The Tressles reside in Tresselmania. They are a fantastic local band who not only write kick ass rock n roll music, but also have the live show to back it up. If you don't add the Tressels to your Bucket List, then you deserve to die because you are just missing out on too much in life.

The good news is that you don't have to wait too long to see the band. They are getting ready to play the Khyber in Philadelphia on September 7.

We caught up with Butch Tressel before he went back to Tresselmania. Here is a transcript of our interview.







BnR: What is the weather like in Tresselmania?

Butch: It's always sunny in Tresselmania.

BnR: Who was the greatest influence on the band's live show, musical or not?

Butch: Pink Floyd's Live at Pompeii on VHS. Specifically David Gilmour's cheekbones and Nick Mason's complete awesomeness. Our goal is to become so popular we can perform amongst ruins for no one but a German film crew.

BnR: This question is for Mickey Reds. What inspired you to become a dedicated percussionist? Who are your influences?

Mickey: I've recently accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. So him.

BnR: If you had to spend eternity as one hair band who would it be and why?

Butch: Poison. Best Parties. Good Tunes. State Fairs.

BnR: Who would win in a Tables/Ladders/Chairs match, Axl Rose's ego or Axl Rose's stubborness?

Butch: It would have to be a 3 way dance between Ego, Stubborness, and Beautiful Jangly Codas like the last 2 minutes of "Rocket Queen." Ego and Stubborness eliminate themselves so the Coda wins.

BnR: The moustache is a long forgotten symbol of masculity in Western Civilization. How old were you when you grew your first moustache? Did you idolize Tom Selleck or Burt Reynolds?

Butch: My dad had an awesome Tom Selleck mustache. As I got older I graduated from highschool goatee to hipster beard to stately mustache. It takes a lot of work to keep it masculine and not fey and pervy.

BnR: We saw one of your show recently and you were showing an old episode of He-Man on a bedsheet. Who would win in a fight He-Man or Conan the Barbarian? Who got more voluntary tail?

Butch: He-Man because he's magical and he's got Battlecat and Man-at-Arms. I don't think either pulled tail, cause they were so wrapped up in themselves.

BnR: How would you describe the sound of the Tressels?

Butch: Rock and Roll music. Plain and simple.

BnR: What is the story behind the Tressels mascot, Santa Claus?

Butch: Santa Claus resided in my grandparents window every Christmas from the late 70's until about the turn of the millenium after which he retired to the basement of my mom's house. He joined us on stage at our first ever show at the Speak Easy in Upper Darby on June 17th 2005 and has been with us ever since. See the thing with Santa is, he doesn't care if the band becomes a success or not, I mean, he's already famous. He just likes bringing joy.

Thanks Butch and Mickey for taking the time to answer our questions. Remember you can see the band at the Khyber on September 7.

For a sample of the Tressels songs and sounds, visit their MySpace site. You can also find the band on iTunes.