CHECK OUT TRACKS FROM RELIENT K'S NEW ALBUM ON THEIR WEBSITE NOW www.relientk.com

:: BASICS ::

Name :: Matthew Arnold Thiessen

Band Name :: Relient K

Job In Band :: Writing/Vocals/Guitar/Piano

Website :: www.relientk.com

Where did your band name come from? When we started out, Matt Hoopes (guitar/vocals) drove this crappy Plymouth Reliant K. We made fun of him for it, and named our band VIA that inside joke.

Best thing about being in this band? Getting to travel to cities that have Jamba Juice

:: LIVE ::

Quickly give us the rundown of the gear you'd typically use live...
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier/Gibson 335 guitar/Yamaha P60 keys

Tell us about your first show in this band, memorable/forgettable and why...
We had a friend that was promoting another band's show at a coffee shop. We were rehearsing earlier that day and thought, let's go crash that show and ask if we can play. They let us play. Good times.

Favourite show you've played, and why...
Um.. 'favourite', eh? Probably Canada...wink wink. I don't really know...We had some fun with Anberlin, The Evan Anthem, and Don't Look Down up in Worcester, MA. It was the last show of the tour, and there was mashed up twinkies and barbeque sauce everywhere.

Worst show you've played, and why....
Some festival close to San Diego last summer. I had some gnarly feedback and interference issues, and there wasn't anyone around to remedy the problem. I was pretty pissed off after the show.

After the show what are you most likely to do?
We have a good time after the show. More often I'll hang out with those that were in attendance and snag a shower before hanging out with my bros.

Favourite song to play live?
I Am Understood

Describe your band in 5 words?

:: TOURING ::

Who is the biggest stereo hog in the van?
Well, we all turn up the ol' iPods if someone's listening to too much Dream Theater (cough, Dave, cough)

You're off on tour to launch a new album, what two bands would you love to take with you? (past or present)
Jimmy Eat World, (Something To Write Home About era) & The Get Up Kids

Favourite venue to play at?
The Norva, Norfolk VA

Favourite place you've toured so far, and why?
The Northwest USA. Portland and Seattle are good towns for shows and scenery and stuff....

Most memorable experience on tour...
Unfortunately...it's the near death experiences. There are two that were very near. Your van breaks down on the open road, middle of the night

Which band member is most likely to become the know it all mechanic and attempt to fix the problem & Will they have any luck?
Dave's done it. But not with our van. I bought a Limo in Boston and tried to drive it back to Ohio. There was a hose with a leak, and dave really came through.

:: GENERAL ::

What made you decide to join a band?
Wanting to be Mxpx and Slick Shoes

Name of your first band & what style did you play?
This is good. I played bass in a band called Social Distortion (I was too young to know that there already WAS a Social Distortion). I wasn't allowed to sing, but our singer really sucked. We covered Marilyn Manson and Filter, and the only song I was allowed to do harmonies on was Nirvana's 'Rape Me'. I was kicked out.

Last show you attended that you didn't play at...
Lovedrug

What's getting the most spins in your stereo right now?
Keane - Hopes and Fears

Your off on a trip into space for a month, your allowed to take 3 cd's, what are they gonna be?
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
The Innocence Mission
Glow Acceptance - whatever their new stuff is called

When you're not doing any band related stuff, what you most likely to be found doing?
Playing other music, having a meal, having a sleep, watching a movie, or high fiving a very cool dude.