Stephen Perry (frontman, vocals): I'm here; ready, willing and able to accept whatever you can throw at me. Host: A fan asks, "I missed your show the last time you were in San Francisco, when do you think you'll be coming back?"

Perry: Oh, that's a good question. Let me consult my black book. Looking, looking, looking. Let's see, I think the closest we get is Santa Cruz on June 12 and the night before we'll be in Sacramento. Probably the next time we'll be in San Francisco will be on the Warped Tour. I'm not sure where it's going to be.

Host: A fan asks, "Are there any tour days planned for New York?"

Perry: Let' see... Not on this next one, we're only going out for a month, so probably the new time in New York will be on the Warped Tour too. I think we're going to be in Philly, that's as close as we'll get this time out.

Host: A fan asks, "I haven't missed a show you guys have played in Arizona yet. I heard you guys were going to be on the Warped Tour. Is it coming to Arizona? If you're playing it, I will be there. Do you know how long your set will be? And hey, if you do play, when you are done, ask for me in the crowd. My name is Ginger and I would love to meet you." -- Ginger, 19.

"I think it's exposing people to swing who might never have heard swing music before."

Perry: Well, that's exciting. I'm sure it'll happen in Phoenix, I think it's the first or last stop on the tour. I know it's going to be really hot there either way.

Host: Are you still going to try to wear suits?

Perry: I'm still going to try to wear suits, but if it's not possible, I won't.

Host: A fan asks, "Hey guys! I saw you at Ludlow's in Columbus, Ohio and I wanted to know how you came up with the name Cherry Poppin' Daddies? -- Michelle Roberts from Columbus, Ohio. P.S. Love the CD!!"

Perry: We didn't put a lot of thought into the name when we did it, we just needed a name for our first show. One of the guys ... we lived in a big band house with two other bands and both of them had names so we had to think of something quick. One of the guys in the other bands thought it up and we laughed, thought it was funny, so we used it -- not thinking we were going to be a band for eight years, you know? We thought we'd have like two gigs and that would be it. We didn't really put a lot of thought into it.

Host: A fan asks, "Do you expect to see people swing dancing at the Warped Tour?"

Perry: I expect to see some people swing dancing. You know, more and more people are learning. I think it's awesome. Obviously the entire audience is not going to be doing it (laughs). More and more people are getting out there and doing it, which is really awesome.

Host: A fan asks, "Hey what's happening?" I saw you in November of '97 with the Aquabats, Reel Big Fish, and Blink 182. I was hooked! I was wondering if you were annoyed that your hit song, "Zoot Suit Riot," is becoming really. Thanks!" -- Adrian V., North Hills, Calif.

Perry: No, I still like playing the song. It doesn't seem annoying to me. I think it's exposing people to swing who might never have heard swing music before. So it's good in some ways. That I have to hear it all the time ... I'd have to hear it anyway because we have to play it every night. Since I don't listen to the radio I don't hear it that extra amount of time. But no ... I guess I'm not that aware of how trendy it is.

Host: A fan asks, "What's your favorite song to sing? -- megan4rz

Perry: Hmmm. Oh, we've got this new song that's really fun to sing called "End of the Night." It's fun to sing for some reason, I don't know why.

Host: So, a fan asked, "Steve, do you remember me? I'm your future wife Megan." Do you get that a lot? My guess is it's the microphone in your pants when you're on stage.

Perry: Could be.

Host: See, because that was kind of turning me on too. Whoo boy!

Perry: Um, again, not that I'm aware of. You know when girls yell and stuff ...

Host: Grab your unit.

Perry: It's a joke, a little game that we play. It's not real.

Host: A fan asks, "I went to school at UO (University of Oregon) in the mid-'90s and I saw you guys play on campus a few times. I was just wondering what it was like to go from playing free shows in the quad to having a hit song on pop radio?" -- Amy from Davis, Calif.

"One woman was so offended by our name that she threw a cup of hot coffee in my face. That was pretty weird."

