The Pop Project

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Interview With Dave Lawson From The Pop Project By Chris
16/2/06

The Pop Project one of the most coolest bands
ever.
Their music really rocks and is so damm catchy to listen
to.
Plus they did a tribute to Jesse Frederick
who did the vocals and co wrote the theme songs for Full
House and co.
So I wanted interview these guys.
So Read On.

1. How did the band form?

The band’s current line-up came together after a long
history of firings and hiring’s. “The Pop Project” got its
start in 1998, as a “pop project” from the punk rock band
The Metros, which Zach Curd (keyboards) and I (guitar)
played bass and drums in, respectively. Zach didn’t join
the Pop Project until 1999, just before we recorded our
first full length, Let’s Eat Green Beans. Adam joined on
drums in 2002 for our second album, Life Is Life, and Will
made the lineup complete (in its 10th form!) in the summer
of 2003. Will, Zach, and I all write songs for our upcoming
full length, Stars of Stage and Screen, which should be
done this summer.

2. Who were your idols growing up?

I think Superman was my idol when I was six years old,
though I could personally relate a lot more to Ralph
Hinkley in Greatest America Hero. Once I got into music, I
became fixated on John Lennon, Eddie Vedder, and Ian
MacKaye. From those influences a lot of doors were opened
for me.

3. Who were your influences?

It seems obvious, but I can’t discount the influence of
giants like the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and the Kinks.
Zach went through a serious Steely Dan obsession, which
definitely affected the band’s sound. As far as more
current bands, we can pretty much all agree on Sloan and
Jellyfish.

4. What is like playing in America?

I’ve never played any shows in New Zealand, so it’s hard to
compare. From the shows I’ve played on other continents,
I’d say that rock bands here are very common and venues
take you for granted. In Europe and Japan, the venue treats
you as a guest, but in America the venue treats you more as
a co-worker. Then again, venues in Detroit are probably a
lot friendlier to a band from Europe than just another band
from Detroit, so I can’t really make an objective
statement.

5. What inspired you to make TGIF EP?

This was one of those things in discussion for a while
before it happened. Zach and I long ago had geeked out over
the themes themselves and realized that the same guy sang
on “Family Matters,” “Step By Step,” and “Full House.” Zach
went to work researching into Jesse Frederick’s past,
finding a vinyl copy of his first solo album (recorded at
the age of 19) for sale on the Internet. The original idea
was just to play the themes live at a show, but it was
Adam’s idea to record the songs as an EP. In doing the EP,
we had to license the songs, and in this learning
adventure, Zach actually got a hold of Jesse Frederick on
the phone and we were able to learn about his battles with
the major labels who held his second and third solo albums
hostage, unreleased and collecting dust. Since the label
wouldn’t let him release his solo albums and he was locked
into a contract, the only creative outlet he was allowed
was to write TV theme songs. So it’s no wonder these songs
pack so many ideas into such a tiny space: it’s a pop
genius with ideas bursting at the seams. Recording the EP
was made an easy pleasure with a lot of help by Will, who
transcribed most of the parts for the band using his
superhuman perfect pitch. In the end, Adam trumped us all
with his in depth Jesse Frederick and song licensing
research, which is documented in detail on his famous
blog.

6. Has the Internet helped with your music?

There are two answers to this question: yes and yes. Yes,
because it’s always surprising how people like yourself
find us through the internet. It’s a worldwide audience for
free, if someone is looking. The other yes is because we
also use the Internet as a primary mode of communication
within the band, and get most of our band business done
over emails. We’ve also been known to send demos of songs
to each other to decide which songs to tackle next. So in
that way, the Internet has helped us create music as well
as promote it.

7. What are your thoughts to file sharing and the mp3
format?

I think it’s great. There’s just too much good music out
there to soak it all up one CD at a time. Mp3s are a great
way to check out bands and see if you like them. You found
us from the mp3s on our site – enough said.

8. Have you had much response from it?

I’m currently answering questions to be read in New
Zealand, so yes.

9. Has MySpace helped you guys in anyway?

Zach is in control of that, but as far as I know we get a
lot of messages and people checking us out on there. I
don’t do much of that business.

10. Have you got any recordings in the
pipeline?

The new album is almost done and should be out this summer.
Definitely the next step forward for us. GROWTH!

11. Have you had much response from radio?

Mainly just local radio, since we haven’t toured much
outside the area. That’ll change with this next record
though.

12. What are your thoughts on realty tv talent shows eg
idol and so on?

As much as he can fake the diva slide, Ruben can’t hold a
note to save his life. I must admit the shows are addictive
though.

13. If you could have a dream gig line up who would they
be?

Andy Sturmer’s Comeback Show would be a dream for at least
Zach, Adam, and I.

14. Have you had much support from radio?

See above!

15. If you could be on The Simpsons or Spongebob
Squarepants where would you be?

That’s like saying Beatles or Rutles. Simpsons,
definitely.

16. What is on your stereo at the moment?

I can’t stop thinking about Curtis Mayfield lately, and I
don’t know why. I think on my turntable is a copy of Six
Pack to Go by Hank Thompson, which has a great
album cover. We keep a list of each band member’s
favorite tracks on our website, www.popproject.com , so
that’s really the best answer to your question.

17. What are some of your favourite musical
artists/bands?

Each of us have our own obsessions. Mine lately has been
old country and early 70s r&b. If I can write a
successful r&b / honky tonk crossover, my life would
probably be complete. There are a lot of great other local
artists around Detroit, such as our labelmates The Recital
(which our drummer Adam plays bass in), Javelins, Those
Transatlantics, and El Boxeo. Also, Anathallo, The Sights,
The Hard Lessons, and Rescue are all bands we love and
respect.

18. What movies you have seen lately you have really
enjoyed?

I just saw Me and You and Everyone We Know and definitely
recommend it.

19. What are your favourite movies?

That recent Scorcese Dylan documentary is pretty great. I
really like watching music movies over and over again,
since each time you learn more about the artist you can
rewatch it and get something new out of it. I think
Mulholland Drive is pretty underrated.

20. Realty TV? Good Or Bad?

I think it’s good, since reality is often more interesting
than fiction. However, the “reality” of most reality TV is
pretty suspect, and that bothers me. I don’t watch a lot of
television though, so it’s all a novelty to me.

21. Beer Of Choice?

“Give me the cheapest stuff you’ve got.”