Ben Goldwasser '05 and Andrew VanWyngarden '05 of the musical band MGMT were interviewed by Wesleyan's school newspaper, The Argus  before they hit it big. Now world famous, the band members reflect on their aspirations, accomplishments and desires while still students at Wesleyan.

The article was first published in the  April 13th, 2004 issue.

Were you guys an instant hit?

[Both laugh and say no]
AV: One of our first shows was in the Westco cafe, and we dressed up in orange jumpsuits and got incredibly stoned. And it ended with me lying on the floor with the microphone telling everyone to leave. And then I opened my eyes and they were all gone. Except for Carolyn. [laughs]

 

JL: What distinguishes The Management from other bands?

BEN GOLDWASSER: We steal ideas from other bands and use them. We were trying to be ironic. Were we (to Andrew)? At some point we were trying to be ironic, and then we just kind of lost it. [laughs]

Is there anything that you hate about being rock stars?

AV: I don't think we're rock stars.
BG: I don't hate being a rock star. [both laugh]
 

JL: Do you get a lot of groupies?

AV: No.
BG: No. Never.

 

JL: Well that's a shame. What do you like most about playing music together?

BG: Companionship. [both laugh]
AV: Beno's my partner. [both laugh]
BG: He beats me. [laughs]

 

JL: How has playing together changed your friendship?

BG: We've been getting in more fights because of being in The Management.
AV: Yeah, when we try to write songs together and record stuff we just get really pissy.
BG: Whenever we have to play a show, one of us doesn't want to play the show and the other one does. So we argue about that.

 

Read the full interview.