We caught up with the very charming Tom from the Plain White T's to talk about Grammy nominations, girls and 'Big Bad World'..........

MILK:You guys have been together for a decade, what has been your main motivation? 

TOM:Women!  No, we just always believed in our music- never thought about quitting. Plus girls! 

How did the plain White T’s form?  What’s the story behind that? 

We went to high school together, Dave and I.  We jammed a lot in the basement until any of my songs were ever good enough to unleash. 

So, how did your relationship with Hollywood records come about?  

Well Delilah was already out on our first album through a small indie label, I guess the success of that got interest from Major labels.  Hollywood records were the one company that threw a contract at us! 

I’m sure you’ve been asked this question quite a lot……however we are a thousand miles away from being nominated for a Grammy and want to know how that feels. How did it feel? 

Amazing! I grew up watching it and just always wanted to be there. 

“Hey There Delilah,” rocketed to No. 1 in 10 countries and was the fourth song in history to sell over 3 million digital downloads, incredible!  Why do you think Delilah was so successful?  Do you ever worry that you’ve set the bar too high for yourselves now? 

I don’t know – I think it just really stood out amongst the kind of stuff that was played on radio at the time.  Just a simple track with an acoustic guitar and was honest.  It was about a real girl, and I think people related to that. Set the bar too high?  No-I mean it’s just going to push us to do better, you can’t really think like that.  We didn’t win, so it’s something to work hard for, other awards are of course great but the Grammy’s are just a different level. 

The digital download boom has obviously been working for you guys!  How effective do you think the on-line world has become for fledgling bands? 

I mean it’s good and bad really- there are so many bands out there and it’s so easy to find them.  I think the problem is, if you’re not good on the back of you’re my space or whatever, it’s easy for people to move on the next band.  It’s cool for the consumer but not so great for the bands.  For instance, I think there are a lot of indie bands that tend to get more hits because of the way they look, even though sometimes the music isn’t that good but certain types of music tend to be more popular because of the current trend.   We always make music that is not about right now and will hopefully be remembered for that.   

Your new album titled “Big Bad world”- what’s the reason behind the title? 

I was writing all these songs and I just really loved it and it’s the first track on the album.  A lot of the songs have a world theme to them and talk about the elements; Natural Disaster, Rainy day, Sunlight……so it almost came up with its own concept. 

You would describe your songs in the past to have had a 50’s and 60’s influence, what musical direction would you say you are you going down with the new album?  

Going down that road even more so and embracing it.  Before we might have tried to add a punk edge to most of our songs, when you do that you’re almost limiting our demographic.  On this album we are almost exploiting the fact that we love old songs.  We feel that we’ve put more thought behind the album.  

What’s the song writing process within the band?   

I write most of the songs.  Sometimes I have to force myself to write, it doesn’t matter where I am, it could be in the airport on a plane, where ever.  I usually record a demo into my computer with an acoustic guitar.  As a band we pick our favourites and start laying them down.      

What was it like working with Johnny K? 

Johnny K- another Chicago guy like us.  We’re really comfortable with him as we’re all used to working with each other, as he produced our last album.  We had a lot more fun on this record.  Half of it was produced in California……….so a lot of pool parties, we were all just a lot more relaxed. I bet you were!Ha! What would you say have been your biggest musical influences through time? Music!  I’m obsessed with music and always have been.  Even the other day I was listening to an old Beatles track and that very same night I went home and wrote a track.  And of course girls- you know- they make the world go round! 

Any new bands impressing you at the moment? 

Hhhhhhhm, I like Panic at the Disco.  Oh and SantoGold, we just covered one of her tracks.  I saw Signor Ros perform live only very recently and was quite impressed by them.  Not really any one that new at the moment.