Welcome the feature where we ask musicians or bands five really tough questions about music! Today I speak to the band Charming Arson, from the Boston rock scene. Today we find out their answers to some tough music questions.

What is the hardest lyric you have ever had to write and why?

David Cameron: “Hey, Policeman!” from our new album, Another Kind of Vision, was a challenge, not because the lyrics are necessarily so poetic, but because this was the first time I intentionally wrote lyrics as if they were an entirely separate “instrument.” It was all about sounds, phonetics, consonants, trying to capture words that had distinct rhythms and sharp endings. All while trying to paint a portrait of a fictional TV character (in this case, Hank Schrader from Breaking Bad.) I think it worked?? 

What is the weirdest gift or compliment a fan has given you?

Cameron: Someone once told me “you guys sound like the Flaming Lips meets The Monkees.” That’s weird, I guess. Weird in a “that really makes me happy” kinda weird way. I recalled that Jimi Hendrix once opened for the Monkees (hard to believe), and he did NOT have kind things to say about them!

Who is the best band or musician you have had the pleasure to share the stage with?

Cameron: Oh, that is such a hard question. The Boston ecosystem is teeming with great bands, and we’ve been honoured to share the stage with some of my favourites (TELL, The Daylilies). For our upcoming album release show we’ll be joined by D-Tension and the Secrets who we’ve played with in the past, and the fact that they’re not a household name is mind boggling.

What one of your songs has been the most difficult to rehearse for a live audience?

Cameron: Perhaps “Magic Alex Knows,” also off Another Kind of Vision. It’s the last song on our new album, and it’s an homage to Alexis Mardas, aka “Magic Alex,” the huckster sound engineer who famously duped the Beatles—until they got wise to him. The song has three distinct sections, requiring band member Stefano Bellezza to jump back and forth from piano to guitar without losing the beat. He actually pulls it off!

Dream Collaboration and why?

Stefano Bellezza: Butch Vig. Why? Because he’s Butch f******* Vig!!!