Uncut released their first album, Those Who Were Hung Hang Here, earlier this year on Paper Bag Records as a full-on rock band instead of the techno-guitar duo it started as. Ian Worang and Sam Goldberg talked to us about Lupus, Billy Idol, and their old violence.

First of all, what are the names of the people in Uncut and what roles do they play? Jon Drew (drums), Sam Goldberg (guitar + vocals), Derek Tokar (bass), Ian Worang (guitar + vocals). Ian: None of us are into role-playing, in either the sexual or Dungeons and Dragons sense.

You guys did a pretty massive reconfiguration of the band earlier this year, just as everything seemed to start taking off, and you started getting some good word of mouth. Apart from the new people, what's different between the new Uncut and the old Uncut? Ian: I would be hesitant to say that things had started taking off. It's not like a ton of people were all that into us here in Toronto. The only real "success" that we had was with the "Understanding the New Violence" single, but even that was limited to the DJ circuit and certainly outside of Toronto. Sure, the record would get played at a 3000 person party in Sweden or something, but that had very little impact on the band. Any cheers were for the DJ, not us, you know? The band was really about Jake (Fairley) and I having fun and having something to do around the apartment that we shared. The limited attention that we did get was all a bonus and not something that we ever took all that seriously. I mean, the band started off just to see if we could pull off having a big distorted rock guitar playing live at a techno club. It turned out to be something we both really enjoyed doing and we really liked the songs that we came up with together, so it kept going. That feeling of doing it because it is fun really hasn't changed. Maybe these days things are a bit more "serious" - we have a record out that we actually need to tour behind and stuff - but it's not like anyone in the band is treating it as a business. I think the one thing that has changed quite a bit is the type of shows that the band is playing. We definitely play shows more on the punk rock tip these days than we ever did (or could have) in the old days. At the same time, we aren't really playing all that many shows centred around dance music anymore. This isn't a negative or positive thing. It's just different. Sam: Within the new group the "cut" outnumber the "uncut."

If you could choose any band past or present, who would you most want to tour with? Ian: The lineup would be Uncut, controller.controller, Jake Fairley, Read Yellow, Heads Will Roll, The Two Koreas, Tangiers and The Deadly Snakes. I can say without hesitation that would be the happiest time in my life. Those are some of my favourite people in the world and are all amazing bands. I would probably spend every night getting sloppy drunk and telling them all how much I loved them. I want all of our bands to get married in some crazy Mormon polygamous thing. Sam: Ideally, I would love to see Uncut tour with Billy Idol, Michael Jackson and Wham!

If you were given the chance to create the soundtrack to any movie, whether it be past, present, or imaginary, what movie would the Uncut sound best complement? Ian: Secretary maybe. I would want it to be something slightly "dirty," but still sweet and a bit surreal.

Insert your own question here. Seriously. Ian: Seriously?

Black is to white as Uncut is to [blank]. Ian: Cut.

Ketchup is to grilled cheese sandwiches as Uncut is to [blank]. Ian: Winter.

Uncut is to chromophobia as weather balloons are to [blank]. Ian: Lupus.

What are you guys working on right now? Ian: Writing more songs and playing live as much as possible.

Where do you want to take this in the future? Ian: Somewhere warm, but not too touristy.

BY OUTOFTHESHINE