Q. You just got back from your road trip with Sloan, how would you sum that up? Any highlights? "Low"lights? Cities that were particularly cool?
Cities that weren't? Things that blew up?

A. The best part, besides Sloan's shows themselves which were awesome, was their crew, who gave us ample help in making our shows appear that
much better. They helped allieviate that stigma of sucky shows that most opening bands suffer, due to lack of production. Higherlights: Ottawa, Montreal, Peterborough. Lowerlights: We've had better shows in Hamilton and London, so we'll come back to prove it. Blowups: Gavin lost about 8 tambourines to his own aggressions Gavin's and Matt's amps are next on the list.

Q. Do you find opening slots at large shows like the Sloan ones more relaxing because the pressure is on the headliners, or are you guys so cool that you never get nervous any way?

A. We're pretty cool, but it's way less stress to open up a show. Nobody expects anything, and then... Whammo!

Q. Are you guys actually able to make a living at this yet or do you have to go back to jobs at the end of a road trip?

A. Jobs are good. They keep your ego in good check, and allow you to write good cheques.

Q. How is the album doing, compared to your expectations, compared to Super Friendz (if you know), or compared to Celine Dion new album
"Noises I Recorded In My Bathroom".

A. Sales are up, though it's hard to get a definite figure, because we sell at shows, and mailorder etc. We get many many letters and requests for the CD from people who say they can't find it in their local store, so I suspect that sales would be way up if the CD was more accessible. Celine can beat us singing in the shower with one hand tied behind her back, but I don't think the Super Friendz will.

Q. What are your plans for the US now that spinART has picked up the album?

A. Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, Tour, etc... Actually we are preparing to say yes to several dates in May... details to follow at http://www.flashinglights.com where you can join our sometimes active mailing list.

Q. Are you getting tired of the songs on the album already or do they still have some life left in them?

A. The songs don't bore me a bit. Ever. Yet.

Q. I notice that the US release of Where the Change Is will feature a couple of bonus tracks (Nothing To Be Sad About & Flashing Lights Are On), are those tracks available in Canada or will they be in the future, that you're aware of?

A. We'll be selling the CD so we may get some inquiries. You can expect the US version to be available as import only.

Q. As a retailer we have to pay $13.65 per CD... compared to what you guys are getting, how much the CD's cost to manufacture, etc., do you think that you're getting a fair cut? As a musician myself I'd rather sell more CD's at $12 rather than less CD's at $17 each, and as a retailer we'd rather sell CD's for $12 so people can buy more, but the labels/wholesalers tend to make it difficult to keep prices down. How do you feel about this subject? (I realize this may be a touchy subject, sorry to put you on the spot!)

A. I would love for our CD to be priced as affordable as possible. Nothing gets my goat more than seeing it in a store priced at , like $22.00, when you can buy it from us for $15.00 off the stage, or for that matter, buy someone else's record for $15.00 at the store. Yes, the distribution system itself makes it difficult for us and those who wish to purchase our CD. A lot has to do with the volume of the order, for example it costs a retailer considerably more per unit to order just 5 CD's of a band like us than 100 or so Ricky Martins. We'd love to send 100 copies to every store too, but we won't be living any la vida locas to do it.

Q. How has the band been affected by MP3 files so far? Personally I appreciate being able to download a few [legal] songs but do you think the circulation of illegal MP3's is hurting the band or at this point do you just consider it free promotion?

A. In our view the promotion helps a lot more than it would take away from potential sales. 1 or 2 MP3's can only help to sell our album. We don't feel at all threatened by it, and the more people listening to us the better, regardless of how they arrived at it.

Q. Is your album available in digital form right now (e.g. can people buy it in MP3/Liquid Audio/Whatever format)? If not, why not? If so, how do sales in that format compare to CD sales?

A. We haven't set up an online credit network, so there's conceivably no reason yet to make the entire album available in MP3 format. Although we're cyber friendly, we still prefer the tangibility and sound of the CD. There's even a vinyl version of our song 'Elevature" on a compilation distributed by Brilliant Records of Montreal.

