As many shows as I’ve been to, not often am I on the stage taking pictures of the crowd. While trying my best to stay out of Steve Righ?’s way as he rocked out on guitar next to me at a recent Mindless Self Indulgence show, I was suddenly grabbed by Jimmy Urine and pulled from the relative safety of the photographer’s pit to center stage. I’ll never forget how the fans cheered and posed for the massive crowd picture. It was all gone in a flash of my camera when Jimmy pushed me back from whence I came, but that short moment sharing the spotlight with such an energetic band gave me fuel for my interview. Read on about more of their antics on stage, their lastest album, IF, and poptarts…

Shout!: Before we begin, I just wanted to thank Jimmy for pulling me on stage the other night to get an awesome crowd shot!

Jimmy Urine: That’s what you get for being in my way! [Laughs]

S!: Your MySpace has had 27,063,900+ plays since you joined in June 2004. Do you feel that sites like MySpace and Purevolume are hurting or helping the music industry as a whole?

Jimmy: Man, if you even have to ask that question you must live in 1999. You’re going to be extinct soon like every other dinosaur!

S!: Your fifth installment, IF, has topped charts globally. MSI also has sat in the top 10 spot on charts consecutively since MySpace Music has appeared. Being the only band to do so, what do you feel sets you apart from other bands to be able to accomplish that?

Jimmy: Well the fact that we don’t just have a unique sound and live show but we have a unique approach to business and marketing. Shit, we were using the internet to our advantage way before MySpace and YouTube came along!

S!: Continuing talking about IF, are you happy with the response it has had since its release on April 29th?

Jimmy: Sure, if the mainstream wanna hop on the MSI train they can ride along with the baggage!

S!: This is the first album to include vocals by Kitty and Lyn-Z. What it something they wanted to do all along?

Jimmy: Everyone in this band contributes to every aspect of it. We can’t help if we’re the creative types.

S!: What do you have to say to the people that “don’t get it” or have criticized it?

Jimmy: I’m glad some people still hate us…a lot. I like that dynamic.

S!: IF also comes in a vinyl edition. Not too many bands come out with vinyls these days. What made you decide to produce one?

Jimmy: We always have. We love vinyl. Shit, I’ve got 30 crates of records I never listen to and I want to contribute to that!

S!: What was it like working with Jhonen Vasquez?

Jimmy: Great as usual. We have worked with him before on the Shut Me Up video which he directed.

S!: Your antics on stage range from chugging DayQuil, setting yourselves on fire and much more. What is your most memorable/ favorite antic you’ve pulled off?

Jimmy: The fact that I’m still alive!

S!: I’ve personally seen MSI on a number of occasions. Throughout your show you have incredible amounts of energy and it seemingly never slows down. What does the band do to prepare themselves for a live show and how do you keep the energy once you hit the stage?

Jimmy: We sulk in a corner and prepare for our death.

S!: MSI has an increasingly large and loyal fanbase. What do you think it is about your music that captures a fan and make them want more?

Jimmy: It’s not like anything else out there. Period!

S!: I understand that MSI is very involved with their fanbase. What can you tell the readers of Shout! about your relationships with your fans?

Jimmy: If I was the last man on Earth and I had to repopulate the world, the end result would look like our fan base.

S!: Random fun question: What is your favorite poptart?

Jimmy: I hate poptarts. I’m a lumberjack breakfast man myself.

S!: Any last words you’d like to say to our readers?

Jimmy: I love my wife and buy my record!

• Official Site: http://www.mindlessselfindulgence.com
• MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/mindlessselfindulgence