Bill: I'm curious...how long have you all known each other?
Ricky: I've known Ryan since I was 5 and me, Ryan and Chris have been friends since we were 13. Now we've known Mike since he joined the band for 3 to 4 years.
Bill: And you all still get along?
Ricky: Yeah...I think we got through that point back when we were about 15, and now it's like...we just all get along, and this has definitely upgraded to like brother status.
Bill: I think that definitely comes through in your shows and videos.
Ricky: Yeah.
Bill: Going into the future, if you had your choice, is there anyone in the music industry you would particularly like to work with?
Ricky: I'll give a couple of answers. I know Chris is really passionate and has appreciation and aspires to work with Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz). I do, too. We really would like to become more progressive with our music and look forward. The way that he embraces pop music and still gives it such a crazy, cultural, experimental, weird vibe while still making great records is so amazing. For me, personally, someone I would really enjoy working with would be will.i.am. I'm a big Black Eyed Peas fan and a big John Legend fan. I think between those two performers he was able to create such amazing songs and music so vastly different from one another. I think it's cool.
Bill: Can you give me an idea of what's coming up over the next year for Melee?
Ricky: Yeah, we're continuing to break the record all around the world which is really cool, because we never really thought it would happen. We'll be doing that while trying to break America which is the biggest task anyone can ever take on. That's kind of the big scheme of things, but just keep touring and making music videos is going to be the theme for the next year or so.
Bill: Do you write new music while you're on the road?
Ricky: We have a hard time because the way we tour right now is so grassroots style. Now that it's been a while since the record came out and we wrote those songs we feel kind of cleansed and like a new us...we have a lot of new, fresh ideas, so I think whenever we have a break we'll just jump to the instruments and the computers and record whatever ideas we have. We're getting excited and want to release a new record and keep going and not fall into the land of being done with the record cycle and also not having any songs or ideas.
Bill: I've not had the opportunity to go to one of your live shows, but if I was going, what would I remember most from the show?
Ricky: From what I hear, you would probably remember the surprising amount of energy and amount of fun and enjoyment that we have on stage and that kind of carrying through to the audience. I think sometimes people get a bit surprised seeing a band that actually has fun and is enjoying playing music with each other and that's stemming from our friendship for so long. I think that's what you would probably walk away with the most.
Bill: For my last question, if there is anyone completely unfamiliar with Melee, is there anything you would say to them to get them interested?
Ricky: Umm...I think there's definitely a whole world beyond the songs from the album to kind of indulge in. There's a lot of personality and fun stuff on the Internet, certain Melee things you can really get involved in. and be a part of our band instead of just enjoying the songs.
Bill: Thank you so much for talking with me today, and I wish you and Melee the best in the future!
