​Hi Dicky and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology.

Hello - my pleasure.

Firstly congratulations on the release of your latest LP, the first since 2011. It must be great to be back in the saddle?

I always feel like I’m in some sort of a saddle at all times but as far as the “Mighty Mighty Bosstones release a new album” saddle goes it does feel great to be back in it.

The timing of your new record While We’re At It to me is analogous to the latest release by Madness Can’t Touch Us Now in so much as a band who has hit all the highs and now is releasing work in an untouchable, nothing left to prove realm. Was there an added sense of confidence in writing and recording this album considering your extensive back catalogue and notable history?

I think my answer to that, lies within your excellent question. You have a great understanding of where this band is at, how we feel about ourselves creatively and artistically, as well as where we think we live historically. Madness has certainly earned the right and privilege to do whatever the fuck they want to do musically - but having said that they are savvy and tasteful enough to not abuse that right or privilege. On a lesser scale same could be said about the band that I’ve been in a greater part of my life.

In terms of the writing and lyrical content, was there an overarching narrative tying the album together or an assortment of topics and inspirations that zig zag throughout the record?

Lyrically, like all of the Bosstones albums, what I normally do is take a look around find things that either interest me, excite me or irritate me and I write about those things.

Was there a desire to rewrite the rule book when coming into making your new record or push the sonic boundaries in a direction that you haven’t up until now?

Those are things we are always anxious to do. We don’t just want to make a great record we want to make a great sounding record (or digital download).

It’s been over a quarter of a century for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the dynamism between yourself and the band is clearly a winning formula. Is what you all do outside of the band just as important as within the band which helps sustain the tight cohesion that you have and vigour for your continued future of writing, recording and performing?

I would say yes and no, we have interests, occupations, other passions and lives away from the band but being a Bosstone is who we are, what we are, and the primary reason for the nine of us being here.

Known for your vibrant live performances, there is an art form in translating the enjoyment you feel on stage as an artist in energising the audience. Your music speaks for itself but what in particular do you bring to your live shows that is honed from not just years of experience but also from insights gained from your peers?

What we are trying to do every time The Mighty Mighty Bosstones perform live is hopefully deliver a great time and an enjoyable experience everyone in the room or at the event - including us. Our success rate is pretty high with this. So much of what we do is lifted from artist and entertainers that we admire and who have inspired us collectively and individually.

As an accomplished musician having experienced all the ebbs and flows of a musical career, what is it conceptually, spiritually, creatively that music gives you that nothing else does?

I’ve loved music in many forms including Ska and punk rock and roll most of my life and I don’t see that changing but I am the furthest thing from an “accomplished musician” Luckily for me my best friends are.

Having meet so many interesting characters and musicians throughout the years, were there any defining moments or conversations that really resonated with you that altered the way you approach your craft?

I’ve met Madness twice in my life. Once years ago in New York City, when I was 17, they performed on Saturday Night Live and then I met them again when they came on the radio show I was hosting - maybe 10 years ago. Both times I was thrilled.

What are your last memories of performing in Australia and can we expect a tour down under in the near future?

All of my memories of performing in Australia we’re tremendous. I really can’t wait and I hope to make more memories there soon.