We saw a single from TMK this week that had another eclectic release with more of southern rock feel to it that was very different from what we'd regularly expect from these guys. A cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel" which contains more great guitar work from McDougal. The first b-side is a rare live track that included a song that has yet to be released on to be an album and it segways into a cover of Sublime's "Doin' Time." The two songs have a title that makes them seem to be in a similar vein. Which they are in lyrical content as well. The second b-side is a beautifully poetic that has do with a girl and the features he admires on her which are surprising not what you'd think in a punk rock tune. Not tits and ass or the way she performs a certain act below the belt. But it's about her ability to captivate him through swearing, her eyes, hair, and her tears. Best line in the song is the beginning lyric "You have a filthy fucking mouth and I want to kiss it clean." We reached Johnny to talk about his album, the amazing Headley Grange performance, and his future plans for the band. There are still rumors floating around that he was looking at Jack Frost to produce their next album. Gearing for a folk and punk fusion sound that they think they could achieve with Frost at the helm. Before we begin, we'll post the new single. Wagon Wheel (OOC: Credit goes to the actual artists OCMS and Straight Shot)

Hey Johhny I really thank you for taking the time to sit down with us and talk about your new single. Though this tune really didn't have a punk rock feel too it and was very southern rock. You're really drawing off your southern influences and turning it into a very different brand of punk rock. Is that something you're wanting to try and channel in your next album?

Oh yeah. You know when we started Those Meddling Kids we really wanted to try a nd put ourselves into a sound that couldn't be described or pigeon holed. Though we are a punk rock band we are also not at the same time. We're a hodge podge of genres that it sorted of grounded in punk rock so to speak.

The b-sides you released you were really going back to your punk rock sound though. The live track was actually recorded at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, California. It seemed very fitting that you'd do a Sublime tune there. You seem to really have Sublime has one of your big influences.

Oh yeah, if you listen real hard you can hear me crying a little at the end of the song. Bradley Nowell was a big influence on me because of the way he wrote lyrics and workded a guitar. For me to play there was a very big and personal deal for me. It was his hometown. I visited his gravesite and told him we were going to play at Alex's almost like getting his blessing to do one of his tunes which I also told him. I left some guitar picks and a mountain dew on his headstone then we went to the gig. We went to Alex's which is a big punk rock venue in LBC and played Locked Up which hasn't been released as a studio recording. We originally meant to end it right there but the energy was just flowing because the crowd was digging it. It was organic as hell and just kind of started flowing into Doin' Time. The moment was just one of those real magical moments that can't be described. It's still one of my favorite performances. I mean I felt like Brad was in the bar and on the stage grooving with us.

Your free concert at Headley Grange has to be one of those concerts that would rank up there with that one wouldn't it? Your guitar battle with Jimmy Page had to be an unforgettable experience.

It was most definitely the most awesome moment I've ever experienced as a musician. Jimmy Page is the most amazing living guitarist ever and for mt to rock out with him and play Hearbreaker? Man that was just truly amazing. Throwing down with him until my fingers bled was also very fucking amazing. Something I'll never forget indeed. Also, hearing the crowd sing the chorus with us to "Anarchy In The UK" was just one of those real awesome moments when the band and the fans seem to be really in sync. We all had a good time at that show and felt like fans as well. Being on the sacred ground that Led Zeppelin recorded on and being able to play there was just an amazing experience for us.

The third b-side seemed to capture a more poetic side in your song writing. Seemed like you tried to the song writer in yourself and it's really awesome to see that you can't just slay a guitar.

I think in order to be a good musician you need to know your instrument and write a good song with it as well. I mean nobody really likes a one dimensional musician you know?

You guys are definitely not one dimensional at all I'll tell you that. It seems like you are definitely going in a different direction after hearing your new single. We keep hearing rumors that you've been talking to Jack Frost about producing your next album for you. Anything you want to say to confirm it?

Jack Frost has been an influence to some of my song writiing. I visited him at his him in Mountain Creek to let him listen to a track from our latest album. "The Working Man's Dead." Because though it's about my dad Jack's song writing had a part in it. He really captures a blue collar and folk spirit that a lot of other artists seem to miss. I am interested in having him produce our next record. Because I think he could really help us tap into the sound that we're trying to get on this record. It's a real folk punk sound that we're trying to get and I think he could really help us capture it if we had him at the helm of operation. I have sent him a letter regarding this but I haven't heard back from him yet. So we'll see where that goes once I get a response and I look forward to it?

Well thanks for your time Johnny we appreciate it. With your time on the road has there been any bod else you've wanted to meet now that you've made it into the music world professionally?

Haha, too be honest they're both girls. Ke$ha, who I have a major crush on and would so date. Along with Stacey Walton. I've caught her on Warped Tour and she's a little cutie herself. But thanks for catching me and interviewing me man I appreciate it.

It's appreciated as well Johnny. Thanks for giving us this time out of your schedule for this interview.

erica:i woulda gotten away with it too.if it wasnt for those meddling kids!

nina:booo.that is just lame,love.

erica:oh come on.some one had to say it!

nina:could you at least put on a mustache,then let me rip it off of you?

erica:late nina,much later.