You Me At Six Members Talk New Record ‘Cavalier Youth,’ Touring + More

British rockers You Me At Six have gained quite a following both overseas and in the states. With all of the members in their early twenties and four studio albums under their belt, including their brand new disc ‘Cavalier Youth,’ (due out in early 2014) these young lads are well on their way.

During their sold out show at New York City’s Gramercy Theater we caught up with the band’s guitarist Chris Miller who spoke all about the forthcoming record as well as the latest track ‘Lived a Lie.’ Drummer Dan Flint joined in on the fun later in the interview as he chatted all about the origin of the band’s name, his fondness of the Arctic Monkeys and the one thing he must have on tour with him.

What’s the progress on the new You Me At Six record?

Chris Miller: The new album ‘Cavalier Youth’ is roughly scheduled to come out in January of next year. We’re finished, mixed, mastered and everything. It sounds absolutely amazing and we’re really excited. Just keep your eyes peeled for announcements about a proper release date.

Talk about new album ‘Cavalier Youth’ and what this title means to you?

To me personally and the view as a whole it was just how we felt while writing the album, carefree youth. We’re still young, we’re still having a great time and we just wanted to reflect that in our songs. We also wanted to reflect that notion to our fans, you’re young, do what you want to do. The way I think about it, just have fun for now.

How was the overall recording process for you for this record.

Personally, it was my favorite recording experience we’ve had so far. We recorded it in L.A. again for the second time. We recorded with Neal Avron  who’s very influential producer and engineer in the rock world.  He’s worked with bands like Linkin Park and Fall Out Boy, we really looked up to him and he was absolutely great to work with. There was way more family vibes recording as we recorded at his house with his family and stuff. It sounds absolutely amazing. It’s the best we’ve ever sounded.

‘Lived a Lie’ is the latest track, Talk about it lyrically and musically.

I don’t know much about it lyrically because Josh [Franceschi] writes them all but musically from a guitar point of view – we chose that as the first song from the CD because it’s a great stepping stone between our last CD and our new CD.  It’s nothing scary different to the existing fans but it lends a hint as to where we may be going. From a music point of view we just wanted to write a concise, straight to the point rock pop song. We like the big, catchy chorus you can jump around to so I think we did that well.

You guys have a passionate fanbase here in the states,  is there a difference for you between fans in Europe and fans in the US?

I think essentially the fans are the same, being the same age group or the same type of person. Dan [Flint] is joining is now by the way. [Laughs] Yeah, it’s taken us a while to really get some movement over here. We’ve been touring for four or five years and there’s been success but nothing dramatic. It’s great to see that people are starting to come see our shows to see us instead of being a support band now we’re the main band.

Any crazy fan stories so far?

Not on this tour. Everyone’s been chill on this tour. Even today we were just walking up and down the line to the bus and no crazy screamers or anything. Not yet anyway.

You guys have done numerous covers, if you could cover one artist or song that you haven’t covered yet what or who would it be and why?

We always enjoy covering songs from different genres or something completely out there that you never think our band could do. I don’t really know, the last song we covered was a song by Avicii called ‘Wake Me Up’ and that’s a big Euro-dance song. I’d like to do another one of those.

Dan Flint: Maybe we could do a reggae tune.

CM: Maybe we should do a reggae tune, we’ve never done that. We’ll do ‘Red Red Wine’ then. We’ll do Bob Marley and see how it goes.

DF: Let’s move to Jamaica and record a reggae album.

Just curious how did you come up with the name of the band?

DF: It has to do with Friday night arrangements you, me at six, let’s meet up at six sort of thing. It was to be changed later when they thought of something cooler but that never happened. So now it’s too late to change the name really.

What were some other band names in the running?

CM: To be honest I think Josh said You Me At Six and us four were just like “Yeah that’ll do.” It was just meant to be for one show, a local gig and we thought “It doesn’t matter what we’re called we’ll never do it again.” Now we’re just stuck with a lame name. [Laughs]

There are so many bands with lame names but the music is what really sticks.

DF: One of our favorite bands is a band called Arctic Monkeys and when you say the name now it’s just like “Oh yeah Arctic Monkeys one of the f---ing best bands on earth.” If you actually break down the name Arctic Monkeys, it’s a terrible name like most band names are. Just because you get used to it, it becomes awesome.

CM: I wish our name was shorter though because every time you have to explain to someone what you’re called – it’s never “Oh cool You Me At Six” it’s always “You…Me…At Six” and me explaining it like five times.

DF: They’re probably like “What? What does that mean?” One word bands are the best, so simple.

What would you say is the most interesting or weirdest thing currently on your tour bus?

CM: Weirdest would have to be Max Helyer [the band’s rhythm guitarist] and probably my light saber that I got the other day at a show which is pretty funny.  Yeah the light saber is pretty weird, someone just gave it to us. You can hit people with it, it’s fun.

With all of this touring what is one thing you must have on tour with you, no electronics.

DF: Drums. I have to bring my drums, I haven’t got a choice.

CM: I’m going to have to say….socks.

DF: Yeah, I’ve run out now.

CM: As lame as it sounds if you don’t have socks it’s not good because they f---ing stink.