🟥 This article is translated from Japanese.

Thom: The funny thing is that the new bands that the major labels are starting to sign now, like... well, nowadays if a band doesn't get results right after their debut, they get dropped immediately. It's a terrible thing and I can't help but feel sorry for them. Oh yeah, I've had really funny experience with The Vines. I gave them my wisdom.

Interviewer: Wow, what happened? Tell me.

Thom: Yeah, it's a really good story (laughs). When I met them... One of the new heads of EMI introduced them to me. I was at the Grammy after-party. I really don't know why did I (laughs). Anyway, I went to the Grammy Awards with Stanley right after 9/11. And then I showed up at the Capitol party. Stupid, right?

Interviewer: Yeah.

Thom: Well, anyway, there was The Vines there. "We're The Vines! We've just signed a contract!" Like that. "We've just moved to L.A. from Australia!" But then the singer [Craig] seemed to get a bit nervous. And he wanted to go back to Australia... They're a really nice bunch. They're really sweet kids. And then this big guy from the record company comes up to me and sits down next to me. So I said to him in a big voice: "Fuck you, watch out! Go back to Australia and don't do anything the record company tells you to do. Just take your time and make sure the singer doesn't go crazy. If you don't look after him, you'll be screwed".

Interviewer: (laughs).

Thom: So, while I was giving this very aggressive speech, the boys in the band and the guys in the record company said like, "[with a surprised look] Okay" (laughs). It was actually quite funny! Yeah, I felt like I'd become a difficult, crazy uncle (laughs). You know how sometimes you have a crazy relative who goes around lecturing everyone? That kind of thing (laughs). Well, I don't have the right to say that. We're very lucky. But you know, I think people already know that the way the majors do things, the record business, it's already over. I don't know. I don't really listen to anything new. But that's the major labels, and there's still some really good stuff coming out on the Domino label. I don't know, don't ask me this question. I don't know what's going on now. The Vines shouldn't have asked me either. No, no, no, they didn't ask me for help (laughs).

Interviewer: They didn't?　

Thom: Yeah. That's the problem. I just barged in, gave them a long speech and then disappeared. Like, "See you then!" (laughs).