First of all for those people who have not heard of Small Brown Bike what is
the basic history of the band? (If you could also introduce yourselves and
tell us the basic age of the group? and the releases that maybe I wouldn't
have heard of i.e. splits / comps - unless there are too many to name lol)

Mike: 26, Vocals and guitar, Ben: 23, Bass and vocals, Trav: 27, Guitar and
vocals, Jeff: 24, Drums....We have all been friends for a really long time.
So that is how it all started. Then we each began to learn how to play some
instruments in high school and things started to work out. The first Small
Brown Bike show was in the fall of 1996. Trav left the band for a year and
our friend, Scott, took on the role of second guitar. Trav returned in 2001
and our drummer, Dan, left for a full-time job. That is when Jeff became our
full-time drummer.

Our discography looks like this:
'No Place Like You' 7" (Salinger Press, October 1997)
'(And Don't Forget Me)' 7" (Salinger Press, September 1998)
'Collection' CD/LP (Atarms Mechanics, July 1999)
'Our Own Wars' CD/LP (No Idea Records, July 1999)
'Dead Reckoning' CD/LP (No Idea Records / March 2001)
Split 7" w/ Cursive (Makoto Recordings / October 2001)
'Collaboration' w/ The Casket Lottery (Second Nature Recorings / October
2002)

On time off from touring and the studio (if there is such a thing for full
time bands) what are your interests?
Are any of you studying at college or hold down day jobs (I'm assuming the
band is full time though?)

We all do different stuff when we are home to make some extra cash. Ben does
photography, Trav does construction, Jeff works at his dad's knife shop and
I subsitute teach when I can. It's tough because we tour a lot, but not
enough to really make a living off of the band. I finished college a few
years ago, so I guess I have that going, but who know's if I'll use my
degree.

I suppose I've got to be the fool and ask do any of you guys BMX? Or own a
Small Brown Bike? If not where did the name originate?

Back in middle school we used to hang out, play video games, and work on
bikes in the summer. One bike we built was called 'Poop'. It was a little
pink Barbie bike that we painted brown and added some modifications. So
that's where it came from. Instead of Poop, we went with Small Brown Bike.
None of us really ride BMX these days. Jeff tried to jump a gap when we were
in Kansas City recording once, but he ended up with a mouth full of dirt.

What sort of bands influenced you guys as musicians?

We all listen to tons of different stuff. We all are inspired by bands or
artists who really do their own thing. It's fun to go see our friend's bands
play too. When you have that personal connection, it just makes the music
that much better.

How did your local music scene enable you to do what you are doing now? Were
there any local acts at the time of the band's inception, which either
helped you out or pointed you in the right direction? or did you do
everything off of your own backs? (i.e. organise your own tours)

In Marshall, where we grew up, there was a pretty cool little DIY scene that
started when we were in high school. This one kid started renting the local
hall and having shows for local bands there. We had been messing around with
playing music before that, but that really kicked us into playing shows.
Eventually, bigger bands like Good Riddance, 88 Fingers Louie and The
Bollweevils were stopping in this little town in the middle of Michigan to
play to 100 kids. It really started our love for the whole thing. We started
booking shows out-of-town and eventually booking our own tours. I would
definitely say that growing up in Marshall had a big part of why we are here
today. One specific band who really blew our minds was called Grumpy John.
They never released anything, but they were amazing.

Did you guys find it difficult to get yourselves noticed? & In the early
days how would you go about promoting the band?

We would just play shows as much as possible. We put out our own demo tape
and sold them at shows. No Idea noticed us when we put out our first 7" and
that is where things really started to pick up.

From that what advice would you give to younger inexperienced bands /
musicians about moving forwards?

I would just say to do your own thing and have fun doing it. It's easy to
get caught up in what is hot at the moment, but that's OK as long as you are
happy and having fun. Once you are comfortable playing shows and writing
songs, things tend to just pop up. Playing as many shows as you can helps
because it just spreads your songs out to more people and you never know who
could be at the show.

What sort of effect has Small Brown Bike had on your lives? - What does it
mean to you to be able tour and release records?

It's had an amazing effect on all of our lives. We have been touring a good
amount for the last three years. It's really hard to describe it. I don't
know where I would be without the band.

How did the split CD/10 (on Second Nature Records) come about with The
Casket Lottery (did you know the guys in the band already?)

We met The Casket Lottery back in 2000. We were just fans of each other's
bands and we hooked up for some shows. Everything just kind of grew from
there. We talked about doing a split from the beginning. Two years later,
the thing finally surfaced.

How did you find working together? It isn't like a normal split where two
bands come together with separate songs, both bands worked together as one
unit, is that right?

Yup, we sent tapes back and forth with ideas to each other. We worked on
songs when we would cross paths on tour. I remember the night that Nathan
added vocals to "Wrong Hometown". He called me from the the actual room
where he recorded the vocals and played it for me over the headphones. It
was a fun project to be a part of. It was fun to go into something with no
expectations and just do it. In the studio, we were still coming up with
ideas.

Is the recording of the new album going well? What is it going to be called?

