Lit has traveled in the Orange County music circles for a number of years. Through hard work and by believing in their talents, they have become an almost overnight success story. Lit’s hilarious video for “My Own Worst Enemy” is on MTV daily and they have cracked onto the Billboard charts in the past month. I had a chance to talk to Lit’s frontman, A.Jay, about their success and about what it’s like to be a rock star.
How do you like being on tour with Eve 6 and Silverchair? – Mike from McDonald, Pennsylvania, USA
Well, you know, Silverchair was only about two weeks, so it really was not long enough to get to know the guys. It was cool, you know, the shows were always sold out and [we] got to play in front of a lot of new people, which is cool, you know. As far as the guys [in Silverchair], they’re really nice guys, but you know, but we never really hung out. I really could not tell you too much about them. But Eve 6 has been a blast! We’ve been probably out with them for two weeks but we’ve become good friends, and, you know, we’re having a killer time. So far it seems we’ve been sharing most of the dressing rooms, so we have been hanging out before and after the shows. The other night we went to the movies with them. It’s cool.
What did you guys see?
We saw Ed TV. Yeah, it got two thumbs down from both camps. Actually, one and a half thumbs down.
The only new movie I want to see is The Matrix. That looks kind of cool.
Yeah, it was between The Matrix and Ed TV. And for some reason, we chose Ed TV.
You guys have been touring your asses off. Are you getting tired yet?
Yeah. You know, it goes up and down. Usually if we get like a day off, that’s all it takes and we’re completely rejuvenated. It’s cool. I guess we kind of run on adrenaline when it comes show time, but after the show it’s like we’re getting pretty worked. But we’re not complaining!
Do you guys play for like six days, then get a break?
Pretty much. I mean, we’ve been out for (pauses) about seven weeks, or maybe going on eight. We’ve had maybe three or four days off. Yeah, it’s been pretty rough. (chuckles)
What are the best and worst parts about touring? -Devil Chick from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Ha ha. The best part is probably the shows, getting on stage and, you know, just, actually what’s really cool is going through a city for the second time. We’re hitting some of the same spots we hit with Silverchair, and going back and meeting people who went out and bought the record, and seeing people in the audience who actually know the words. That’s really cool! The worst part is probably lack of sleep. (laughs). But it’s cool. There’s really is not too many negative aspects of touring, but mostly positive.
Do you prefer playing the big shows like the KROC “Low Dough” with Living End and Tinstar, or more small intimate shows? – Jessica from New York City, New York, USA
Huh. They have their pros and cons, but the big shows are cool because I personally like a big stage where I can kind of do my thing, you know. The smaller intimate shows are cool too because you’re stuck in a hot, sweaty box and sometimes that’s cool too.
Lit has traveled in the Orange County music circles for a number of years. Through hard work and by believing in their talents, they have become an almost overnight success story. Lit’s hilarious video for “My Own Worst Enemy” is on MTV daily and they have cracked onto the Billboard charts in the past month. I had a chance to talk to Lit’s frontman, A.Jay, about their success and about what it’s like to be a rock star.
How do you like being on tour with Eve 6 and Silverchair? – Mike from McDonald, Pennsylvania, USA
Well, you know, Silverchair was only about two weeks, so it really was not long enough to get to know the guys. It was cool, you know, the shows were always sold out and [we] got to play in front of a lot of new people, which is cool, you know. As far as the guys [in Silverchair], they’re really nice guys, but you know, but we never really hung out. I really could not tell you too much about them. But Eve 6 has been a blast! We’ve been probably out with them for two weeks but we’ve become good friends, and, you know, we’re having a killer time. So far it seems we’ve been sharing most of the dressing rooms, so we have been hanging out before and after the shows. The other night we went to the movies with them. It’s cool.
What did you guys see?
We saw Ed TV. Yeah, it got two thumbs down from both camps. Actually, one and a half thumbs down.
The only new movie I want to see is The Matrix. That looks kind of cool.
Yeah, it was between The Matrix and Ed TV. And for some reason, we chose Ed TV.
