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If you stand in front of a speaker during a Paper Route show, your internal organs might literally begin to shake. We know from first-hand experience.
It sounds a little scary, but it's well worth trying.
While the Nashville band's debut album, "Absence," is a smooth, easy listen, the group's live shows are a little more intense. A lot of music lovers in Columbus probably already know this, as the band seemingly comes back here every month. This is the group's fifth show in town since November, and we lost count going back any longer than that.
For many fans, seeing the group once is enough to get you hooked. This might be lofty praise, but we think they combine the accesibility of Coldplay with the more electronic, layered sound of Radiohead.
On Thursday, July 9, Paper Route is co-headlining a show at The Basement with Audrye Sessions, a four-piece band from California that was here in April as part of CD101 Day at the LC Pavilion.
Before making the trip here, Paper Route singer Chad Howat traded e-mails with Metromix to discuss the violent nature of our city, smelling like poop, and Britney's best track.
By our count, you guys have been to Columbus five times since November. This is almost like your second home. Tell us three things you know about Columbus that most bands might not know.
1. Columbus is more violent than one would think (we had to stop a song and throw a guy out of a show here because he was punching people).
2. Columbus is much colder than we thought it would be. Fortunately it is July, so hopefully frostbite won't be an issue this time around.
3. The Basement is one of the coolest clubs in the country, although most bands probably know that.
Your band name reminds us of that old Nintendo game “Paper Boy.” We’re assuming that’s not on purpose. Or maybe it is. What’s your favorite old-school video game, and why?
There are four of us in the band, so you will get four different answers. Mine, however, is a tie between “Super Mario Bros. 3” and “Mike Tyson's Punch-Out.” I've beaten them both, thank you very much.
Speaking of the band name, we understand you guys all had paper routes when you were younger. Among all the band members, who was the best at delivering papers?
JT was. Andy was a close second.
What’s the worst job anyone in the group had while growing up?
I shoveled manure for a couple days, although I [also] worked at a movie theater where I had to wear a bowtie for a whopping $4.90 an hour. I smelled like poop and popcorn, respectively.
What’s your favorite thing to do in order to pass time while you’re on the road driving from town to town?
Reading, playing with our iPhones, taking pictures, going to Cracker Barrel ... honestly, we brainstorm a lot about how to improve our live show. We have notepads of ideas, possible set lists, lighting ideas, etc.
You don’t have to name a city, but what’s the worst concert experience you’ve had in the past year?
The worst experience on the road was when half our band got food poisoning in New York. I was fortunate enough not to be in that half, but I did take them to the hospital in New Jersey. Then we took our tour manager to the hospital in Cleveland.
What’s your best concert experience in the last year?
That’s a tough one. There have been a lot of highlights, but my favorite show we've played had to be at the Metropolis in Montreal. The city is beautiful, and the crowd was amazing. Also, our CD release show in Nashville was really special. A lot of friends and family came out for that one, so it meant a lot.
We're big fans of your live shows. You guys really put on a loud concert, which we wouldn’t expect listing to your studio work, which is a little more laid-back and mellow. Is that by design, or is it just hard to capture that live sound on a studio album?
It is difficult to capture that live energy on a record. I think it's because there are no fans there, honestly. And second, I think we do kick songs up a notch live because we want to keep people’s attention. We are actually starting to do the opposite now, though, and
take songs from our album that are normally upbeat and strip them down.
You guys aren’t on the celebrity level of U2 or Radiohead yet, but you’re legit rock stars. Do you run into a lot of groupies, or is that a little down the road?
I don't know what makes a rock star "legit", but we have a few groupies, yes. I like to think our "groupies" are the intellectual kind, though, not the bar flys rocking leather pants. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Speaking of U2 and Radiohead, who do you like better—Bono or Thom Yorke?
Thom Yorke makes art, and Bono makes a difference. We need both, but most of us in the band would say Thom Yorke.
How about The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones?
As much as I love the Stones, The Beatles just can't be topped in my opinion. “Abbey Road” is my favorite.
Britney Spears vs. Christina Aguilera?
Ummm ...Christina's got a better voice, Britney's got better dance moves. I'll say Britney, but only because the track on "Toxic" is pretty insane.
Who’s the best music act out there right now?
Pound for pound, I'd say Radiohead.
Finally, give fans a reason to check out your next concert in Columbus, and you’re not allowed to say anything generic like “we put on a good live show.”
We are pulling out all the stops and are trying a lot of new things live, some of which may work and some of which may fail miserably--so you know it's going to be entertaining regardless. This is our first headlining tour, and we have worked really hard preparing for this tour and this show specifically. Oh, and I am planning on doing some magic tricks at the merch table afterwards. Yes, I'm serious. You WILL get your money's worth.
What other people are saying...
SquirrelLover from Grandview - July 06, 2009 at 11:27 AM
This band is great. I've seen them several times at the Basement and I'm always entertained. Be sure to check them out!
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