Last Nights Vice are: Brandon House, Joe Fitzsimmons, Chris Blake, Jordan Phoenix, Andrew Ghiassi
Hometown: St. Louis
Latest projects: Their first full-lenght album, “Perfect Little Noise,” and CD release show at Pop's
Sounds like: The heavy attitude of the The Used with the pop-dance melodies of The Killers.
Official Web site: http://www.myspace.com/lastnightsvice
Last Nights Vice is a band in St. Louis that is setting their sites high on the prize of a label, but not before they make sure all of their ducks are a row. LNV is releasing their first full-length album, entitled 'Perfect Little Noise', which is a compellation of songs from their previous three EP’s, plus five or six new songs. I spoke with guitarist Jordan Phoenix about the band's new album and their cd release party at Pop’s Friday, August 27. With the release of 'Perfect Little Noise', the boys have every intention of taking the best of their music to the top.
How would you describe 'Perfect Little Noise' to a friend?
People say we have the heavy attitude of The Used and the dance-pop of The Killers. We write songs that people can gravitate to. Brandon (lead singer) uses so much complexity in his lyrics that most people don't even get it. We didn't want to write songs that get stuck in your head and then you never think about them again. My favorite track on the new album is Rags to Ruin. It's about inner conflict. We didn't want to front load it because we are not pushing it as a single. It's actually the last song on the album. People listening to the album might consider it a blow off song.
It's almost impossible to miss your promotional signs for your shows. They are huge and plastered just about everywhere. Who does your promotion?
All promotion is done in house. I am a graphic designer and have some friends in print.
I was going to ask who works at a printing company?
No one. I just have made friends through the business, Joe works for Scottrade and does internet, web things for them. Andrew's recording studio in his basement, Mosca Studios, is nice because he recorded our album and it is nice to have for replacement tracks and touch ups. He is recording some stuff for Building Rome right now. They have some big news coming up.
You guys have been laying low for a while. What have you been up to?
The music industry is not what it was 10 years ago. You only get one chance. St. Louis has a great music scene, but it is getting tougher with all the music out there. We wanted to get everything done, an album, video, websites before we put ourselves out there. We have a manager, Nathan Porter, who has worked with artists on Fueled by Ramen, Universal, Capital and Wind Up Records and PR help. He first came on the scene with Nelly.
If you could book the ultimate show, who would play with you?
There are so many. Option//Control is on our CD release show because we have been trying to set up a show with them for awhile but we wanted it to be the right show. We like what Building Rome is doing, Me Verse You and our buddies, OutRAGEus!
Do you have any vices?
I am sure we do. Everyone's would be different. We have completely different characteristics. We would make great comic book characters. We all have things we gravitate towards and probably shouldn't.
Rapid fire round
Best venue in St. Louis?
For a small show it is Cicero's, because they have the best sound. For a large show, I would say Pop's, which is why we decided to have our CD release show there.
What are your favorite bars?
Flamingo Bowl always has a good crowd and really good industry specials. Halo Bar is a cool hangout if you are catching a show at The Pageant.
What was your craziest show?
Old Rock House for what I think was an EP release. A large piece of tile fell on three members of the first band. We rented a fake snow machine and the crowd got crazy.
What is the best show you have seen in St. Louis?
It was shows at Mississippi Nights. I saw Thrice and Thursday, Finch and The Used came and I really like Disturbing the Peace, which later became Adair.
Where did you come up with the name Last Nights Vice?
There is no real answer for this. We can't really pinpoint it. A really vague answer would be that Andrew and Chris liked Last Nights Fights, you know what, I don't even know. It is too difficult to explain.
