THE SIMPLETONS

Eric Hayden: Vocals, Guitar
Joshua Barrett: Vocals, Guitar
Thor Parker: Drums
Greg Thacker: Vocals, Bass

The Simpletons are rock n pop punk band from tampa bay, FL. They are getting ready to release thier first full length, "This ones for the beautiful babies" on Unshared Worldwide. They've been rocking since they were around the age of 14 putting out a bunch of singles, comps,and tapes. They are getting ready to go on major tour of the US in support of thir new album. This interview was done over email with Joshua Barrett.

SS: HOW DID THE BAND GET STARTED, ETC?

JOSH: we got started when we were all in high school and bored of doing nothin so we started this band to pass the time... it turned into a little more than we planned on, but, its cool. were having alot of fun...

SS: HAVE YOU GUYS PUT ANYTHING OUT AND ARE YOU PUTTING OUT ANYTHING NEW SOON?

JOSH: we have a CD out now the miricle of sound in motion and another one coming soon this one's for the beautiful babies.

SS: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SHOW YOU'VE EVER PLAYED?

JOSH: when we opened for value pac, that was probably the biggest show we ever played. there was like 3000 kids there. it was pretty cool even though they were a bunch of non-devil lovers.

SS: WHAT WAS THE LAST SHOW YOU WENT TO? DID YOU LIKE IT?

JOSH: Man or Astroman? with Superchunk. LOVED IT, I love Man or Astroman? they are the best. and it was great to see superchunk too, ive been a fan for many years. I actually saw Man or Astroman? the first time they ever played in florida. I feel special for witnessing the birth of such a great band.

SS: WHAT WAS THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?

JOSH: Don Caballero, singles breaking up volume 1 (touch and go records) I love that weird shit, I love strange drum beats and loud out of tune guitars...I mean anything Steve Albini, anything by Don Cab, I love all that shit...I'm also a big SWEET fan everyone should own SWEET's greatest hits...

SS: WHY SHOULD A PERSON WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF YOUR BAND OR HEARD YOUR MUSIC, GO SEE YOUR SHOW?

JOSH: that's easy, they should go because they should be supporting the scene and trying to open thier minds to new bands and new music and hopefully trying to have some fun. they should buy our CD because we need to buy a pirate ship and those things are expensive...

SS: WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PUNK NOWADAYS AND THE STUFF THAT'S COMING OUT?

JOSH: PUNKS NOT DEAD...............BUT, IT SHOULD BE. I think that punk rock has fallen into a rotting hole of shit and just has for some od reason stuck there and began to float and not go anywhere...punk rock is now a style, with rules, and a instruction booklet. (It makes me sick to be a part of it). As far as new albums coming out, well, i can only hear Operation Ivy songs covered so many times before I puke. And what's up with this I wanna be NOFX thing. I mean do something new, hey, I admit and will be the first to say were not great but were trying to do somethinmg new at least. I mean hey, at least we didnt design our album cover with a safty pin on it because the sex pistols did. There are some good things coming out still the only problem is that you can't find it under all the fat records CDs.

SS: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

JOSH: to rock and have fun and have fun and have some more fun!!! And when its not fun, then I'm going home to watch TV

SS: HOW'S THE SCENE DOING?

JOSH: there are some good scenes left. Chapel Hill, pretty much all over the Carolinas cool, and Pennsylvania is a great state. Georgia's not doing too bad either...and always NEW JERSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, here in Florida.....where did everyone go. (I think they are listening to the fat recs comp at home waiting for some band with a stratocaster and a sticker on it to come into town).

SS: WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK OF SPINAL TAP?

JOSH: only the greatest band to ever set foot on planet earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE END