Start Believing in Fall Out Boy

Ever since turning heads during last year's Warped Tour, Fall Out Boy have been coined an "artist to watch in 2005" by nearly every music mag in existence. By the same token, their upcoming album From Under the Cork Tree often shares sentences with the words, "most anticipated releases." The album was recorded last year in Burbank, a city that, according to bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz, is "as close to L.A. as can be and as far away at the same time."

Currently, the band can be found traveling from club to club in a fairly lavish tour bus; one complete with a chauffeur, two televisions, and bedding for 8 to 12 (depending on the number of fans aboard). It's a far cry from the band's surroundings only two years ago when they recorded their first album. "We had an old van we all piled into. We had to sleep on the floor of this girl's house that we had just met a day prior to recording. We lived off peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches; nothing else."

Now that small vans are a thing of the past, is it hard to be jaded?

I think, in this weird way, it's easier. You have to keep in mind that, in the last 2 years, we've played 500 shows. That means that we pretty much don't have a home. That kind of changes your perspective on the world. When you're on tour for 250 shows a year, your personal relationships go out the window. It's very easy to write about that. Also, being privy to the ins-and-outs of the music industry can be an awesome thing, but there are snakes at every turn, and that's an easy thing to develop angst about.

You released a book last year titled, "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side." Is it safe to assume you're a fan of the Smiths?

Oh, absolutely. I love their music. It kind of bothers me that it's so en vogue to like The Smiths and Morrissey right now. Lately, it's kind of weird because every sixteen-year-old on the planet talks to me about them. The thing that's so bizarre to me is that Morrissey's not cool. People are obsessed with him, but he's this person that represents all these parts of me that I think are uncool and lame while, at the same time, endearing and quarky. I'm sure it won't always be cool to like him, but I always will.

Given your roots in the windy city of Chicago, what made you decide to head west to record your new album?

L.A. was a good place for us, because we're not L.A. party-type people at all. When we landed, it was like being on this foreign planet where people just happen to breathe oxygen. L.A. is a completely different world. We stayed at this place called, "The Oakwood." It was filled with child-stars; all trashed at the pool. It allowed us to isolate ourselves and become a tight unit again, which was really good for the recording.

The second album always plays an important part in a band's rise or fall. Were you pressured while making the disc?

Yeah, we felt pressure from everybody. All that anyone ever talks about is, "sophomore slump" or "comeback of the year." That's the only thing that anyone ever says about a second album. The only way to deal with the pressure is to step outside of the situation and write a record for yourself.

You guys have been known to rock some pretty strange intro songs on past tours. Which songs have you used, lately?

On this tour, we're coming out to, "Baby Got Back." We were using Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" on our last tour. It's awesome. The crowd usually loves it.

Do your fans even know who Journey are?

Yes! I remember thinking, "Okay, nobody's gonna get this." But, the fans sang along to it so loud. The song almost doesn't make sense, because it's like a song, followed by a chorus 8-million times in a row. Kids love it, though. Kids love Journey.

Fall Out Boy's new album From Under The Cork Tree hits stores May 3rd on Island Records. You can catch them on the main stage at this summer's Warped Tour with the likes of The Offspring, Dropkick Murphys, and the Transplants.

Sursa: http://www.crazewire.com/features/20050412476.php