LUCE is the exact opposite. Even though I was interviewing Tom, the lead singer, all of the guys kept pitching in their thoughts as the band traveled in their van to St. Louis. These guys are friends, and that’s part of the reason why the chemistry is so thick and they are continuing their voyage to the top.
Now, all they need in another break – like a big record deal. I support these guys, you should too! Check out their Web site and get to Martyr’s on Sept. 29 – as it will be a kickin’ good time! Word.
What’s up Tom?
Hey Nick. Sorry we haven’t been able to connect. I have service for like 30 minutes at a time and then it’s gone. We have been on the road, so it’s been tough to get through on my cell phone.
No worries man.
Cool.
So, where are you guys right now?
We are on our way to St. Louis for another leg of the tour. It’s been going really well. The crowds continue to get bigger and we can tell that more and more people are catching on to our music.
That’s great, man. That’s exactly what bands have to do on the road – grow. Especially when you aren’t attached to a major label.
Exactly.
So, have you had any crazy fan experiences?
Fan experience?
Yeah, like run-ins with crazy fans.
(Laughs) Oh. Um, well I guess it’s pretty crazy when we meet some fans at a show and then see them at our next five shows (laughs). That has happened a few times. I don’t know how they keep up though. One night we will be in New Jersey and the next we will be in St. Louis.
Crazy fans are good fans.
Exactly. But I have no idea how they move with us so quickly. We start driving to the next venue like immediately after a show.
Dedication my friend.
(Laughs)
What do you guys do for fun on the road?
Hmm. (Speaks to other guys) What do we do for fun on the road? (Pauses) Whiffle ball. We are always playing whiffle ball.
That’s pretty sweet, dude. So, who’s the best?
(Asks the other guys) He wants to know who’s the best?
Steve Bowman, our drummer, is probably the best. But, Larry Riggs, our bassist is pretty good, too.
Come on man, have an ego. If you are going to name your band after yourself, then step it up and take credit as the best whiffle ball player.
(Laughs) I’m not too bad.
Hey, if you are going to make it big, you have to say I’m the (bleep).
(Laughs) We are all pretty good. It’s a great way to relax before our set.
So, who would win, LUCE or Snoop Dogg?
(Laughs) (Asks guys) Who would win, us or Snoop? (Laughs) We would probably win cause Snoop would be high.
(Laughs) Yeah, but Snoop has a phat posse.
(Laughs) That is definitely true.
So, what’s the next step for you guys?
Hmm.
I know that’s kind of a loaded question, but you guys are good and I would love to see your music painted all over the radio airwaves.
(Laughs) Well, I guess we are looking to get signing by a major label now. We were on a small label for the first album, and I think the bigger labels stayed away from us because we were already signed. We were independent on our second album, so, I figured that would help give us the opportunity to get signed.
That sounds right.
Yeah, but I think we are talented enough to be signed. And that’s what we need. We need a record label to invest in us and spend some good money on marketing us. If we had the marketing we could be picked up well. We just need a record company to invest in us.
I hear ya, man. That’s one of the toughest parts of the game. You may have the talent, but you need others to pickup on you. Unfortunately it’s not in your hands.
Exactly. But, we are continuing to show that we work well as a band and that we are growing. I think it’s key for a record company to see that we can do it on our own.
Well, man, I support you. I am pushing for you to be picked up. You have my support in Chicago.
Thanks man. We appreciate it.
Tom, I have a major burning question for you.
What’s that?
You need to prepare yourself for this one. Are you ready?
Yeah, man. Let’s hear it.
(Laughs) How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
(Laughs) What a burning question. (Asks guys) Hey, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? Three. But, they have to be circular. Like a circular motion.
(Laughs) That’s probably the best answer I have ever received.
Really?
(Laughs) No, but I give you points for trying.
(Laughs)
OK, I am going for a record now. I am going to ask you two questions in a row that you have never been asked before in an interview.
OK.
If you were a white rapper, what would your name be?
(Laughs)
You haven’t been asked that before have you?
(Laughs) Nope, you got me.
So, you will forever remember this interview.
Definitely.
OK, now answer the question (laughs).
Hmm. Um. Um. Um. (Bleep) I don’t know. That’s tough. (Asks guys) Hey, if I were a white rapper, what would my name be? (Laughs) (Bleep) I have no idea. Um. Nick. (Laughs).
Looks like you are stumbling a little.
I am.
Well, we will leave it at that. The next time we chat, when you are major famous, I want you to have that answer for me.
I can do that. If you do another interview with us, I will have that answered for you.
Deal. And I want you to come up with a name for your posse. We are going to make you cool Tom.
(Laughs) Thanks Nick.
• Nick Powills can be reached at SayWhatPOWILLS@aol.com.
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