Chris Freeman of Bad Books (and Manchester Orchestra) was kind enough to answer some questions about the new project for PropertyOfZack. Chris discusses the creation of the project between Kevin and Manchester Orchestra, why we don’t hear “Thanklin Franklin” on the album release, and a quick Manchester Orchestra update. Read up and enjoy!

This is certainly not your first time going through the record release process, but is for Bad Books. How have the three released tracks been received so far in your eyes?
I think that our fans and Kevin’s fans are stoked. I think we, as a whole, are very excited about this project because it was such a fun thing to work on together. There really isn’t anybody in the world I’d rather be cooped up in a room with than these guys; and Kevin’s personality just adds such a great new dynamic in that setting that just makes you want to stay in the studio for forever.
 
Manchester and Kevin have obviously been friends for ages, but when did the idea of working on a project together become a serious idea?
I’ll go ahead and say that I think this project became a “serious idea” after we finished it. The whole scene was just not what people think it was. Andy said awhile ago that Kevin should come to Atlanta and do some sort of collaborative project together. It was sort of said casually but with every intent of it actually happening because it always felt like a good idea if we could just find the time to do it. We like writing music and we like spending time with each other. So it just seemed like it could be really fun to just have an excuse to do that. 
 
How was it different having Kevin in the studio compared to let’s say working on the current Manchester Orchestra album with just the band? 
Like I said, Kevin is an amazing human being. Having him around only makes things better. Sometimes, the dude just says some shit that makes you laugh until you can’t breathe. The way his brain works is just unbelievable. And the songs that both he and Andy brought in were great. The thing about it is, you can’t go wrong with Kevin. For those who have met him, you know exactly what I mean. The guy is just good. There’s a lot there and it’s hard to feel uncomfortable or annoyed with someone who is constantly surprising you. 
 
To go along with the album release, Bad Books recently launched a bunch of different pre-order packages, one of which included a limited edition hand carved book that is completely sold out. How did that idea come together? 
I think the idea for the pre-order came from the bowels of hell. Have you ever carved a book? It’s not fun. It sucks actually. I mean, it was my idea, so I’ll also give myself a quick pat on the back and say that it’s brilliant. But it’s a bit more work than I think we anticipated. I think kids are really going to like it and I wish I could see the look on just one persons face when it shows up in the mail; that would make it worth it. Sorry for being so negative about the damn thing, but we’re in the process of carving them as I’m writing this, so it’s hard to be at all positive about something that is just looming over your head. I’m happy we’re doing it though, with the name BAD BOOKS, you just immediately want to put a book on the cover of the record. I think that this is a smarter, more creative way of representing a very cool name without being cheesy. 
  
Andy spoke to AP way back when the project was first announced and discussed a few tracks that have not appeared on the album. One of which being “Thanklin Franklin,” which I think, due to lyrical content, is a song many people were looking forward to. What happened to it? 
Haha, Thanklin Franklin isn’t ready for the world and the world is definitely not ready for Thanklin Franklin. It’s the weirdest thing we, as human beings, have ever done. To quote Kevin Devine in the aforementioned song: “I know you wanna know more about this fish-ass baby, but i can’t tell you the rest; That’s secret, that’s for me and Aretha Franks.” 
 
Since there are a few extra songs floating around should we expect any sub-releases after the album comes out? 
Doubt it. But that’s really not my call. I think one day Manchester Orchestra will be big enough that we could just release all of the unbelievable and ridiculous songs we coin as “B-Sides”. Andy and Kevin both have a lot better songs than the ones that didn’t make it on the BAD BOOKS record. So just expect more albums. B-sides are B-sides for a reason no matter how great they are. Look at the BAD BOOKS record as a whole. If we wanted the world to hear these alleged scrapped songs, we would’ve put them on the record. But maybe we’ll put em out so everybody can enjoy some of the more insane moments of this process that we get to laugh about and enjoy together. 
 
Bad Books will be heading out on a four-date mini tour this month followed by The Stuffing in November. Some fans were disappointed by the lack of length to the tour. Why did you guys decide to make it so short? 
Well, let’s imagine for a second that two internationally touring acts came together in a studio to have fun and make a record. Then ask those acts (friends) to go out on tour for four months in between their record releases and normal insane touring schedules. Of course it’s going to be short. I would love to play these songs for months on end, but we honestly have other things to do as well, y’know? I think that these dates make sense and will definitely be fun. So: Dear Disappointed Fans, Get in your cars and drive to us; we’ve been driving to you for years and now it’s your turn :).
 
Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra are obviously busy as individual entities, but would more touring in the future be an option? 
Of course. Why not? We love being around each other as human beings and these songs should be really fun to play live. If it works than it works. I think that the response to this project so far has undeniably exceeded our expectations. I can’t reiterate it enough in saying that we were really just having fun together. At least, that was my outlook on the whole thing. If we get the opportunity to keep doing it, I’m up for it. 
  
If all goes well might we see another Bad Books release down the line? 
If it works, it works. I doubt anybody involved in this project would be opposed to doing it again. 
 
On a side note: How is the Manchester Orchestra process going for the new album? 
It’s going great. Listening to rough mixes right now actually. We had a great time at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and a really fun time in Atlanta at our studio and at Tree Sound getting some strings done. We’re stoked on this new record, for sure. I’m just excited about my mom hearing it, haha. I think she’ll dig it. 
 
Thanks so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m just so happy to be here. haha. But seriously, thanks for caring about what we’re all doing. We’re having a blast.