Preview / Interview: We Were Promised Jetpacks at Paradise (11/20)

We Were Promised Jetpacks

For everyone who has seen We Were Promised Jetpacks any one of the times they’ve visited Boston over the past few years, you don’t need me to tell you to be excited for their upcoming show tonight at Paradise Rock Club. For everyone else, let me get you in the know about this band. This 5-piece indie rock group from Scotland blends a calculated and musically-dense melodic mix of post-punk and shoegaze. But, when it comes to their live show, they proceed to set that measured package on fire and let it explode in the crowd, leaving a powerful mark on all present.

Releasing their latest album Unraveling last month, We Were Promised Jetpacks shows a bit of extra care with their craft this time around. On the final leg of the North American tour for that album, vocalist/guitarist Adam Thompson had a conversation with us over the phone about what went into this record, having a band they idolize in The Twilight Sad as support for this tour, and the band’s anticipation for returning to Boston.

Allston Pudding: I know you took a little more time releasing this new album than you did with previous albums. Was that a conscious decision on your end?

Adam Thompson: Yeah, I think so. It didn’t feel like that much. We toured for a bit, took one or two months off, and then let it take as long as it took.

AP: I guess it didn’t really feel like that long to me either, because you released that live album a bit ago.

AT: I think it was two years between the second and third album. I didn’t even realize.

AP: How do you feel like it’s been received on the road?

AT: It’s good. People are just starting to get to know it. We were playing in Europe and, when we came to the States, the album wasn’t out yet. It got delayed for whatever reason. So, all the songs were new to them because they never heard them before and we got used to that. At this point, the songs have got out, so it feels good to play them.

AP: I noticed for you’ve been playing the song “Peace Sign”a little bit before making the album.

AT: We tend to write songs pretty quickly after putting an album out. We did that with the song “Boy in the Backseat” on our second album. We wrote that not long after our first album. We did that again [with this song]. After recording the second album, we wrote “Peace Sign” and we had that for a while. We weren’t sure about putting in on the album, because it had been so long, but we changed a couple things and went with it.

AP: You guys have been touring with fellow Scots, The Twilight Sad. They’re also somebody you have cited as influences for your music. Is that a little bizarre to have them open for you?

AT: It’s a little strange. I think it has to do with their exposure in America. But the band’s great and they’re a fun band to be on the road with. We’ve been having a really good time.

AP: How do you think it affects you to play with somebody who’s really similar to you musically versus somebody who’s really different?

AT: It’s good. It’s more of a show. I think when it’s two bands, not a lot of bands, and they’re similar, you can get someone who likes them and has a good night.

AP: Then does it make it easier for you as performers then to have that consistency?

AT: Not really. I just enjoy having a good band [to open].

AP: I know you guys have played at Boston a couple of times now. Is there a favorite venue or least favorite so far?

AT: I feel like we’ve played at a different venue [every time]. But I haven’t played a venue in Boston I don’t like.

AP: How would you characterize the crowd in Boston? Are they pretty similar to other cities in the States?

AT: I would say they’re [all] similar. We seem to be pretty lucky that to have people who come out who really like our music. But Boston especially.