James caught up with Dangerous! in Birmingham to talk about their forthcoming debut album their deal with Epitaph Records and much more.

First of all can you give us a brief history of the band such as how you came together and came up with the name Dangerous!?
Nicky J: We’ve played together in bands for years. Started this one a few years back, Dangerous! Was a quick name and we stuck with it, nothing fancy.

You have recently signed to Epitaph Records, how did this come about and how does it feel to be signed to Brett Gurewitz label?
Tommy: It feels good and to describe it, it feels really good. We recorded a five track demo which ended up on the internet and they listened to it and wanted to sign us, we were in negotiations for a while we before we finally signed and then we recorded the album and a year later it’s coming out.

Nicky J: He called us on tour in Sydney sleeping in a van, he called us whilst we were in a car park the next morning saying he wanted to sign us, Awesome.

You released your debut single ‘Not One Of You’ back in May, we loved it at Alternative Vision but in general how has it gone down with your fans and the press?
Nicky J: We’ve been on tour since it came out, our friends like it I think ha ha we aren’t sure.

Tommy: It’s hard to keep up whilst being out on the road but we think people like it.

I understand that you have been busy working on your debut album ‘Teenage Rampage’ how have you found the whole writing and recording process?
Nicky J: It was sick man we recorded it in LA as well. That was July – August last year and it was like a big holiday, woke up at midday we rode our bikes that we bought down to the studio and just fucked around ha ha.

Tommy: It was definitely a cool time it was long days too we’d get up at midday get back at 11 then go out for the night so we didn’t get much sleep.

What themes and stories do you cover within the album?
Tommy: We’re not a heavily themed band. Every song lyrically is a bit different and there’s no set subject. We just write about whatever we feel like at the time so people can take it however they want.

Over the past month or so you have played many shows in the UK playing alongside bands such as D.R.U.G.S, The Plight, Futures and also the Download festival, how have the shows been and what has been your UK highlight so far?
Tommy: Our first show in the UK was at a venue called the barfly with D.R.U.G.S. and I had a proper Spinal Tap moment. We’re backstage walking down to the stage and I end up in the kitchen; the guys went on and I went to get a beer from upstairs, when I came back down and the door was locked, so the intro tracks spinning the guys go into the first song and our tour manager starts freaking out and bursts through the door just like “Thank God!” Weirdest show so far ha ha!

You are also down to play the NASS and Sonisphere festivals next weekend, how do you feel to be part of some of the best festivals the UK has to offer? And what can someone who has never seen you live expect from the shows?
Nicky J: It’s fucking cool because we’ve never played a festival.

Tommy: Not even that we’ve never even been to one. In Australia there’s no festival that’s like 3 days of camping in our town anyway so we’ve never even been so it’s cool.

Tonight you are playing the ink club night alongside Dead Letter Circus, how does it feel to be playing alongside a fellow Aussie band?
Tommy: We haven’t even seen them or talked to them.

Nicky J: We’re playing with them tomorrow we didn’t even know they were here tonight.

Tommy: We did have some friends come over from Australia the other day and it was definitely cool to have familiar faces around.

What do you have planned once your UK shows come to an end?
Tommy: Going home to do some shows in Australia and some other things in Australia ha ha. By the time the albums out I’ll probably be packing to be coming back, its out in September.

What’s your take on the digital revolution killing off the music business?
Tommy: I’m an offspring of the digital revolution so my take on it is positive. I wouldn’t care if people downloaded our music but if you really do like it you should buy it and come to the shows.

Nicky J: Our album comes with a Ouija board so you should just buy it.

Social network sites seem to be a big tool in the music industry these days, with artists communicating with their fans over it and some even ditching their own website and having just a social network page, what are your opinions on social networks as tools in the music industry?
Nicky J: Yeah we do but I didn’t bring my computer this time so I’ve not been able to use it really but definitely yeah it’s a cracking little tool.

Where do you hope to see Dangerous! in a year’s time?
Tommy: Playing the big room upstairs ha ha!

Nicky J: Recording the second best album ever. No no no wait that isn’t right ha ha! Another best album ha ha!

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
Tommy: Depends what I wanted to do. Fuck that either way I’m getting eaten. I’ll be a lion.

Nicky J: They’re both so goofy man.

Tommy: Either way you’re getting eaten.

Thanks for your time is there a message for your fans reading this?
Tommy: Dangerous or die!
Nicky J: dot Com.

Interview by James Webb