Fall Out Boy (Pete Wentz) - 04.17.06 (Part1)

[Jared Kaufman]

First, I’d just like to thank Pete for allowing me the opportunity to conduct this interview with him. No one forced him to do this and no one suggested he do this; this was entirely his idea. I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to do this with, who I feel to be, one of the most honest, sincere, genuine people in this “scene” / business. This band went from playing YFW Halls to being all over MTV, mainstream radio, award shows and so forth, and they haven’t changed one bit. This is only part of the reason I respect these guys as individuals and, no matter what or how big they get, will always support them.

Q: Now, a lot has changed within the last year. You guys went from being a band only known throughout “the scene” to being all over radio, MTV and mainstream media in general. Do you think that has changed anything inside of you; your mentality, how you function, think, see the world, act and so forth?

A: I think that it would be impossible to not change with so many gigantic changes happening around me. I think that both I and the band do certain things in order to stay grounded. At the same time it is often hard to process the concept that you polarize people to such extremes: i.e. to be simultaneously the most abhorred people in the scene and the most idolized, especially when you see yourself as the same person you always have when you look in the mirror. After all of the dinners and “best new…” trophies and acclaims, there will be a time when no one cares about this band again and we will just still be the best of friends.

Q: Does money and fame blind you at all? Is it possible you’ve involuntarily changed due to all of this?

A: I think this question is hard to answer, because if it has involuntarily changed within me than I think I probably would not be conscious of it and therefore would answer “no” anyway. I, however, do not believe that money or fame blinds me or my band in any way. We make decisions based on what we feel is right for us and for our fan base. There are many things that were very lucrative that we turned down because it was not right for us, but no one ever see those lists printed on the internet anywhere.

Q: Do you regret where the band is today? I mean, I’m sure there are some serious perks that come with being as famous and successful as you are; however, I’m sure you’ve had to sacrifice a lot as well. Would you give it all back if you could?

A: This question is hard to answer as well. I don’t regret where the band is today. but I do regret some of the decisions both the band and I have made. There isn’t a manual on how to act or what to do. I/we made some missteps, hopefully we’ve learned enough to not make them again. Besides the fact that there are many people out there in the industry that would love to take advantage of us, I think that this situation has made me more guarded and on edge when I meet new people. But we always wanted to have a voice at the forefront of music and now we do -- I wouldn’t give that back for the world.

Q: What are some pros about the level of success you’ve reached? What are some of the cons that come along with it?

A: Some pros are that we are able to live and work and not have to worry about where we are going to sleep tomorrow night; we are paid to do what we love. It’s also great because it allows us to be part of different creative processes and that is our drive at the end of the day. The cons are similar to the pros. I mean, all you want is a voice/attention on what you are doing and then all of a sudden you are on the edge of overexposure. It’s scary. You aren’t always in control of how you are perceived. One of the most frustrating things is the many people that attempt to have feuds with you. There is a band or two that asked us to have a feud with them. We aren’t interested in being a part of some bands marketing plan in that way.

Q: How do you feel about fans that might label you all sellouts now and may have turned their backs on you?

A: I feel like we haven’t gotten as bad of a backlash as some other bands who have sold as many records as us. I think that’s possibly because a lot of kids saw us get in the van over and over again while other bands were eating for free on black cards. Again, when you polarize people you have people on both sides. There are people that say we fucking suck live and on TV and then other people who say we used auto tune live; you can’t have it both ways. We have not changed major parts of our band in order to be received better. If anything, in my opinion, this record is less accessible than TTYG -- the lyrics were not dumbed down or anything. I mean, I feel like we haven’t bent to the mainstream, if anything, the mainstream bent to us. But for those who do label us sellouts, I’ve been in that boat before where I’ve loved a band and when they were all over the place I felt like I lost them. I began to question their motives and what they were doing. It’s a hard position when you feel like you have ownership over the music the way many of our fans do, I understand. I know these are the people that will be there for us when the limelight fades.

Q: I want kids to see how you really aren’t just about money and fame and that you all are actually one of few bands left with integrity. You’ve said fans don’t realize how many crappy ideas you and the band have been offered that you’ve turned down in order to be real and true, what were some pitches thrown your way? What about them made you turn them down?

A: We were offered the Motorola commercial with Madonna and Questlove. We have been offered money by countless beer companies. We have been offered to have songs written for us. We have been offered tours with all kinds of bands that we don’t back, which would have been lucrative tours -- I don’t really want to bad mouth anyone per say.

Q: Does all of this attention and spotlight ever make you contemplate disappearing and laying low for a little bit?

A: Yes. My biggest fantasy is moving to Oklahoma and disappearing, but it's fleeting. I am human. I have the same issues that everyone else does.

Q: Right now, it seems like you do everything but lay low. Your thoughts and emotions can be seen on LiveJournal, Friends or Enemies’ journal, Fueled By Ramen’s Journal and the band’s journal on a regular basis. Do you ever feel you’re exposing too much of yourself?

A: Yes.

Q: Even from the beginning, you’ve been pretty much known as Fall Out Boy’s “spokesman,” doing most of the interviews, standing in front in most of the pictures and so on. How does the rest of the band feel about that?

A: I think that people, especially in the press like to devour and digest bands and separate them and then put them back together as they see fit. The person with this bone structure will stand here and then it kind of is cemented in history. I have a big mouth. I think everyone knows that. Honestly, I think that the place FOB is the most normal and ok is when it is the four of us alone. It’s not weird. In a vacuum it all makes perfect sense, but I couldn’t describe that to you. It’s not an interesting story for Rolling Stone if I say Patrick is an utter musical genius and a lottery ticket for me, if I say that I feel uncomfortable with this position, or whatever. They never print those quotes because it’s not as good of a story. I guess you would have to ask the band to get the most honest answer. But I would say that everyone feels really good about the role they play in FOB, not necessarily the role that the media portrays them playing, though.

Q: Because of this, you have become the center of attention and the center of hate. What is like knowing you’re “center stage” and everyone is watching you and waiting for you to do or say something?

A: It’s kind of scary. It’s definitely made me realize that there is a “good” kind of attention and a “bad” kind of attention; all press is not good press. I mean, honestly, anything you’ve ever said or thought about me or made fun of me for I have already done one thousand times before and better than you ever could. I know my flaws. We have a love/hate relationship. It also always kind of makes me laugh when people realize I have a sense of humor and can laugh at myself. Like I was at the movies the other day and during the previews some kids yelled “’Sugar, We’re Going Down’ is the worst song I’ve ever fucking heard” and I reverse heckled him and said “What does your single sound like, dude?” His friends thought it was pretty funny. Either way it lets people know you are human and that you can laugh things off.

Q: You say you’re surprised by the band’s success and popularity; however, you own your own label and clothing line, and you write books. Does all of this really surprise you?

A: Well, I didn’t have a clothing line or a book before my band began to be successful enough to support projects like this. If you ever heard the real FOB demos, I think it would be pretty safe to say that what has happened to us is surprising.

Q: Out of all your projects (Fall out Boy, Decaydance, etc.) you have going on, what’s your favorite to work on?

A: Fall Out Boy by far.

Q: Part of your workload, as we mentioned, includes your label. Your biggest and most promoted act, Panic! At The Disco, have sold a ton of records and gained a lot of success pretty fast. Did you at all assist them in the writing of their debut album? What’s it like for you to see where those boys are now?

A: I did not assist them in writing their record. I consider Ryan to be a contemporary of mine when it comes to lyrics and we have traded lines back and forth. Some of mine ended up on theirs as will some of his appear in the new FOB; in both cases like less then 1 percent of total lyrics. It’s like being a proud dad, I guess. I mean I will never again get to experience some of the adventures that happen to a band for the first time, and with bands like Panic!, I get to be part of that process again.

Q: Do you think Panic! is a better band than Fall Out Boy?

A: Haha. “Which kid do you love the best?” I think Panic! and FOB are doing completely different things. For those who say the voices sound the same, I agree they are similar but only for the most part when compared to the nasal qualities of other pop-punk bands. If you compare either to Motown or some of our other musical influences, they both become quite the norm. I think that the musicality of P!ATD is amazing, but I am very happy being in fob -- if that answers your question. Fob = Jared Kaufman = Jason Tate < The Beatles > Panic! At The Disco; did you want a chart like that? Music is about opinions. I think FOB is one of the best bands because I am in it. That does not mean I can’t appreciate other bands like Panic!, Kanye or MCR, to name a few. I mean trick question: Panic! is Fall Out Boy. It’s tough doing two bands at once, and those masks we wear get sweaty, but there’s nothing like getting paid two guarantees.

Q: What makes you go ahead and say “I’m going to sign that band?” What stood out about Panic!, The Hush Sound and October Fall that made you want to ink a deal with them?

A: I didn’t intend on doing a record label. It was not something that interested me. I just wanted our friends in The Academy Is to get signed. After that I heard Panic! and my immediate reaction was jealousy. I was like these guys are writing songs I wish we had written. I think that it’s far more important as an A&R to chase songwriters not songs, because anyone can write a catchy song once. I want to find someone with a voice. October Fall, it was all about watching these kids grow up in the Chicago suburbs. We’ve known some of them for a long time. I really feel like this band is going to grow and surprise people. With The Hush Sound, I’ve always wanted to work with a band that had a girl in it because I feel like this scene is a giant boys club. Greta was perfect. On top of that, they didn’t sound like any other band around to me. I’m interested in finding bands before they are hype bands as was the case with TAI and Panic. Gym Class to me is the diamond in the rough. Too hip hop for rock, too rock for hip hop. I love the way I think this band is cutting new ground.

Q: What do you really think of October Fall and the fact they kicked out Jack Marin?

A: I love Jack. He’s a great guy who is doing awesome things; he is a friend of mine. Honestly, I don’t think that the personalities within the band matched well. He was the only straightedge member and a slew of other differences. Sometimes personalities clash and things don’t work out, it can be painful. I think both Jack and October Fall are going to come out of the situation ok.

Q: Are there any bands you’ll be signing very soon?

A: Lifetime, which is one of the most exciting projects I have ever been a part of, simply because I want to hear another Lifetime record. It’s funny people will complain that the new kids don’t know where the sound came from, but then they are the same people who whine when the kids get a chance to hear where it all began. I don’t really care what these people think. FOB would not exist without Lifetime and this is one of my ways of paying them back. I love the band and the music. There are a couple of other bands, no one that you would expect. We are going to keep the roster very small so we can focus on each band. So if it takes a band a bit to take off we are going to stay behind them, unlike other labels that throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and then get behind whatever sticks.

Q: With all these investments you currently have going on, Fall Out Boy included, how much are you making? We all would like to believe you’re really being paid in Mercedes.

A: Haha. I’m doing ok. Honestly, want to know where the most money comes from? Take This To Your Grave. FBR is one of the few labels of that size that pays royalties regularly and honestly. I have a big mouth and am impulsive, so for anything I’ve ever made I have a couple of lawsuits against me that are quite pricey that I currently am unable to talk about. Suffice it to say that I am not a millionaire, but I am currently comfortable and trying to be smart about my money. I grew up with Behind The Music.

Q: Andy, Joe and Patrick recently went out and got their own places, correct? Why do you still choose to live at home with your parents? It seems you’re doing well enough for yourself now to be able to afford your own residence. (I recently read you’re contemplating moving to LA, so this could’ve changed).

A: Living with my parents has definitely helped to keep me grounded over the last couple of years, though I feel like I am definitely ready to move out on my own -- hopefully somewhere new.

Q: Is it hard to keep the “underdog mentality” that you and the band promote when clearly you guys aren’t really the underdogs anymore?

A: Compared to the bands we are put next to, we are still considered underdogs (bands now like Audioslave and Nickelback). But honestly, we have no agenda as far as that goes. We realize that our band has gone from under the radar to all over it. We always wanted to have a voice and now we do. We don’t have the “underdog mentality,” we’re just trying to be us. It’s unfortunate that the press only writes about four different stories on us.

Q: Since reaching the point you guys are currently at, have you lost touch with any people or friendships?

A: Definitely. It’s hard to stay in touch with people when you are never in one place at one time. What’s even harder is when people show up out of the woodwork because they think they have something they can gain from you or your band. It’s hard to smell out the fakes. It can make you pretty paranoid.

Q: You may have lost some people and relationships in your life, but I’m pretty sure more people have come into it, celebrities included. You’ve recently been linked to Ashlee Simpson. Is there anything worth mentioning going on there?

A: Haha.. Ashlee and I are friends, but that’s it -- she has a boyfriend. There’s nothing really worth mentioning; this would fall into the “bad” kind of attention.

Q: Besides romantically being linked to someone, you’ve been said to have been in feuds with people as well. In all honesty, what happened between you and Brandon Flowers (The Killers)?

A: Brandon has a big mouth. Pete has a big mouth. It’s unfortunate that both of our bands have to deal with that. We share an A&R guy; I read something that quoted Brandon as saying he hates sharing an A&R guy with a band like us. I responded only because I honestly think that band has written some really great songs – it’s long over now. I think we may have at some point traded make-up tips or something equally flaming.

Q: Obviously, it’s safe to say you’re somewhat of a celebrity now. With that being said, are you still not drinking? Or have you become involved in the partying scene?

A: I don’t drink, it’s not interesting to me. Most of my friends do, though, and they do some pretty funny stuff that I usually remember the next morning when they don’t.

Q: Straight edge or not, do you have any wild and crazy stories from any parties you’ve attended in the big leagues?

A: Haha. I’ve watched all kinds of people who are celebrities act like total morons, just like normal people do at parties. It’s funnier when you’re like, “holy shit, that dude is on some Disney channel show and he just did a bunch of coke.” Laughable.

Q: Along with success comes the trash talking; do what kids say (personal attacks, cheap shots at the band, etc.) on the message boards affect you at all?

A: Yes. I have pretty thick skin, but I think one of the problems with the internet is that none of us really stop and think that there are real people on the other end. That being said, I’m definitely down to laugh at myself, sometimes you need to.

Q: What’s your whole outlook on this “scene” now when it comes to the fact kids are so quick to bash bands if they make it big or other people for their personal taste in music?

A: After having played radio shows, and shows with all kinds of other bands, I have to say “this scene” is one of the best there is. There are so many people here because they love the sincere creativity of music AND on top of that this is one of the few scenes where a band can sell 500,000 records without major video or radio play.

Q: Negativity doesn’t only come from the kids, though. You stated awhile back that while on Warped Tour someone in a band told you Fall Out Boy didn’t belong and someone else came along and said you all did, or something to that effect. Can you expand on that? Do you experience a lot of resentment from other bands?

A: I feel like with rock bands there has always been kind of this underlying “rugged individual” mentality. It’s like if there is another band out there that is as big as you they must be competition. In most cases I think this is pretty silly. Over the last year, both in the press and at award shows, we have been head-to-head with My Chemical Romance over most things. The funny thing is not only are we friends, but I feel like for the most part our bands are pretty dissimilar sonically. People want to read that there is drama because it’s more interesting. On the other hand, I think too many bands talk behind each other’s backs. It’s kind of become boring. I am glad to say there are some bands that are blowing up or already big that sincerely get along with each other.

