differences from other records?
I think its a natural progression - maybe some different instrumentation. Theres more acoustic guitars, mandolins, pianos, harmonicas, things like that, but we are the same band.
On your web page you have cover of Neil Young's "Chrome Dreams", and I hear lot of Neil Young in your songs. What are your main influences?
We are influenced by everything. Neil Young definitely, Black Flag, MC5, the Stooges, Etta James, I don't know. Too many to mention.
After Neil Young, we can see Dolly Parton. What do you like the most about her?
Her attitude.
On your album "Leave Home" you have song "()", and Sigur Ros named their whole album "()". Are there any connections between?
No no connections at all. Not familiar with that band.
Do you listen to other bands from Sacred Bones. Can you recommend some to us?
Moon Duo and Destruction Unit are my two favorites.
What do you listen when you're at home, on tour, right now…?
Right now I'm listening to Funkadelic - Standing on the verge of getting it on.
Now we have facebook, twitter, last fm… and other social networks? What is your opinion on services like that?
Don't use any of em, have no opinion.
Which do you prefer - vinyl, cd, mp3?
Vinyl
Tell me something I would never guess about you?
i quit smoking a month ago
Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?
Really looking forward to the show!
pedja // 18/03/2013