I don't think that I can possibly write the proper introduction for this interview. Fred Mascherino is simply one of the best musicians of the last decade. The former Taking Back Sunday co-frontman released his debut album "Bend to Break" with his new band, The Color Fred, last year. And while he claims his music won't be played on mainstream radio (although we wish it would because he deserves the attention and respect), Fred's music has certainly reached plenty of adoring fans who were willing to endure 100-degree heat on July 16th.

PBP- So for people living under rocks, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and about your band?

Fred- Yeah, my name’s Fred Mascherino and my band is The Color Fred. It started as a solo project, I used to be in a band called Taking Back Sunday. I actually recorded The Color Fred’s record when I was still with them. I was doing some touring with them and as the record was coming out I decided you know what, I really love this record and I want to put all my time into it. That’s what I decided to do. And here we are at Warped Tour and its been unbelievable ever since.

PBP- I was gonna say how has Warped been?

Fred- It’s been crazy, it’s been an adventure to say the least. But most of it has been really good. Florida was really rough because it was the worst weather, the most bugs, and they had some of the smaller shows.

PBP- “Bend to Break” was released through Equal Vision and you’ve had experience with Taking Back Sunday through Victory and Warner Brothers. What was it like going from a huge record company to a smaller one?

Fred- It was a big change. But I really wanted it that way. When you get bigger and bigger and bigger you start to notice that you almost lose touch of what you’re doing. And some things happen without you knowing. It can be actually more frustrating. So I called Equal Vision because they had put out a previous band of mine called Breaking Pangaea and I was good friends with those guys. They had a lot of good bands like Chiodos, Coheed, and Saves the Day in the past so I thought it would be a great place for us to start and so far its been awesome.

PBP- What’s your favorite song off “Bend to Break” and why?

Fred- Probably “Hate to See you Go” which is why I released it as the 2^nd single and video. I would like the future of the band to sound a little bit more like that. I like how it’s more unusual beats and the verses and we all come together in a chorus. Since when I realized we’re not going to be playing it on hit radio after the first single came out I said if we’re going to make another video I’m just going to do it for my favorite song so that’s what I did.

PBP- Since we’re talking about transition here, what was it like going from the backup singer for Taking Back Sunday to the front man?

Fred- Well that’s the thing, I’ve always loved singing and that’s actually how I got the gig with Taking Back Sunday. They were like, ‘oh he can sing’. I had actually fronted my bands in the past. When I joined I was excited since it was that 2 singer thing going on. But as the records went on I was more of the backing guy so I was kind of itching to get back to singing because I really enjoy it. I started singing and playing guitar when I was 10 years old so it’s nice to be the guy who’s delivering the lyrics and delivering my own lyrics. It’s just a more comfortable place for me.

PBP- Now you designed your own signature shoe with Macbeth are you going to be doing that again? Can we expect a clothing line?

Fred- It was really exciting doing that with them and I would love to do more but I never wanted it to be a distraction. Everything in this band is hands on like the videos come from ideas I have. Also I’m my own manager I don’t have anyone else make the decisions. I check my own Myspace and all that. And that’s the way I wanted it, I wanted it all hands on. So that keeps me very busy and I’m not really a clothing guy.

PBP- You’re a vegan, and you’ve spoken about the environment a lot. All the Presidential candidates have been talking about their ideas for the environment, what are your own ideas about how we can help?

Fred- Honestly we really do need to keep putting pressure on our politicians since they’re going to be the ones making the big changes. There are reasons the SUV became really popular 8 years ago, and there are reasons the gas went up. People should just try to be more educated. You can do that online at stopglobalwarming.org. There is a lot of information out there. The other thing is to think about when you’re buying something. A lot of times we just say ‘oh I’ll get a new one’ maybe you didn’t need it, maybe you could fix the old one, maybe you could keep using the old one. Every time you buy something it’s future trash so it’s going to wind up there sooner or later. A lot of times it winds up in places you don’t really want it like the ocean and it’s just sad what happens because of it. It’s about us acting as individuals but we really need the help of government as well we need someone to control the companies that are more worried about profits rather than the trees.

PBP- Ok, now the off the wall stuff. Which came first, the roadie or the groupie?

Fred- OOOO! I hope the groupie, yeah guys would think about one more than the other.

PBP- When you stop for food do you mix sodas at the fountain? Do you mix Slurpees?

Fred- I’ve definitely tried mixing recently and it hasn’t really worked out. I still do it when I get in the mood. But it never really works out and tastes like slop.

PBP- Can you get through Target or Wal-Mart without buying anything?

Fred- No, I’m a crazy bargain finder. I was just talking about consumerism, but I do look for the deals. I’m riding a $15 dollar bike around Warped Tour right now.

PBP- Have you seen “Talladega Nights”?

Fred- Yeah, haha.

PBP- Who would you rather have drive the bus, your bus driver or Ricky Bobby?

Fred- (laughs) Actually Ricky Bobby compared to our bus driver, he’s a brand new driver and he keeps kidding, we have a song called “Get Out” and it’s about my friend who’s a terrible driver. And he keeps joking that the song is about him. I keep saying ‘no it’s not about you’ but actually I wish it was.

PBP- How do you pass time between cities?

Fred- Right now I’m trying to do some writing for our second record. So I actually do some recording on the bus but I’m a big slacker. So a lot of times I’m watching horrible movies like “Talladega Nights”. I just saw this movie called “The Rocker”, it’s totally ridiculous. I’ll waste 2 hours on it.

PBP- Is it worth seeing?

Fred- Its worth seeing, yeah but not worth buying on DVD.

PBP- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Fred- (pauses)…………….(pauses some more)……..hmmm….(deep in thought)

PBP- See we even have a waterfront setting for you. (points to lake/swamp)

Fred- I know, I’m thinking about the woodchuck. I’m thinking if you filled up…I have one, but I’m spacing out on the, dammit! What are the cars from the 70’s?

PBP- El Camino?

Fred- YEAH! If you filled up the back of an El Camino I think that’s how much he’d do before he fell asleep. And then he’d be ready for another El Camino load after that. Sorry my brain is moving a little slower today.