Versus You seem to have been around for a long time now, but in fact ‘The Mad Ones’, their new album released on 02/05, on Fond of Life Records is only their third long player.  SCENE wanted to catch up with them and throw a few pertinent questions their way before they disappeared  for two months on a promo tour for the album. Here singer Eric Rosenfeld gives us the low down.

 1: ‘The  Mad Ones’ is your third album, where would you like it to take you?
Well as our third album and I know every band says that about their new album but it’s by far the best we’ve ever made. It’s also the most honest work we’ve ever done. ‘The Mad Ones’ is everything this band is and has always been about.

2: In short how would you describe ‘The Mad Ones’?
An honest and straight forward punk record.

3: Is there a local music scene in Luxembourg?
Yes, there is and the friendship between the bands is breathtaking. What I learned from it is: “Work together if you wanna achieve something”.

4: You say you’re inspired by West Coast and Chicago punk bands. Who and how?
I grew up with punk bands from those areas and they taught me how to be honest in what I write. Bands that inspired ‘The Mad Ones’ are Fifteen, Crimpshrine, Jawbreaker, The Broadways and the likes.

5: I see from your myspace website that you’ve lost a few drummers over the years. Is your current one nervous? Does he enjoy gardening?
We’re more than happy with Aloyse and I just can’t imagine this band without him. We can’t lose this one. A brother from another mother definitely.

6: You’re about to undertake a major tour to promote the new album, anywhere you’re looking forward to playing and why? Rock a Field perhaps? I can’t wait to go back to Russia because of all the great people we met. The shows over there were incredible and people were really sweet.

7: Anything you’d like to say to SCENE readers?
You might not always agree with us and that’s okay as long as you speak from your heart!

Thanks so much!

A recent live review from local scene pundit Pascal at Disagreement had the following to say “Versus You have evolved from a local punk curiosity to maybe the best live band in the country. ‘The Mad Ones’, their third album already, was presented far and deep tonight, but the quartet didn’t neglect their earlier material, making for a varied show that satisfied mostly those who were hungry for new material. Eric, although definitely not the tallest rock performer in Luxembourg, magically grows whenever he’s on stage with his guitar. Delivering his songs with an unmatched fervour, he’s backed by a tight band that makes sure that Versus You’s punk rock comes across as powerful, melodic and smart at the same time.”

More info: www.myspace.com/vsyou | http://vsyoulux.blogspot.com

You can purchase the album via www.fondoflife.net

Versus You Release 'The Mad Ones'10.0101