We are the band Motion City Soundtrack. AUA!

[deleted]

Thank you so much! Pizza Luce! By far! - Jesse

I ran in to Matt at the Jimmy Eat World show at the NORVA. Tapped him on the shoulder, and he seemed happy to take 5 minutes out of his night out with his wife to talk to me. Meeting them at WT was also a very pleasant experience. They all seem genuinely pleased to speak with fans, and I think meeting these guys has made me such a dedicated fan over the years.

Matt: We couldn't do what we do without you folks coming to see our shows. So it's our pleasure to meet the people that make it possible! So thanks!

Justin, what is it exactly that you hate about theme parks?

The anxiety that comes from imagining my possible death from a great height. -Justin

Just want to say that lyrically I've always thought you were one of the best bands around, some of the stuff you write is pretty awesome and I've always found a lot of stuff relateable. Particularly LGFUAD, Hold Me Down and Hangman. So my question is what's the inspiration for most of the stuff you write, is it based on personal experience or do you just write what comes to you?

Also do a tour of the UK please.

I am not that imaginative. So yes, most of the words come from personal experience. It always fills me with joy as well as sadness that people can relate to the words I write. Joy because it is good to have someone or something to lean on, but sad that they've gone through the same miserable shit, you know? Fingers crossed we will be able to get there sometime this year! -Justin.

Did u really quit smoking weed/ learn Japanese?

Yes and No. Quit the weed (but I never really partook in that). The Japanese is SLOW GOING. My memory is just not what it used to be. -Justin.

What is the secret to making songs like "Lets Get Fucked Up and Die" and "Everyone Will Die" sound so damn happy?!

Love your work guys!

No idea. But we have always been fans of the music sounding one way and the lyrics being wholly other. -Justin.

Hey guys, big fan of your music. My name's Justin, I have asthma, played hockey, was a screwup in school, and have a fractured relationship with my father so Time turned Fragile will always get me. Just wanted to say thanks for helping me sort through some shit and things that my father doesn't say but probably thinks.

My question to Justin is: what is the weirdest thing you have gotten your huge hair stuck in (tour van window, etc.) or stuck in your huge hair (guitar strings, birdshit, etc.)?

I am glad that song speaks to you! Yeah, Rick (my dad) is a fan of that one. As for the hair, I take it off when I'm not on stage. ;) Never been caught. -Justin.

Justin- are you still playing xbox with fans and changing games every couple of months or so? because it would be awesome to play with you:)

Yes and No. I haven't had much time for video games as of late, but I plan a grand return sometime in the summer/fall once I sort out my username(s). Be patient. -Justin.

I thought you sold your xbox to Jimmy down the street?

Go fuck yourself. ;) -Justin.

Any chance of a reissue of My Dinosaur Life on vinyl?!

(josh) We would love to do something rad with MDL. Don't think it is currently in the cards since it was on a major label. SO for now it is only available online. :(

What are your thoughts on the blink-182 news?

It's always sad to see a band have difficulties, we love them all and wish them the best!

Who is the inspiration behind "Antonia"? Is it Lindsay?

I remember the day well when that idea came together. I recently spoke about it on the Voice and Verse podcast. To reiterate here, I was listening to Ben Folds, The Jesus And Mary Chain, and Tom Waits throughout the day. Somehow that was the magic formula. The chords and melody just popped into my head. I knew I wanted it to be a laundry list type of love song. I just imagined what kind of things I would like someone to sing to me, the kind of love song I would want to hear, and I wrote those things down. Yes, the song contains things about a bunch of people. The hardest thing was narrowing it down to all the lines that now exist in the song. Funny enough, some things have come true that weren't when I originally wrote the words. -Justin.

Roughly 75% of the women I've dated have wanted to sleep with you Justin. Do you have an explanation for this?

I think there might be something wrong with your numbers. -Justin.

What is the meaning/origin of "point of extinction?

And why don't you ever play it live?

We've actually played it live on this tour! The origin story for the phrase, "point of extinction," comes from my friend Kitty and me. At a certain point near the end of an evening of debauchery, without fail, one of us would proclaim, "I've reached the point of extinction!" Which would signify the official end of the evening. -Justin.

I've been a fan of Fall Out Boy for years now, and my favorite song is actually the one Justin did vocals on, 'Chicago Is So Two Years Ago'. Are there any artists that you guys would love to collaborate with?

Thank you!

-Sarah

Tom Waits, an Ben Folds come to mind. -Justin.

[deleted]

(josh) I really dig "So Long Farewell" and "The Worst Part" but it seems they do not make our live set ever.

Have you guys ever played your cover of Wait So Long live? That song has been a gateway for a lot of my friends to check you guys out, you did an incredible job covering it!

Yes we have played it live ! (as u/knibz pointed out) Thanks for the compliment!

I think we end up playing our favorites on tour. But our favorites tend to change depending on our moods. Hopefully that makes sense. -Justin.

Dearest Motion City Soundtrack,

First, I was at the Fillmore show in Silver Spring, MD. It was phenomenal. For all that is good and holy, please return!!!

Justin, your voice is magical. Jesse, you are tremendously energetic on stage. Matt, your basslines are always fantastic. Claudio, your hair is as great as your playing. And boy is it great! Josh, you are excellent in everything

Second, I was part of the meet and greet crowd. It was great to briefly chat with everyone, but I think I may have been rude to Matt. I asked him a question and then kind of cut him off. For which I am sorry.

Third, when can your adoring fans expect that shiny new album to drop?

Fourth, what is your LEAST favorite song to play and why?

Fifth….Don’t really have a fifth…. I… Love you?

Matt: You're all about that bass, eh? Thanks! And no worries about cutting me off. I only ugly cried for a couple hours. 😉 (not really)

I always wondered; how did you guys come up with your name?

