What do Cindy Lauper and chimpanzees have in common? Well it’s Crisis in Hollywood of course! Not really knowing a lot about this band before the interview, it was quite an interesting experience researching them. These pop punk rockers from Orlando Florida have a one thing in common as a band and that is writing and playing music together and enjoying every minute of it. Armed with a fun and funky sound and genuine love for making music, I can tell that Crisis in Hollywood is on their way to achieving great things. They will be on the road starting June 7th for the Survive The Swine ’09 East Coast Tour, so be sure to get on board and rock out for a good cause! We had a little chat with drummer Andy to talk about their new release and what’s cooking in the future.

SHOUT!: What’s the story behind the band’s name?

Andy: We spent a long time trying to come up with an amazing band name. We read books at the library for over 4 hours looking for inspiration but it never came. On the way home from the library, we came across a new clip on a local radio station about Paris Hilton. Our drummer Andy blurted out “Crisis in Hollywood”, and the name stuck.

S!: If you were to associate your music with another bands/artists, which would it be?

Andy: Cyndi Lauper. But hopefully people hear a bit of Midtown, Yellowcard, and Jimmy Eat World as well.

S!: You’ve gotten considerably good reviews on your new album Safe and Sound. What was the process of making the album like?

Andy: It was awesome. We had a full five weeks to do the album. We got to work with Anthony from Bayside, which was a great experience. We ended up writing 18 songs, and trimming the fat down to the 12 songs that made it to the final product. We’re always writing when we’re on the road, so anytime we get the chance to do a new album, we jump on it pretty quickly.

S!: What song on this record are you most excited to play live?

Andy: We’re pretty stoked about playing all the new tunes, but the title track, “Safe and Sound” is one of our favorites to play live.

S!: Tell us something about Crisis in Hollywood that most people don’t know.

Andy: We actually travel with a chimpanzee named George. If you don’t believe us, come and find us on tour and you can meet him.

S!: You guys are doing the Survive Flu throughout June. Is Crisis in Hollywood a
typically charitable band?

Andy: It’s awesome to be able to tour, and even better when we’re able to raise awareness for any problems or issues that are going on. We love doing charity shows. We’re currently working on putting together a charity show in Orlando with our buddies in How Dare You.

S!: Tell us something funny that has happened to you while performing on stage.

Andy: During one of the shows in Fairfax Virginia which was on our last tour, a slightly inebriated young lady decided it was an opportune time to crowd surf. She jumped up on the stage and dove head first into the crowd. Unfortunately the crowd was not on board with this plan and she ended up diving face first into a table and then rolled to the floor with a loud thud. She was okay, but we had a hearty laugh about it later that night.

S!: What is your main goal as band?

Andy: We love playing music. Our short term goal is to tour non stop like we have been. We love being on the road so that is where we’ll stay. In terms of long term plans, we would love to pay our bills someday with our music. It’s a tough biz but we love it so we’ll keep going.

S!: What is your favourite rock album of all time?

Andy: If you have one favourite rock album, you’re not listening to enough music. Some favorites are War Profiteering is Killing Us All by Suicide Machines, Dude Ranch by Blink 182, Dookie by Green Day, and Generator by Bad Religion.

S!: Is there a member of Crisis in Hollywood that has potential to be a real diva?

Andy: I don’t think there are any. Everyone is pretty level headed in the band. We play because we love writing and performing music, and we could really care less how our hair look like while we’re doing it!

S!: Are there any bands you’d like to share a stage with one day?

Andy: Rx Bandits, Four Year Strong (again), Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory.

S!: Any last words for the readers of Shout?

Andy: Thanks for checking us out, if you want us to come play in your city, send us a message, we WILL come play!

• MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/crisisinhollywood