Perry: Well, it's not that different really. We're just a touring rock 'n' roll band like we were before. Even back then, in the early '90s, we did U.S. tours. So it's not a whole lot different although we don't sleep on floors anymore. That's pretty much it. It's a lot the same, more the same than you'd think.

Host: A fan asks, "When's your new album coming out?" -- Megan

Perry: Since I've only recorded 15 songs for it, and I want to record some more, but we're basically on tour for all this year so I won't be able to do anymore recording until early next year. So I'd say that pushes the record back until sometime early to mid next year.

Host: A fan asks, "What other ska bands do you enjoy listening to or have enjoyed playing with?"

Perry: Oh, there's so many of them. Mighty Might Bosstones, Fishbone, Hepcat, Reel Big Fish, Let's Go Bowling, Mephiskapheles...

Host: A fan asks, "What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever done?" -- Nicole Chronister

Perry: Wow, that's a pretty good one. Um, well, I don't know if you'd call 'em a fan, but one woman was so offended by our name that she threw a cup of hot coffee in my face. That was pretty weird.

Host: Where did that happen?

Perry: That was in Eugene.

Host: OK, here's another question. A fan asks, "You guys write so much of your material in minor keys when most traditional swing is done in major keys. Any particular reason for that? Thanks!" -- Adam "Needs Some Lovin'" Levin

Perry: Uh, yeah. For some reason I have a harder time writing in major keys ... Here's a good answer: It's harder for me to bring out the blue notes in a major key. Sometimes it seems a little too happy also, but in the future, I'd like to write more in major keys.

Host: Do you mean blue notes as in a Bluesy feel or what?

Perry: No, I mean like pentatonic blues scales. It's easier to make the sounds I hear in my head come out with minor scales than over majors. What I hear is a lot more blue than traditional sort of big band swing. I think for me you could say minor keys are a little bit closer to that pentatonic blues scale.

Host: A fan asks, "Steve, should men be allowed to be as gorgeous as you?"

Perry: Oh man. Seeing as how I look like a chipmunk that doesn't bode that well for men.

Host: I don't know man. I can see a chipmunk with a microphone in his pants being seen as a hot item.

Perry: Whatever you say.

Host: A fan asks, "You guys are amazing! I want to know who influenced you guys to become musicians? Thank you" -- Amber L.

Perry: When I first started out I was just this little punk rock kid and I was into a band from Portland, Ore. called the Wipers. And between them and the Meat Puppets and maybe Elvis Costello would be the three main influences that made me want to start playing music.

Host: Are the Meat Puppets from Oregon?

Perry: No, they're from Arizona, but I saw them early on in their career up here and became a big fan.

Host: A fan asks, "I was wondering what kind of ska bands and swing bands you guys are into. Thanks, love you music!"

Perry: Uh, I already answered the ska question. There's a lot of great swing bands out there too... um, Royal Crown Review, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Squirrel Nut Zippers, 8 1/2 Souvenirs, Mighty Blue Kings, a band from England called the Big Six. ...

Host: I saw that Royal Crown just landed the opening slot on a tour with Cheap Trick and the Pretenders. I couldn't believe it.

Perry: Right on. They opened for Kiss once too.

Host: Wow, that's hot. A fan asks, "Where is your favorite place that you've played a show at?"

Perry: Oh, uh... (pause) We played a Bloomingdale's in Beverly Hills one time. I don't know if it was my favorite place but it was pretty funny playing in the middle of a department store, a ritzy department store. I saw Tira Banks there.

Host: Who is she?

Perry: Tira Banks is that model, she's black, really tall, and super good-looking. Demi Moore was there too, oh, and Jerry Springer. It was sort of like brushing celebrities in the middle of a department store.

Host: That sounds like a weird gig. Who set that up?

Perry: Oh, it was an AIDS benefit, a pediatric AIDS benefit. I don't know if it was my favorite place to play but it's one that came to mind.

Host: A fan asks, "Is there any special thing that you bring on tour with you?"

