People want to know what's going on with Hot Rod Circuit. Here is a band that consistently and continuously rocks the pants off of it's fans and they do it very well. With rumors of a strained relationship with Vagrant Records and the loss of founding member Jay Russell and recent member Brian Kiss, Hot Rod Circuit is about to record it's sixth and hopefully not it's last album. Casey Prestwood and Dan Duggins took some time to answer some of our questions and some of yours!

With the many varied side projects the members of HRC has, is HRC still the main focus for future events?

C: Yes. I have made many sacrifices to be in and remain in HRC. So for now it is my main priority, Despite my many side projects.(Drag the River, The Don't Tells, The Only Children, Mt. Lyon, and a solo record)

D: Yes. All the projects I work on are taken very seriously (Even Odds, Sumeet, Don't Tells, Diesel Cases) and this would definitely include HRC.

Recently Brian Kiss and Jason Russell (original member of 7 years) left the band. How much did Brian and Jay’s presence affect the sound and direction of the band? Is the band’s direction going to change because of it?

C: They both affected the sound and direction and attitude of the band. Both will be
missed, but HRC's essence will prevail. It's a bummer more for me not to have as much contact as friends. Jay contributed a lot to the band and I am grateful for the time he served.(not mean to be a weird verb)

D: Brian and Jay's musicianship certainly had an impact on the sound of the band. I'd like to think that Hot Rod's sound will grow rather than change.

You've recently been touring. We've noticed some new faces in the line-up. Who are these players and will they be a permanent fixture to HRC?

D: Good question. Basically at this point, HRC is officially a three piece (Andy, Casey, and myself). Jeff Turner & Jake Turner (Ex Parkside View), Joe Ballaro, and Jerry Morrison (ex Bleach) have helped recently fill the ranks of guitar and bass in the absence of Jay and Brian.

Who would you guys most like to tour with?

C: I think Andy would say the Foo Fighters. Which I would think would be awesome as hell. But they are huge and I don't know how much it would really do for our band. Seeing Green Day in that environment like a week ago, no one really cared about Jimmy Eat World.(Some did of course....but when you are at one of those arena type shows you want to see the Headliner.) But it would be awesome none the less. I would Like to see Hot Rod go out with one of our Heroes, Eric Bachman's band Crooked Fingers. I would also like to tour with the Flaming Lips or Wilco. I would love to tour with Superchunk again. Guns n' Roses....if they ever got their shit together and it was the original line
up. Ringo Starr....would also be rad.

D: In the real world? I wouldn't mind touring with Franz Ferdinand or Muse or Bloc Party. In my fantasy dream world? Iggy and the Stooges (Raw Power era) or David Bowie

Being a “veteran” band has gained you all a lot of respect within the community….do you guys feel that big success is on the horizon?

C: Not to be pessimistic, but no. I feel that there is always the chance of that. And it's not something I wouldn't be stoked on. But we've already accomplished a lot of goals I had as a band. And having the mentality of "we're gonna make it"...just doesn't work for me. Mainstream success would be great and all, but with all the shit that is popular now, It feels like I'm on another planet. Big success for me is getting better at my instruments from day to day, and putting on a good show.

D: Man, I have no idea. (laughs) I think success is measured differently from person to person.

Why do you think it’s so easy for a lot of bands to break so early in the game as opposed to bands that have been around for quite awhile?

C: It's like a new piece of ass I guess.(or something?) HRC is definitely a looker and all, but when that new piece of ass comes around....people gobble it up.

D: I like Casey's answer.

HRC has stated influences (such as Dinosaur Jr., The Pixies, Nirvana, Sonic Youth) in the past, the bands you grew up listening to, what is influencing HRC today, what is influencing the next record?

C: I will neglect answering this question. I am listening to new music all the time. All kinds of music. We all still draw on those original influences, but everyone adds their own flavor to their instrument. I guess it's more of an Andy question. I don't think people would understand my response. Understand is the wrong word. I think people wouldn't be able to draw the conclusions of what I get from Country and Western(or whatever else) music that I would want them to. I mean, I have been super into Roy Nichols, James Burton, Clarence White and Phil Baugh on guitar recently. But if Hot Rod fans went out and checked those dudes out, the direct relation to HRC is unnoticeable. But I guess I answered the question.

D: I think this is a question that is difficult to answer effectively. What I mean is that I don't sit around listening to records and make conscious decisions about how I'd like to sound like this or like that. I think it happens much more organically. By that, I mean that you become a natural product of the music you take in. You listen, absorb, and digest. What's left becomes the natural part of the way you play and perceive music.

