The fresh-out-of-Britain rock band Lostprophets just received their big break. Their first single, “Shinobi versus DragonNinja,” can be heard on all of the local rock stations. From the success of the single, the band was signed to tour the MTV2 U.S. concert spread.

I just received my big break. I had never met rock star before, and I was just signed up to interview the band for at their Sacramento showcase. They had never been to Sacramento, or met reporter like me before. Understandably, we were both nervous.

I relished in my excitement over the interview as I weaved in and out of traffic. Sony Music had recently signed the Welsh band,and their video is rising in popularity on MTV2. As they are growing a larger fan basis here in the U.S., they’ve also received praise from other established bands such as Hoopastank and Linkin Park. The tour stickers from MTV2 call the six young Welshmen as “the next big thing in rock music.”

All the hype has been tough for these young guys who play music for the fun of it.

While I drove frantically through the rain-covered freeway, barely missing bumpers and driver-side doors , I went over my interview questions and adjusted my rearview mirror. I dismissed the concern for my safety. I was quite sure that rock stars have no patience for late reporters.

I found Mike Chiplin,the band’s spokesman, on the tour bus. Mike was playing video games in a small nook against the window. The manager explained to Mike what I was there for, while I nervously played with my pen. After shooting a glance in my direction, they called me over.

I dropped my bag, and made my way along the aisle. I took a seat, flashed a smile and pulled out my trusty recorder. After a quick introduction, I pushed “record,” and started the interview amongst the video game sounds, the blaring music, and the rain hitting the roof of the bus.

Ryan: I was in a small band in high school and we had dreams of making it like you did. How did this all happen? How did the Lostprophets come about?

Lostprophets:Well, we were just bored kids, with nothing better to do than write songs. We titled our band “Lostprophets” because it sounded cool and because we are big fans of the Duran Duran bootleg. Other than that, we were just kids playing stuff, watching videos, and playing Play Station.

Ryan:Yeah, I think wasting time on Play Station was the reason for the downfall of our band.

LP:Yeah. Tony Hawk is Killer.

Ryan:I know, I know. Dave Mathews said his band sounded horrible when they came together for the first time. Was it the same way with your first practice session?

LP:Well, we were kind of a band in progress. When we first were all together, I wouldn’t say we totally sucked, but we experimented a lot with the music; trying to find the sound we wanted to do. The firstbpractice session was sketchy, but I think all bands should go through that.

Ryan: Well, you guys seemed to have pulled it together ever since. What was the struggle like to get contracted?

LP:Well, we were never working to get signed. We were just playing music. It felt more like a hobby. But after two years, we had fourbsongs we were happy with, and we decided to send them off to a small record label. The label loved it. After that, we toured a bit more through Europe, and then Sony picked us up.

Ryan:The struggle can be hard to get a contract. Many bands are currently banking on the use of MP3 to get their names out there. Today, I found your music available on an MP3 website. I received 18 hits in 5 seconds. As a contracted artist, how do you feel about the MP3 craze?

LP:I think that’s totally cool. I mean, I download music. I think that though people download MP3s, true music lovers will still buy the album. I mean, it’s because of MP3 that when we come to California, 7,000 miles away from home, we have a larger audience from kids who have downloaded our stuff.

Ryan: After the effort you guys put into getting signed,does it offend you to see television programs like “Making the Band,” or other manufactured music?

LP: If people want to do that, then that’s their thing. We were just six friends who grew up together, not six musicians who were put together. I mean, I know a lot of things can be contrived, but I can’t understand playing music you didn’t write. The passion isn’t the same.

Ryan:With a contract comes the corporation. Do you feel any constraints from a large label that you didn’t feel when you weren’t signed?

LP:I think our freedom is exactly the same. Our current managers are on the same wavelengths as we are. I mean, we still write experimental music and design our album sleeves. We still retain the control of the direction of our music.

Ryan:Your music has taken your band all over the world. Do you guys get lonely being thousands of miles away from home? LP:It’s cool to see new places all the time. I never saw The States until a year ago. It’s the best job on Earth, and I get to share it with my friends so we never get homesick that often.

Ryan: As you tour the world, what do you feel that your band offers that sets itself apart from others?

LP:We stand out because we aren’t afraid to use every influence we can draw upon in our music. I think some bands hold back a littlebit because they worried to not ”do this,’ or ‘do that.”

Ryan:With so many bands today using music as a vehicle to get famous, what is your motivation?

LP: I think if you’re in music to be famous, then there’s something wrong. We’re in a band because we love music. We would be in this band playing music for 20 people or 200 people. It doesn’t matter. We play music for the pleasure, not the fame.

Ryan:I feel you on that one. Keeping with music as an art, a great film director once said, “all art is political.” What’s your message?

LP:We don’t really have a political message, just an overall message of positivity. A lot of bands today use angst-ridden lyrics. We aren’t about that. We have a good, positive sound.

Ryan:What is your ultimate ambition? How do you see your music evolving?

LP:We aren’t looking to win awards. I mean, the rule in this business is not to sell out. I mean, we just want to keep playing music.

Ryan:What’s next after MTV2?

LP:We are always writing music, and we are preparing for the OzzFest Tour.

Ryan:That rocks. There are a lot of great bands on that tour. One last question: Do you need young writers on you staff?

LP:(Laugh) I don’t know. It would be cool if you could come and interview us again at OzzFest. This was cool, man. Thanks.

The Lostprophets will be playing again in Sacramento with the Ozzfest tour. They can be seen on August 25 at the Auto West Amphitheater.

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