Perry: Let's see. Do I have any weird proclivities that I'm not aware that are weird. Um, I'm going to bring my golf clubs on the Warped Tour. I heard there were a couple guys that were going to be on it that go golfing all the time, so I want to get in on that action.

"I always think there will be people who can appreciate that kind of music. Whether it burns itself out in the mainstream is not a concern that I have."

Host: I think the guys in NOFX do a lot of golfing.

Perry: Yeah, I heard Fat Mike's the one to talk to about that. I really like to play golf, my grandfather taught me how to play when I was a little boy.

Host: A fan asks, "What up and coming swing bands do you think we'll hear about in the near future?"

Perry: Well, the trouble is distinguishing what "up and coming" is. It depends on... well, all the ones I mentioned before. I guess 8 1/2 Souvenirs would be one to put down. Them Brooklyn Bums from New York too.

Host: A fan asks, "So, just curious. Have you ever tried to do any of that jive dancing or swing stuff?"

Perry: Yeah, but I'm not very good. I know basic triple steps. I like to do it every once in awhile.

Host: A fan asks, "Did you enjoy making the video for 'Zoot Suit Riot'?"

Perry: Yeah. We did two videos for "Zoot Suit Riot" and I enjoyed both of them but I didn't expect to. I thought I was going to hate it because I'm a musician, not a video guy. I thought I was going to hate it but it turned out to be real fun, kind of like an all-day party. The only downside was jumping around a lot and then seeing myself later was kind of annoying. I hate the way I look on camera, but it was fun to do.

Host: A fan asks, "Are you friends with the Squirrel Nut Zippers or have you ever played with them before?"

Perry: Uh, no and no. I remember a long time ago we came through Chapel Hill,N.C., and met someone who was affiliated with them and we said, "Hey, we should play together some time," but it just never got through to them. You know, I like their band but I've never met them. Maybe it's because they're on the East Coast, because everybody on the West Coast I pretty much know.

Host: A fan asks, "What's your whole take on the swing and ska movements? It seems ska has pretty much burned itself out real quick, do you see swing as a natural progression with the horns and all?" - Beatrice Haux, Chandler, AZ.

Perry: Yeah, I sort of think that ska, last year's ska movement, helped people ... helped a lot of people who hadn't heard too much music with horns before become accustomed to hearing songs with horns in them. Whereas for a long time I think it's just been a lot of guitar rock and I think it's kind of a natural progression, yeah. And as far as whether ska has burned itself out or not or swing has burned itself out or not, I don't think it really matters that much. I always think there will be people who can appreciate that kind of music. Whether it burns itself out in the mainstream is not a concern that I have.

Host: A fan asks, "Aren't swing and ska bands totally different things?"

Perry: They're two very different kinds of music...

Host: But you guys incorporate a little bit of both into your music...

Perry: Yeah, we play a little ska as well as swing because we were influenced by different ska bands when we were coming up, really all different kinds of music as a matter of fact. I think swing and ska are different types of music but the differences aren't anything to get in a rage about.

Host: You mean like an East Coast vs. West Coast thing?

Perry: Yeah, I think that's stupid. I think music is music. I don't know why people get so caught up in the fashion of whether it's swing or ska. That's just lame.

Host: Here's a real winner! A fan asks, "Ooooo Daddies! You can pop my cherry anytime... Oops! Too late, a horse got to me first (laughs). Anyway, there are some really hot guys in the band. Did any of you guys do any pre-fame pornography like that chick from the Spice Girls? I'd like to get my hands on it and Stephen too if at all possible." -- Candy Gram

"This is all kind of like a dream, really weird. We still don't know how to react to the success we've had."

Perry: Hmmm, how to answer that one... Uh, our keyboard player Dustin was in a little porno thing called Master Mario. He played the victim.

Host: But you've never personally been in any pornos?

Perry: No, not me.

Host: A fan asks, "You're a little swing, a little ska, and a little rock 'n' roll, which direction does your new stuff lean since most of the stuff on Zoot Suit Riot is older stuff." -- Natalia Vische, San Francisco

Perry: It'll probably be about 80 percent swing and the other 20 percent will be based on whatever other kind of songs we think are the best.