Q: There are a lot of great bands you are friends with, though. Who are some of your favorites? What member specifically? Who encourages you when you’re down, and motivates you to stay in the game?

A: My Chemical Romance. I love all these guys. I talk to Mikey and Gerard the most. Kanye West. The Early November -- Joe. Senses Fail -- Buddy is one of the most genuine kids I’ve met. The Matches -- Sean is a kid that stuck up for me in a situation where no one else would, when no one gave a shit about my band. Kate from The Fight, Matchbook Romance, The Academy Is, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Glass, October Fall --- all these go with out saying -- Punchline, Vinnie and all the guys in Less Than Jake. There are so many bands out there, big and small, who we’ve come to love over the years.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree has been the album selling like crazy, getting you the MTV exposure, mainstream radio airplay, hordes of new fans, etc.; however, most diehard Fall Out Boy fans who have been there from day one say they prefer Take This To Your Grave? Which one do you yourself prefer?

A: It’s two different times in my life. Some people will put TTTYG in a category with Through Being Cool and Jersey’s Best Dancers. I don’t, but it is very flattering. To me TTTYG had this amazing energy that will never be harnessed again. It was pure spite and drive to get out of a small town and away from the people that made us feel that way. But at the same time, I feel like it was very singular, like “you did this, I hope you burn and die.” I like FUCT because it took a deeper look inside, like if you keep ending up in the same situation over and over you should probably look inside yourself for a reason you are there. Also, FUCT represents a response not to what people would be saying about our band a day after the record came out, but a year later -- everything anyone has to say about us, we already said on that record. I believe that from Evening Out… to FUCT our records have taken a very organic growth and I am proud of that. The new stuff we have written to me is TTTYG meets The Stereo meets old Michael Jackson -- if that’s makes any sense at all.

Q: Speaking of Take This To Your Grave, do you still talk to or see the girl who “inspired” those songs and deemed herself “The Fall Out Boy Girl?”

A: Yeah. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel comfortable being around her and don’t obsess over every little thing I think about her.

Q: What’s happened with Hey Chris? Where is he these days? What’s he up to? Are you all still just as close? (This was asked before the whole LiveJournal drama, but answered after).

A: Friends fall in and fall out. I am sure everything will work out. Chris is a good guy and I like to think in the future it will all fall into place.

Q: Is there any song from the band’s discography that you look at now and feel you aren’t really proud of, think could be better, wish wasn’t on either album?

A: “Short, Fast and Loud” and “Champagne For My Real Friends..”. I wish we had put a couple of songs on FUCT that we didn’t include: “Austin, We Have A Problem,” “I liked You A Whole Lot Better…,” and “Music or The Misery.” There was a song left off of TTTYG that we never finished about our friend Jakus – I’d like to put it on a b-sides record. I wish I had never written “My Hear Is The Worst Kind of Weapon.” I feel like the spite and hate in that song was a bit too much, even though it was what I was feeling at the time.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree, as we mentioned, has garnered you some mainstream attention. For example, you won the MTV2 award at the MTV Video Awards a few months back, even beating out My Chemical Romance. What was it like crossing that stage in front of all those people and viewers to accept that award? Why’d you think My Chem was really going to win?

A: I personally thought that My Chem made the video of the year, I loved it. Crossing the stage was insane. All we were thinking is “please don’t drop an f-bomb.” Usually if you are going to win an award they come by and make sure you are all in your seats. No one did that so we were pretty sure we were gonna lose, so Joe got wasted -- that was pretty funny. It was intimidating because no one in the room knew who we were, but we were really proud of our fans for voting for us. It was a huge mix of emotions.

Q: A bigger honor had to be being nominated for a Grammy, though. Just being nominated, what’s that like?

A: Amazing. No matter what we sold or whatever, it’s the first time your parents don’t think you are a garage band anymore. Besides it’s hilarious that we sit between Tom Hanks and Bonnie Raitt – I’m sure they are super stoked on that.

Q: What were your thoughts / feelings when you weren’t announced as the winner? Did you have the Kanye West mentality going into it that it’d be an injustice if you didn’t win?

A: We hyped ourselves up on the fact that we were not going to win. We didn’t do any of the pre-Grammy requests where you play schools and lobby Grammy committees, so we knew we had even less of a chance. Still, no matter what, one second before the envelope is opened you go “what if,” and then it didn’t happen and you only feel disappointment. You can’ win everything, but somewhere in your head you’re like “when they announced our band we got a bigger applause” and you start freaking out and thinking about how you were ripped off. After 24 hours you sit back and realize there are other great musicians and records out there. John Legend put out a great record, our hats are off to him, but no one wants to feel like the “second best new artist”.

Q: You guys recently completed writing for the follow-up to From Under The Cork Tree. Why are you guys moving so fast into the next album already? After Take This To Your Grave, everyone wanted a sequel, but you waited; why not wait now?

A: Every band wants to write the new Coldplay record. The problem is most of these bands suck and should get back in the shorts and write pop-punk. It took us forever to write FUCT because we were scared. This time the music flowed so much more smoothly. We simply have the songs. Bands make their crowd wait far too long between records because, in my opinion, the industry wants to squeeze every bit they can out of them. We are not interested in being a part of that. If you look at all the prolific artists over history most of them had creative output that was insane compared to the rock bands of today.

Q: When does it appear you all will go into the studio to actually track it, and when can we expect it on shelves?

A: We go into the studio in June and hope to have it out late fall or early winter.

Q: What are the chances Babyface actually produces this? Did his being at the House of Blues show in LA have anything to do with this?

A: Babyface will produce a couple of songs on the record and Neal Avron will do the rest. Him being at the LA show was incidental, I guess he’s a fan.

Q: What about him and his previous work makes the band feel he’s the best choice to produce the next album?

A: We love his approach to melody. Patrick will sing with a greater range and more soul in our new songs and we wanted to find someone to drive that. Neal will be the engineer on the songs so they will maintain the FOB standard. Besides we loved the Josie and The Pussycats soundtrack.

Q: It becomes the assumption that the more successful an act is, the less they put into their music and albums, and the more the producer dabbles with the direction of where the album goes (song writing included). How does Fall Out Boy prove this theory wrong?

A: Haha. If you’ve ever hung around us, we write our own songs and play our own songs. I think the proof is in the fact that we never changed or dumbed down any of our music between records. We have worked with multiple producers and our basic song structures and ideas have always remained intact. We have NEVER auto tuned a lead vocal on a Fall Out Boy record --some of the backing vocals. We consider this a big accomplishment in comparison to many of the bands we are sandwiched between on the radid. And really, at the end of the day, Fall Out Boy doesn’t really prove anything to anyone; if you want to hate us you will find a reason, if you want to love us you will find a reason.

Q: What do you want to accomplish with the next album?

A: Anyone can do “this” once. I want to prove that we can again. I want to transcend the idea people have of us and our band. I want to finally respond to what so many people have been saying or writing about our band. I want to prove people wrong. I honestly am just so happy to be able to play music and I just want to write the next part in the life of Fall Out Boy. It’s all I and we want to do.

Q: Can we be the first to know what the album is going to be called? We want to be like “WTF.”

A: Haha. We’ll tell you first, if only so I can read the 4,000 replies that are “isn’t this fucking band dead yet” and then 4,001 that’s like “I don’t care about Fall Out Boy news”.

Q: Can we expect incredibly long song titles? Seriously, I want to see essay paragraphs, kind of like how Fiona Apple named her second disc.

A: I dunno what to expect. We grew up on bands like Shai Hulud and that’s where it came from for us; now that a million bands do it, it may be time to try something else, or maybe we’ll just keep making fun of everything.

Q: On the first album you and Patrick split the lyric writing duty, correct? And on the second album you wrote all the lyrics, right? For the new record, was it a joint effort again or was it another solo effort? Also, is it weird to have Patrick singing your words?

A: This record I wrote all the lyrics again. I don’t know how to explain it very well, but it’s the equivalent of finishing each others sentences in a musical conversation. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anyone else on the planet singing these words.

Q: I know Saves The Day and Lifetime are two of your biggest influences; however, if you had to pick one or the other, which one would you go with? If you could only pick one album from each band’s discography as their best, which ones would you choose?

A: I think I would go with Lifetime because they originated much of the sound this scene has, but personally, STD records helped me get through more. I would say the two songs that STD put on that Vagrant comp (“Sell My Old Clothes”) and then Jersey’s Best Dancers.

Q: Aside from other bands and music, what else influences your songwriting?

A: Bands and music have the smallest influence on me, the biggest being writers; currently Hemingway and Sharon Olds. It’s hard not to be influenced by every single person around me I guess.

Q: Do you ever have to sit down and force yourself to write? Or does it always come naturally?

A: Sometimes I try and it never works. For months I won’t write a thing, and then one day it will all pour out. Forcing writing always seems kind of awkward and meaningless to me.

Q: Some kids say Fall Out Boy’s lyrics have affected their life and touched them on a personal level, did you ever expect your words to have such an impact? What’s it like hearing / knowing that?

A: It’s probably the best reception I could ever hope our band could get. All the bands that I have really loved over the years have made an impact like that on me, so we do not take that lightly. It’s a bit better than being asked if “Patrick will marry me’ or “what’s your screenname.”

Q: Is there any decisions you four have made as a band that you all have later regretted?

A: Yes. I guess ill just go into detail on one. We signed a deal originally because we just wanted to get music out. We feel like we were completely taken advantage of. I cant go into too much more detail legally, but it makes me want to make sure new bands out there that we are friends with don’t end up in shitty deals just because they want to get their music out there.

Q: What would you be doing without Fall Out Boy? Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: Without FOB, I see myself in college studying English and Political Science, graduating, and maybe working in some job I hated. I’d love to have ended up a writer; unfortunately, I think I’m a better storyteller than a writer – a hack at best. In ten years, I hope to still be involved in this creative process somehow – I’m not sure to what ends, but I’d like to still have a voice.

Q: Who is one person you’d absolutely do anything for?

A: My mother, followed closely by a girl from Chicago, and then the other three members of my band.

Q: What do you love about the other guys in the band?

A: Joe is my brother. He grates my nerves, but I have thrown more punches and talked more shit for this kid than anyone else in my life, simply because I know he’s gonna be there until the end. Andy I have known longer than anyone. You can set your watch by his ideals, they are unmoving; I admire that. Whenever I actually have problems, he is who I turn to. Patrick is inexplicable. I love him more than almost anyone else on the planet. He has “it” and he doesn’t even realize that. I could go on forever. I guess his part in the band is always so underplayed, but honestly his voice is what makes 99 percent of a Fall Out Boy song.

Q: Without picking bands from FBR/Decaydance, who should we know about and be listening to? What are some albums you’re looking forward to this year?

A: Shiny Toy Guns, Danger: Radio, Set Your Goals, a couple of others, but I am considering signing them so I don’t want to create a feeding frenzy around them unnecessarily. There is so much great music out there that is off of everyone’s radar.

Q: Well, this is it for Round One; do you have any last thing else you’d like to say or address?

A: Thanks for the interview and thanks for sticking with us. Sorry it took one million years to get it done. I'm sorry for the poor spelling and grammar, but I’ve included some sidekick n00dz to make up for it; they are super emo with Cure records in the background this time instead.

[Snails]

Great interview.

[Jason Tate]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.

[12:46AM]

344 people viewing! yipes!

[Jared Kaufman]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.
Same here.

[a speedo model]

awesome interview.

[a speedo model]

damn, alot of people are viewing this.

[xTJx]

Haha sidekick n00dz...

[LPMagic]

Best interview on AP, hands down, no question.

- Jeff

[12:46AM]

Q: Right now, it seems like you do everything but lay low. Your thoughts and emotions can be seen on LiveJournal, Friends or Enemies’ journal, Fueled By Ramen’s Journal and the band’s journal on a regular basis. Do you ever feel you’re exposing too much of yourself?

A: Yes. hahahaha. i'm sorry, i couldn't help laughing at that one.

[WalmartPhotoGuy]

DANGER:RADIO! YESSS!

everyone go listen to "Party Foul" on their purevolume...soooo awesome.

But ah, yeah- awesome interview!

[iihungrieii]

this is one really good interview

[iihungrieii]

wow 300+ peopel viewing this??!

[derricklc22]

awesome interview.
Great interview. Thanks to Pete for being so open and everything.

[iihungrieii]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.

i agree with that 100%. i dont see them as sellouts or anything like that

[JunkBondTrader]

holy fuck i could bartely open this so many ppl are reading it......

Jared be honest, how much pussy do you get when you say "oooo yea, me and pete wentz of FOB are bros."

[druck]

very good read

[Grybo]

i thought it was jenoah that burned the posters

[ishotthepilot]

nice job. and i know you had to have cleaned up that grammar like whoa :)
i definitely like the directions of the questions, maybe some of the people who dont even know why they hate FOB/pete will give up. interesting answers, now i cant wait to see the decaydance roster in like a year..

[Colin Farrell]

awesome interview jared. thanks pete!

[mps]

Q: Well, this is it for Round One; do you have any last thing else you’d like to say or address?

A: Thanks for the interview and thanks for sticking with us. Sorry it took one million years to get it done. I'm sorry for the poor spelling and grammar, but I’ve included some sidekick n00dz to make up for it; they are super emo with Cure records in the background this time instead.

Hahaha, I just love his humour and how he takes everything so well.

[boldt_action]

wow, great interview. Haha, i like the end comment.

And yeah, I still love them.


P.S. where did you post the n00dz?

[LoudandQuiet]

This interview is awesome. It really shows a side of Fall Out Boy that I think a lot of fans don't see, especially where Pete was talking about selling out. Awesome interview!!

[TBSowns524]

well done Jared.

Pete does always seem like a down to earth guy to me at least

[shtjames]

i actually read that whole thing. sounds like a decent guy, come on folks

[akster]

good read :)

[VeloriumCamper]

I don't see any fucking n00dz?!

[ilovebsb]

haha i thought it was funny when he said to start a pop punk band. good interview though. i love it how he always sticks to his "morals".

[thewk]

good interview, jared.
but does this mean there will be a round two?

[an0n]

so fricking long, but very good.

i love his last answer, outstanding.


he sounds like a real stand up guy, ill always be a fob fan :P

[Tom Da Bomb]

Im very glad this Interview was honest.

I would love to see a B-Sides Record out before there new album.

good quote -
"FBR is one of the few labels of that size that pays royalties regularly and honestly"
Sounds like Island isnt.

[creepface]

I really didn't like the interview very much. It was disappointing to me because I was expecting more personal questions and answers. It's funny to see exactly how many people can ask questions about fame worded in a different way.. I saw a lot of good questions reading the old thread that had a lot more heart and actually called him on his bullshit about a lot of things. But of course absolutely none of the questions that challenged him were asked. For an interview that was suppose to "interview with him without pulling any punches." I definitely do not think you accomplished that. I'm not sure if it's because of you or because of him, but once again it just seems like he was babied and fed questions he could have mass appealing answers to instead cutting through the bullshit and actually learning something new about him. At the end of the day he still looks like a coward who's good at P.R. to me.

