Interview with Nick Diener

While supporting Deaf Havana on their current tour in the United Kingdom, Nick Diener, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for punk-rock act The Swellers, spoke with Mind Equals Blown to discuss their latest album, their separation with longtime affiliates Fueled By Ramen, their new music video and the future of the band as a whole.

MEB: So as of right now, you and The Swellers have got a ton of different things going on. You’re currently doing a tour of the United Kingdom with Deaf Havana, you’re preparing for a two-week stint with The Early November, The Wonder Years and Young Statues, your album’s been extremely well received, etc. What’s been your reaction to this overwhelming response with the band?

Nick Diener: It’s definitely not overwhelming for us. We worked hard and we really like our product, so we knew we were going to have to tour hard to get it out there. Last year we toured nine months out of the year! Very grateful to have these opportunities, though. Sometimes we have to sit back and think about how not many bands get to do what we do.

How do your family, friends back home and Taylor take everything that’s happened so far?

Everyone is behind us 100%. Great to have support coming from all of those angles. It’s funny, though, we’ll run into people when we’re back home who think we’re absolutely famous and making loads of money. It’s pretty funny.

Once you have a little free time, how do you plan on spending it?

Hanging out at home and relaxing as much as possible. Also, recording bands in my studio and writing/recording music for The Swellers.

A little while back on your Facebook, at about the time you were on your co-headliner with You Me At Six, you posted some photos of you and the rest of the guys at what looked like a WWE match. Are you and the guys big fans?

75% of the band is pretty into pro wrestling. Going to see RAW in San Diego was pretty incredible. World Champion CM Punk got us front row tickets.

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