An interview with the rhythm section, drummer Rob Chianelli and bassist Mike Ferri, of pop rock outfit We Are the In Crowd.

By Megan Fair

Give us a little bit of background on We Are the In Crowd.

Mike: We started in January of 2009, played our first show in April of 2009, did our first tour May 2009, signed October 2009, and we’ve been on tour since then.

This is your second Warped Tour, yes?

Mike: It’s way different.

Rob: We know the deal now.

Mike: We’re not walking around nervous as much anymore, because we know who everyone is and what they expect of us. We know that if we’re respectful, they’ll be respectful. We do our jobs, we’ll have a great summer, we’ll have fun. On the first year, we didn’t know who anyone was, and we were new, we didn’t want to piss anyone off. It’s much easier this year.

Last time I saw you perform it was to a much smaller crowd. You’ve kind of exploded fairly quickly. Was it hard to make the jump from small, unknown band to being a Warped act?

Mike: Sometimes you get really excited about something, and you’re like “I need to hold this in for as long as possible, to keep everyone happy,” but sometimes you let go and make a mess.

Rob: I think it’s hard to, (laughs), Jesus Christ. I think it’s hard to keep up. We’re always keeping up. International touring-

Mike: Was it too subtle, did nobody get it?

Rob: NO. I got it. But it’s hard to do all that people want us to do, like go to the Phillipines. Three years ago we didn’t have the money to do that, we didn’t have enough money to tour the US even. Now we’re trying to work as hard as we can to do all the things that we want to do.

What can we expect from WATIC in the next years?

Mike: A long, hard road with a big explosion at the end.

Rob: (cackles)

Mike: I’m answering all your questions now with sexual innuendos for the rest of the interview.

Just go for it.

Mike: There’s gonna be some long nights, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but at the end of the night everyone will be smiling.

Rob: It’ll be worth it.

Mike: Maybe we’ll even make breakfast for you.

What on this tour keeps you going?

Rob: ICED COFFEE.

Mike: All over my nipples…

Rob: Mike kind of keeps me going.

Mike: I massage all the important stuff, keep him lose and limber at all times.

What impression do you want to give people on this tour?

Mike:…Once you go WATIC, you never go back.

Rob: (cackles again) Repeat the question?

Mike: A hand print on their ass!

Rob: We’re here, we ain’t goin’ nowhere!