FUN. with MINIATURE TIGERS at the Guvernment (132 Queens Quay East), Wednesday (April 25), 7 pm. $18.50. RT, SS, TM, UE. See listing.
In March, fun.’s breakout single, We Are Young, from their second album, Some Nights (Fueled by Ramen), made history as the first rock song by a newly charting band to hit number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 since Nickelback’s How You Remind Me in 2001.
Sales were undoubtedly helped when the song was featured in a Superbowl Chevrolet ad, though the groundwork had already been laid back in December by its appearance somewhere that never would’ve made sense for Nickelback: on TV’s Glee.
But as 30-year-old singer/songwriter Nate Ruess explains, the placement was perfect for one of fun.’s musical-theatre-influenced stadium-ready anthems.
“I’d never really watched it before, but a show that has kids in it who are homosexuals in high school? Are you fucking kidding me? That’s crazy!
“As well, Glee is very much about theatre. I live in New York and have seen how Broadway’s taken a hit over the years, and what Glee has done for it. That’s a powerful thing. It’s a show that focuses on the arts for once, and in the United States that’s getting lost.”
Statements like that, plus fun.’s partnership with Canadian LGBTQ rights and anti-bullying org Revel & Riot on their current tour and the over-the-top flamboyance of their sound have led some to question the band’s sexuality. But smitten male fans might be disappointed by the answer.
“As far as I know, we’re all straight. And I think that’s kind of important: it’s not just time for gay people to talk about [homophobia]. It’s the time for straight people to talk about it, too.”
While Billboard classified them as “alt-rock” on their March cover, there’s little post-grunge machismo in fun.’s version: Queen-style theatrics mixed with Weezer hyperactive pop and grandiose production touches borrowed from contemporary hip-hop. Nevertheless, Ruess would rather be considered alt than indie.
“[The alternative era] was an incredible time for music. In the 90s it was okay to be in a rock band and on a major label. You could write songs that weren’t so formulaic and still have commercial success. If we’re going to be labelled alt-rock, I’ll take it. We’re definitely not indie rock.
“The problem was, rap rock came out in the late 90s and set the world back about 10 years. Everyone spent the 2000s apologizing for it. If you were a band, you had to be an indie rock band, and I thought that was kind of pathetic. I didn’t get that modesty. If you’re making music, shouldn’t you want everyone to hear it?”
If he weren’t so intensely earnest, you’d almost wonder if Ruess is being deliberately contrary. After all, what kind of American rock singer loves Toronto for its basketball?
“I’m a massive Raptors fan,” he says. “In fact, I’m a massive fan of Toronto in general. It’s one of my three favourite cities of all time. I really do love how diverse it is. When I see Drake repping Toronto, I get excited myself because I’m such a fan.”
Interview Clip
Nate Ruess explains how they ended up working with hip-hop producer Jeff Bhasker:
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