You guys have been touring your asses off. Are you getting tired yet?
Yeah. You know, it goes up and down. Usually if we get like a day off, that’s all it takes and we’re completely rejuvenated. It’s cool. I guess we kind of run on adrenaline when it comes show time, but after the show it’s like we’re getting pretty worked. But we’re not complaining!
Do you guys play for like six days, then get a break?
Pretty much. I mean, we’ve been out for (pauses) about seven weeks, or maybe going on eight. We’ve had maybe three or four days off. Yeah, it’s been pretty rough. (chuckles)
What are the best and worst parts about touring? -Devil Chick from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Ha ha. The best part is probably the shows, getting on stage and, you know, just, actually what’s really cool is going through a city for the second time. We’re hitting some of the same spots we hit with Silverchair, and going back and meeting people who went out and bought the record, and seeing people in the audience who actually know the words. That’s really cool! The worst part is probably lack of sleep. (laughs). But it’s cool. There’s really is not too many negative aspects of touring, but mostly positive.
Do you prefer playing the big shows like the KROC “Low Dough” with Living End and Tinstar, or more small intimate shows? – Jessica from New York City, New York, USA
Huh. They have their pros and cons, but the big shows are cool because I personally like a big stage where I can kind of do my thing, you know. The smaller intimate shows are cool too because you’re stuck in a hot, sweaty box and sometimes that’s cool too.
Are you guys going to go to the warehouse and throw some more parties for the next album?
(laughs) I doubt it because we have not been able to have those parties in awhile because there has been a change in management and we don’t want to press our luck. We love our space and we don’ t want to get evicted or something.
By the style of your lyrics, it seems you have an interesting perception of life. How do you go about writing your songs?
I mean, I think our priorities lie more in the music and the melody. Then we sort of let the music inspire the lyrics. Like “Down”, for instance. It’s very 70’s, I don’t know, when I first heard the riff I sort of thought 70’s sex-pop. The first thing that came to my mind, you know, was my car. So, hmm, I just kind of ran with that. I mean, our lyrics are very down to earth, and mostly everyday stuff people can relate to; we don’t get poetic or political with our lyrics. It’s just simple rock and roll lyrics, you know.
How much do you love your Caddy?
How much? (laughs) I’m anxious to get home and I’m kind of concerned because it’s been sitting out, it’s not in a garage or anything like that. I’m kind of itching to buy another one.
Whose car is on the back of album?
That’s Jeremy’s. He’s got a ’61 and I got a ’63 and mine’s black.
Who’s got the better car in the band?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I tend to like the older models, but I think Jeremy’s car is killer, but I love my car to death. The other guys are still working on coming up with a little something cooler.
I read somewhere that you recorded “My Own Worst Enemy” naked. Is that true? Did it help you at all?
(laughs) Ah, you know it was combination of Jagermeister and it felt like the right thing to do!
“Lovely Day” is one of my favorite tracks on the record. What inspired you to write that?
When we were starting out, trying to make it, a lot of the business class people were sort of looking down on us, saying, “Why don’t you get a job?” and that sort of thing. It’s our take on that, is that when you’re stuck in an office all day long, you’re missing out on a lot of things. When it’s a nice day outside, you’re just stuck in the office. Just another look on life, life less ordinary.
Have you and your brother (Jeremy) always been writing songs together?
Yeah, for quite awhile. I’m trying to think. For a good nine years. It’s cool. It’s sort of like a check and balance type thing; we work off each other pretty well.
What’s the next single?
It looks like the next single is going to be “Zip-Lock”. It could change, but it that’s where it is heading.
Going back out on the road this summer?
After the Eve 6 tour we are doing the Warp Tour. We are doing the first half so I don’t know what areas we are covering, but it’s looking like we might, it’s premature but we might after the Warp Tour maybe going out with Goo Goo Dolls and Sugar Ray. We’re going to be busy for along time.
That’s good though! Thanks for your time.
You’re welcome.
Enjoy the Warp Tour!
Right on. Later.
+ larry sarzyniak
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