Free Energy Perform Live on the Interface

These days, it almost seems uncool for bands to wear their love of classic rock on their sleeves. For the bands that do, they usually talk about what's original in their music versus what they lift from their influences. That's not the case for Philadelphia's Free Energy, who stopped by Spinner's New York studios to tape an Interface full of amped-up, Thin Lizzy-inspired rock 'n' roll.

"[Classic rock] songs are so focused and strong, and maybe less subject to quick trends," bassist Geoff Bucknum told Spinner. "At least the ones that last."

Indeed, to be trendy is a risk that can pay off in the short term, but the way Free Energy see it, it's not necessarily sustainable.

"That's really what fascinates us -- why do certain things last?" lead singer Paul Spranger said. "[Classic rock] is still as big as ever. On one hand, it's a pretty sad state of affairs that the Stones still tour and that there aren't any bands to replace these guys. It's ridiculous that these old guys still outdraw young bands, but on the other hand, there's a reason why their records have lasted and why people still listen to their music, right? That's something we like explore and try to figure out."

Free Energy, who currently supporting their James Murphy-produced debut, 'Stuck on Nothing,' go on to say that the album has a lot of influences that a cursory glance might not pick up -- Krautrock, African guitar pop and reggae are present in varied nuances throughout the record.

In the end, it all boils down to finding confidence in the material for the band. "In whatever facet of the music you're dealing with, whether it's writing or producing or playing," Spranger said, "you know what you're doing and you express it confidently."