[bubonic311]

Haha I'm glad I'm not the only person who likes the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack. Great interview.

[danielplaysbass]

good job on this. great read, as much as i'm not a FOB fan, i really enjoyed this.

I also enjoyed the disney guy doing coke quote...it made me laugh

[1Roth4]

solid interview!!

gained alot of respect for this guy after reading that.

[The Revisionist]

Q: Do you think Panic! is a better band than Fall Out Boy?

A: Haha. “Which kid do you love the best?” I think Panic! and FOB are doing completely different things. For those who say the voices sound the same, I agree they are similar but only for the most part when compared to the nasal qualities of other pop-punk bands. If you compare either to Motown or some of our other musical influences, they both become quite the norm. I think that the musicality of P!ATD is amazing, but I am very happy being in fob -- if that answers your question. Fob = Jared Kaufman = Jason Tate < The Beatles > Panic! At The Disco; did you want a chart like that? Music is about opinions. I think FOB is one of the best bands because I am in it. That does not mean I can’t appreciate other bands like Panic!, Kanye or MCR, to name a few. I mean trick question: Panic! is Fall Out Boy. It’s tough doing two bands at once, and those masks we wear get sweaty, but there’s nothing like getting paid two guarantees.HUH??

[blimpcityhero11]

Amazing interview...anyone else get hyped when they saw "late fall/early winter?"

[End is Forever]

Great interview, I can't wait for part two

[average_jane]

that was a great interview. thank you so much. it's great to hear more than just canned Rolling Stone quotes from Pete.

[Jared Kaufman]

I really didn't like the interview very much. It was disappointing to me because I was expecting more personal questions and answers. It's funny to see exactly how many people can ask questions about fame worded in a different way.. I saw a lot of good questions reading the old thread that had a lot more heart and actually called him on his bullshit about a lot of things. But of course absolutely none of the questions that challenged him were asked. For an interview that was suppose to "interview with him without pulling any punches." I definitely do not think you accomplished that. I'm not sure if it's because of you or because of him, but once again it just seems like he was babied and fed questions he could have mass appealing answers to instead cutting through the bullshit and actually learning something new about him. At the end of the day he still looks like a coward who's good at P.R. to me.
There more than likely is going to be a "Round Two," so please submit questions and word them the way you'd like them asked when I request them. Sorry you didn't like the interview or were left feeling disappointed, hopefully the next one suits you better and you can walk away knowing something new and different, which maybe can help you change your opinion of him / them.

[bubonic311]

A Disney star on coke? It has to be Beans. http://www.celebritykidz.com/StevenALawrence/Gallery/YAA/YAASteven.jpg

[Juber]

great interview.

[yourxrays]

Phenomenal job. To both Jared, for posing insightful and important questions, and to Pete, for completely altering my opinion of him (for the better).

[CHRISRIPPEDOUT]

do you think that "everyone wants to write the next coldplay album but should stick to pop punk" was a shot at the starting line and the interview with matt?

[joeshmoe909]

Great interview.

[comic geek]

wow great interview fallout boys lyrics are amazing

[handofgod]

pete wentz is the biggest fucking crEEP on the planet. but anyone that is hung like that is awesome

[RememberFminus]

hahahaha there was absolutely nothing conterverstial about that interview. it was just like every other one. next time ask them why he doesnt tune is bass before a show.

[Drew Beringer]

I love FOB *puts in FUCT and rocks out*

[reductiondesign]

Great interview. Love these dudes.

[whipcream4teen]

Amazing interview. GREAT WORK.

[Jared Kaufman]

hahahaha there was absolutely nothing conterverstial about that interview. it was just like every other one. next time ask them why he doesnt tune is bass before a show.
You're right, the only thing "conterverstial" is your spelling of controversial. When I ask people to submit questions for Round 2, make sure you have me ask whatever you want answered and phrase them the way you want asked.

[Jason Tate]

hahahaha there was absolutely nothing conterverstial about that interview. it was just like every other one. next time ask them why he doesnt tune is bass before a show.
Then why didn't you submit a "controversial" question?

[littlebeav]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.

Quoted. I totally agree. I work @ hollister, and I'm not really into "that kind of crowd", but the job is fun. Everyone there hates FoB and makes fun of me for listening to them. I respond with, "well I'm 21 and I can think for myself. FoB is amazing and truly love music and fans. You are just an asshole." Now I've got even more strength for my crappy arguments.

Amazing interview, I look forward to more.

[Jason Tate]

Quoted. I totally agree. I work @ hollister, and I'm not really into "that kind of crowd", but the job is fun. Everyone there hates FoB and makes fun of me for listening to them. I respond with, "well I'm 21 and I can think for myself. FoB is amazing and truly love music and fans. You are just an asshole." Now I've got even more strength for my crappy arguments.

Amazing interview, I look forward to more.
If someone makes fun of you that works at Hollister for liking FOB, there's something wrong. Haha, fucking wanna be surfer-bros. No offense.

[the sob]

that was a killer interview...awesome job and thats an understatement.

[idobi]

I hate you Jared Kaufman. I hate you for making my job 10000x harder. I hope you simmer in the pits of hell.


.. oh yeah, good interview...

[Ailite]

Great interview, make sme repsect him a lot more. I'm one those people when everyon around me says either Fall Out Boy is great or Fall Out Boy sucks, I say I still think there a great band, just really succesful. Now I'm going to listen to FUCT.

[Bobcat46308]

good interview, but a few things:
1) they do suck on TV. i've never seen them live, but it honestly sounds like these guys have never played together before when i see them on the tonight show or any of those shows. this leads me to believe that they are talented, but very "produced" and a studio product. i'm not complaining too much though, i love fuct and take this to your grave.
2) it's very true that they didn't adjust to the mainstream, the mainstream adjusted to them. he seems like a pretty smart guy

that's all

[Mike Kraft]

Quoted. I totally agree. I work @ hollister, and I'm not really into "that kind of crowd", but the job is fun. Everyone there hates FoB and makes fun of me for listening to them. I respond with, "well I'm 21 and I can think for myself. FoB is amazing and truly love music and fans. You are just an asshole." Now I've got even more strength for my crappy arguments.

Amazing interview, I look forward to more.
I agree with your comment. We all have individual minds that think differently. FOB is amazing and I will continue to show my support and love them.

[CWeezer]

wow, that was a really amazing interview. i was impressed with him.

[HollywoodAbalze]

i never stopped liking them, but after this i will consider myself more of a fan than ever before

[bnana933]

i absolutly support FOB 100% and for what ever they do. i totaly don't see them as sellouts. they're just doing what they do best.

[prozac mnms]

That was a good interview. I realized that this may be the only FOB nterview I've ever read. Like Pete said, the media likes to just portray a band in a certain light and I've found magazines and such to be filled with the same responses as every other interview a band does. The candidness and honesty and lack of censorship is refreshing.

[Ratherbedead22]

jack marins my boy.

[Ladron]

*sigh* "Champagne For My Real Friends..." is one of my favorite songs by FOB, I will never listen to the song the same way knowing Pete is not proud of it. :(

[black rose]

this is a wonderful interview.
i never stopped supporting this amazing band but now i know for sure i never will stop.
this interview shows that pete is really a great guy no matter what happens or what the media says.
he was really deep and candid in this interview and i love that.
FOB is a gang.
and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.:D

[Zummy]

What can say? If you dont like Fall Out Boy then you're really missing out. The interview was great and I look forward to part deux.

[miLsoN]

good interview, but a few things:
1) they do suck on TV. i've never seen them live, but it honestly sounds like these guys have never played together before when i see them on the tonight show or any of those shows. this leads me to believe that they are talented, but very "produced" and a studio product. i'm not complaining too much though, i love fuct and take this to your grave.
2) it's very true that they didn't adjust to the mainstream, the mainstream adjusted to them. he seems like a pretty smart guy

that's all

I agree that they sound pretty shitty sometimes live/on tv, but i don't think that necessarily means they are any more "produced" then any other band. They are built on going absolutely nuts on stage so of course the songs aren't going to sound the same as when they each play their instruments individually in a booth.

I completely agree that the mainstream adjusted to them. I saw them play a show before FUCT blew up and then on the Arena tour, and the overall the crowd seemed 5 years younger. It's sort of a weird circumstance with them in that they didn't really change what they're playing but the people they're playing to has changed a lot.

[ARo2431]

This was done really well. I dont think Pete gets the respect he should. This makes me wish I would of went to the underdog tour.

[SykoBadger]

Ive been a pretty strong FOB fan for about 2 years now... I never stopped liking them when they started to get huge, i guess I just bragged about liking them a bit less since everyone associates them with 14 year old girls now. It seems like Wentz has the right perspective on what he's doing though, which I admire. Sweet interview.

Oh, and as for their live show... Ive seen them twice, once i thought they sucked (at warped), the other (nintendo tour) i thought they fuckin tore it up. I wish I could learn to be that comfortable/crazy on stage.

[truestar1015]

There are so many things that are said about FOB that its hard to know what to think about them. This interview really proves who Pete is. It has made me gain a lot more respect. Great interview Jared!

[baton]

short, fast, and loud was one my favorites back in 2003, and champagne... is a pretty good song too, so i'm glad they've released that :-) well 'this is it for round one' means that You'll be doing this again in future with him? :] ;-) anyway good interview, and nice to read :-)
and i hope that they'll put out record this fall/winter and a b-side compilation early next year ]:->

[alexwohl29_90]

Awesome interview.

[cubz84]

if that doesn't make you like the guy, i dont know what will.

[ali!atthedisco]

that has to be the best pete w. interview i've read. and i've read quite a few. i admit, i wasnt a fan from the start. but as soon as i heard sugar, we're goin' down, i bought fuct and a couple weeks later, tttyg. they really are great. one of the best bands out there. there's so many people (teen girls) who "love" them because of their popularity and even more who think pete is "sooooo hot". pete is a great writer and lives by his morals. and thats why i have so much respect for him and the rest of fob.

[CurtyB]

really good interview...it was nice to read something on FOB that sounded honest and natural...not the same Rolling Stone interview over and over again. Best of luck to them.

[Co and Ca]

Although I dont hate, nor like Fall Out Boy, I found this to be a good interview. Props y0. AP always do the best interviews

[jaredc]

this interview blew and pete's a lying two face

[missdelaney]

Hands down the best Pete Wentz interview I have ever read, and I have read a lot. Pete seemed very genuine,honest, and sincere. I too, will always support FOB. Great job!

[roxy]

Awesome interview

[Angsty]

This guy makes me sick. He's fake. He doesn't express true emotion.

[Jared Kaufman]

jaredc:

I'm so honored to share a name with such a compelling and intelligent individual such as yourself.

[Rockybehri]

I really enjoyed this. I eat up every interview this guy does, I really relate to the way he thinks.

[Mike Kraft]

I hate you Jared Kaufman. I hate you for making my job 10000x harder. I hope you simmer in the pits of hell.


.. oh yeah, good interview...
Hey! Tom loves Jared almost as much as I do! Jared should feel so special now. Esp since he just did one helluva show review and interview. He never disappoints me with his style of writing or the way he interviews bands. Great job!

[Mike Kraft]

jaredc:

I'm so honored to share a name with such a compelling and intelligent individual such as yourself.
pwned.

[itmakesyoufeel]

good good interview. it's nice to hear from pete and know he's talking to a source he trusts. annnnd the last part about sidekick noodz is about the funniest thing i read all day.

[maXvinyl]

that has to be the best pete w. interview i've read. and i've read quite a few. i admit, i wasnt a fan from the start. but as soon as i heard sugar, we're goin' down, i bought fuct and a couple weeks later, tttyg. they really are great. one of the best bands out there. there's so many people (teen girls) who "love" them because of their popularity and even more who think pete is "sooooo hot". pete is a great writer and lives by his morals. and thats why i have so much respect for him and the rest of fob.

I second that 100 percent. Pete Wentz is brilliant with words, every song has a meaning that isn't straight out handed to you, I like that. This interview, I think, showed it. He's amazing, as are Patrick, Andy and Joe.

[RandomHero1230]

so much respect for this guy

[Sureshot182]

good interview jared.

[Big_Guy]

good interview.

I don't mind these dudes really. I love the fact that he openly expresses his love for Lifetime, because let's be honest, that band is awesome.

I remember they went on TRL that one time and he said he loved Lifetime and that tool host was dumbfounded.

[nsgob22]

when is part 2?

[abusedcat]

I really like it. I'm really excited for the new album.

[OveriseFan]

A: Thanks for the interview and thanks for sticking with us. Sorry it took one million years to get it done. I'm sorry for the poor spelling and grammar, but I’ve included some sidekick n00dz to make up for it; they are super emo with Cure records in the background this time instead.

HAHAHAHA

Emo Pornographic Masterpieces.

I almost want to look at the pictures, but don't. almost.

Great interview Jared, and tell us if/when Round 2 happens. I just thought up some questions.

[black rose]

about some of you guys talking about FOB in relation to 14 year old girls.
look, i'm 14. i've been a fan of FOB since a little before FUCT blew up.
i like FOB because of the music, lyrics, and the insanity that goes with this band.
just please stop saying all 14 year old girls are immature and they all like FOB because of looks.
because not ALL of them do.

[youareallfreaks]

Question for Round 2:

Lucky Boys Confusion was a very influential band in Chicago before you guys got your start, and during your start they promoted you very heavily. They are currently label-less. Why does it appear that you have not returned the favor the LBC and used your fame to help them out?

[manican sex]

A Disney star on coke? It has to be Beans. http://www.celebritykidz.com/StevenALawrence/Gallery/YAA/YAASteven.jpg

hahaha noicccccce. that mother fucker with his coke and bacon. hah

[manican sex]

by the way best interview ive seen doen by AP. but i think still the best posted interview had to have been that crazzzzzzy lonnnny Dillinger Escape Plan interview. But seriously amazing job Jared, i dont even listen to this band and you completely sold me on upping their rep. he seems like a cool guy.

[Jedi_Master]

First, I’d just like to thank Pete for allowing me the opportunity to conduct this interview with him. No one forced him to do this and no one suggested he do this; this was entirely his idea. I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to do this with, who I feel to be, one of the most honest, sincere, genuine people in this “scene” / business. This band went from playing YFW Halls to being all over MTV, mainstream radio, award shows and so forth, and they haven’t changed one bit. This is only part of the reason I respect these guys as individuals and, no matter what or how big they get, will always support them.

Q: Now, a lot has changed within the last year. You guys went from being a band only known throughout “the scene” to being all over radio, MTV and mainstream media in general. Do you think that has changed anything inside of you; your mentality, how you function, think, see the world, act and so forth?

A: I think that it would be impossible to not change with so many gigantic changes happening around me. I think that both I and the band do certain things in order to stay grounded. At the same time it is often hard to process the concept that you polarize people to such extremes: i.e. to be simultaneously the most abhorred people in the scene and the most idolized, especially when you see yourself as the same person you always have when you look in the mirror. After all of the dinners and “best new…” trophies and acclaims, there will be a time when no one cares about this band again and we will just still be the best of friends.

Q: Does money and fame blind you at all? Is it possible you’ve involuntarily changed due to all of this?

