Before Future of the Left came to Seattle to play the Block Party (and then fucking KILLED it on Saturday night), I had a nice phone conversation with singer Andy Falkous, who talked to me about getting punched in the head, making up his own language, and loving the haters. But until today I had forgotten about a tidbit of our conversation that I had cut out for continuity or whatever. It gives us a little insight on what the next Future of the Left record won't be...

I saw in your tour diary that you’re reading Berlin, a book about WWII. I thought was kind of fitting. Listening to Travels With Myself and Another, there’s a lot of battle imagery in the lyrics. Are you a history buff?

I’m not so much a history buff—there are areas of history I’m interested in like, you know, particularly the world wars or the 19th century. I’ve got a particular interest in Nixon, for whatever reason. He’s just such a fascinating character to read about. Far more interesting than reading about a Kennedy just because of the insane dynamics of his personality more than anything. There’s no explicit mission to imbue the record with a certain military history. [Laughs] if it comes across that way I guess maybe yeah, I’m a geek for all that.

You just never realized it.

Yeah, maybe this conversation is a turning point for me!

So the next album is going to be a big rock opera based on Nixon and Watergate.

I don’t think the world’s ready for that. And if the world is ready for that, I’m moving planets.

And speaking of Future of the Left and how funny they are, the award for best Block Party stage-banter goes to the band's bassist, Kelson, who was responsible for these gems:

Regarding the amount of wristbands they had to wear:

"I have more wristbands than a fuckin' Motley Crue groupie. I have less STDs, though."

Regarding the amount of sweat dripping down his entire body:

"I feel like an elephant has come on me."

Funny? Talented? Badass? Swoon.

Future of the Left photo by Mei Lewis.