It feels like just yesterday that we were all bouncing around house parties singing along to The Front Bottoms’ “Flashlight” from their 2011 self-titled debut. But somehow the New Jersey duo just released their fifth LP, In Sickness & In Flames. The band is more focused than ever, honing in on their ever-improving pop sensibilities, which come fully into form across the album’s twelve tracks. In Sickness & In Flames features the band’s biggest choruses to date, anchored with hooks and deeply personal songwriting that will turn heads. Watching this band grow over the last several years from writing eccentric acoustic ballads to arena-filling pop-rock anthems has been a true joy.
To celebrate the new album, Brian Sella and Mathew Uychich talk Marvin Gaye, hot dogs, and Alaska in the latest Indie Mixtape 20 Q&A.
What are four words you would use to describe your music?
Fun punk rock poetry.
It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
As a good time. Don’t take life so serious.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?
Fairbanks, Alaska.
Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?
We find a lot of inspiration and support in each other. So we’re always finding ways to imagine new things.
Where did you eat the best meal of your life?
Hotdogs in our toaster.
What album do you know every word to?
We can’t even remember all the words to our albums.
What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?
Manchester Orchestra at the Ryman Auditorium.
What is the best outfit for performing and why?
No shoes, only socks. It’s the way we’re most comfortable.
Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?
We don’t have personal Twitter or Instagram accounts.
What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
What’s the last thing you Googled?
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
What album makes for the perfect gift?
The new TFB album, In Sickness & In Flames
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?
A chicken house.
What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?
Mat’s first tattoo is a music note, no big story behind it, he just wanted to get a tattoo.
What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?
One we have never heard of before.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Listened to our music.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
“Do what you want to do!”
What’s the last show you went to?
Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City.
What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?
Cast Away.
What would you cook if Kanye were coming to your house for dinner?
We guess we’d leave that decision up to Kanye.
In Sickness & In Flames is out now on Fueled By Ramen. Listen here.
The Front Bottoms are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.