STG: Since "Plagues" has been out for about 6 months now, have you started writing any new material? Is there anything you're thinking about changing on the next record?
Mike Hranica: We have put a little bit into writing. It's kinda hectic on tour to write, but we have put a little bit into it. We're still pretty iffy as far as what we want it to overall soundlike, which makes it difficult to start writing. But we have a general feel, some of the aspects we want to put into it. Just trying to get kinda comfortable with it I guess. We're hoping to record before the end of the year so we're just trying to really decide what we want it to be as a whole.

STG: Is it getting easier to write songs now that you've been doing it for a couple years now, or is it harder because you don't want to repeat what you've done?
Mike: I'd say...I dont know, I don't write the musical aspect of it. But I know in my eyes, getting a new part I'm really picky and everyone else is really picky, so I'd say it's much harder. We're trying to write something better than "Plagues" and "Plagues" was the best thing we could do.

STG: What do you guys do in rehearsal? Is it planned, or is it more spontaneous chaos?
Mike: Both. A lot of it is just people making noise before anything can get organized. Chris (Rubey) usually brings parts to the table and we try to write around the parts. Chris is our main song writer, so we try to write around stuff and say "OK this is what we want to do next" and we get a general feel for it and try to work in a new part or whatever and just piece the song together.

STG: Have you ever forgotten your lyrics?
Mike: Uhh, actually when I first started I was really good about it because I didn't have many songs and I could remember all the songs really well. But it's probably just twice in my life have I...it's actually the same part and it's happened about twice I guess. I don't know, It's not a big deal. No one can really tell, it's not like a huge part or anything. It doesn't happen often enough to really talk about it.

STG: Are there certain parts about being on tour you really hate?
Mike: I hate playing songs that people like that we don't like, AKA "Texas Is South", which is a song that everyday someone either says "Why didn't you play Texas?" or "I'm glad you played Texas". And it sucks because Texas is a song none of us like to play. It's not even a good song in most of our opinion...some of us like it I guess, but as far as playing shows, playing "Texas" is the worst part of playing shows. Or any song that I don't really like to perform. Just being on tour away from home really sucks.

STG: While on tour, do you really look forward to the time when you get to go back? Do you already have plans on what you want to do when you get home?
Mike: Yeah it's generally just to spend as much time with my woman as I humanly can.

STG: Do you guys ever have breaks long enough to where you have to find part-time jobs or anything?
Mike: Not yet...I was actually just talking about it earlier. I would like to work at Starbucks when we get a long break just because I want to say I did.

STG: What have been your biggest challenges as a band up to this point?
Mike: As far as in the band...now that we're on an established touring level we don't really have trouble with not having money in case something breaks down or something breaks. A lot of bands have to go through that and go through tour and tour and tour without having money, or having to go home, or a van breaking down. The summer of '06 we toured and we went through that. We didn't have any money. We didn't make any money, or personally walk away with any money in our pockets. The hardest part, what causes most affliction for us is getting along with one another and trying to be the best people that we can. And if someone makes a mistake, it's hard to go them and be like "Hey, you need to straighten out" or whatever. It's just stuff like that. Being in a band that has very strict morals like we do can really suck, as compared to bands that just like, drink and party.

STG: When I saw you guys last year, you were touring in a van so is it a lot different being on a bus? Is it a lot more fun?
Mike: Yes...touring is much better. I miss aspects of being in a van, like hanging out and going to gas stations, goofing off, and even driving sometimes. But the bus is an incredible blessing as far as everyone getting along with each other, and if you're not getting along with someone you can get time to yourself. It's awesome.

STG: What cities/venues have been your favorite to play?
Mike: Rocket Town in Nashville, TN. The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA. Emo's, or anywhere in Austin, TX...and Soma in San Diego, are like our top venues. Anywhere in Cincinnati is cool just 'cause it's home.

STG: Have you guys played many shows around home in the past couple years that you've been doing this?
Mike: As we were becoming a band and playing shows we tried not to play around home, and then once we got a booking agent we played the venues sometimes. I remember the '06/'07 New Years, we just played a random show at home for our New Years Eve party. We had a CD release show in Cincinnati. But other than that, if we play Cincinnati, it's because we're out with like Chiodos, and then, Lord willing, at the end of this tour we'll play Cincinnati.

STG: Do you guys get really intense crowds around home? Is it a lot more than other shows?
Mike: It's weird because our best reactions aren't at home...which is actually how it is with many bands. It's always real nerve-wracking to be home because family and friends are just like your worst critics.

STG: Are you guys really excited about playing Warped Tour this year?
Mike: Yeah! I'm a bit nervous. I've never even been to a Warped Tour show so I have no idea what's going on. I know it's a lot of hard work. Lord willing, we'll have a bus which is awesome. I'm a bit nervous for all the hard work and just like, day after day...I know I wouldn't want to be on any other tour this summer.

STG: Are there bands you're excited to hang out with or see that you know are playing Warped Tour as well?
Mike: A Day To Remember...they're like our best friends. They're on the tour so we'll be having fun with them all the time. Other bands too...but primarily them.

STG: What bands that you've toured with have been your favorite? Is there any that you really want to tour with eventually?
Mike: Obviously, A Day To Remember. *laughs* We get along with Once Nothing really well, who does have of our headlining tour which is up next. I'm excited to tour with those guys, those are some really close friends. Gwen Stacy...I think a band that all of us really want to tour with, and we've only played one show with, is As I Lay Dying. We don't even know them at all but just being Christian kids, everyone wants to go up with As I Lay Dying. That's been like a general goal for us all growing up. Hopefully next year or something we'll have the time and maybe do something.

STG: Any funny/memorable tour stories that have happened so far?
Mike: We had a pretty crazy fan...I don't think it was a fan, it was just someone trying to pick on us in Canada. They kept running by the bus and knocking on it, which infuriates our bus driver. We ended up catching him and the police got him. I don't know, I don't think it was that funny of a story. I was just in my bunk. Everyone else thought it was the best story in the world.

STG: Are you guys still asked why your band is named The Devil Wears Prada?
Mike: Yes. More than anyone should ever, ever ask. I can't believe kids even email us or message on myspace and ask that because I can't remember an interview I've ever done that didn't ask how we got the name...but still to this day it's like "my goodness..." If someone was like "Let's just initial it TDWP" and go by that, I'd be like "Alright. Let's start. Now."

STG: How's the clothing company (Shipshape Clothing) going? Are you really active in it even when you're on tour?
Mike: I'm very active in it. It's my favorite thing to do. I like playing shows and getting in front of kids, but I love to keep busy and try to run a business, and make products that I really like and that I hope other people like. When I'm home, I love packaging stuff up...it's really fulfilling for me. My girlfriend does orders while I'm gone and she looks at it more like work, but for me it's something that I actually just like to do. It's going well. I'm trying to expand and get more space for it and all that jazz.

STG: Is there anything else you wanted to add?
Mike: Thank God you didn't ask me about our band name.
STG: I knew...That's why I asked "do people still ask..."
Mike: See people probably still...I get interviews with the same person twice and they'll probably ask me twice. What we were going to do, and it never worked out, but what Chris and I were going to do if someone said "How'd you get your band name?" we were gonna say "How'd you get yours?" and just turn questions around 'cause it's just so monotonous.