A: I think this question is hard to answer, because if it has involuntarily changed within me than I think I probably would not be conscious of it and therefore would answer “no” anyway. I, however, do not believe that money or fame blinds me or my band in any way. We make decisions based on what we feel is right for us and for our fan base. There are many things that were very lucrative that we turned down because it was not right for us, but no one ever see those lists printed on the internet anywhere.

Q: Do you regret where the band is today? I mean, I’m sure there are some serious perks that come with being as famous and successful as you are; however, I’m sure you’ve had to sacrifice a lot as well. Would you give it all back if you could?

A: This question is hard to answer as well. I don’t regret where the band is today. but I do regret some of the decisions both the band and I have made. There isn’t a manual on how to act or what to do. I/we made some missteps, hopefully we’ve learned enough to not make them again. Besides the fact that there are many people out there in the industry that would love to take advantage of us, I think that this situation has made me more guarded and on edge when I meet new people. But we always wanted to have a voice at the forefront of music and now we do -- I wouldn’t give that back for the world.

Q: What are some pros about the level of success you’ve reached? What are some of the cons that come along with it?

A: Some pros are that we are able to live and work and not have to worry about where we are going to sleep tomorrow night; we are paid to do what we love. It’s also great because it allows us to be part of different creative processes and that is our drive at the end of the day. The cons are similar to the pros. I mean, all you want is a voice/attention on what you are doing and then all of a sudden you are on the edge of overexposure. It’s scary. You aren’t always in control of how you are perceived. One of the most frustrating things is the many people that attempt to have feuds with you. There is a band or two that asked us to have a feud with them. We aren’t interested in being a part of some bands marketing plan in that way.

Q: How do you feel about fans that might label you all sellouts now and may have turned their backs on you?

A: I feel like we haven’t gotten as bad of a backlash as some other bands who have sold as many records as us. I think that’s possibly because a lot of kids saw us get in the van over and over again while other bands were eating for free on black cards. Again, when you polarize people you have people on both sides. There are people that say we fucking suck live and on TV and then other people who say we used auto tune live; you can’t have it both ways. We have not changed major parts of our band in order to be received better. If anything, in my opinion, this record is less accessible than TTYG -- the lyrics were not dumbed down or anything. I mean, I feel like we haven’t bent to the mainstream, if anything, the mainstream bent to us. But for those who do label us sellouts, I’ve been in that boat before where I’ve loved a band and when they were all over the place I felt like I lost them. I began to question their motives and what they were doing. It’s a hard position when you feel like you have ownership over the music the way many of our fans do, I understand. I know these are the people that will be there for us when the limelight fades.

Q: I want kids to see how you really aren’t just about money and fame and that you all are actually one of few bands left with integrity. You’ve said fans don’t realize how many crappy ideas you and the band have been offered that you’ve turned down in order to be real and true, what were some pitches thrown your way? What about them made you turn them down?

A: We were offered the Motorola commercial with Madonna and Questlove. We have been offered money by countless beer companies. We have been offered to have songs written for us. We have been offered tours with all kinds of bands that we don’t back, which would have been lucrative tours -- I don’t really want to bad mouth anyone per say.

Q: Does all of this attention and spotlight ever make you contemplate disappearing and laying low for a little bit?

A: Yes. My biggest fantasy is moving to Oklahoma and disappearing, but it's fleeting. I am human. I have the same issues that everyone else does.

Q: Right now, it seems like you do everything but lay low. Your thoughts and emotions can be seen on LiveJournal, Friends or Enemies’ journal, Fueled By Ramen’s Journal and the band’s journal on a regular basis. Do you ever feel you’re exposing too much of yourself?

A: Yes.

Q: Even from the beginning, you’ve been pretty much known as Fall Out Boy’s “spokesman,” doing most of the interviews, standing in front in most of the pictures and so on. How does the rest of the band feel about that?

A: I think that people, especially in the press like to devour and digest bands and separate them and then put them back together as they see fit. The person with this bone structure will stand here and then it kind of is cemented in history. I have a big mouth. I think everyone knows that. Honestly, I think that the place FOB is the most normal and ok is when it is the four of us alone. It’s not weird. In a vacuum it all makes perfect sense, but I couldn’t describe that to you. It’s not an interesting story for Rolling Stone if I say Patrick is an utter musical genius and a lottery ticket for me, if I say that I feel uncomfortable with this position, or whatever. They never print those quotes because it’s not as good of a story. I guess you would have to ask the band to get the most honest answer. But I would say that everyone feels really good about the role they play in FOB, not necessarily the role that the media portrays them playing, though.

Q: Because of this, you have become the center of attention and the center of hate. What is like knowing you’re “center stage” and everyone is watching you and waiting for you to do or say something?

A: It’s kind of scary. It’s definitely made me realize that there is a “good” kind of attention and a “bad” kind of attention; all press is not good press. I mean, honestly, anything you’ve ever said or thought about me or made fun of me for I have already done one thousand times before and better than you ever could. I know my flaws. We have a love/hate relationship. It also always kind of makes me laugh when people realize I have a sense of humor and can laugh at myself. Like I was at the movies the other day and during the previews some kids yelled “’Sugar, We’re Going Down’ is the worst song I’ve ever fucking heard” and I reverse heckled him and said “What does your single sound like, dude?” His friends thought it was pretty funny. Either way it lets people know you are human and that you can laugh things off.

Q: You say you’re surprised by the band’s success and popularity; however, you own your own label and clothing line, and you write books. Does all of this really surprise you?

A: Well, I didn’t have a clothing line or a book before my band began to be successful enough to support projects like this. If you ever heard the real FOB demos, I think it would be pretty safe to say that what has happened to us is surprising.

Q: Out of all your projects (Fall out Boy, Decaydance, etc.) you have going on, what’s your favorite to work on?

A: Fall Out Boy by far.

Q: Part of your workload, as we mentioned, includes your label. Your biggest and most promoted act, Panic! At The Disco, have sold a ton of records and gained a lot of success pretty fast. Did you at all assist them in the writing of their debut album? What’s it like for you to see where those boys are now?

A: I did not assist them in writing their record. I consider Ryan to be a contemporary of mine when it comes to lyrics and we have traded lines back and forth. Some of mine ended up on theirs as will some of his appear in the new FOB; in both cases like less then 1 percent of total lyrics. It’s like being a proud dad, I guess. I mean I will never again get to experience some of the adventures that happen to a band for the first time, and with bands like Panic!, I get to be part of that process again.

Q: Do you think Panic! is a better band than Fall Out Boy?

A: Haha. “Which kid do you love the best?” I think Panic! and FOB are doing completely different things. For those who say the voices sound the same, I agree they are similar but only for the most part when compared to the nasal qualities of other pop-punk bands. If you compare either to Motown or some of our other musical influences, they both become quite the norm. I think that the musicality of P!ATD is amazing, but I am very happy being in fob -- if that answers your question. Fob = Jared Kaufman = Jason Tate < The Beatles > Panic! At The Disco; did you want a chart like that? Music is about opinions. I think FOB is one of the best bands because I am in it. That does not mean I can’t appreciate other bands like Panic!, Kanye or MCR, to name a few. I mean trick question: Panic! is Fall Out Boy. It’s tough doing two bands at once, and those masks we wear get sweaty, but there’s nothing like getting paid two guarantees.

Q: What makes you go ahead and say “I’m going to sign that band?” What stood out about Panic!, The Hush Sound and October Fall that made you want to ink a deal with them?

A: I didn’t intend on doing a record label. It was not something that interested me. I just wanted our friends in The Academy Is to get signed. After that I heard Panic! and my immediate reaction was jealousy. I was like these guys are writing songs I wish we had written. I think that it’s far more important as an A&R to chase songwriters not songs, because anyone can write a catchy song once. I want to find someone with a voice. October Fall, it was all about watching these kids grow up in the Chicago suburbs. We’ve known some of them for a long time. I really feel like this band is going to grow and surprise people. With The Hush Sound, I’ve always wanted to work with a band that had a girl in it because I feel like this scene is a giant boys club. Greta was perfect. On top of that, they didn’t sound like any other band around to me. I’m interested in finding bands before they are hype bands as was the case with TAI and Panic. Gym Class to me is the diamond in the rough. Too hip hop for rock, too rock for hip hop. I love the way I think this band is cutting new ground.

Q: What do you really think of October Fall and the fact they kicked out Jack Marin?

A: I love Jack. He’s a great guy who is doing awesome things; he is a friend of mine. Honestly, I don’t think that the personalities within the band matched well. He was the only straightedge member and a slew of other differences. Sometimes personalities clash and things don’t work out, it can be painful. I think both Jack and October Fall are going to come out of the situation ok.

Q: Are there any bands you’ll be signing very soon?

A: Lifetime, which is one of the most exciting projects I have ever been a part of, simply because I want to hear another Lifetime record. It’s funny people will complain that the new kids don’t know where the sound came from, but then they are the same people who whine when the kids get a chance to hear where it all began. I don’t really care what these people think. FOB would not exist without Lifetime and this is one of my ways of paying them back. I love the band and the music. There are a couple of other bands, no one that you would expect. We are going to keep the roster very small so we can focus on each band. So if it takes a band a bit to take off we are going to stay behind them, unlike other labels that throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and then get behind whatever sticks.

Q: With all these investments you currently have going on, Fall Out Boy included, how much are you making? We all would like to believe you’re really being paid in Mercedes.

A: Haha. I’m doing ok. Honestly, want to know where the most money comes from? Take This To Your Grave. FBR is one of the few labels of that size that pays royalties regularly and honestly. I have a big mouth and am impulsive, so for anything I’ve ever made I have a couple of lawsuits against me that are quite pricey that I currently am unable to talk about. Suffice it to say that I am not a millionaire, but I am currently comfortable and trying to be smart about my money. I grew up with Behind The Music.

Q: Andy, Joe and Patrick recently went out and got their own places, correct? Why do you still choose to live at home with your parents? It seems you’re doing well enough for yourself now to be able to afford your own residence. (I recently read you’re contemplating moving to LA, so this could’ve changed).

A: Living with my parents has definitely helped to keep me grounded over the last couple of years, though I feel like I am definitely ready to move out on my own -- hopefully somewhere new.

Q: Is it hard to keep the “underdog mentality” that you and the band promote when clearly you guys aren’t really the underdogs anymore?

A: Compared to the bands we are put next to, we are still considered underdogs (bands now like Audioslave and Nickelback). But honestly, we have no agenda as far as that goes. We realize that our band has gone from under the radar to all over it. We always wanted to have a voice and now we do. We don’t have the “underdog mentality,” we’re just trying to be us. It’s unfortunate that the press only writes about four different stories on us.

Q: Since reaching the point you guys are currently at, have you lost touch with any people or friendships?

A: Definitely. It’s hard to stay in touch with people when you are never in one place at one time. What’s even harder is when people show up out of the woodwork because they think they have something they can gain from you or your band. It’s hard to smell out the fakes. It can make you pretty paranoid.

Q: You may have lost some people and relationships in your life, but I’m pretty sure more people have come into it, celebrities included. You’ve recently been linked to Ashlee Simpson. Is there anything worth mentioning going on there?

A: Haha.. Ashlee and I are friends, but that’s it -- she has a boyfriend. There’s nothing really worth mentioning; this would fall into the “bad” kind of attention.

Q: Besides romantically being linked to someone, you’ve been said to have been in feuds with people as well. In all honesty, what happened between you and Brandon Flowers (The Killers)?

A: Brandon has a big mouth. Pete has a big mouth. It’s unfortunate that both of our bands have to deal with that. We share an A&R guy; I read something that quoted Brandon as saying he hates sharing an A&R guy with a band like us. I responded only because I honestly think that band has written some really great songs – it’s long over now. I think we may have at some point traded make-up tips or something equally flaming.

Q: Obviously, it’s safe to say you’re somewhat of a celebrity now. With that being said, are you still not drinking? Or have you become involved in the partying scene?

A: I don’t drink, it’s not interesting to me. Most of my friends do, though, and they do some pretty funny stuff that I usually remember the next morning when they don’t.

Q: Straight edge or not, do you have any wild and crazy stories from any parties you’ve attended in the big leagues?

A: Haha. I’ve watched all kinds of people who are celebrities act like total morons, just like normal people do at parties. It’s funnier when you’re like, “holy shit, that dude is on some Disney channel show and he just did a bunch of coke.” Laughable.

Q: Along with success comes the trash talking; do what kids say (personal attacks, cheap shots at the band, etc.) on the message boards affect you at all?

A: Yes. I have pretty thick skin, but I think one of the problems with the internet is that none of us really stop and think that there are real people on the other end. That being said, I’m definitely down to laugh at myself, sometimes you need to.

Q: What’s your whole outlook on this “scene” now when it comes to the fact kids are so quick to bash bands if they make it big or other people for their personal taste in music?

A: After having played radio shows, and shows with all kinds of other bands, I have to say “this scene” is one of the best there is. There are so many people here because they love the sincere creativity of music AND on top of that this is one of the few scenes where a band can sell 500,000 records without major video or radio play.

Q: Negativity doesn’t only come from the kids, though. You stated awhile back that while on Warped Tour someone in a band told you Fall Out Boy didn’t belong and someone else came along and said you all did, or something to that effect. Can you expand on that? Do you experience a lot of resentment from other bands?

A: I feel like with rock bands there has always been kind of this underlying “rugged individual” mentality. It’s like if there is another band out there that is as big as you they must be competition. In most cases I think this is pretty silly. Over the last year, both in the press and at award shows, we have been head-to-head with My Chemical Romance over most things. The funny thing is not only are we friends, but I feel like for the most part our bands are pretty dissimilar sonically. People want to read that there is drama because it’s more interesting. On the other hand, I think too many bands talk behind each other’s backs. It’s kind of become boring. I am glad to say there are some bands that are blowing up or already big that sincerely get along with each other.

Q: There are a lot of great bands you are friends with, though. Who are some of your favorites? What member specifically? Who encourages you when you’re down, and motivates you to stay in the game?

A: My Chemical Romance. I love all these guys. I talk to Mikey and Gerard the most. Kanye West. The Early November -- Joe. Senses Fail -- Buddy is one of the most genuine kids I’ve met. The Matches -- Sean is a kid that stuck up for me in a situation where no one else would, when no one gave a shit about my band. Kate from The Fight, Matchbook Romance, The Academy Is, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Glass, October Fall --- all these go with out saying -- Punchline, Vinnie and all the guys in Less Than Jake. There are so many bands out there, big and small, who we’ve come to love over the years.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree has been the album selling like crazy, getting you the MTV exposure, mainstream radio airplay, hordes of new fans, etc.; however, most diehard Fall Out Boy fans who have been there from day one say they prefer Take This To Your Grave? Which one do you yourself prefer?

