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The Plain White T’s Hollywood Records debut, “Every Second Counts,” with the infectious and biting single “Hate” has taken alternative radio by storm.  The Chicago quintet returned home to Chicago to the sold out UIC Pavilion as part of the Panic! At The Disco “Nothing Rhymes With Circus Tour”. Musicpix had the opportunity to talk a with De’Mar Hamilton, drummer for the Plain White T’s prior to the show about returning home to Chicago, the concept behind the “Hate” video, being the back beat of the band, and why the band chose the name Plain White T’s…

Listen in….

Musicpix:  It’s gotta feel really good to be playing in front of your hometown crowd on Thanksgiving eve?

De’Mar: Yeah, we were just here two weeks ago on the Fusion Tour and it was probably one of the best shows on the tour.  Every time we play in Chicago, it’s awesome but this time, its way bigger… like 9-10,000 people.  I’m excited but kind of nervous because it’s on a way bigger scale.  It will be the biggest Chicago show we’ve ever played.

Musicpix:  So did you still get knots in your stomach before you go out and perform?

De’Mar:  For me…I only get knots in my stomach when I play Chicago…it’s been a stressful day.  We’re in our hometown and I am a little nervous. 

Plain White T's Concert Photo Gallery

Musicpix:  I always enjoy watching bands starting out although you’ve been around for a while but you’re really hitting it now.  What’s it like when you’re truly starting out when nobody is familiar with your music and then suddenly, they are?

De’Mar:  It’s probably one of the best feelings when you’re working so hard at it and for so long…when you’re playing to people who don’t really know you or know your songs…all the people are singing along now and it’s kind of surreal.

Musicpix:  Given all the lineup changes that have happened in the band, there seems like there is a synergy going on.  What do you think has been that ‘solidifying’ factor?

De’Mar:  I think we’re at a point where everybody is actually playing their instruments well.  Everyone is a good musician.  I guess, everyone is ‘musically trained’ more than before.  Even during the recording process, whe're much better.

Musicpix:  “Hate” is a great song and the video reminds me of that horror movie, “Carrie” on testosterone.  Was that by design?

De’Mar:  Our director Jay Martin came up with the concept…and he wanted Tom to be walking around with all of these things happening around him…it all works out in the end.  All these special effects with windows breaking…it was like making a movie. 

Musicpix:  Where was it filmed?

De’Mar:  We did it in Toronto.

Musicpix:  Being in a band, I don’t think that ‘normal’ people realize the amount of stress there is when you’re on the road most of your life.  How difficult is it to manage relationships?

De’Mar:  We all have girlfriends.  One guy is married.  For me, not being home is a challenge because friends don’t think you care about them anymore because you’re busy.  You kind of get lost in it and get consumed in it.  When you’re gone all the time, it’s hard to maintain relationships.  It’s hard.  With girlfriends, it’s even harder.  We don’t meet people on the road because we are already in relationships.

Musicpix:  Plain White T’s…the name came about because your favorite artists always being pictured in plain white T’s.  I also find it pretty interesting that you’re the drummer right now and Tom is the lead singer and guitarist, but his initial passion was drums and that makes me think of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters because he has that stereotypical look.

De’Mar:  They were looking through all these books and there was Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, James Dean and they were all wearing plain white T’s…it’s just a classic thing.  Timeless.  Classic.  Everyone is going to wear a T and we wanted to be accessible to everyone with our music.  Tom was playing drums on the record and he was always playing guitar too.  I think when he started the band, he was always playing the guitar and singing… kind of a Dave Grohl thing, but not on as big of a scale.

Musicpix:  From an ego perspective, and I don’t mean that in a negative way, but when you’re the drummer you kind of take second fiddle to the crowd interaction that your band mates do.  Do you ever envy that?  Or is a relief to not have that pressure?

De’Mar:  I know what you’re saying…but for me, I try to just play the best that I can play and be entertaining.  I don’t envy it in anyway.  But if I did do it, I don’t think I’d be nervous in any way…I’ve always been a drummer and in the background.  Keeping the band going…it’s probably one of the most important instruments in a band.

Musicpix:  You mentioned timeless music.  You guys are relatively young.  When you look at bands like The Stones and Springsteen, they probably had no idea that they would be as huge as they are.  Do you ever throw yourself that far into the future?

De’Mar: Yeah, we definitely would like to be The Stones or The Beatles but that probably won’t happen because those bands are/where massive bands.  I feel like we aspire to be that and its fun to try to be that good.

Musicpix: What are your band’s influences?

De’Mar: We’re all into different things.  It’s hard for us to agree on a lot of things.  But at the end of the day, we agree on The Strokes and The Beatles as being ‘band’ influences.

Plain White T's Concert Photo Gallery

Musicpix: You’ve been on the Warped Tour and out with major bands.  Have there been any bands that have taken you under their wing so to speak?

De’Mar:  Not really.  But I think when Tom started the band and he gave Christian Lane a tape and he said yeah, this is good…he told him to lock himself in a room for a year and you’ll be there.  That’s probably the only time somebody did something like that.  We’re in this genre where we’re all in the same scene and we become friends, so it’s more of a peer thing.

Musicpix:  Back to the evolution of the band…when Tom had his accident and he stated that it affected his songwriting and it became more personal.  Give us your perspective on the songwriting process.

De’Mar: If you’re not writing songs from the heart, it’s not going to be long lasting.  It’s just not going to last.  There’s so much crap that might be cool for a year and then it just fades away.  I think that’s one thing that you’ve got to continue to do is write songs that are from your heart.

Musicpix: What’s your perfect world for the band?

De’Mar:  I’m in it.  Doing what we do and make a living at it and be successful at it and make records that people like and play to people who enjoy it.  A lot bands may go platinum but the next record may not do anything.  My perfect world is just doing it.  Not changing too much, just getting better at it.

Discography

Stop-2002
All That We Needed-2005
Every Second Counts-2006

The Band

Tom Higgenson-Vocals
Dave Tirio-Guitar
Mike Retondo-Bass
De’Mar Hamilton-Drums
Tim Lopez-Guitar, vocals

The Tour

11/25/06   Saint Charles, MO
11/26/06   Council Bluffs, IA
11/28/06   Denver, CO
11/29/06   West Valley, UT
11/30/06   East Lansing, MI
12/01/06   Portland, OR
12/03/06   Tampa, MI
12/08/06   Grand Prairie, TX
12/16/06   Chicago, IL
01/23/07   Portsmouth, UK
01/24/07   Birmingham, UK
01/25/07   Manchester, UK
01/27/06   Glasgow, UK
01/29/07   Liverpool, UK
01/31/07   Leeds, UK
01/31/07   Newport, UK
02/01/07   Oxford, UK
02/02/07   London, UK

By

Steve Mitchell