What can HRC fans expect on the upcoming tour with Piebald across the United States?

C: New songs, costume changes, extravagant lights and make up, Casey playing a set of Hank Williams songs? Maybe after the set if the feeling is right. They can expect one of the best damn Rock n' Roll shows they ever seen. Unless they have seen Rob Thomas, The Blues Brothers 2000, Ricky Hendrix, Motor Heart, or Jack Palance.

What bands on Warped Tour did you most enjoy seeing?

C: I totally enjoyed Bedouin Soundclash everyday. What a breath of fresh air. Some of the other bands made me feel old. I enjoyed Hot Rod's Set everyday. Oh I thought Valient Thorr was Bitchin. Fo Real.

D: This question is easy. I enjoyed Valient Thorr, Saosin, Thrice, Bedouin Soundclash and Gratitude.

What has been the best part of touring for you guys and what are some good experiences you guys have had while touring?

C: I got mugged in England and then hit by a cab the next day. I got to meet Flava Flav, and Dave Grohl once.

D: I met Chuck D. and Flava Flav in Boston. Flav had a clock around his neck that looked like he had torn it off a high school wall. It was HUGE. Once time I saw my friend Alcore chase a mountain goat at Mt. Rushmore. He threw his shoe at it. (laughs hysterically)

What exactly does the term “Dong Huffer” mean?

C: I think it's when you eat a ding dong or a ho ho by inhaling it.

There's been some rumors about your relationship with Vagrant. Care to enlighten your fans?

D: Vagrant has been a good home for the last two records. In simplest terms, we all feel like HRC doesn't really fit the Vagrant mold anymore.

Here are the questions from some fans:

Name: Tim McKitterick
Fav. Song: Riding A Low

What advice do you give to bands aspiring to make music a career?

C: Quit while your ahead. No serious, if you are a songwriter...write songs as often as you bathe. If you are guitarist, familiarize yourself with many kinds of music.(not just your genre) Practice like hell and try and fool around with other instruments and then come back to guitar and see if that changes your perspective. Become a genius on your gear. Know where your stuff is made and by who, and it's complete operation. Become Vegetarian. Don't be a criminal. Stay in School. Don't do drugs. Play guitar as often as you bathe. And if you play something else, I can't help you. Sorry. Buy a pedal steel. Preferable a GFI. Go with a new pedal steel. Don't get a vintage one. Don't get a vintage one. You only can fuck this up once.

D: Try to surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Way more. Don't be afraid to learn. As an individual player, don't fall prey to bullshit misconceptions. If someone is trying to tell you that practicing or learning all your scales and modes or learning all your rudiments the right way is going to "steal" from your creativity, tell them they don't know what the hell they are talking about and to stop badgering you with their nonsensical ranting.

Name: Jill
Fav. Song: Remover-- PLEASE PLAY IT FOR ME!! I'LL GIVE YOU HUGS AND KISSES!!!

What song? just kidding. I will see what I can do. LOL OMG BOXERS OR BRIEFS!!? haha. I'm just kidding. Do you have a favorite city that you like to play in? What makes a great show a great show?

C: Boxers. I like San Francisco, and New York City. But I like every show for the most
part. If people are into it.

D: I like the big cities - Chicago, NY, LA...but any city where there's a bunch of excited people who like HRC is just fine with me. And that's the truth, I don't care if it's Sioux Falls, ND.

Name: Tom Rotter
Fav. Song: Irish Car Bomb:

Do you ever miss the music scene that was around in the mid 90's, when you first started out? Also, are there any bands you miss that aren't around today that you toured with?

C: It seems rather different now to me. Not as cohesive. Maybe I just don’t see it now like I did. Yes and no. I miss the Anniversary and the Get up Kids.

D: I don't guess it seems as grassroots as it used to be. Punk rock and rock in general is like this "thing" you can buy in a bottle now in a drug store. It's still out there, but it's momentarily taken a back seat to big lights and quick money.

Name: Kaede
Fav. Song: The Pharmacist

What were you like back in high school?

C: Kind of an Art nerd. I got really into the Beatles the first half of high school. My high school bands were called Skipper and Stealing Mikey. I fronted both. Then I got really into Elvis my senior year. Became a bit of a loner a times. Painted a lot. Played music with Andy a lot.

D: I was a dork. I rode a skateboard. Played in the band. Took a bunch of art classes and more or less did my own thing.

Name: Whitney
Fav. Song: At Nature's Mercy

Would you ever consider playing at someone's wedding?

C: I played one this summer. Here comes the bride on pedal steel and many others. Just me. Totally bitchin.