A: It’s two different times in my life. Some people will put TTTYG in a category with Through Being Cool and Jersey’s Best Dancers. I don’t, but it is very flattering. To me TTTYG had this amazing energy that will never be harnessed again. It was pure spite and drive to get out of a small town and away from the people that made us feel that way. But at the same time, I feel like it was very singular, like “you did this, I hope you burn and die.” I like FUCT because it took a deeper look inside, like if you keep ending up in the same situation over and over you should probably look inside yourself for a reason you are there. Also, FUCT represents a response not to what people would be saying about our band a day after the record came out, but a year later -- everything anyone has to say about us, we already said on that record. I believe that from Evening Out… to FUCT our records have taken a very organic growth and I am proud of that. The new stuff we have written to me is TTTYG meets The Stereo meets old Michael Jackson -- if that’s makes any sense at all.

Q: Speaking of Take This To Your Grave, do you still talk to or see the girl who “inspired” those songs and deemed herself “The Fall Out Boy Girl?”

A: Yeah. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel comfortable being around her and don’t obsess over every little thing I think about her.

Q: What’s happened with Hey Chris? Where is he these days? What’s he up to? Are you all still just as close? (This was asked before the whole LiveJournal drama, but answered after).

A: Friends fall in and fall out. I am sure everything will work out. Chris is a good guy and I like to think in the future it will all fall into place.

Q: Is there any song from the band’s discography that you look at now and feel you aren’t really proud of, think could be better, wish wasn’t on either album?

A: “Short, Fast and Loud” and “Champagne For My Real Friends..”. I wish we had put a couple of songs on FUCT that we didn’t include: “Austin, We Have A Problem,” “I liked You A Whole Lot Better…,” and “Music or The Misery.” There was a song left off of TTTYG that we never finished about our friend Jakus – I’d like to put it on a b-sides record. I wish I had never written “My Hear Is The Worst Kind of Weapon.” I feel like the spite and hate in that song was a bit too much, even though it was what I was feeling at the time.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree, as we mentioned, has garnered you some mainstream attention. For example, you won the MTV2 award at the MTV Video Awards a few months back, even beating out My Chemical Romance. What was it like crossing that stage in front of all those people and viewers to accept that award? Why’d you think My Chem was really going to win?

A: I personally thought that My Chem made the video of the year, I loved it. Crossing the stage was insane. All we were thinking is “please don’t drop an f-bomb.” Usually if you are going to win an award they come by and make sure you are all in your seats. No one did that so we were pretty sure we were gonna lose, so Joe got wasted -- that was pretty funny. It was intimidating because no one in the room knew who we were, but we were really proud of our fans for voting for us. It was a huge mix of emotions.

Q: A bigger honor had to be being nominated for a Grammy, though. Just being nominated, what’s that like?

A: Amazing. No matter what we sold or whatever, it’s the first time your parents don’t think you are a garage band anymore. Besides it’s hilarious that we sit between Tom Hanks and Bonnie Raitt – I’m sure they are super stoked on that.

Q: What were your thoughts / feelings when you weren’t announced as the winner? Did you have the Kanye West mentality going into it that it’d be an injustice if you didn’t win?

A: We hyped ourselves up on the fact that we were not going to win. We didn’t do any of the pre-Grammy requests where you play schools and lobby Grammy committees, so we knew we had even less of a chance. Still, no matter what, one second before the envelope is opened you go “what if,” and then it didn’t happen and you only feel disappointment. You can’ win everything, but somewhere in your head you’re like “when they announced our band we got a bigger applause” and you start freaking out and thinking about how you were ripped off. After 24 hours you sit back and realize there are other great musicians and records out there. John Legend put out a great record, our hats are off to him, but no one wants to feel like the “second best new artist”.

Q: You guys recently completed writing for the follow-up to From Under The Cork Tree. Why are you guys moving so fast into the next album already? After Take This To Your Grave, everyone wanted a sequel, but you waited; why not wait now?

A: Every band wants to write the new Coldplay record. The problem is most of these bands suck and should get back in the shorts and write pop-punk. It took us forever to write FUCT because we were scared. This time the music flowed so much more smoothly. We simply have the songs. Bands make their crowd wait far too long between records because, in my opinion, the industry wants to squeeze every bit they can out of them. We are not interested in being a part of that. If you look at all the prolific artists over history most of them had creative output that was insane compared to the rock bands of today.

Q: When does it appear you all will go into the studio to actually track it, and when can we expect it on shelves?

A: We go into the studio in June and hope to have it out late fall or early winter.

Q: What are the chances Babyface actually produces this? Did his being at the House of Blues show in LA have anything to do with this?

A: Babyface will produce a couple of songs on the record and Neal Avron will do the rest. Him being at the LA show was incidental, I guess he’s a fan.

Q: What about him and his previous work makes the band feel he’s the best choice to produce the next album?

A: We love his approach to melody. Patrick will sing with a greater range and more soul in our new songs and we wanted to find someone to drive that. Neal will be the engineer on the songs so they will maintain the FOB standard. Besides we loved the Josie and The Pussycats soundtrack.

Q: It becomes the assumption that the more successful an act is, the less they put into their music and albums, and the more the producer dabbles with the direction of where the album goes (song writing included). How does Fall Out Boy prove this theory wrong?

A: Haha. If you’ve ever hung around us, we write our own songs and play our own songs. I think the proof is in the fact that we never changed or dumbed down any of our music between records. We have worked with multiple producers and our basic song structures and ideas have always remained intact. We have NEVER auto tuned a lead vocal on a Fall Out Boy record --some of the backing vocals. We consider this a big accomplishment in comparison to many of the bands we are sandwiched between on the radid. And really, at the end of the day, Fall Out Boy doesn’t really prove anything to anyone; if you want to hate us you will find a reason, if you want to love us you will find a reason.

Q: What do you want to accomplish with the next album?

A: Anyone can do “this” once. I want to prove that we can again. I want to transcend the idea people have of us and our band. I want to finally respond to what so many people have been saying or writing about our band. I want to prove people wrong. I honestly am just so happy to be able to play music and I just want to write the next part in the life of Fall Out Boy. It’s all I and we want to do.

Q: Can we be the first to know what the album is going to be called? We want to be like “WTF.”

A: Haha. We’ll tell you first, if only so I can read the 4,000 replies that are “isn’t this fucking band dead yet” and then 4,001 that’s like “I don’t care about Fall Out Boy news”.

Q: Can we expect incredibly long song titles? Seriously, I want to see essay paragraphs, kind of like how Fiona Apple named her second disc.

A: I dunno what to expect. We grew up on bands like Shai Hulud and that’s where it came from for us; now that a million bands do it, it may be time to try something else, or maybe we’ll just keep making fun of everything.

Q: On the first album you and Patrick split the lyric writing duty, correct? And on the second album you wrote all the lyrics, right? For the new record, was it a joint effort again or was it another solo effort? Also, is it weird to have Patrick singing your words?

A: This record I wrote all the lyrics again. I don’t know how to explain it very well, but it’s the equivalent of finishing each others sentences in a musical conversation. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anyone else on the planet singing these words.

Q: I know Saves The Day and Lifetime are two of your biggest influences; however, if you had to pick one or the other, which one would you go with? If you could only pick one album from each band’s discography as their best, which ones would you choose?

A: I think I would go with Lifetime because they originated much of the sound this scene has, but personally, STD records helped me get through more. I would say the two songs that STD put on that Vagrant comp (“Sell My Old Clothes”) and then Jersey’s Best Dancers.

Q: Aside from other bands and music, what else influences your songwriting?

A: Bands and music have the smallest influence on me, the biggest being writers; currently Hemingway and Sharon Olds. It’s hard not to be influenced by every single person around me I guess.

Q: Do you ever have to sit down and force yourself to write? Or does it always come naturally?

A: Sometimes I try and it never works. For months I won’t write a thing, and then one day it will all pour out. Forcing writing always seems kind of awkward and meaningless to me.

Q: Some kids say Fall Out Boy’s lyrics have affected their life and touched them on a personal level, did you ever expect your words to have such an impact? What’s it like hearing / knowing that?

A: It’s probably the best reception I could ever hope our band could get. All the bands that I have really loved over the years have made an impact like that on me, so we do not take that lightly. It’s a bit better than being asked if “Patrick will marry me’ or “what’s your screenname.”

Q: Is there any decisions you four have made as a band that you all have later regretted?

A: Yes. I guess ill just go into detail on one. We signed a deal originally because we just wanted to get music out. We feel like we were completely taken advantage of. I cant go into too much more detail legally, but it makes me want to make sure new bands out there that we are friends with don’t end up in shitty deals just because they want to get their music out there.

Q: What would you be doing without Fall Out Boy? Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: Without FOB, I see myself in college studying English and Political Science, graduating, and maybe working in some job I hated. I’d love to have ended up a writer; unfortunately, I think I’m a better storyteller than a writer – a hack at best. In ten years, I hope to still be involved in this creative process somehow – I’m not sure to what ends, but I’d like to still have a voice.

Q: Who is one person you’d absolutely do anything for?

A: My mother, followed closely by a girl from Chicago, and then the other three members of my band.

Q: What do you love about the other guys in the band?

A: Joe is my brother. He grates my nerves, but I have thrown more punches and talked more shit for this kid than anyone else in my life, simply because I know he’s gonna be there until the end. Andy I have known longer than anyone. You can set your watch by his ideals, they are unmoving; I admire that. Whenever I actually have problems, he is who I turn to. Patrick is inexplicable. I love him more than almost anyone else on the planet. He has “it” and he doesn’t even realize that. I could go on forever. I guess his part in the band is always so underplayed, but honestly his voice is what makes 99 percent of a Fall Out Boy song.

Q: Without picking bands from FBR/Decaydance, who should we know about and be listening to? What are some albums you’re looking forward to this year?

A: Shiny Toy Guns, Danger: Radio, Set Your Goals, a couple of others, but I am considering signing them so I don’t want to create a feeding frenzy around them unnecessarily. There is so much great music out there that is off of everyone’s radar.

Q: Well, this is it for Round One; do you have any last thing else you’d like to say or address?

A: Thanks for the interview and thanks for sticking with us. Sorry it took one million years to get it done. I'm sorry for the poor spelling and grammar, but I’ve included some sidekick n00dz to make up for it; they are super emo with Cure records in the background this time instead.
Cool interview! :laugh:

[Jedi_Master]

Awesome interview!:laugh:

[Peter Parker]

who the fuck is pete wentz?

[thewebguy]

http://j-14.hollywood.com/automated/cross/cover.jpg

[FinchBulldog2]

Nice work, Jared. If Tate sells this site for 700 mil you should get at least 30 mil.

[xDinoCorex]

Good stuff.
Danger:Radio is good too!

[WarpSpeedChewy]

After reading this, I have alot more respect for Pete. Not that I didn't before but as someone who isn't a huge FOB fan I respect who he is. I like his work with FBR and his label. Nice guy. Besides FOB has some pretty good catchy songs.

[zizou1790]

A: After having played radio shows, and shows with all kinds of other bands, I have to say “this scene” is one of the best there is. There are so many people here because they love the sincere creativity of music AND on top of that this is one of the few scenes where a band can sell 500,000 records without major video or radio play.


bullshit.

[ishotthepilot]

so does this mean that its going to be like when Hawth. Heights was suddenly okay after that one AP interview?

This guy makes me sick. He's fake. He doesn't express true emotion.

except that all he DOES is show emotion, dude. "do you feel you expose yourself too much?" "yes."

[YouMadeTheScene]

Pretty good. He answered them honestly and hole heartedly it seems. I'd like Jared maybe to really stick it to him and get even deeper though. I give it a B-.

[xedout]

i love that i was listening to FOB while reading this totally by chance. that was an awesome interview. i agree, i'm in the always love em crowd!

[irthesteve]

A: After having played radio shows, and shows with all kinds of other bands, I have to say “this scene” is one of the best there is. There are so many people here because they love the sincere creativity of music AND on top of that this is one of the few scenes where a band can sell 500,000 records without major video or radio play.


bullshit.
how in any way is that bullshit?


spectacular interview, i smiled when he said "champange" was his least favorite, because i've always wished that song was a b-side instead

[dawnofthenight]

Wicked awesome interview!

[smallbutfeisty]

great interview...i love fall out boy, and i will always support them.

[The Revisionist]

*sigh* "Champagne For My Real Friends..." is one of my favorite songs by FOB, I will never listen to the song the same way knowing Pete is not proud of it. :(Why would somebody else's opinion of a song change yours?

[konstantine128]

i love petey wentz he never fails to amuse me

[so typical]

very thorough interview.

[imperfectlyflwd]

Ive been a pretty strong FOB fan for about 2 years now... I never stopped liking them when they started to get huge, i guess I just bragged about liking them a bit less since everyone associates them with 14 year old girls now. It seems like Wentz has the right perspective on what he's doing though, which I admire. Sweet interview.

Oh, and as for their live show... Ive seen them twice, once i thought they sucked (at warped), the other (nintendo tour) i thought they fuckin tore it up. I wish I could learn to be that comfortable/crazy on stage.

Same situation for me. I've been a Fall Out boy fan now for almost 2 1/2 years, and despite my girl friend at the time's complaining, I never stopped liking them when they got big (she bitches beyond belief when a band gets big...lol...but hey, we all feel that way inside a little bit). I've seen them twice, as inSykoBadger's case, once at the Warped Tour, and once a little over a month ago at the first stop on the Black Clouds and Underdogs tour. I was shocked at how crappy they sounded at the warped tour in August, and was really expecting them to suck on the Underdog tour too, but I was blown away at how much of an improvement there was. Granted they didn't sound JUST like the CD in concert (Cartel has come the closest so far in my humble opinion), but I've never heard a band, no matter how good, that sounds exactly like the album. Especially in a rock or punk or whatever band's performance, they tend to get pretty into it physically, and singing and playing guitar or some other instrument isn't the easiest thing to do, even sitting down, let alone jumping around.

I also agree that the mainstream adjusted to FOB, not the other way around. Even in the 7 or so months between Warped and Underdogs, the crowd changed ALOT. Granted the warped your is a different environment, but I saw mostly college kids and some of the older end of the high school range, where as at the Underdogs, there were parents with their middle school aged (under 14) daughters with them. Hell one of them asked my buddy (hes almost 22, I'm almost 21) if he would hold her hand during the concert because she was scared....whyyyyyyy is she even there?????!!

[imperfectlyflwd]

Oh and P.S., great job Jared...I really liked the interview, regardless of my opinion on the band.


Also, you have good taste in women ;) (xOxBeMinexOx) I completely agree

[swrilltearuaprt]

sick braah.

[livelovecrydie]

"We grew up on bands like Shai Hulud... "


no you fucking didnt.

[rikfrommf]

Question for Round 2:

Lucky Boys Confusion was a very influential band in Chicago before you guys got your start, and during your start they promoted you very heavily. They are currently label-less. Why does it appear that you have not returned the favor the LBC and used your fame to help them out?

Ask other bands about the kind of people LBC can be...

[julia_bagulia]

"besides, we loved the Josie and the Pussycats Soundtrack"

I giggled a little bit at that.

[GreenDayIdiot]

i will also always support this band no matter what happens

[Empty hearts187]

yeah, this is probably one of the best AP.net interviews.

[homicide hearts]

that was one of the best interviews i read. shoulda asked about that show ampd mobile thing...?

[jmarie_469]

Amazing interview. I adore these guys/this band so much. I'll be (t)here til the end.

