Comebacks and Cantaloupes - The Spinto Band

After a successful debut, many bands spend the time between albums picking up addictions, model girlfriends and each others faults in the studio. The Spinto Band went back to their Delaware hometown and found employment on a market. "When I'm not in the band I work on a vegetable stand," says Joey, one of the band's guitarists. "It's (the band's other guitarist) Jon's girlfriend's uncle's. It's real nice, it's good to work outside. I know how to check a tomato and I pick a good cantaloupe." It's pretty clear that the trappings of rock and roll excess haven't exactly consumed the Spinto Band.

Over two years ago, the infectious youthfulness of Nice and Nicely Done announced them as the carefree surprise stars of the summer, attracting admirers with their loose mix of inverted lyrics and bouncy pop. However, label problems led to a lengthy delay before new album Moonwink was able to be released. Recorded a year ago, it is now finally coming out. While singer Nick struggles with his mobile phone's reception in the well-known coffee chain we find ourselves in, Joey and Thomas, the group's co-frontman/bassist, seem a little nervous about the reception the record might receive. "I was kind of worried, because lots of people told us we waited too long to release our second record," Thomas admits. "Which we did," interjects Joey. Thomas explains: "Music trends tend to be fickle, there's always a new hot sound. Bands get hyped up and knocked down; of course we're worried about that. I do feel a little uneasy about the reception to this album."

Nevertheless, their UK tour has been well-received. Joey puts a philosophical slant on their situation. "Some people, some critics are not going to like us now, but there's not much we can do about it. Without hype, people who might enjoy our music will never get to hear it, so we accept it's part of it." Still, venues have been filled with folk recalling the old numbers and appearing receptive to the new ones. Their colourful personalities and songs about tractors seem to have endeared them to the British. "People have been coming out and remembering who we are," nods Thomas. "English venues have that certain smell, kind of damp, which is nice. I feel less awkward playing to English audiences. We're in tune with the British landscape now. We keep seeing people we knew a few years ago, it's like 'hey, I forget you existed, but now that you're here, that's great'."