By ERIC SCHELKOPF
The name of The Safes' new album, "Record Heat," only hints at the energy displayed on the album.
To celebrate the release of the new album, Chicago band The Safes - comprised of brothers Frankie, Patrick and Michael O'Malley, www.thesafes.com - will perform May 31 at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Penthouse Sweets, The Phenoms and The Red Plastic Buddha also are on the bill.
The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $8, available at www.martyrslive.com.
"Record Heat," which was released April 29 through Wee Rock Records, www.weerockrecords.com, was recorded by Jim Diamond, known for his work with The White Stripes and The Sonics along with Jason Ward, known for his work with Arcade Fire, as well as Patrick O'Malley.
I had the chance to talk to Frankie O'Malley about the new album.
Q - Great talking to you again. "Record Heat" is even more energetic than your last EP, "Thanks To You." In sitting down to make the album, what were your goals and do you think you accomplished them?
Thank you! Our goal was what is always is, make the best music we can! We are very happy with "Record Heat!"
Q - How did you hook up with Jim Diamond and Jason Ward and what do you think they brought to the table?
http://thesafes.bandcamp.com
Jim Diamond came out to see us at SXSW a few years back and asked us to come back to his studio to record and we were happy that he went out of his way to approach us about working together again.
And Jason saw us play a show he was doing sound for and we talked about recording that night and he was into working with us which was awesome!
Q - The album's first video, "Hopes Up, Guard Down," was directed by Mike Hindert of The Bravery. What was your vision for the video and how did you hook up with Hindert?
Yes, Mike made that video by myself, he's very talented with video and film in addition to music! Great video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLkpMZzcIb4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLkpMZzcIb4
We became friends with Mike on The Bravery's last tour when we played the after party for their concert at The Vic Theatre. That was a fun night!
Mike has released some of our music on his label Merrifield Records and made a video for our single, "She's So Sad."
Q - The band has been touring extensively since the release of the album. Are you looking to widen your fan base with the release of "Record Heat?"
Oh yeah!! Touring is going great and people are loving "Record Heat," really widening the fan base!!! More touring to come!!!
Q - Do you have a favorite track on the album? Is there a meaning behind the album's name?
My favorite track is "Hope Up Guard Down." Such an amazing song, I don't know how Patrick writes his songs, I'm just lucky I get to be in a band with the best songwriter on Earth!
"Record Heat," I think the title says it all.
Q - You've said that the song "Ace For a Face" embodies the entire vibe of "Record Heat." Is the song also a reference to Ace the Face in "Quadrophenia?"
Yes, "Ace For A Face" embodies the entire vibe of the album in my opinion. No reference to "Quadrophenia" as far as I know, Patrick wrote "Ace For A Face," I don't really know what it's even about
Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene these days and where do you see the band fitting into it?
I think the Chicago Music Scene is smashing, and that The Safes are a welcome fixture.
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