We haven't started recording the new album quite yet, but we have put a lot
of work into the new songs. There are still things that we are adding and
messing around with. I'm excited to finally get into the studio and put it
to tape. I think that there is going to be more experimentation going on
with this record. I think that everyone has been throwing around names in
their head, but we haven't gotten that far with it.

How would you say the music is progressing? And in what direction do you see
it heading?

It's hard to say exactly what we will end up with. You have to remember that
it has been two and a half years since we recorded "Dead Reckoning" and some
of the songs on "Our Own Wars" were written almost seven years ago! No one
can say that they stay the same over that amount of time. Not to mention the
fact that we have a new drummer and our old guitar player has returned to
the band. I think that you are still going to have the power and big rock
sound, but there is going to be more dynamics in it. Probably some slower
stuff too.

When was the last time an event really affected your life/ lives? Why did
this have an affect you?

As funny as it sounds, it was probably raising six puppies for the last six
weeks. A friend of mine had an unexpected litter of puppies and my
girlfriend and I took them in. I don't think we knew what we were getting
into. They would wake us up at all hours of the night, crying, pooping, but
they were fun. It was pretty insane at times. I think that it just made me
see how hard it would be to have a family. It's still something that I want
to do...moral of the story...respect your parents! Ha...

If you had to try and define the music you guys create what genre would you
put it down as? Have you ever had any absurd comparisons to bands that have
nothing to do with your music?

We get called a lot of things. I never really care about it. I think of us
as rock music. That's about as far as I go with it. I don't want people to
expect a certain sound out of us. It's just more fun that way. When I grew
up, I listened to classic rock. We got into punk rock in middle school, but
it never really mattered what we called it.

How would you describe a Small Brown Bike show?

It can go both ways. We have opened for a lot of bands on tour this year, so
we have fans at the show, but a lot of the time it's just people checking us
out. When we play are own shows, it's fun because people are there who know
the songs and are there to enjoy it. It only gets really crazy every once in
a while.

What is the most enjoyable part of being in the band?

I just really like writing and playing music. We have been on the road so
much lately that I have missed just setting up in the garage and working on
new songs. At this point, I just want to keep working on music at home, but
I'm sure that I will be ready for the road eventually.

What sort of bands have you shared the stage with and out of those bands who
most impressed you? (As musicians and people)

We have played with a lot of bands who we have really become good friends
with. That's one of the best things about doing this. Some that come to mind
are Cursive, Hot Water Music, The Casket Lottery, Sparta, Cave In, Engine
Down and tons more.

What sort of people do you meet on tour? Have you had any weird/ strange
experiences or negative things to happen to you guys at a show?

We generally have a good time on tour. There are times when I may stay
behind the scenes because I'm feeling overwhelmed or down, but most of the
time we like to hang out at the merch and watch bands. I don't want to be
some unapproachable rock guy. We have made a lot of good friends all over
the country through touring. I remember the first time that we ever played
in Boston, some kids made a cake for us and gave it to us when we took the
stage. That kind of stuff is just makes it all worth it.

When the band first started could you envisage its present form today? How
does this make you feel?

We have always just done what feels right. We never really started the band
with one goal in mind. It's just progressed along nicely and I couldn't be
more happy about that. It makes me feel super lucky to be a part of it.

Are any of the members of the group straightedge (vegan/vegetarian), if not
where do you guys stand on the subject?

We are all pretty mellow/modest guys. Some of us drink, some of us
don't...some of us east less meat than the others might. None of us see
those things as good ways to judge anyone. What someone eats or drinks
doesn't matter much to me.

What is your opinion of Religion generally? From that do you believe in a
God or higher power?

Religion has done good and bad to our society. I think that if someone is
comfortable with their beliefs, than that's cool...as long as they aren't
prejudging or trying to push it on others.

Do you see religion as positive or negative for young people?

Again, I think that as long as you aren't infringing on others rights,
whatever gets you out of bed in the morning is good...music, love, religion,
fishing, whatever.

If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?

I need a haircut.

On tour what sorts of things do you do to keep sane? How would you describe
touring to someone who has no experience of what it like?

I usually go back and forth between my laptop and a book. It can be pretty
mind-numbing driving for hours to the next show, but it's good to have your
best friends with you. There is definitely times where all I want to do is
be alone, but I can't complain.

Are there any places you always look forward to playing because of previous
great receptions?

We have had good shows in Chicago, Boston, New York, Philly, Austin, San
Francsisco, San Diego, Toronto, Gainesville and there's more. It kind of
changes over the years too.

Are there any country's you would like to play in that you have not yet had
the opportunity?

There are lots. We have only played in the States and Canada. We have had
people all over Europe write to us. Plus people from Iceland, Mexico,
Brazil, Australia...

What have been your favourite memories of playing in the band to this date?

We have played a few shows in the past that have just completely made me
mushy. Michigan Fest 2001 and our CD release show for Dead Reckoning were
two of them. It was just a combination of our friends and family being there
and getting to play our songs.

What do you look forward to in the future?

We are all really excited to record the new record and put it out. It's been
too long.

Do you have anything you want to say which maybe I have not covered but you
feel important about the way the music scene is at the moment? People's
attitudes towards new bands springing up? Or anything generally?

I think that's about it. Thanks for being interested in what we have to say.
Thanks for the patience too! Take care...

www.smallbrownbike.com

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