Host: A fan asks, "Stephen, do you have a girlfriend or a wife? And what does she think about all the girls who think you are completely gorgeous?"

Perry: Well, I don't have a girlfriend or a wife, so, nothing to worry about.

Host: A fan asks, "Where you guys from?"

Perry: Eugene, Ore.

Host: Did you guys have to move down to Los Angeles to land a record contract?

Perry: Nope.

Host: You just landed it thanks to all the exposure from touring?

Perry: Yep.

Host: A fan asks, "Hey guys! Man, it took you so long to make it, did you ever feel like success might forever elude you or did you always have faith?" - Shemp Dickens

Perry: We never even thought about success that much. You know, when you start a swing band in 1989, you're obviously not thinking, "Oh gee, this is the way to go after mainstream success." We didn't think about it and just went out to do our own thing and didn't really concern ourselves with what other people thought of us. We had been a band for a long time and we still weren't making very much money obviously, because there are eight people in the band. So there were a lot of hard financial times where rents didn't get paid and things like that. That was the most difficult thing about being in a band, but nobody was under the delusion that we were going to do well, so this is all kind of like a dream, really weird. We still don't know how to react to the success we've had.

Host: A fan asks, "Since you always played the kind of music you liked and didn't sell out, does it make success that much sweeter, because you did it on your own terms?"

Perry: Yes, definitely.

Host: A fan asks, "I've seen you guys play. Why do you spit so much on stage?"

Perry: It's kind of like when you're a horn player, you get phlegm on your vocal chords and the notes won't come out. And just the same way a trombone or a saxophone has a spit valve, you know, it happens to me too. I know it looks gross but ... I also have bad sinuses so I try to get that off my vocal chords so the notes don't crack.

Host: A fan asks, "Are you into any punk bands? If so, have you heard of the local Oregon band the Kidnappers?"

"I thought, well, if I could sort of marry the idea of punk rock with my newfound love of swing then that would be interesting."

Perry: No, I haven't heard of the Kidnappers and we're too busy with the Daddies right now to have any side projects. But punk rock was my first love. Just before this I was listening to the Cows, a good punk band from the early days.

Host: A fan asks, "What's up fellas? Yo, I heard yous made a rekkid before this one that weren't so swingin'. What gives and what was it called because my friend don't believe you wasn't always swingin'. You chumps!" -- Mick Jansen from Peoria, Ill.

Perry: Yeah, we made three records before Zoot Suit Riot, which is just a collection of songs from all three of those records. But all the records we made are not all swing. There's country songs on them, there's hard rock songs on them. We didn't make our early records to be a reflection of what our live show was like. We just wrote a bunch of songs and put them on a CD to make it be more of a concept record. So the CDs are not necessarily a reflection of the band, they're more like little musical books.

Host: A fan asks, "Do you have any advice for people who want to make it in the music business?"

Perry: I'd say do it yourself and don't let any ... even though it's hard that way and there's no guarantee of success, but that's the way to do it. You might not become successful, but if you're in it just to become successful... you're taking a helluva risk and you probably shouldn't be doing it.

Host: A fan asks, "Hey guys! I love your stuff, but what about Brian Setzer? He's got two swing-a-billy records out now and he's not half as popular as you guys. Was he or the Stray Cats an influence? Thanks" - Shanise xoxoxoxo

Perry: I like the Stray Cats. I definitely say rock-a-billy in general is an influence on most swing bands. But there's different types of swing. A lot of what is called swing today is actually jump blues and there's different kinds ... what am I trying to say? It's not as easy as just saying "swing." There's jump blues and big band kind of chart-oriented swing which is sort of more like what we do. We're like a cross between that kind of thing and Brian Setzer. So, it's not all one thing. I think people are under the impression that it's just this one thing that you do, when there are many different ways of doing it and Brian Setzer is just one of those ways just like ours is just one of those ways.

