We're proud to record Seattle band The Titans of Industry on February 26th along with Vanimal. The pop-rock group uses catchy rhythms and piano in a way that's as infectious as it is smart. Kellen Grace answered some questions via email about the group and why they're traveling all the way to Portland for a live recording.

Banana Stand: How long has the band been together in its current form? How did it come together?

Kellen Grace: I decided to put the band together a couple of years ago after my previous band fell apart. Its morphed a bit over time; we've had our current line-up for about 9 months now. Matt Leon has been with the band essentially from the beginning.

BS: How would you describe your sound? What are your key influences?

KG: Always a tough question to pin down, although I find myself mostly influenced by song-writers like Lennon, Newman, Cale, Nilsson, and especially the old ones: the Gershwins and Cole Porter and the hundreds more that invented the pop song during the 30s and 40s. Also, can never get too far away from The Stranglers, Joe Jackson, Clash, Bowie, and Teardrop Explodes.

BS: Tell us your thoughts about recording live. What makes you interested in recording live?

KG: Its the essence of making music. If we were living in the 60s right now, we'd have no choice but.

BS: What's your favorite memory of a live show? Least favorite?

KG: Whew, that is a question. Pretty much every show I went to as a kid, getting my body crushed at a hardcore show by all the flying bodies was pretty much what made me want to start a band as a kid.  As far as least favorite goes, thats hard to say. There seems to be one show on every tour we go on that makes you want give up and just go to sleep for the rest of your life or something. Of course the next night seems to always make up for it, such seems to be the way of things!

BS: What are your favorite live albums?

KG: Pretty much all of Nina Simone's live records are pretty amazing, the one at ronnie scott's in london is definitely a fav. The Make-up's Destination Love gotta be on the list too

BS: What other projects are you all involved with?

KG: This is it at the moment for me. Chris is currently working on a project with Adam from Devotion.

BS: What are you working on lately?

KG: Starting to prepare some new material for our first full length record to be released in the next year or so.

Huge thanks to Titans of Industry's Kellen Grace for participating in our interview. Titans of Industry is Kellen, Matt Leon, Matt Maisano and Chris Rager. They're recording live at the Banana Stand on Saturday, February 26th with VANIMAL. You should totally be here: RSVP on Facebook.

You can find more from Titans of Industry at thetitansofindustry.bandcamp.com and on Facebook and MySpace.