Fun.

Story by Jacob Fricke 

| Published Jan 26, 2010

fun.

Everything you need to know about the band is in the name. Everything from their music, their live shows, to their approach to life is summarized by the name.

Formed in 2008 from the ashes of vocalist Nate Ruess’ former band, The Format, the band also features Steel Train’s Jack Antonoff and former Anathallo guitarist Andrew Dost. Dost consented to be interviewed by the Dailyer, revealing interesting facts about their formation, music on vinyl…and ice cream.

Dailyer Nebraskan: What is fun.? What kind of music do you play, and who is in the band?

Andrew Dost: We play rock music…with a broadway twist, I guess you could say. It’s theatrical pop-rock. The band consists of me (Andrew Dost), Jack Antonoff, and Nate Ruess.

DerN: Why did you decide to form a band with each other?

AD: Our previous bands had toured together, and we all kind of enjoyed each other and developed some mutual respect. We decided to form this band together.

DerN: Where did you get the name fun.?

AD: We wanted to call the band Ice Cream. Then we thought ice cream was too stupid. We decided to instead take what we like about ice cream and what it made us think of... and that was fun. So we researched it pretty extensively and couldn’t find any other bands with the same name. We thought it was kind of simple, stupid and memorable enough to be the best option.

Actually, we had a tour scheduled, and we didn’t have a name yet. We had to pick something, and it was the only option we all hadn’t vetoed yet. So we went with it.

DerN: You recently released your debut album, Aim and Ignite. Have you been pleased with how it has been received?

AD: Yes, definitely. There’s been a really, really positive reaction to it from fans of our past bands, which is certainly nice.

DerN: Did the sales of your album meet your expectations?

AD: It’s hard to know. I think that, however many we sold, 10 years ago it would have been quintuple that or whatever. We haven’t sold as much as we’d like to, but we also figure that people are getting the record in one way or another, even if it means stealing it. At least they’re listening to it, which is better than nothing.

DerN: Who do you personally list as your main influences in this band?

AD: I really like They Might Be Giants, Weezer, The Beatles — who I would hope are on everybody’s list. I also really like Andrew Lloyd Webber. Basically, anything that’s really well thought out and intricate, I enjoy.

DerN: You guys have been on tour for a while. Do you have any crazy tour stories you’d like to share?

AD: We haven’t been on tour constantly; we’ve had a few short gaps between tours.

As for crazy tour stories — we’re pretty boring people, really. The most exciting part of my day is when I get to watch TV. I don’t really have any nutso, smashing-windows-out stories or anything like that.

DerN: How would you describe your shows?

AD: Our shows are always evolving. Our first tour was all acoustic, so there was just a few people. Now, in addition to the core members, we usually bring out some other people to play bass, drums. Eventually, we’d like to keep getting bigger and bigger as far as live show production goes.

You can expect to hear the songs that you’d want to hear, and, in general, I think that people will hopefully leave smiling.

DerN: Do you play any covers live?

AD: We have before, and we’re planning a couple for the next tour, but we typically don’t. Occasionally for a surprise, but it’s never guaranteed.

DerN: The members of fun. are all in different bands, so what is fun’s status? Do you consider it your main project or a side project?

AD: Jack is still in Steel Train, but for Nate and I fun. is our only band. It’s definitely our main band.

DerN: What is the future for fun.? Are you planning another album, and will you keep touring?

AD: This year we’ll probably just be touring. I personally do solo stuff, so I may release a solo thing this year. Jack will be releasing a Steel Train record. fun. will probably be recording little things here and there but no full thing. We’ll be writing and touring this year but mostly just touring.

DerN: Is there anything you’d like to share with the readers?

AD: Hmm…my old band broke down near North Platte one time, and we were convinced that we would get scooped up by a tornado because there was a funnel cloud by the tour bus.

Actually, I have a more fun. specific plug for you. We are going to be rereleasing the album on vinyl with a bunch of updated artwork and crazy stuff, even some bonus tracks. That will probably be in April. In the meantime, the artwork in beautiful, vinyls are available, and there’s nothing quite like holding the record in your hand.

DerN: Thank you, and good luck with your tour!

AD: Thanks, man.