[ActorInThisPlay]

great interview...the guys were so down to earth when I met them a couple years ago. i always will support this band.

[Spiffysthebest]

Awesome interview Jared. Put my name on that "till the end" list.

"We’ll tell you first, if only so I can read the 4,000 replies that are “isn’t this fucking band dead yet” and then 4,001 that’s like “I don’t care about Fall Out Boy news”.

This was hilarious since I just read the GNR thread & the first 10 replies are exactly that.
....did I just compare FOB to GNR?....weird.

I love guys like Pete who are actually trying to improve the music scene, and stuff that goes on around them. Even though everyone hates each other, I love this scene. Although, I guess I haven't really been in any other one...
Man, that's it I'm leaving. Then coming back after years of soul searching. Just watch...

[mattregan]

great read... kudos

[Rohan Kohli]

Kick ass interview

[Troy will Fall]

wow, this was pretty interesting...Nice job :)

[MakeDamnSure]

He sounded like a really nice person in this interview. He always gives thoughtful answers.

[foisol]

Awesome... I'm waiting for the new Shiny Toy Guns stuff too.

This definetely made me feel bad about bashing Fall Out Boy and Pete Wentz. I'd like to be at that level some day (and made fun of just as much).

[Caleb Cattivera]

wow jared. amazing, amazing, interview.

[akkie]

nice

[xllirikx]

Thats a marvelous interview!

[Beloved Broken]

Informative and well-conducted. One of the best I've read here, and with a respectable and thoughtful person.
I will try to think of a question for part 2.
Thumbs up to Jared.

[[Brendan]]

Great interview.

[ragdoll246]

awsome!

[ishotthepilot]

"We grew up on bands like Shai Hulud... "

no you fucking didnt.

call the scene police, dudes in a pop band couldnt possibly listen to hardcore, of course not... except that Chad Gilbert does vocals on their freaking ALBUM.



spectacular interview, i smiled when he said "champange" was his least favorite, because i've always wished that song was a b-side instead

agreed. it's not really a spectacular song compared to the rest.
it's cool to hear that kind of stuff though, they really do need to get that b-sides album thing going.

[Don Trump]

This guy really needs to get off his high horse and realise the "Music community" doesn't need him. He seems to think he's a saviour of some sort.

[oldwirehands]

I still think Pete's a bitch but not as much as I used to. Sounds like a cooler dude but someone that I wouldn't be able to mesh with.

I didn't like the lyrics on the new record. Please let Patrick be involved with the lyrical writing. I loved TTTYG lyrics. I hate FUCT lyrics.

[AmandaLynn]

go team jared :) youre the best!

[joanne_*]

This is by far the best interview i have read about pete wentz and and his band. It has every q u could think of and he answerd them great.:)

[mms8705]

this was a great interview.

[what_it_is]

wow, if he signed set your goals, thatd be some shit

[shoop]

nsync > backstreet boys > fall out boy . I absolutely cannot believe how many people like this band. To me, its some really dumb shit.

[over rated]

the one thing that gets me about fall out boy is how i used to think they were mine and only mine. i loved going to see them open for another band and i was the only one singing along with their songs, and then was able to go and talk to them after the show for a good couple of minutes. now they have close to 20,000 people at their shows all singing along. i loved when i wore my fall out boy t-shirt and everyone was like 'what is fall out boy?'. this is probably true with a bunch of you all, but just wanted to get my thoughts out.

[brianma]

nsync > backstreet boys > fall out boy . I absolutely cannot believe how many people like this band. To me, its some really dumb shit.

Sweet, another comparison to boy bands. Real original.

<3rian Ma.

[hubbabubbal3ts]

great interview.

[*GemLovesPunk*]

I still think Pete's a bitch but not as much as I used to. Sounds like a cooler dude but someone that I wouldn't be able to mesh with.

I didn't like the lyrics on the new record. Please let Patrick be involved with the lyrical writing. I loved TTTYG lyrics. I hate FUCT lyrics.


FUCT lyrics were well good and what was best was they were from the heart unlike sum phoney bands out there who write lyrics bout shit they dnt even no bout an ends up soundin totally fake!!
Oh the interview totally rocked too

[Snails]

nsync > backstreet boys > fall out boy . I absolutely cannot believe how many people like this band. To me, its some really dumb shit.
Get the fuck out of here, asshole.

P.S. you're gay.

[dashboard1190]

Great interview.

[OveriseFan]

the one thing that gets me about fall out boy is how i used to think they were mine and only mine. i loved going to see them open for another band and i was the only one singing along with their songs, and then was able to go and talk to them after the show for a good couple of minutes. now they have close to 20,000 people at their shows all singing along. i loved when i wore my fall out boy t-shirt and everyone was like 'what is fall out boy?'. this is probably true with a bunch of you all, but just wanted to get my thoughts out.

Uh... so what?

Shouldn't you be HAPPY a band you've loved has become successful? Isn't that what you should want?

Yes, but we're all selfish inside.

Ah well, the point is they got big, get over it, you knew it would happen.

[Mike Oxmall]

The interview I admit was decent, but really the topic of Chris was kept to a minimum... Hmmm. He would do something for a girl in Chicago, over Chris... No wonder Chris is bitter!! haha! He probably likes Pete a bit too much. Really someone should interview Dan Keyes, and be like nukka what have you been up to, what do you think about all these bands and their "big voices"? I think alot of these bands mouths are moving, but not much is coming out. Thats how I feel.

[hello_goodbyex3]

pete is just amazing.<3

[bigmig22]

solid interview kid

[Tony Pascarella]

I liked this a lot.

[<Mego><LUVS>You]

Hmmmm..... there is this girl who i completely HATE because I am "preppy" pretty and popular, and when she found out i went to a FOb concert she was like ugh omg she doesnt even listen to them and talking about me even tho she already knew i am in love with marilyn manson.... Anyway to get to the point i asked her to read this interview and understand that FOB isnt just for the "punk" kids and she read it and has stopped talking trash sooooo THANX ! XOXO

[over rated]

Uh... so what?

Shouldn't you be HAPPY a band you've loved has become successful? Isn't that what you should want?

Yes, but we're all selfish inside.

Ah well, the point is they got big, get over it, you knew it would happen.

ya i'm way happy for them, thats why i said the one thing that bothers me. they worked their butts off for this. but ya you're right it was pretty obvious these guys would get big.

[foisol]

nsync > backstreet boys > fall out boy . I absolutely cannot believe how many people like this band. To me, its some really dumb shit.

Haha... I don't think Fall Out Boy can ever reach BSB type of success. Last time I checked, BSB's last album went platinum in South Asia lol.

[dan.is.empire]

i'm glad i took the time to read this. it made me think twice about hating the man behind the image that the media puts out of pete wentz. definitely has a lot of heart for his band.

[invincibleXL]

Great interview! I only wish i submitted the question , "will Pete ever attempt to sing a song on a FOB record??"


That would be interesting.

[BrandNizzle182]

id like to think its not all bullshit, but actions speak louder than words. i will never watch them again but not just beacause of the $10000000000 ticket prices or the 12 year old girls. hopefully they can make another sick record.

[xNinjasxKillx]

Pete is pretty much great as ten.
I know us boardies [posts on falloutboyrock.] give him a hard time, but we do it through love.
Fall Out Boy is love.<3 Seriously.

[Suchasucker]

Thanks for asking questions, that no one else seems to care enough about to ask. :)

[FallPanicHeight]

Awesome interview, interview more great people and bands!

[mayomuffins]

yay! this made me happy...i will always support fob 100%

[meliisssaaaa]

i love this-
"I know my flaws. We have a love/hate relationship."

[Imallout007]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.

my thoughts exactly....there great live

[lostheart]

I've been supporting FOB since I have first seen them about two and a half years ago, and I'll continue to support them as long as I have this life.

[righteousness]

awesome interview.

[Loserface01]

hey loved the interview it was awesome can't wait for the new cd.

[apex]

a good interview

[trohmaniac]

Babababab...I'm lovin' it!

[bleu]

a great interview indeed.Pete,u r way beyond a songwriter:D
FOB rock :)

[CircaEnder]

yeah.. bad ass interview.
i love FOB.

[morethanme57]

hahahaha. i'm sorry, i couldn't help laughing at that one.



hahaha...I get it...that is funny.

[ceri_the_emo]

A Disney star on coke? It has to be Beans. http://www.celebritykidz.com/StevenALawrence/Gallery/YAA/YAASteven.jpg

lol no its probly lizzie mcguire... hang on did pete say it woz a guy?? nvrmynd, i always thort ther was sumthin odd bout her...

[mps]

lol no its probly lizzie mcguire... hang on did pete say it woz a guy?? nvrmynd, i always thort ther was sumthin odd bout her...

oMg!!11233££!! r u emo 2?

[xglassjawx]

oMg!!11233££!! r u emo 2?

lYk3 Y3@h!%(*^&_%$_*($& G*^B$(&)$^B*G*&(VN$%N$*(

[xglassjawx]

oMg!!11233££!! r u emo 2?
LyK3 Ye@h!!!!!!462$^£^%£"^%_£Q%_£"%"^& VVC%X$

[FuryCore]

I have a great newfound respect for Fall Out Boy but, more importantly, Pete Wentz. I really felt that the answers he gave and what he said in this interview were all really genuine and came from the heart. He was truthful and honest and I respect that more than anything.

I wouldn't have thought so a few months ago, but I am actually looking forward to the new FOB record.

[ArTkY_]

This is the best interview ever. I can't believe I turned on Pete before I read this. I suck.

Looking forward to the new album! Loved TTTYG, liked FUCT and EOWYG.

[relientj428]

why is it that everyone either sees this guy as God or the Anti Christ? i think he just seems like an average guy in a fairly catchy pop punk band. he's probably a really nice guy most the time. but sure, he can probably be a tool too. can't we all? get over it. stop worshipping and stop hating and just enjoy the music. no one man is as amazing or overwhelming evil as some people portray pete wentz as.

[melvicious]

overexposed. heh

[Vampires]

I have a great newfound respect for Fall Out Boy but, more importantly, Pete Wentz. I really felt that the answers he gave and what he said in this interview were all really genuine and came from the heart. He was truthful and honest and I respect that more than anything.

I agree with FuryCore.
I have a new view of life and a new respect for a lot of people by words FOB/Pete has said.
A very genuine interveiw if I do say.

[onelastdisaster]

that was a great interview. very fun to read.
pete seriously has some quotes that you can live off of.

[Pat Brown]

funny how many new female members are posting in this thread...is this linked from some seventeen magazine or something?

Anyway, loved to hear that the new stuff is going to be like the stereo. they rule.

A couple corrections: The matches lead singer is Shawn Harris, not sean, and it's not per say, it's per se. Otherwise a solid interview and I'll read part 2 as well.

[SliKr]

good, great, magnificant interview.

[FashionVictim69]

hmm. personally, i don't think it was THAT great of an interview. ( no offense fall out boy fans) but, fall out boy is alright. their music is pretty good . but should i suggest they put in more drums............

[BangBangToto]

Great interview. :)
[may13thomgican'twait!!!]

[elvis]

wentz is a geek

[wyverna]

my opinion of pete has gone up lately

[thisxemoxkid]

great interview. i wish someday we could meet. im like pete's #1 fan. i love u pete! ;)

[musicismyheart]

that was amazing. tho it took me two days to read it because it was so long but i enjoyed every minute of it. joe,andy,patrick and pete are so amazing. i resently went to their concert on april 5th and it was one of the best concerts ive ever been too in my whole life, considering how much shit they get talked about them, they are truly talented and have so much going for them. whether people "label" them "mainstreem" or whatever, i love them dearly and always will.

[CradlingxHatred]

Awesome interview.

[xFallxOutxBoyx3]

I LOVE MY HEART IS THE WORST KIND OF LESSON!!!!! What are you talking about? It's awesome.
Lys`

[Rock]

Haha sidekick n00dz...

:D

[thisxemoxkid]

First, I’d just like to thank Pete for allowing me the opportunity to conduct this interview with him. No one forced him to do this and no one suggested he do this; this was entirely his idea. I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to do this with, who I feel to be, one of the most honest, sincere, genuine people in this “scene” / business. This band went from playing YFW Halls to being all over MTV, mainstream radio, award shows and so forth, and they haven’t changed one bit. This is only part of the reason I respect these guys as individuals and, no matter what or how big they get, will always support them.

Q: Now, a lot has changed within the last year. You guys went from being a band only known throughout “the scene” to being all over radio, MTV and mainstream media in general. Do you think that has changed anything inside of you; your mentality, how you function, think, see the world, act and so forth?

A: I think that it would be impossible to not change with so many gigantic changes happening around me. I think that both I and the band do certain things in order to stay grounded. At the same time it is often hard to process the concept that you polarize people to such extremes: i.e. to be simultaneously the most abhorred people in the scene and the most idolized, especially when you see yourself as the same person you always have when you look in the mirror. After all of the dinners and “best new…” trophies and acclaims, there will be a time when no one cares about this band again and we will just still be the best of friends.

Q: Does money and fame blind you at all? Is it possible you’ve involuntarily changed due to all of this?

A: I think this question is hard to answer, because if it has involuntarily changed within me than I think I probably would not be conscious of it and therefore would answer “no” anyway. I, however, do not believe that money or fame blinds me or my band in any way. We make decisions based on what we feel is right for us and for our fan base. There are many things that were very lucrative that we turned down because it was not right for us, but no one ever see those lists printed on the internet anywhere.

Q: Do you regret where the band is today? I mean, I’m sure there are some serious perks that come with being as famous and successful as you are; however, I’m sure you’ve had to sacrifice a lot as well. Would you give it all back if you could?

A: This question is hard to answer as well. I don’t regret where the band is today. but I do regret some of the decisions both the band and I have made. There isn’t a manual on how to act or what to do. I/we made some missteps, hopefully we’ve learned enough to not make them again. Besides the fact that there are many people out there in the industry that would love to take advantage of us, I think that this situation has made me more guarded and on edge when I meet new people. But we always wanted to have a voice at the forefront of music and now we do -- I wouldn’t give that back for the world.

Q: What are some pros about the level of success you’ve reached? What are some of the cons that come along with it?

A: Some pros are that we are able to live and work and not have to worry about where we are going to sleep tomorrow night; we are paid to do what we love. It’s also great because it allows us to be part of different creative processes and that is our drive at the end of the day. The cons are similar to the pros. I mean, all you want is a voice/attention on what you are doing and then all of a sudden you are on the edge of overexposure. It’s scary. You aren’t always in control of how you are perceived. One of the most frustrating things is the many people that attempt to have feuds with you. There is a band or two that asked us to have a feud with them. We aren’t interested in being a part of some bands marketing plan in that way.

Q: How do you feel about fans that might label you all sellouts now and may have turned their backs on you?

