Empires' Tom Conrad Likes to Unwind With Motorhead and White Whiskey

Chicago rockers Empires have made it to the top four in the Rolling Stone 'Choose the Cover' competition, and to celebrate we've given guitarist Tom Conrad a questionnaire filled with hard-hitting (not really) questions. Learn who his favorite 'Mad Men' character is (no, it's not Joan) and which A-lister his band spotted in the crowd at one of their shows.

What's your musical guilty pleasure and when do you listen to it?

Mazzy Star's 'Fade into You.' Usually on the subway coming back from work in the south side at night.

Who is your favorite character on 'Mad Men' and what about them rules?

Roger Sterling. We've been told we act invincible. I think Empires lives like there's no tomorrow.



What's the worst job you've ever had and why was it terrible?

Working for the Park District for under minimum wage in the summer sun as a young lad.

What's your favorite pre-show meal or ritual?

I won't eat at least a few hours before I perform. The closest thing we have to pre-show rituals are our warm-ups and a few drinks.

What's the craziest thing that you've seen at one of your shows?

Johnny Depp.

Zombies or vampires?

Vampires because we only come out at night.

What's your favorite cocktail?

A bloody virginia or white whiskey.

If you were on 'Survivor,' what would be the two small items you would bring?

I've actually never seen the show but the boy scout in me says matches and a knife.

Who were your first celeb crushes?

Winona Ryder in 'Reality Bites.'

Best album to unwind to?

Motörhead's 'Aces of Spades.'

If you didn't play music, what would you (want to) be doing right now?

Cave jumping.

If you won a Grammy, who would you thank first?

George Harrison.

What are you reading right now?

'Flags of Our Fathers' by James Bradley.

What do you sleep in?

Boxers.

Best gift you ever got from a fan?

Mix tapes or photography.

Watch Empires Video for 'Bang'