Scott – We’ll let Tim handle this one
Tim – I think it has gotten progressively worse. It used to belike family where you would see the same kids at the shows. There was a core group of bands that you would go see every weekend. There was always a good show to go to. Now it seems like there is no family and not as many good bands anymore.
5. What would you be doing if Allister were no more?
Chris – Playing in my old band August Premier
Scott – Working at Hardees
Dave – Go back to School
Tim – Play in another band or use my degree in radio and TV somewhere.
6. Have your lineup changes over the past few years affected you at all?
Tim – It has but in a really good way. All the new guys have fit in really well
7. Has the breakup of Fenix TX affected you guys at all?
Scott – No not really
Tim – It sucks because they were one of the first Drive Thru bands with us
8. In your opinion which Chicago band will be the next to break out?
Tim – August Premier or Fallout Boy
9. What is your definition of a sellout?
Dave – No such thing. I think it’s just something that people say to bands for the sake of saying it.
Scott – Well I agree, but I guess if you claim to be one thing and then because of money your interests change that would be what one is. It is a term used way to freely.
10. What was the first punk rock song you ever heard?
Scott – Holiday in Cambodia by the Dead Kennedy’s
Tim/Chris – No idea
Dave – Pet Cemetery by the Ramones
11. You were one of the first bands on Drive Thru, how has it affected you guys as the label continues to blow up?
Tim – It has but only by recognition for the label. Not necessarily our music. People hear of New Found Glory or Finch and then they look into all the bands on the label.
Laura -What do you guys think of downloading
Dave – It’s Great
Scott – People who wouldn’t spend the money on our CD’s now have them and so they come out to our shows.
12.What approach was taken into the studio on “Last Stop Suburbia” which seemed to give it the pop edge that “Dead Ends” was missing?
Tim – On Dead Ends we were 18/19 years old and had no real idea what we were doing. We were just excited that someone wanted to record our songs. On Last Stop Suburbia we grew up and realized there has to be more structure to the songs, and they have to have some type of arrangement. What was cool is that we went in with the songs ready to go and didn’t change things in the studio.
Laura – Did you get to pick your producer?
Tim – Drive Thru gave us a list and we picked from that.
13. The new album seems lyrically more mature, why so?
Tim – We’re four years older and have been through more things.
14. This past summer you played the Warped Tour, how has this changed the band?
Dave – It was a good tour but it didn’t change things.
Scott – We are all alcoholics now
Tim – I think we set a record for 65 straight days of being intoxicated. We got to meet bands and stuff that we looked up to like NOFX and Alkaline Trio.
15. Is an album or live show more important to the success of Allister?
Tim – Definitely a live show. Anyone can make a halfway decent album.
16.Is there a mainstream push planned for you guys?
Tim – I don’t think so
Scott – There are pros and cons to both sides of that.
17. What CD is currently spinning in your CD player?
Chris – Use Your Illusion I by GNR
Scott – Aimee Mann
Tim – Dillinger 4
Dave – Saves the Day “Stay What You Are
18. What is it like to have a kid tell you that they started their band because of you guys?
Tim – It’s pretty fucking cool, but weird cause we remember what it was like when we were 16. We really don’t think we are cool so it is weird to us.
Laura – Who do you hang out with after the shows when you tour?
Tim – We have made friends in different cities over the past few years so we have friends to hang out with.
19. What ever happened to the Chicago based band the Humdingers?
Scott – Well the original guitarist left the band, and we continued, but then when I got the opportunity to play in Allister I quit. They didn’t want to keep going after the guitarist and I quit the band.
20. What can we expect from the next year from Allister on the many tours that are already scheduled?
Tim – More insanity and drunken nights
