VOX: You had to know that your name alone would cause controversy, especially in the U.S.

Nigel Hoyle: Well, it's like the name choose us in a lot of ways. When we came together, Cliff, Baz and I, the name really galvanized us and challenged us to work hard…the name fell on us and it was sort of a gauntlet in many ways and we had to back it up. People's reactions to two words are amazing - it could mean anything and nothing…

VOX: What made you select the name "Gay Dad" - is it a proclamation of your sexuality?

N.H.: It was far more for the reaction than the meaning. The name has its many meetings - it's scandalous and titillating and it defies the normal Zeitgeist. Our sexuality really had nothing to do with it. It's funny that now "gay" is purely sexual in nature.

VOX: For Nicholas and Cliff, coming from journalism backgrounds, it must be fun for them to now be the ones making the press squirm?

N.H.: There are elements of that more and more now. There is a high degree of hands-on media literacy in the group. When you're talking, you are so much more cognizant of the level of understanding going on…there is a sort of meeting of the minds instead of lip service…I can't really speak for Nick or Cliff, but I don't think we look at it as "fun" necessarily, but we may take it more seriously.

VOX: Do you think the US is ready for Gay Dad?

N.H.: Yeah…I think so. This is my first visit…this is day 4 in Nigel Hoyle's U.S. experience. I'm really interested in seeing America! Go USA! You know, we just try to write good songs and we not looking to be the goddamn perfect rock band, but to be the best we can be and have people embrace what we're doing.

VOX: How much of the rumor and innuendo surrounding the band was actually fueled by you all?

N.H.: Not much, really. We have this sort of unofficial ghost that follows us, I suppose. There may be some planted rumors, but what is far more interesting that the rumors is the tremendous reaction and dissection that have occurred following the rumors. I'm not saying we haven't talked them up at all, but there are lots of people saying stuff, and you can't control what's said.

VOX: Was it surreal to be getting all the media attention even before you had released a record?

N.H.: It was a bit of a surprise. Then the single took off, and we felt like we deserved at least a good portion of the attention based on the quality of the music. What's funny is that the more you don't tell, the more people want to know.

VOX: Obviously, the music is what will determine whether Gay Dad makes it or not. "My Son Mystic" is an amazing song - tell us about it.

N.H.: It was originally called "Case Notes" - it's sort of about how normality is actually quite - if you look at it - it's quite freaky. It's really a slice of life - everybody is always reaching, looking to make contact. We're always looking to touch those around us. It’s a song we had kicking around for a while with different words and chord progressions.

VOX: "To Earth With Love" is another great song - what's the story behind that?

N.H.: It's from a jam - we sort of jammed up the entire idea, and had a party. It's almost nonsense, really - to have the best clothes, the street has never looked better, you got some Aerosmith on the radio, you're playing air guitar and just ready to party, man.

VOX: What should people expect from a Gay Dad show?

N.H.: Chemistry, hopefully. Be ready to really like us or demand your money back. Hopefully it's sort of a party or circus atmosphere. It's really good to connect with the people, get the communication flowing.

VOX: So, what's the next step for Gay Dad?