Semi Precious Weapons is blowing up on the scene by continually touring across the world. Windy City Times caught the lead singer, Justin Tranter, down under on the road.
Windy City Times: Hi, Justin.
Justin Tranter: How are ya?
WCT: I am good. Are you in Australia now?
Justin Tranter: I am in Sydney, now yes.
WCT: That must have been a long flight.
Justin Tranter: We flew from London. It was like a twenty-four flight. There was a two-hour layover in Hong Kong. It was pretty awesome.
WCT: You get to see the world now!
Justin Tranter: We spend a week here, which is really exciting.
WCT: How long have you been on this tour?
Justin Tranter: We have been touring since last August nonstop. We started on a small tour of our own and we did the Perez Hilton tour. We also toured with a Swedish band called The Sounds. We got signed and made our record for three weeks in L.A. The Gaga tour started in November and here we are.
WCT: I just saw you guys open for Lady Gaga in Chicago.
Justin Tranter: Awesome, the Rosemont. That was so fun.
WCT: You are a band that people need to go see to get the full effect.
Justin Tranter: People definitely need to see us. Our live show is where we shine. Our new album I think is the first thing that represents the excitement of the live show.
WCT: Justin, you know to work a stage!
Justin Tranter: Well, thank you. [ Laughs ]
WCT: How did you meet Lady Gaga in the first place?
Justin Tranter: We heard that she was a fan of the band so we checked her out. Obviously it was a good match. Everyone in New York takes themselves so seriously. To have a girl sing pop music while in bras and panties, we thought was perfect to open for us. That is how we became friends.
WCT: Let's talk about the new album. Is it similar to the EP?
Justin Tranter: The EP is actually a preview to the album. It is on iTunes. Those three songs are on the new album. We are part of a program with iTunes that we were able to release the EP and then people can buy the whole album later but not be charged for it.
WCT: That's a good thing.
Justin Tranter: We have been working on this album for a while. We have played probably over 300 shows, if not more at this point. This is finally the album that we made in one of the nicest studios in the world. It is supposed to be fun, a party and get people laid, but we all went to music school and do take it seriously. For some people it is a hard balance for people to understand. This album really embodies everything rolled into one.
WCT: You have a jewelry line that is out also.
Justin Tranter: It has been out for three years. I started it right when the band started. For the first show that we did I wanted to make some money. We were all broke and we didn't have T-shirts or an album to sell. The band logo is a gun and a heart. So I made a necklace with that and realized I was onto something. I harassed the fine people at Urban Outfitters for quite some time until they purchased it. I made it into 14K with a diamond and started selling it at Barneys. Before we had all the opportunities that we have now, we paid for everything with jewelry.
WCT: That's very grassroots of you. You are bisexual?
Justin Tranter: Yes, well I feel like bisexual is sooo '90s. I feel like I am in Reality Bites or something. I am a fan of everything.
WCT: I look forward to seeing you in Chicago.
Justin Tranter: Chicago is my hometown. I grew up there. I can't wait to get back to town.
WCT: You went to school here?
Justin Tranter: Yes, I grew up in Lake Zurich, Ill. I went to high school at The Chicago Academy for the Arts downtown at Chicago and Ogden.
WCT: I didn't know you are from here!
Justin Tranter: Oh yeah, I am a Chicago boy. My whole family will be at the show. My parents love rock n' roll almost as much as I do. It is going to be a great night.
To be a part of that Friday, April 23, show at the Subterranean, 2011 W. North, just visit www.semipreciousweapons.com or subt.net .com for ticket information.
