Hailing from our very own bustling metropolis of Toronto, Spitfires & Mayflowers are set to rock Wavelength this month fresh off the release of their debut album, Triumph. On this LP you will find songs that spryly sashay along without a care in the world, aided by trumpets, harmonies and succinctly crisp guitars, not unlike early Sloan or Pavement with an extra coat of sugar. Pras Rajagopalan sought out the people who had his toe so vigourously a-tappin', and finally cornered vocalist Jose Lourenço, who graciously obliged him with some amusingly evasive responses.
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GUYS GET STARTED?
Henry and Jose were born in 1979. Tim and Andy were born in 1980. Note: All births a result of parents doing 'œit'? (sex).

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU DISTINGUISH YOURSELVES FROM THE OTHER GUITAR POP BANDS OUT THERE?
Tim has red hair. Jose is afraid of spiders. Andy doesn't eat fruit. Henry kicked over a fridge.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY? CONVINCE US TO DO LIKEWISE.
Each other. Oh, the stories! Henry has a great one about a hammer and a piece of live ammunition. You should ask him about it.

SO MUCH POPULAR MUSIC IS GOVERNED BY TRENDS. I GUESS NOW WE'RE SEEING THE TAIL END OF THE WHOLE POST-PUNK AND NEW WAVE REVIVAL. DO YOU HAVE A PREDICTION FOR THE NEXT TREND?
Everybody's band has like 16 people now, so that's sort of the next trend. But after that? Like March 2006? Cult choreography. Watch for it.

WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY HOPE/WANT TO GET FROM PLAYING A SHOW?
The best show we played in July 2005 was in Brantford. We arrived at the Ford Plant to find the doors locked, the power went out for two hours after we got in, we drank at the scariest bar ever, played Frisbee in the rain and made a bunch of new pals. We can't wait to go back.

DO SPITFIRES & MAYFLOWERS HAVE A FAVOURITE CHORD RIGHT NOW?
We have a favourite knot: The Mighty Palomar.

WHO IS THAT SINGING ON 'œDON'T GET IN A FIGHT'?? I COULDN'T DECIDE IF IT WAS MALE OR FEMALE'”I MEAN THAT AS A COMPLIMENT, BY THE WAY. IT'S A GREAT LITTLE SLICE OF POP AND THE VOICE KIND OF THREW ME FOR A LOOP. THE WAY I SEE IT, IF A SONG INDUCES SOME CONFUSION, THEN YOU MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT. RIGHT?
The mellifluous voice heard on 'œDon't Get In A Fight'? belongs to one Mr. Andrew J. Lloyd. Everything he produces is confusing and beautiful.

TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T ALREADY KNOW ABOUT EITHER SPITFIRES OR MAYFLOWERS.
The Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mk1) was first commissioned in Oct. 1962. There were 45573 made. Triumph launched its curious Mayflower - billed as an "economy" saloon '“ in 1949.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A MEMBER OF SPITFIRES & MAYFLOWERS?
Driving to out of town shows is always fun. Especially that time when Henry threw a full container of old yogurt at our van and Andy lost his mind. 'œWhat'd you do? What'd you do?'? Delicious.

By Pras Rajagopalan