Q. Do you miss vinyl and Happy Days? Who would win in a fight, Joanie or Pinkie Tuscadero?

A. Joanie's tougher. Pinky's all flash. Wait, didn't they have a fight in one episode? I better get back to the TV.

Q. Do you miss 8-tracks and WKRP? Who would win in a fight, Dr. Johnny Fever or Venus Flytrap?

A. The Funhouse studio in Kingston had an 8-track in the bathroom and it would play continuosly which was so cool. Also you can switch programs so easily if you hate a song. We were offered the old 8-track from Massey Hall recently, and everyone declined, so to conclude this, although they are missed, they're not something anyone in this band wants to own.
Venus is way too cool to fight, and although he probably could take Fever, he'd lose to some unpredictable fit of fists, after one too many hangover wake and bakes, provoked by a little passive aggression.

Q. Does the band pay for skins, strings etc. or does each member fend for himself? What about per diems on the road?

A. Anyone who has seen us outside of Ontario has probably heard Gaven's lonesome survival cry, "My Per Diem!!!", which could be a question or answer, but always refers to that great daily event which keeps us feeling comfortable on the road. We still pay for our own equipment because the band account is best used for future travels and albums etc.

Q. Is the band "Matt Murphy's show" or is there a democratic element to it? How does songwriting/jamming work, what is the band dynamic?

A. People actually ask, "Does the singer write out every note for the band" and mean it literally, not realizing that music making can actually be quite a natural process. Yes we are performing Matt's songs essentially, but we are not drones. I'm sure the band would sound a lot different with different personel, however replacing Matt might pose a problem.

Q. Would you consider each other friends or just bandmates?

A. We're friends.

Q. Have you had any songs on Dawson's Creek yet? How about 90210?

A. Drop The Beat plays our video, and Madison something or other might play a song,and we have consented to the inclusion of our music on a couple of indie films.

Q. Is the harsh winter and expansive geography of Canada an inspiration or a hindrance when you're on the road? We try to avoid touring in the harsh winter.

A. Canada is like an unravelled Boston, NY, Washington, but with less population. I love Saskatchewan, but I do wish Canada could be like a Mad fold-in.

Q. Have you played at The Town House in Sudbury? Did you stay in the band room in the basement? Did you see the rat?

A. We were afraid of the ghost, saw some gross things, and had trouble sleeping, but if we knew there was a rat we would have high tailed it out of there pronto. That diner down the street was cool, though, and the guy who books the place (Dave?).

Q. Were you in the FL when there were two drummers? What's up with that? Why only one now? Too much stuff to cart around to shows?

A. Dude, do you know how loud and redundant two drummers can be? It was a really cool thing for a while, but somewhere you've got to leave room for a melody. Actually we did audition Gaven first on drums, then we figured out what had to be done.

Q. Are that any bands that rock your world these days?

A. Rick and the Skins, The American Flag

Q. Do you have a "Bootsauce" rule when listening to music in the van or does the driver get to choose? (By "Bootsauce" I mean a rule we used to have that I think originated with the Vinaigrettes, of Victoria, that when a song comes on the van stereo anyone can say "Bootsauce" if they don't like it and you have to skip the song or change the tape. I guess the implication is that Bootsauce sucked, although I didn't mind their first album.)

A. I love your codeword. [Editor's note: reminder that this is actually the Vinaigrettes' code word, we're not trying to take credit. Hello Carolyn Mark and Ed Dobek.] Basically for us it's driver's choice except the guy who doesn't have a license does have an expansive tape collection, so he usually collaborates with the driver. Often there's someone in the back however, who vetos it with "I want to Sleep". Can you believe that?

Q. How would you describe yourselves to the inexperienced music fan who has yet to feel the Flashing Lights experience?

A. We are a somewhat bluesy, heavy pop band. Comparisons can and will be made because there's lots of bands out there doing similar things. If someone is watching us and feels that it's a unique experience, that's what we want. We're not in the business of force feeding music history, just pointing the way towards great little discoveries.

Q. Closing remarks?

A. TuneVault.com looks like good times for good tunes. I used to think that Ottawa was the only place that had bands, but now you've shown me otherwise. I'm downloading a Slo' Tom tune right now. Looking forward to your ever expanding circle.

Flashing Lights are taping their second video, for "Elevature" on Mar. 18/19. Details at the website. Plus tour plans are in the works for April (Canada) and May (USA).