Host: A fan asks, "You guys are the hippest! I am still waiting for your CD to arrive in Lancaster. I can't wait! I wanted to ask you kewl cats a question... When are you going to release a new single??? I can't wait to hear another song from you guys. Hasta La Pasta."

Perry: I think it will probably be within the next couple weeks and I think it's going to be "Brown Derby Jump." And maybe we'll even make a video for it, which would be fun.

Host: I love the Squirrel Nut Zippers and I thought "Hell" was a great song, but as many cool tracks as there are on any of the four Zippers, not to mention the Jas Mathus and His Knockdown Society album, the band probably won't have another big hit single. Are you guys worried about people only seeing you guys as those "Zoot Suit Riot" guy?

Perry: I'm not really concerned with that. I don't stay up nights worrying if people are going to buy the next single or not or if it's going to get played on the radio. You gotta kind of just let shit happen. I tell you what, I didn't think the first single was going to do well so it's all gravy to me. I'm not the sort of person who worries about things like that. I write music.

Host: Do you write most of the band's music?

Perry: Yeah.

Host: Do you guys do many covers? Because when I saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, they played so many.

Perry: On our record we do a cover of a song called, "Come Back to Me." That's the only one we do.

Host: A fan asks, "How many songs have you written for the next album?"

Perry: We've recorded 15 and I'll probably end up recording between 20 to 25 more.

"I don't stay up nights worrying if people are going to buy the next single or not or if it's going to get played on the radio. You gotta kind of just let shit happen."

Host: Wow! You're really prolific.

Perry: Yeah, I've got a lot of songs.

Host: Are some of them older songs that you're revamping or is it all brand new?

Perry: No, it's all brand new stuff. But the record will probably be paired down to 12 songs or so. Nobody wants to hear 40 of our songs in a sitting.

Host: Are you playing any of them live?

Perry: Yeah, we're playing a couple of them; a song called "So long Toots" and... let's see, what else? "Soul Cadillac," which is a kind of blue beat kind of ska tune.

Host: A fan asks, "You guys are awesome. Ever coming down to Australia?"

Perry: Uh yeah, we're going to go down there with the Warped Tour. I think that will be in January of next year when it's all warm down there.

Host: Did you guys get much support from college radio on your previous three records?

Perry: I remember when we put out Rapid City Muscle Car, that was in '94 or '95, we did try to ..."Ding Dong Daddy" was played on some college radio stations, but I think we were just too weird back then. I don't think the world was ready for swing in any way, shape, or form. But I remember there were some stations that really liked it.

Host: I'm just really curious what made you guys decide on swing back in '89, especially when heavy metal was so big?

Perry: I was into punk but I just kind of wanted to progress as a musician and I thought... well the one thing I liked about punk was the energy and the sense of humor. And I thought, well, if I could sort of marry the idea of punk rock with my newfound love of swing then that would be interesting. Then when that happened I wanted to write more than just punk rock and more than just swing, I wanted to be able to try and write a lot of different kinds of stuff and just play it and see how people reacted to it.

Host: A fan asks, "How do you arrange your horn parts?"

Perry: What I generally do is write a lead line and most of the time the lead line is on trumpet. We'll try different harmonies as a horn section and as a band and we'll just kind of, you know ... I'll have some preconceived ideas for the harmonies, if they don't work out we'll try different harmonies; until we get it right. Sometimes I write counterpoints with the saxophones ... because we only have three horn players, we play a lot of stuff that, the lines are in unison but also in harmony.

Host: A fan asks, "You guys look stylie in those suits but damn aren't they uncomfortable?

Perry: They're real comfortable. They only get uncomfortable when it's like 120 degrees. Then it's really uncomfortable.

Host: Any parting words to your fans?

Perry: Just thanks, thanks to everyone for being so nice to us this year. And also to the people who are keeping their minds open to different types of music, I think that's real key ... to not be taken in by the fashion police and just listen to the music and not worry about what your friends think.

Host: That'll do it. Thanks for your time Stephen.