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 Recently TeenSpot had the opportunity to chance with up and coming Ohio punkers Bottom Line. Read on to find out exactly what happens at 3am in the middle of no where when your engine breaks down, and wonder to yourself, why, oh why grannies panties. TS: So hey there... tell us a little about the band... what do you play, and why do you play it? Dan: We are a four piece alternative pop punk rock band that are all suckers for a good melody. We've always wanted to create music we would enjoy listening to ourselves, yet also challenge our own personal musical talents. We play energetic and sincere music that we hope is always stuck in your head. Tons of bands we correspond with these days have told us that they would never buy their own album, because they listen to completely different styles of music...we're the exact opposite! TS: We've gotta ask. Bottom Line... What's in a name? Dan: When we first started playing together (sometime around 1997 or so), we wanted a name that would be recognizable, but didn't lock us into a genre of music. For example, the band "U2" can conquer so many types of music and the name fits, but a band with the name "Kill Hate Slice Death Kill" will probably be pigeonholed into what kind of audiences they attract. TS: What are you influences within the band? Dan: Everyone would agree we listen to so much different music its hard not to get influenced by all of it… There are many bands that we grew up with, and will never let go of, such as The Beatles, Billy Joel, Nirvana, Jimmy eat world, and the Moody blues just to name a few. But bands like MxPx, Blink 182, Home Grown and New Found Glory definitely got us started writing our own music. TS: So right now you are signed to Nice Guy records, you are touring, and you've a got a record out. There's not much more you could be doing. However, we've heard a rumor you are building an army of teenage fans to attempt world domination - is this true? Dan: World domination 'Pinky and the Brain' style is definitely on the list of things to do, right after we fix the van… which isn't looking too good! But seriously, we love writing, playing, performing, eating, breathing, sleeping music, and we don't plan to stop any time soon. TS: Tell us a little about "In and out of luck"... what does the album mean to you? Dan: “In and out of luck” has so many memories attached to it; it's hard to put them into words. Somehow no sleep, Fast Break candy bars, and ADAT’s work their way into my picture memory though. The album means a lot to us, because it captures the character and sound of Bottom Line in the year 2002. When we were recording it, we wanted so hard to capture our songs and give our songs justice - and at the time we were so proud to have a CD to sell at shows and appear in stores. It's fun to listen and discover how much we've grown. TS: Why should I buy it? Dan: You should buy it, because one day it'll be worth a lot of money …if you can find it. Seriously though, we still play songs from that album, and our upcoming CD, “Eloquence” would have never happened without it. You should buy it, because you will never understand the band we are now, until you've understood the band we once were. TS: When fans, or in fact anyone hears it, what message would you like it to convey about Bottom Line? Dan: I hope the listener thinks: “Wow! This band doesn't scream and they are still dignified.” TS: How does your song writing process work? Do you work as a team or does one person go go go? Dan: It all depends. If I have a plethora of ideas I'll go go go and never look back, but usually songs are pieced together, from everybody’s box of goodies. TS: Could you pick a favorite track on the CD? Or maybe a least favorite?  TS Undoubtedly you are already going to have some ideas for your next cd, but if you had pick of the world, is there anyone you would love to work with? (alive or dead..?) Dan: It has always been a dream to work with producer John Feldmann. His mixes are amazing, and anything he produces is ahead of it’s time. TS: You've just had the great news that you are going to be touring with Goldfinger - you must be stoked? Dan: Every day, I get more and more excited about it! I'm more excited about getting back on the road and seeing all our fans and friends across the US. TS: Of all the tours you've played - do any stand out as being particularly good? (and why) Dan: We had the opportunity to tour Japan with Midtown a few years back. It was the most enlightening and incredible touring experience we've had. Particularly good? YES! TS: Touring is glorified, but is it all fun and games? Dan: Warped tour has always had a lasting impression on me. The long working days, water rationing, walking around selling samplers just to make gas money, the 7 am check in times, the long drives at night... But everyday meeting SO many cool fans and bands and stepping on stage next to your idols...is amazing. I'm with my three best friends and just being with them even when times seem to be at their worst on tour, we have our fun and games. TS: If you could take any small underground band around right now on tour with you, is there anyone you'd like to show off to the world? Dan:. Http://www.nicksterling.com check him out! TS: Is there anywhere you've yet to play that you'd love to? Japan or Europe maybe? Dan: Europe is definitely on my list of places to play…of course, once we dominate the world, it'll be pretty easy! TS: Finally on the subject of touring... are there any amusing stories from past tours you'd like to tell us about? Dan: What happens on tour, stays on tour. Haha. Well there's always the story about our van's engine melting at 3 am in the middle of nowhere in the desert, on the border of Idaho and coyotes walking around our van all night. At this point, out of questions we ran, so I was forced to introduce the random question genorator! TS: Is punk dead? Dan: Punk didn't die - It became mainstream. And being mainstream is so anti-punk, that its all ass backwards now and the new punk is to hate punk. If someone has the revised definition of punk rock, we'd love to hear it, but until then we're just gonna keep writing music and you can decide for yourself if it fits your definition or not. TS: There is a lot of emphasis on being signed these days... to what extent does the support of a record label backing you make it easier? (Does it make it easier? Is there any pressure involved?) Dan: Being signed allows the band to focus on what’s important for the band: writing music, and playing shows (touring). The record label focuses on promotion and accepts most of the other responsibilities of providing a platform to make music a career instead of a hobby. TS: Do you have a favorite web site? Dan: Several... http://www.PRSGuitars.com http://www.newenglandruins.com http://www.acclaimedpunk.com http://www.emotionalpunk.com http://www.hatesomethingbeautiful.com http://www.funnyjunk.com/pages/ghettodelta.htm http://www.readysetclothing.com http://www.ernieball.com http://www.fender.com http://www.bottomlinepunk.com TS: How do you feel about Internet file sharing? Dan: I personally don't have any kazaa / napster type software on my computer, but I'd be lying if I never had a friend dig up an old song from the 80's to send to me. I really like the idea of being able to purchase songs for a little money online and most bands have streaming music on their web sites anyway - its a good compromise. Since there isn't very much risk involved in buying a CD anymore, if you like the music, then buy it! It's the only way we're able to do what we love. TS: Is Michael Jackson guilty? Dan: God, I hope not. Michael Jackson will always be number one in our hearts. "Man In The Mirror,"...genius. TS: What's the best/weirdest/worst thing you've ever had thrown on stage? Dan: Granny panties...actual real life grandma underpants. At that point, Dan decided that his granny panties collection had out grown him and in order to complete his conquering of the world he needed to go and sleep for a little while. We'd like to thank Dan and Bottom Line for the interview! E-Card: Bottom Line E-card
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