We didn't.

If I asked you when #MCSLP6 is releasing, would you tell me?

No! (this year working out the final details)

Does the future still freak you out?

Who told you it ever did? -Justin.

On "My Dinosaur Life", there are a few songs that make references to Japan / learning Japanese. Is this just random, or is there a reason / personal story behind this?

Yes. I have been trying to teach myself the language for years. At best I can apologies for not speaking the language in broken Japanese. But Japan is my favorite place on earth and I hope to travel there much more in the future! -Justin.

First off, let me say that y'all are awesome, and I'm a huge fan. I fell in love with your music instantly at Warped Tour in Pittsburgh, PA 2003.

Matt - Jamie said that he will provide me "pictures from the golf course" if y'all don't answer my questions. Whatever that means, I'm not sure, but knowing Jamie I'll bet it's good.

First question: Why didn't you guys schedule an anniversary date in Richmond or Norfolk? Second question: Want to grab a beer with Jamie and myself some time near RVA? PM if interested. I've met you all in person before, with the exception of Claudio, so I can reasonably assure you I'm not a creepy stalker psycho murderer. Jamie can confirm this if needed.

Matt:

A friend of Jamie is a friend of mine!

It just didn't work out that way, but we will be watching the Super Bowl there in the comfort of my own home!

A question to Justin: What's your favorite thing about doing your podcast with your wife?

Getting to spend time with her. She's a 9-5er and I am a gone up to 6 months out of the year type of guy. But yeah, we both read a lot. We want to have a library in our future home one day. -Justin.

I don't have a question but I just want to let you know I love you guys. You've been my favorite band for like 13 years now, and I've seen you around 13 times. Plus Matt was my first crush.

edit: Actually I do have a question, why didn't you play Throw Down at Riot Fest?!

Aw shucks! 😊> Matt

Where's your love for buffalo? It's been forever 😩

Sorry buddies ! i am sure we will someday make our way back to the great city of buffalo.

Big fan since I saw you in '05. My favorite song is Alcohol Eyes, what was that song's writing process and how come it didn't make it onto the album?

(josh) Like life, records are full of compromises.

Hey guys:

Justin: Favourite book/ game/ film?

Claudio: How has it been fitting into the band? And how does it differ from your experiences with STD etc

All three: Are there any songs you guys have played live and thought "This doesn't work"

(josh) Yes unfortunately sometimes a song you think is just going to kill live and it just falls flat. One that comes to mind is "Calling All Cops". It was such a bummer. Love that song but it never seems to work live.

Book: Permanent Midnight by Jerry Stahl. Game: Bioshock Film: Faces by John Cassavetes

-Justin.

Bioshock yaaassss. What did you think of Infinite?

Loved it. -Justin.

Hey Justin! Any news on Farewell Continental or is it still top secret?

Top secret. NOBODY knows about that band. ;) -Justin.

If I send you guys snapchats to will you guys see them or is snapchat set up differently for popular people? :)

I try to respond to everyone, but recently it seems that randomly Snapchat views them on its own. It's really strange, but I was replying to them and suddenly 15 were no longer available. That ever happen to anyone? -Justin.

Hey guys, I've always wondered about your relationship with "Trampled by Turtles". I see you guys covering eachother's songs and was wondering how that came to happen?

(Josh) We really don't know them at all. We just really dug that song and thought it would be super rad to do a old school split seven inch with them. So we called them up.

Hi guys! You've been my favorite band since 2003 and have loved anything and everything you've released. I'll be seeing you guys at the Anaheim House of Blues coming up in a couple of weeks.

Will we ever see you guys perform some of your bonus tracks? Sunny Day and Alcohol Eyes are some of my all time favorite songs from you guys and I'd give almost anything to see them played live. I always had this fantasy about you going on tour just playing your bonus tracks.

I don;t think we have ever played either of those songs before. I really wanted Sunny Day on the record, but democracy at the time voted against it. IT HAD THE TITLE OF THE ALBUM CONTAINED WITHIN! I also felt the same way about Alcohol Eyes, but that was more because it was about my wife. -Justin.

So, Justin...

How do you get your hair so stylishly cool all the time? Like seriously... How does it stay that way through a whole show?! And will there ever be a plan to change your awesome hair?

I use equal parts shame and guilt. I don't think it does stay awesome through an entire set. But I plan to keep my hair as long as it will have me. -Justin.

What is your favorite album in your discography? also what are your favorite artists to listen to? big big fan for many years now! keep it up homies

For me currently it is this one we are playing for #CTTM10. Hadn't listened to it in a long time and it was fun to investigate. I also love the new record that isn't out yet, but that naturally happens when you record something new. As for current favorite bands, mine are: Los Campesinos!, Lemuria, The Joy Formidable, Speedy Ortiz. -Justin.

I'm so happy this is happening, my friend introduced me to your music in around 2004 and I've been hooked ever since. I have two questions!

1) What characters would you play in D&D?

2) What kinds of guitar pedals do you guys like to use?

(josh) Well I am super pumped your friend turned you on to us!

1) i don't play D&D but i do play WOW and my main is a Rogue

2) Zvex Box of Rock, a MXR delay, a old Morley delay and a Big Muff.

matt: i'm a simple man. i use a tuner and a fuzz (earthquaker hoof).

Hey guys! Really love your stuff. You're one of my favorite bands. :D

How do you think your life and experiences has changed the sound of MCS? Are there any clear markers for when things changed? Your earlier stuff sounds pretty different from newer material. Is that just the band maturing?

(josh) Yes life brings many experiences that shape and change us and in turn shape and change our music. Sometimes it circles back again.