 New Found Glory have become icons within the pop-punk scene over the last ten years, inspiring bands across the board, staying true to their core values, respecting their fans, oh, and selling millions of records along the way!
The band released their latest album 'From The Screen To Your Stereo Part II', their first album back with Drive Thru records, where they started their career, and the first since the bands amicable split with Geffen Records. The album charted as high as #42 in the United States, and has just been released in the UK.
Komodo Rock's Mike Elliott caught up with New Found Glory's vocalist
Jordan Pundik to talk about the new album, the bands current European
Tour, and how the band have managed to stay true to their core values
for so many years.
Mike Elliott: You guys are about to hit the UK. Are you looking forward to being back?
Jordan Pundik: Yes! We have amazing fans here in the UK its gonna be awesome!
ME: The tour is a mixture of sold out and added dates. How does that make you feel?
JP: It feels really good to know that we are loved out here... The UK appreciates bands so much more!
ME: Venue wise it's an interesting mix of sizes. From the 500 capacity
Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth to the near 5000 Brixton Academy. Was
that an
intentional choice?
JP: We always try to mix it up. The small venues are great because they
are up close and personal, but it's also great to experience a sea of
kids singing along to every word!
ME: What can fans expect on the tour?
JP: UK fans can expect a little of every record weve put out...and the energy that makes our shows crazy!
ME: Back in September you released 'From The Screen To Your Stereo Part
II'. Can you tell us a little more about the ideas behind the album,
and why you covered the songs on there?
JP: We have always been asked by fans if we were ever going to put out
a sequel, and like all movies there is usually a really bad sequel ha!
This record was for our fans, and the songs were hand picked by us and
our fans...
ME: Any news yet on when the album will be released in the UK?
JP: It comes out in a few days actually, while we are there! Woohoo cd release party!!!!
ME: The album is full of Guest Appearances. Was it just an excuse to be able to record with people you'd always wanted to?
JP: Most of the guests on our record were already fans and friends of
New Found since the beginning, they always said we are an influence on
them, so it
was cool to just be able to have our friends on our record. It was laid back and fun.
ME: You recorded a video to the albums opening track, 'Kiss Me'. Can you tell us about it?
JP: The video was done in about 8 hours in New Jersey on a day off from
the Warped Tour. We wanted to do a fun video, so it was the perfect
opportunity
to do so.
ME: Any plans to release any other videos from the album?
JP: No plans as of right now...
ME: You split from Geffen Records with this album, and returned to Drive Thru. What made you return to your roots?
JP: We returned because Drive Thru has been there for us since the
beginning and gave us our start, not only that, but they put out the
first one [From The Screen To Your Stereo], so it was a no brainer to
go back with them, no deal, no stress, just a few hugs and kisses and
they put the record out! [Laughs] It's just this one record as well.
From The Screen To Your Stereo II is out now via Drive Thru Records
ME: Any news on a studio follow up to 'Coming Home'?
JP: We are planning to return back to this studio this June or July, I
think with producer Neal Avron ... who did our self titled, Sticks, and
Catalyst albums.
ME: Back when you started the band in 1997, did you ever think you'd have the success you've had? Gold records, sold out tours?
JP It was always my dream to be in a band, while all the kids were
playing sports outside. Not only was I a fat kid, but I was in my room
blasting Dinosaur Jr and Rocket From The Crypt and... Suede? And of
course going to shows. Then I met Steve Klein and the rest is history...
ME: The internet has changed the music industry dramatically over the
last few years. Is it something you've particularly noticed?
JP: Yes. I've definately noticed it and definately feel it. The problem
is there is just too many bands, and the market is being over saturated
with the same sounding type of bands, and the internet only makes it
easier. Start a Myspace and... VOILA! You're done!
Not that I have anything against Myspace and kids just trying to have
fun believe me, but it's like when all the hair metal bands were coming
out of nowhere in the late 80s and early 90s, sooo many, like Stryper
[Laughs]. Only a few survived and are still huge to this day... Bon
Jovi, Motley Crue etc etc, and we are seeing this trend again, you know
what I mean?
ME: You've said that as a band your still the same 5 guys you were when
you started, and that the success hasn't changed you. Any reason why
you think you've been able to achieve that?
JP: I think we have been able to do that because we don't take
ourselves too seriously, and we all know that everything we have is
because of this band. No fucking rockstar attitudes, and we apprecite
everything we have.
ME: It's said that you influenced a whole generation of bands. How does that make you feel?
JP: Well, we have been a band for ten years, but we were all 17 at the
time so we started at young age. It's very very flattering, especially
since we are still young guys!
ME: With that in mind, who's influenced you as a band over the years?
JP: As band it would be the bands we looked up to when we were young
and eventually toured with; Green Day, Less Than Jake, Blink. Maybe not
so much the music per say, but the work ethic of those bands and how it
was amazing to meet and tour with these huge bands.
They were the nicest guys ever, not only to us but to their fans as well.
ME: And personally as a musician?
 JP:
I guess the friends I had when I was 14 and 15 years old influenced me.
They were older than me, and were the first ones to introduce me to all
the bands i listen to. The people I meet along the way and my family
and friends now.
ME: Can you give our readers any important New Found Glory weblinks please?
myspace/newfoundglory.com
sincerelymenfg.com
nothinggoldcanstay.com
drivethrurecords.com
bridge9.com
A big thank you to Jordan for taking the time to talk to us.
New Found Glory are currently touring the UK in support of 'From The Screen To Your Stereo Part II'.
The bands full schedule currently shapes up as follows:
February
7 Cockput, Leeds
8 Kasbah, Coventry
9 Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
11 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
12 Academy, Newcastle
13 De Montfort Hall, Leicester
15 Underground, Koln
16 Abart, Zurich
17 Musicdome, Milan
19 Backstage, Munich
21 Trabendo, Paris
22 Melkweg, Amsterdam
23 Grunspan, Hamburg
24 Lido, Berlin
26 Guildhall, Portsmouth
27 Rock City, Nottingham
28 Academy, Glasgow
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