A: I feel like we haven’t gotten as bad of a backlash as some other bands who have sold as many records as us. I think that’s possibly because a lot of kids saw us get in the van over and over again while other bands were eating for free on black cards. Again, when you polarize people you have people on both sides. There are people that say we fucking suck live and on TV and then other people who say we used auto tune live; you can’t have it both ways. We have not changed major parts of our band in order to be received better. If anything, in my opinion, this record is less accessible than TTYG -- the lyrics were not dumbed down or anything. I mean, I feel like we haven’t bent to the mainstream, if anything, the mainstream bent to us. But for those who do label us sellouts, I’ve been in that boat before where I’ve loved a band and when they were all over the place I felt like I lost them. I began to question their motives and what they were doing. It’s a hard position when you feel like you have ownership over the music the way many of our fans do, I understand. I know these are the people that will be there for us when the limelight fades.

Q: I want kids to see how you really aren’t just about money and fame and that you all are actually one of few bands left with integrity. You’ve said fans don’t realize how many crappy ideas you and the band have been offered that you’ve turned down in order to be real and true, what were some pitches thrown your way? What about them made you turn them down?

A: We were offered the Motorola commercial with Madonna and Questlove. We have been offered money by countless beer companies. We have been offered to have songs written for us. We have been offered tours with all kinds of bands that we don’t back, which would have been lucrative tours -- I don’t really want to bad mouth anyone per say.

Q: Does all of this attention and spotlight ever make you contemplate disappearing and laying low for a little bit?

A: Yes. My biggest fantasy is moving to Oklahoma and disappearing, but it's fleeting. I am human. I have the same issues that everyone else does.

Q: Right now, it seems like you do everything but lay low. Your thoughts and emotions can be seen on LiveJournal, Friends or Enemies’ journal, Fueled By Ramen’s Journal and the band’s journal on a regular basis. Do you ever feel you’re exposing too much of yourself?

A: Yes.

Q: Even from the beginning, you’ve been pretty much known as Fall Out Boy’s “spokesman,” doing most of the interviews, standing in front in most of the pictures and so on. How does the rest of the band feel about that?

A: I think that people, especially in the press like to devour and digest bands and separate them and then put them back together as they see fit. The person with this bone structure will stand here and then it kind of is cemented in history. I have a big mouth. I think everyone knows that. Honestly, I think that the place FOB is the most normal and ok is when it is the four of us alone. It’s not weird. In a vacuum it all makes perfect sense, but I couldn’t describe that to you. It’s not an interesting story for Rolling Stone if I say Patrick is an utter musical genius and a lottery ticket for me, if I say that I feel uncomfortable with this position, or whatever. They never print those quotes because it’s not as good of a story. I guess you would have to ask the band to get the most honest answer. But I would say that everyone feels really good about the role they play in FOB, not necessarily the role that the media portrays them playing, though.

Q: Because of this, you have become the center of attention and the center of hate. What is like knowing you’re “center stage” and everyone is watching you and waiting for you to do or say something?

A: It’s kind of scary. It’s definitely made me realize that there is a “good” kind of attention and a “bad” kind of attention; all press is not good press. I mean, honestly, anything you’ve ever said or thought about me or made fun of me for I have already done one thousand times before and better than you ever could. I know my flaws. We have a love/hate relationship. It also always kind of makes me laugh when people realize I have a sense of humor and can laugh at myself. Like I was at the movies the other day and during the previews some kids yelled “’Sugar, We’re Going Down’ is the worst song I’ve ever fucking heard” and I reverse heckled him and said “What does your single sound like, dude?” His friends thought it was pretty funny. Either way it lets people know you are human and that you can laugh things off.

Q: You say you’re surprised by the band’s success and popularity; however, you own your own label and clothing line, and you write books. Does all of this really surprise you?

A: Well, I didn’t have a clothing line or a book before my band began to be successful enough to support projects like this. If you ever heard the real FOB demos, I think it would be pretty safe to say that what has happened to us is surprising.

Q: Out of all your projects (Fall out Boy, Decaydance, etc.) you have going on, what’s your favorite to work on?

A: Fall Out Boy by far.

Q: Part of your workload, as we mentioned, includes your label. Your biggest and most promoted act, Panic! At The Disco, have sold a ton of records and gained a lot of success pretty fast. Did you at all assist them in the writing of their debut album? What’s it like for you to see where those boys are now?

A: I did not assist them in writing their record. I consider Ryan to be a contemporary of mine when it comes to lyrics and we have traded lines back and forth. Some of mine ended up on theirs as will some of his appear in the new FOB; in both cases like less then 1 percent of total lyrics. It’s like being a proud dad, I guess. I mean I will never again get to experience some of the adventures that happen to a band for the first time, and with bands like Panic!, I get to be part of that process again.

Q: Do you think Panic! is a better band than Fall Out Boy?

A: Haha. “Which kid do you love the best?” I think Panic! and FOB are doing completely different things. For those who say the voices sound the same, I agree they are similar but only for the most part when compared to the nasal qualities of other pop-punk bands. If you compare either to Motown or some of our other musical influences, they both become quite the norm. I think that the musicality of P!ATD is amazing, but I am very happy being in fob -- if that answers your question. Fob = Jared Kaufman = Jason Tate < The Beatles > Panic! At The Disco; did you want a chart like that? Music is about opinions. I think FOB is one of the best bands because I am in it. That does not mean I can’t appreciate other bands like Panic!, Kanye or MCR, to name a few. I mean trick question: Panic! is Fall Out Boy. It’s tough doing two bands at once, and those masks we wear get sweaty, but there’s nothing like getting paid two guarantees.

Q: What makes you go ahead and say “I’m going to sign that band?” What stood out about Panic!, The Hush Sound and October Fall that made you want to ink a deal with them?

A: I didn’t intend on doing a record label. It was not something that interested me. I just wanted our friends in The Academy Is to get signed. After that I heard Panic! and my immediate reaction was jealousy. I was like these guys are writing songs I wish we had written. I think that it’s far more important as an A&R to chase songwriters not songs, because anyone can write a catchy song once. I want to find someone with a voice. October Fall, it was all about watching these kids grow up in the Chicago suburbs. We’ve known some of them for a long time. I really feel like this band is going to grow and surprise people. With The Hush Sound, I’ve always wanted to work with a band that had a girl in it because I feel like this scene is a giant boys club. Greta was perfect. On top of that, they didn’t sound like any other band around to me. I’m interested in finding bands before they are hype bands as was the case with TAI and Panic. Gym Class to me is the diamond in the rough. Too hip hop for rock, too rock for hip hop. I love the way I think this band is cutting new ground.

Q: What do you really think of October Fall and the fact they kicked out Jack Marin?

A: I love Jack. He’s a great guy who is doing awesome things; he is a friend of mine. Honestly, I don’t think that the personalities within the band matched well. He was the only straightedge member and a slew of other differences. Sometimes personalities clash and things don’t work out, it can be painful. I think both Jack and October Fall are going to come out of the situation ok.

Q: Are there any bands you’ll be signing very soon?

A: Lifetime, which is one of the most exciting projects I have ever been a part of, simply because I want to hear another Lifetime record. It’s funny people will complain that the new kids don’t know where the sound came from, but then they are the same people who whine when the kids get a chance to hear where it all began. I don’t really care what these people think. FOB would not exist without Lifetime and this is one of my ways of paying them back. I love the band and the music. There are a couple of other bands, no one that you would expect. We are going to keep the roster very small so we can focus on each band. So if it takes a band a bit to take off we are going to stay behind them, unlike other labels that throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and then get behind whatever sticks.

Q: With all these investments you currently have going on, Fall Out Boy included, how much are you making? We all would like to believe you’re really being paid in Mercedes.

A: Haha. I’m doing ok. Honestly, want to know where the most money comes from? Take This To Your Grave. FBR is one of the few labels of that size that pays royalties regularly and honestly. I have a big mouth and am impulsive, so for anything I’ve ever made I have a couple of lawsuits against me that are quite pricey that I currently am unable to talk about. Suffice it to say that I am not a millionaire, but I am currently comfortable and trying to be smart about my money. I grew up with Behind The Music.

Q: Andy, Joe and Patrick recently went out and got their own places, correct? Why do you still choose to live at home with your parents? It seems you’re doing well enough for yourself now to be able to afford your own residence. (I recently read you’re contemplating moving to LA, so this could’ve changed).

A: Living with my parents has definitely helped to keep me grounded over the last couple of years, though I feel like I am definitely ready to move out on my own -- hopefully somewhere new.

Q: Is it hard to keep the “underdog mentality” that you and the band promote when clearly you guys aren’t really the underdogs anymore?

A: Compared to the bands we are put next to, we are still considered underdogs (bands now like Audioslave and Nickelback). But honestly, we have no agenda as far as that goes. We realize that our band has gone from under the radar to all over it. We always wanted to have a voice and now we do. We don’t have the “underdog mentality,” we’re just trying to be us. It’s unfortunate that the press only writes about four different stories on us.

Q: Since reaching the point you guys are currently at, have you lost touch with any people or friendships?

A: Definitely. It’s hard to stay in touch with people when you are never in one place at one time. What’s even harder is when people show up out of the woodwork because they think they have something they can gain from you or your band. It’s hard to smell out the fakes. It can make you pretty paranoid.

Q: You may have lost some people and relationships in your life, but I’m pretty sure more people have come into it, celebrities included. You’ve recently been linked to Ashlee Simpson. Is there anything worth mentioning going on there?

A: Haha.. Ashlee and I are friends, but that’s it -- she has a boyfriend. There’s nothing really worth mentioning; this would fall into the “bad” kind of attention.

Q: Besides romantically being linked to someone, you’ve been said to have been in feuds with people as well. In all honesty, what happened between you and Brandon Flowers (The Killers)?

A: Brandon has a big mouth. Pete has a big mouth. It’s unfortunate that both of our bands have to deal with that. We share an A&R guy; I read something that quoted Brandon as saying he hates sharing an A&R guy with a band like us. I responded only because I honestly think that band has written some really great songs – it’s long over now. I think we may have at some point traded make-up tips or something equally flaming.

Q: Obviously, it’s safe to say you’re somewhat of a celebrity now. With that being said, are you still not drinking? Or have you become involved in the partying scene?

A: I don’t drink, it’s not interesting to me. Most of my friends do, though, and they do some pretty funny stuff that I usually remember the next morning when they don’t.

Q: Straight edge or not, do you have any wild and crazy stories from any parties you’ve attended in the big leagues?

A: Haha. I’ve watched all kinds of people who are celebrities act like total morons, just like normal people do at parties. It’s funnier when you’re like, “holy shit, that dude is on some Disney channel show and he just did a bunch of coke.” Laughable.

Q: Along with success comes the trash talking; do what kids say (personal attacks, cheap shots at the band, etc.) on the message boards affect you at all?

A: Yes. I have pretty thick skin, but I think one of the problems with the internet is that none of us really stop and think that there are real people on the other end. That being said, I’m definitely down to laugh at myself, sometimes you need to.

Q: What’s your whole outlook on this “scene” now when it comes to the fact kids are so quick to bash bands if they make it big or other people for their personal taste in music?

A: After having played radio shows, and shows with all kinds of other bands, I have to say “this scene” is one of the best there is. There are so many people here because they love the sincere creativity of music AND on top of that this is one of the few scenes where a band can sell 500,000 records without major video or radio play.

Q: Negativity doesn’t only come from the kids, though. You stated awhile back that while on Warped Tour someone in a band told you Fall Out Boy didn’t belong and someone else came along and said you all did, or something to that effect. Can you expand on that? Do you experience a lot of resentment from other bands?

A: I feel like with rock bands there has always been kind of this underlying “rugged individual” mentality. It’s like if there is another band out there that is as big as you they must be competition. In most cases I think this is pretty silly. Over the last year, both in the press and at award shows, we have been head-to-head with My Chemical Romance over most things. The funny thing is not only are we friends, but I feel like for the most part our bands are pretty dissimilar sonically. People want to read that there is drama because it’s more interesting. On the other hand, I think too many bands talk behind each other’s backs. It’s kind of become boring. I am glad to say there are some bands that are blowing up or already big that sincerely get along with each other.

Q: There are a lot of great bands you are friends with, though. Who are some of your favorites? What member specifically? Who encourages you when you’re down, and motivates you to stay in the game?

A: My Chemical Romance. I love all these guys. I talk to Mikey and Gerard the most. Kanye West. The Early November -- Joe. Senses Fail -- Buddy is one of the most genuine kids I’ve met. The Matches -- Sean is a kid that stuck up for me in a situation where no one else would, when no one gave a shit about my band. Kate from The Fight, Matchbook Romance, The Academy Is, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Glass, October Fall --- all these go with out saying -- Punchline, Vinnie and all the guys in Less Than Jake. There are so many bands out there, big and small, who we’ve come to love over the years.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree has been the album selling like crazy, getting you the MTV exposure, mainstream radio airplay, hordes of new fans, etc.; however, most diehard Fall Out Boy fans who have been there from day one say they prefer Take This To Your Grave? Which one do you yourself prefer?

A: It’s two different times in my life. Some people will put TTTYG in a category with Through Being Cool and Jersey’s Best Dancers. I don’t, but it is very flattering. To me TTTYG had this amazing energy that will never be harnessed again. It was pure spite and drive to get out of a small town and away from the people that made us feel that way. But at the same time, I feel like it was very singular, like “you did this, I hope you burn and die.” I like FUCT because it took a deeper look inside, like if you keep ending up in the same situation over and over you should probably look inside yourself for a reason you are there. Also, FUCT represents a response not to what people would be saying about our band a day after the record came out, but a year later -- everything anyone has to say about us, we already said on that record. I believe that from Evening Out… to FUCT our records have taken a very organic growth and I am proud of that. The new stuff we have written to me is TTTYG meets The Stereo meets old Michael Jackson -- if that’s makes any sense at all.

Q: Speaking of Take This To Your Grave, do you still talk to or see the girl who “inspired” those songs and deemed herself “The Fall Out Boy Girl?”

A: Yeah. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel comfortable being around her and don’t obsess over every little thing I think about her.

Q: What’s happened with Hey Chris? Where is he these days? What’s he up to? Are you all still just as close? (This was asked before the whole LiveJournal drama, but answered after).

A: Friends fall in and fall out. I am sure everything will work out. Chris is a good guy and I like to think in the future it will all fall into place.

Q: Is there any song from the band’s discography that you look at now and feel you aren’t really proud of, think could be better, wish wasn’t on either album?

A: “Short, Fast and Loud” and “Champagne For My Real Friends..”. I wish we had put a couple of songs on FUCT that we didn’t include: “Austin, We Have A Problem,” “I liked You A Whole Lot Better…,” and “Music or The Misery.” There was a song left off of TTTYG that we never finished about our friend Jakus – I’d like to put it on a b-sides record. I wish I had never written “My Hear Is The Worst Kind of Weapon.” I feel like the spite and hate in that song was a bit too much, even though it was what I was feeling at the time.

Q: From Under The Cork Tree, as we mentioned, has garnered you some mainstream attention. For example, you won the MTV2 award at the MTV Video Awards a few months back, even beating out My Chemical Romance. What was it like crossing that stage in front of all those people and viewers to accept that award? Why’d you think My Chem was really going to win?

