Given the negativity Americans have tacked onto all things Canadian, it’s a wonder that Hot Hot Heat has blown up within the States. That, along with the fact that all of the band’s members combined have been in about thirty different projects, is a testament to the fact that hard work and catchy hooks can get a band further than they might have expected.
Hot Hot Heat’s newest album out on Warner Brothers Records, Elevator, takes the finest elements of pop music and crafts catchy melodies while staying true to the band’s party nature.
We spoke with their lead singer, Steve Bays, about their newest album and life on the road for Hot Hot Heat. Unfortunately, he was not able to muster up as much enthusiasm as usual, but sickness can do that to a person.
Can you introduce the band for our readers?
We are a band from Victoria BC. We’ve been a band since 1999. I don’t know.
Why did you guys choose the name Hot Hot Heat?
The drummer just said, “What do you think of this name?” and we said, “Cool. Sounds cool.” But we were in a ton of bands at the time, so I don’t think that anyone really thought too much about names.
When you first started out, was it hard being Canadian?
Yeah. At first, people always assumed that Canadian musicians were corporate rock, but I think that Canada is starting to get a way better reputation.
Since you guys started out as a “party band,” how do you feel about your success now? Does it feel different?
Not really that much different. We still go to a lot of parties. The point of the music is just to have fun.
Are there any differences between being signed by SubPop and being signed by Warner Brothers?
Yeah… I mean, SubPop is in Seattle. Warner is in Seattle. That’s about it. There are a few things, but for the most part, we just do it 100% our own way. We don’t have to compromise anything. We have a lot of freedom.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you guys since Elevator has come out?
The day that it came out, we did an in-store performance, and the day after it came out, we did an in- store performance at a record store in LA called Amoeba Records. It was a record store, but there were like 1,100 people watching us play an acoustic set. The record store is huge. But I don’t know if that is the most exciting thing. That’s just one thing I can think of. Europe has responded really well, though. We just got back from a European tour.
What is your favorite place to play right now?
I’d say… Germany and Canada are probably the two best places right now. In Canada, we are playing to a couple thousand people sometimes. I don’t think Canada really got into the band at first, but now they’re extremely supportive. And Germany as well.
[Excuses himself for some messy nose blowing]
Do you have any tour stories to share?
Um… not really.
You don’t? Aww...
Well, we do, but I can’t put them in print, that’s all.
How many interviews do you think you’ve done just in relation to this album?
Maybe like 200? I don’t know. That’s a good question.
Do you know of any unknown bands that deserve more attention?
Let me think… well, they get plenty of press already, but I’m a big fan of the Futureheads. What else? This band called Arctic Monkeys. Have you heard them?
No, but their name is awesome.
Yeah, yeah! Also... We Are Scientists. And Blood Arms are kind of cool.
Do you have any last words of advice for aspiring musicians who are trying to make it somewhere?
Where are they trying to make it to?
I don’t know, perhaps to where you guys are now.
Yeah… I think if you enjoy what you do, you just need to do it all the time. Don’t let anything stop you. I never aspired to be where I am now originally, but I did love playing music. I was in multiple bands all the time. That sounds odd, but I guess that’s the thing. Don’t stop doing what you love.
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