Brightest Young Things

When we last saw the brazen young guitars of We Were Promised Jetpacks, they were stealing the thunder of some of our favorite bands as the best damn opening act this city has seen in a long, long time. Frontman Adam Thompson was kind enough to weather our interview assault previously and now Mike Palmer puts down his six-strings of melody for a moment to pull back the curtain on their wardrobe and lifelong allegiances. Enjoy!

Your last visit to DC saw Adam letting those rogues in Twilight Sad buzz his hair off - what special hairstyle or outfits can we expect this time?

Oh loads I'm sure! Someone'll wear some kind of silly hat, maybe a "ooh I'm crazy" politcal t-shirt, some socks in odd places, a full shaven body, all the hits! No really we'll probably just show up and play the same old songs again...

You return as a headliner - what is the difference for the band in playing on top versus a support slot?

It's quite different. You care a little bit more about how many tickets have been sold. Not too much, just a little. There's just ever so slightly more pressure on it to go well - but then if it does it's that tiny little bit more rewarding, I guess.

Plans for playing in the snow? We will still have mountains of it waiting for you!

More snow! We played a ski resort in California in December. Our flight was the 12th of December or something and it snowed on that day, then we came home to the UK and there was snow EVERYWHERE until we went on tour to Europe where there was snow everywhere.  We've had about 3 days of not-snow in two months. We're a bit sick of snow now!

This looks to be your longest tour of the States coming up - which city are you most looking forward to seeing?

The ones that went well on our fatcat tour last time I think. New York, Washington, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta. We're honestly looking forward to the whole trip though, really!

Any tales of America's college-aged girls going wild and throwing themselves at you? They do love an accent.

Absolutely no tales. It's getting sad now. Please this time? Please?

What will you be listening to in the van/bus?

Lots of "local" music; our friends bands; Dupec, John B McKenna, Lyons, Over the Wall. also, St Vincent, Animal Collective. the new Beach House album sounds great. we all love "Humbug" by Arctic Monkeys too.

How does it feel to have a strange city suddenly burst into a sing-a-long with you?

Very very odd. We didn't expect that at all last time, but it happened a few times. There's no way to prepare for that, or know how to react.

The road has been calling your name for a bit - how has the feeling been being gone from home for so long?

It can be a bit tiring. Being away from friends and family all the time and driving between places, and it really is work and some nights it feels like it. But on the nights that it doesn't - when you realize you're just playing your songs to hundreds of people - it's pretty great!

Which festival are you most looking forward to playing this summer?

We're not sure which ones we're doing so who knows! Mostly some festivals we've never been to before, playing or not.

We are in the thick of the season - which football (UK) sides do you lads support?

Adam and Sean - Hearts
Darren - Hibs
Mike - Ayr United (yup)

Quick prediction for the World Cup? (I have Ivory Coast as my darkhorse, although I think Spain will take it in the end.)

No way! They were awful at the African Cup of Nations! I think Spain or Italy. everyone always forgets about Italy and they always get there in the end with a defensive snoozefest. Hoping for Spain. it's hard not to support a team with Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas eh?

Despite some questionable choices in football clubs, these boys deliver. You can see what will be an incredible live performance from an amazing band on Saturday the 13th at the Rock and Roll Hotel. It is as simple as that. This is officially the last chance to see them in a club this size. Guaranteed. I don't have to tell you what to do. Be there.