A: I personally thought that My Chem made the video of the year, I loved it. Crossing the stage was insane. All we were thinking is “please don’t drop an f-bomb.” Usually if you are going to win an award they come by and make sure you are all in your seats. No one did that so we were pretty sure we were gonna lose, so Joe got wasted -- that was pretty funny. It was intimidating because no one in the room knew who we were, but we were really proud of our fans for voting for us. It was a huge mix of emotions.

Q: A bigger honor had to be being nominated for a Grammy, though. Just being nominated, what’s that like?

A: Amazing. No matter what we sold or whatever, it’s the first time your parents don’t think you are a garage band anymore. Besides it’s hilarious that we sit between Tom Hanks and Bonnie Raitt – I’m sure they are super stoked on that.

Q: What were your thoughts / feelings when you weren’t announced as the winner? Did you have the Kanye West mentality going into it that it’d be an injustice if you didn’t win?

A: We hyped ourselves up on the fact that we were not going to win. We didn’t do any of the pre-Grammy requests where you play schools and lobby Grammy committees, so we knew we had even less of a chance. Still, no matter what, one second before the envelope is opened you go “what if,” and then it didn’t happen and you only feel disappointment. You can’ win everything, but somewhere in your head you’re like “when they announced our band we got a bigger applause” and you start freaking out and thinking about how you were ripped off. After 24 hours you sit back and realize there are other great musicians and records out there. John Legend put out a great record, our hats are off to him, but no one wants to feel like the “second best new artist”.

Q: You guys recently completed writing for the follow-up to From Under The Cork Tree. Why are you guys moving so fast into the next album already? After Take This To Your Grave, everyone wanted a sequel, but you waited; why not wait now?

A: Every band wants to write the new Coldplay record. The problem is most of these bands suck and should get back in the shorts and write pop-punk. It took us forever to write FUCT because we were scared. This time the music flowed so much more smoothly. We simply have the songs. Bands make their crowd wait far too long between records because, in my opinion, the industry wants to squeeze every bit they can out of them. We are not interested in being a part of that. If you look at all the prolific artists over history most of them had creative output that was insane compared to the rock bands of today.

Q: When does it appear you all will go into the studio to actually track it, and when can we expect it on shelves?

A: We go into the studio in June and hope to have it out late fall or early winter.

Q: What are the chances Babyface actually produces this? Did his being at the House of Blues show in LA have anything to do with this?

A: Babyface will produce a couple of songs on the record and Neal Avron will do the rest. Him being at the LA show was incidental, I guess he’s a fan.

Q: What about him and his previous work makes the band feel he’s the best choice to produce the next album?

A: We love his approach to melody. Patrick will sing with a greater range and more soul in our new songs and we wanted to find someone to drive that. Neal will be the engineer on the songs so they will maintain the FOB standard. Besides we loved the Josie and The Pussycats soundtrack.

Q: It becomes the assumption that the more successful an act is, the less they put into their music and albums, and the more the producer dabbles with the direction of where the album goes (song writing included). How does Fall Out Boy prove this theory wrong?

A: Haha. If you’ve ever hung around us, we write our own songs and play our own songs. I think the proof is in the fact that we never changed or dumbed down any of our music between records. We have worked with multiple producers and our basic song structures and ideas have always remained intact. We have NEVER auto tuned a lead vocal on a Fall Out Boy record --some of the backing vocals. We consider this a big accomplishment in comparison to many of the bands we are sandwiched between on the radid. And really, at the end of the day, Fall Out Boy doesn’t really prove anything to anyone; if you want to hate us you will find a reason, if you want to love us you will find a reason.

Q: What do you want to accomplish with the next album?

A: Anyone can do “this” once. I want to prove that we can again. I want to transcend the idea people have of us and our band. I want to finally respond to what so many people have been saying or writing about our band. I want to prove people wrong. I honestly am just so happy to be able to play music and I just want to write the next part in the life of Fall Out Boy. It’s all I and we want to do.

Q: Can we be the first to know what the album is going to be called? We want to be like “WTF.”

A: Haha. We’ll tell you first, if only so I can read the 4,000 replies that are “isn’t this fucking band dead yet” and then 4,001 that’s like “I don’t care about Fall Out Boy news”.

Q: Can we expect incredibly long song titles? Seriously, I want to see essay paragraphs, kind of like how Fiona Apple named her second disc.

A: I dunno what to expect. We grew up on bands like Shai Hulud and that’s where it came from for us; now that a million bands do it, it may be time to try something else, or maybe we’ll just keep making fun of everything.

Q: On the first album you and Patrick split the lyric writing duty, correct? And on the second album you wrote all the lyrics, right? For the new record, was it a joint effort again or was it another solo effort? Also, is it weird to have Patrick singing your words?

A: This record I wrote all the lyrics again. I don’t know how to explain it very well, but it’s the equivalent of finishing each others sentences in a musical conversation. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anyone else on the planet singing these words.

Q: I know Saves The Day and Lifetime are two of your biggest influences; however, if you had to pick one or the other, which one would you go with? If you could only pick one album from each band’s discography as their best, which ones would you choose?

A: I think I would go with Lifetime because they originated much of the sound this scene has, but personally, STD records helped me get through more. I would say the two songs that STD put on that Vagrant comp (“Sell My Old Clothes”) and then Jersey’s Best Dancers.

Q: Aside from other bands and music, what else influences your songwriting?

A: Bands and music have the smallest influence on me, the biggest being writers; currently Hemingway and Sharon Olds. It’s hard not to be influenced by every single person around me I guess.

Q: Do you ever have to sit down and force yourself to write? Or does it always come naturally?

A: Sometimes I try and it never works. For months I won’t write a thing, and then one day it will all pour out. Forcing writing always seems kind of awkward and meaningless to me.

Q: Some kids say Fall Out Boy’s lyrics have affected their life and touched them on a personal level, did you ever expect your words to have such an impact? What’s it like hearing / knowing that?

A: It’s probably the best reception I could ever hope our band could get. All the bands that I have really loved over the years have made an impact like that on me, so we do not take that lightly. It’s a bit better than being asked if “Patrick will marry me’ or “what’s your screenname.”

Q: Is there any decisions you four have made as a band that you all have later regretted?

A: Yes. I guess ill just go into detail on one. We signed a deal originally because we just wanted to get music out. We feel like we were completely taken advantage of. I cant go into too much more detail legally, but it makes me want to make sure new bands out there that we are friends with don’t end up in shitty deals just because they want to get their music out there.

Q: What would you be doing without Fall Out Boy? Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: Without FOB, I see myself in college studying English and Political Science, graduating, and maybe working in some job I hated. I’d love to have ended up a writer; unfortunately, I think I’m a better storyteller than a writer – a hack at best. In ten years, I hope to still be involved in this creative process somehow – I’m not sure to what ends, but I’d like to still have a voice.

Q: Who is one person you’d absolutely do anything for?

A: My mother, followed closely by a girl from Chicago, and then the other three members of my band.

Q: What do you love about the other guys in the band?

A: Joe is my brother. He grates my nerves, but I have thrown more punches and talked more shit for this kid than anyone else in my life, simply because I know he’s gonna be there until the end. Andy I have known longer than anyone. You can set your watch by his ideals, they are unmoving; I admire that. Whenever I actually have problems, he is who I turn to. Patrick is inexplicable. I love him more than almost anyone else on the planet. He has “it” and he doesn’t even realize that. I could go on forever. I guess his part in the band is always so underplayed, but honestly his voice is what makes 99 percent of a Fall Out Boy song.

Q: Without picking bands from FBR/Decaydance, who should we know about and be listening to? What are some albums you’re looking forward to this year?

A: Shiny Toy Guns, Danger: Radio, Set Your Goals, a couple of others, but I am considering signing them so I don’t want to create a feeding frenzy around them unnecessarily. There is so much great music out there that is off of everyone’s radar.

Q: Well, this is it for Round One; do you have any last thing else you’d like to say or address?

A: Thanks for the interview and thanks for sticking with us. Sorry it took one million years to get it done. I'm sorry for the poor spelling and grammar, but I’ve included some sidekick n00dz to make up for it; they are super emo with Cure records in the background this time instead.


Great Interview. Next time will ya let me interview you? lol jk Good Job!

[sailorchibimoon]

Wow, great interview. Pete is attractive.

[My_tragedy_xXx]

:( I hate you!!!!

[My_tragedy_xXx]

:( I hate you!!!!

[InvisibleNinjas]

it's now 4:02 AM mountain standard time, and my only comment is: i enjoyed this. thank you AP, thank you Kanye Wentz

[i love(d) him]

omg i love u pete with all my broken heart!:)

[_kelly]

I LOVE MY HEART IS THE WORST KIND OF LESSON!!!!! What are you talking about? It's awesome.
Lys`


its "my heart is the worst kind of weapon"
not lesson.
you cant love it that much, obviously.

[ashleyxrefused]

i've been a fan of FOB since "evening out with your girlfriend".. they are truly an awesome band, and i've seen them a few times, always a great live show

[ashleyxrefused]

Quote:
Originally Posted by xFallxOutxBoyx3
I LOVE MY HEART IS THE WORST KIND OF LESSON!!!!! What are you talking about? It's awesome.
Lys`



its "my heart is the worst kind of weapon"
not lesson.
you cant love it that much, obviously.
___


ROTFL.. wow.. can someone say teeny bopper

[ashleyxrefused]

Quote:
Originally Posted by xFallxOutxBoyx3
I LOVE MY HEART IS THE WORST KIND OF LESSON!!!!! What are you talking about? It's awesome.
Lys`



.
___


ROTFL.. wow.. can someone say teeny bopper

[myelow]

yeah too mant views but FOB s a great group...we expected them to come to rockn coke (i think it only occurs in trky) god i hate livin here its so lame,no1 knows such a place..some1 askes us if there were cars in trky...gotta punch them smtms!!!!man were not that horrible!!!mmm i gotta shut up smtime...=P lol

[brainmatter]

This interview gives me yet another reason to respect and admire not only Pete Wentz but the band Fall Out Boy as a whole and as inidividuals.

[case116]

Does anyone know when the next installment is coming? Jared, have you done the interview yet?

[Jamie Pham]

pete= cool dude

[Loserface01]

yea this is awesome pete is my hero and role model.

[i_love_stumps]

nice spelling...n00dz. love it

[misscasualty]

PETE!!!...i effing love youB-)

[fivergirl]

great interview.

[FOBsuperfan]

:redlove: fall out bo is the best band. you come out with music the isn't like others.. i loved this band when the first ablum released and i will never change my mind. people can say FOB sucks but u know deep down they like you. but i don't care what they think cuz i know you guys rock.

[waterxdamage]

nice!

[ihartfalloutboy]

Q: Obviously, it’s safe to say you’re somewhat of a celebrity now. With that being said, are you still not drinking? Or have you become involved in the partying scene?

A: I don’t drink, it’s not interesting to me. Most of my friends do, though, and they do some pretty funny stuff that I usually remember the next morning when they don’t.



This just makes me like Peter even more. Drinking doesn't interest me either and its soooo funny to watch all of my friends get drunk!!!!!

AWESOME interview!

[Cue the Sun]

I love this dude and this band so effing much

[marisa?]

some of you guys talked about hating the lyrics on FUCT. i read a P!ATD article the other day, and Ryan said that their lyrics (like FOB's lyrics, in my opinion) are really about things that they actually mean, unlike some of the other emo bands out there that are always singing about how they cut themselves and want to kill their girlfriends. if these things were actually true, there would be alot of dead emo guys around and their girlfriends with them.
my point is that i love that about FOB too, and i personally love to hear pete wentz's words.

[not so innocent]

:inlove: i luurve pete!!!!!!!!!
:giverose: he is a legend!!!!

[rivi]

interesting interview. i liked it.

[xxpaigiexx]

This is a really good honest interview. I really liked it :-)

paige xxx

[Ikoncity]

.....
(http://www.ikoncity.com/standalone/ikon/falloutboy/airhockey/game.html)

[xhipsandheartsx]

Great interview! I fall into that "will always support and find a way to support" FOB crowd.



yup

[falloutboyfreek]

this is an awesome interview

[allama]

Quote:
Q: Right now, it seems like you do everything but lay low. Your thoughts and emotions can be seen on LiveJournal, Friends or Enemies’ journal, Fueled By Ramen’s Journal and the band’s journal on a regular basis. Do you ever feel you’re exposing too much of yourself?

A: Yes.
hahahaha. i'm sorry, i couldn't help laughing at that one.

same here! also, the most truth here is probably :It’s a bit better than being asked if “Patrick will marry me’ or “what’s your screenname.” yup. me and friends do that on our boards just to be annoying...

[kerrilicious]

awesome interview!

[CTOL4life]

Same here.


yep.

[mugglejones]

wow dont fob just rock your socks!

[Iamhome]

so i'm at work with people age 35+ reading a Pete Wentz interview and i hear someones phone go off. "we're going down down in an earlier round" ...

That is bad ass.

If Pete Wentz wants to sign songwriters, he needs to listen to Take the World (http://myspace.com/taketheworldmusic).

[amber3]

that was awesome

[amber3]

wow dont fob just rock your socks!

heck ya

[lostcause_x]

Ilove you guys, your music inspires me and my band .=)

[lostcause_x]

Ilove you guys, your music inspires me and my band .=)

[starxxstar]

Really good interview. took me a while to read but I GOT THROUGH IT! haha lol.
:D

[sami=bubble]

:-) hehe i llove petes voice and i saw him at the panic! cconcert and he knows mt bff;s brother jeff owen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: -)

[*Summer*Girl*]

I love FOB and Pete! I just don't understand how any1 can not like them, they have a great thing going on, and I know how hard it is for every1 to expect high things for you and if you do something wrong they just start turning on you. I have a few famous friends because they come into my dads tatto shop. I just want Pete, Andy, Patrick, and Joe to know that I love you guys and I stand behide everything you do.....
Love your #1 fan,
Summer

[{[x]}L0\/£{[x]}]

:-D woow hes so down to earth dont you just love him!!:-D

[music_is_mylife]

yeah. that was pretty hott. I mean come on, Pete is my hero. I also fall into the "will always support and find a way to support" crowd. I've loved them for a whikle and always will! =]

[music_is_mylife]

yeah. that was pretty hott. I mean come on, Pete is my hero. I also fall into the "will always support and find a way to support" crowd. I've loved them for a whikle and always will! =]

[THEsexexpert<33]

wow what a great interview(= gives me a better perspective of the band

[mps]

wow what a great interview(= gives me a better perspective of the band

Fuck you, cunt.

[falloutgurl10]

I am such a huge fall out boy fan especially pete and i printed this whole interview it came out to nine and a half pages of pure intrest

[nowherestreet]

i wonder y ppl r so curious to noe the thought of celebrities. im not saying i dont fall under it as well.

[FallingPoet]

Hahaha. I wish that everyone who ever said that Fall Out Boy was a sellout band that will never last could read this. Nice interview. Bye...

[ModelBehaviour]

Awsome interview... I really enjoyed it

[Depressive Emo]

hahahaha. i'm sorry, i couldn't help laughing at that one.
Yeah,really.

[Depressive Emo]

I am such a huge fall out boy fan especially pete and i printed this whole interview it came out to nine and a half pages of pure intrest
Damn.Really?