I did this interview on 10.09.01 after hearing about Tom's departure from Duvall. The interview answers some hovering questions about the band, his split and his upcoming solo works. Take a look.

Eric: Is Josh the only song writer or is it a group effort?

Tom: Josh is the only song writer. He has a very specific idea about what he wants the band to sound like and to be about. Mike and I both have outlets for own songwriting, so our role in the band was basically going to be to make Josh's songs sound as good as possible.

Eric: Are the songs christian songs? There is lots of talk about this on the message board and I'm trying to tell everyone that they aren't, but they won't believe it. So what's the deal?

Tom: Well, yes, they are. But they are unlike any Christian songs that I have heard before. I mean, it's Josh, so the music sounds like the later Popes stuff (like Destination Failure) but more complicated. The Lyrics deal with different aspects of Josh being a Christian, but I don't think that they come off as being Preachy. This was a concern of mine when I started playing in the band, but once I heard the songs I wasn't worried. Josh has always had his own approach to songwriting, and I think he is trying to present this in a way that doesn't put anybody off.

Eric: Is this a band that plans to stick around? Or is this something for Josh and Mike to do in their spare time?

Tom: Yes. They are planning to give this their full attention. That's pretty much the reason that I can't be in the band anymore. They want to tour a lot and possibly find a larger label to release their records - the whole deal. I don't have the kind of time that it takes to build up a band like that. I don't want to live in a van for two months at a time anymore.

Eric: Where did the name come from?

Tom: Robert Duvall. Josh is a big fan.

Eric: When can we expect your next release and on what label?

Tom: I don't know exactly. I'm still writing songs and trying to figure out how I want to present them on the next release. I have a lot of music, but I want to make sure that it all works together. I still need to decide what direction this group of song is going in. I think that it is going to depend a lot on if I record it myself like the last ones or if I go into a bigger studio - that and who I have play on it with me.

Eric: Is it true that Mike Felumlee and Dan Adriano are backing you? Who else do you plan on having with you?

Tom: I had talked to Mike about having him and Dan play on my next record when Mike was still in the Trio. They were into the idea at the time, but I'm not so sure anymore. They are both very busy, and I'm not sure if I want to have the next record be such a big rock record (It would definitely be that if those guys were on it).

Eric: Who makes up your concert band currently and where might we know them from?

Tom: Well, after the Burlington Northern came out, Mark Ruggiero and Jeanne McClure were playing the live shows with me. We dubbed them "the Volunteers". Mark has played in all kinds of Chicago bands. He is currently playing drums in a band called Light FM. Jeanne used to play bass in a band called Mary Tyler Morphine. After a while I stopped playing as many shows and Mark and Jeanne became busy with other stuff, so I started doing solo sets. Just me and a guitar. It's been fun, but I think that people like to hear a full band live.

Eric: How did your cover of First time end up?

Tom: I'm real happy with it. I could send you copy if you'd like to put it up on
your website.

Eric: Any idea when the Jawbreaker and Nirvana tributes that you're reportedly on are coming out?

Tom: I talked to both labels recently, and they are both having delays because of money and other bands not getting their songs in. So no set release dates yet. I've had both songs finished for a while, so I'm thinking about just putting them up on the Tom Daily site for now.

Eric: Are you doing shows around the area this winter?

Tom: Yeah, I'm going to play a Double Zero show at the Metro in November with the
Honor System, Duvall and Retro Morning. It should be a good one. I hope to
have a full band together by then. I also think I am going to "host" the
Winter Nationals this year with the Alkaline Trio and Haymarket Riot. That
one is in December at the Metro, also. I might play a song before each band.
It's still in the concept stages, though.