If I had to best describe the Milquetoast & Co. sound, I would simply call them “Rock”, based on attitude and energy alone, yet their sound pedigree is so much more complex and nuanced than that, to the point that -to some ears- it would prove an incorrect summation of the dimensions and styles the band really offers.

The entire branch of the musical family represented by the Company would not come together so seamlessly if not for the immense skill and passion that these musicians so clearly cultivate. But there’s very little to say in this brief intro that is not best serviced by the wonderful answers we got from frontman James McAndrew here today.

Let’s get on with it:

-The band's sound is anything but Milquetoast and corporate, so I'm guessing there's more than a little sarcasm in the name. Still, I'm curious as to the origin.

When the band was first named, yes there was an attempt at irony, assuming we are NOT milquetoast after all. The word was cute and fit the descriptive needs I had at the time in regards to how I felt about most people and things. I think it was me being a little judgy in an attempt to be clever. The & Co. had to be added due to another band with the name… Besides there was a revolving door of musicians over the years. It worked, but it’s not the most marketable and easy to spell.

-It's a pretty standard question, but one that's timelessly fair and appropriate: What are your biggest influences?

I will throw out some bands with a varied level of influence: Morphine, Devotchka, Eels, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Pixies, Ray Lamontagne, Portishead, Lord Huron, Aldous Harding, Otis Redding, James Brown, Father John Misty (more recently), MGMT, Beck, Black Pumas… On and on perhaps this is an equally standard answer… This list could continue.

-One of your Logos is a Crossed-out Spiral which also makes me incredibly curious. It looks more like a sigil! anything you can reveal on its meaning, or is it just something that was chosen on cool factor alone?

It was originally a doodle, I was making an “endless thought vortex”. It was a simple display of the infinite hole you find yourself in when one views themselves as a perpetual victim. Of which I am not. It went along with being milquetoast. I drew it on a bar napkin and it stayed, I love the look of it.

-Drinking is a big part of your songwriting and even your image. If I had to guess, I'd say there's a foundational story there. In any case, what's up with all the liquor references?

Some of the songs were older demo’s that I brought back from the grave so some of the content is a little dated… THAT SAID, I struggled for years with substance abuse namely with alcohol and I had a rough go for a lot of years (as many do). It’s interesting now because thematically it’s relatively contrary to all of us in the band, we collectively don’t drink a whole lot these days. I think we all had our fun.

-Following that up, this one goes to each of you: What are your preferred drinks?

I think most of the guys have a discerning palate these days for nice bourbons and single malts… Then again, I don’t think anyone throws their nose up at a cold Pabst or its equivalent.

-Tell us about Shiny (little) Mind. What do you hope listeners can take from the album? What is the driving idea behind it?

Well there’s a little tongue and cheek in there but It really comes down to being accountable to ones role in their life and what they’re willing to do about it despite circumstances and/or what people think of you. We are often slaves to what we think* people think of us and it knocks us off of the trajectory that matters. It’s not just about getting through adversity with wounds to show, it’s about keeping your momentum. I don’t know if that really translates as far as the whole album is concerned, however I think that would be a healthy take away if we were to wish for one. “Barfly” for instance doesn’t exactly emote this theme… Some tracks we threw in for funny… There’s a swirl of different things in there. We all have Shiny (little) Minds and I don’t care to define what that means to any individual aside from the fact that we all have the ability to surprise ourselves in and extremely positive way.

-A while back, the band went on a hiatus as each member had something different going on in their lives at the time. Obviously, you've re-assembled. What has changed creatively or in the group dynamic in that interim?

Yes, there was a ten year hiatus after the breakup of the original line up. We were broke, getting married, having children and moving away-we walked our miles collectively. When I (James) did this reboot so to speak it was actually my wife’s idea, she was the catalyst to this madness because she really believed that sound shouldn’t just die quietly. You have to be crazy to have a haymaking shot in the dark in the music industry.

The biggest piece was finding the musicians to begin with that all: liked the music, believed in the music, got along and could collaborate successfully. I was graced with that ten fold. These guys have become a gigantic part of my life outside of music. Talent is everywhere, synergy, support and trust isn’t yet we have it. Sonically, this iteration is the most polished and focused (granted as am I). This group of people (Dan, Kyle, Joe, Ben and Sam) are unbelievable; so kind, so talented and cognizant across the board. The musical IQ is unlike anything I’ve experienced. The only way I was going to try to relaunch this was if I could objectively say that this (Milquetoast & Co) was good enough to compete for a lack of a better way to put it. I will say that I’m grateful for the original lineup and what we did then however this lineup is the one that could cultivate success in one form or another honestly. We’re older, wiser and hopefully a little better at our instruments these days.

-looking at your releases and your live schedule so far, it seems like 2021 has been pretty busy. Do you feel like the band as an entity has to make up for the "lost" time?

We’ve been very fortunate to be able to get the shows we have had. As for lost time I think that we’re merely chomping at the bit-we are fucking ready to play and not in a position to say no to any opportunities. This has been a rough go not just for bands but everyone in the industry.

-You're fresh off the Album Release Show at the Marquis in Denver. will you be able to take it on tour any time soon?

We were just about to with Devotchka (Nov 27th-Dec 12th) however due to Covid concerns it has very recently been cancelled. A huge fucking bummer though we understand the times...

Milquetoast & Co. - An Undiluted and Straight-up interview

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