Minneapolis rock band High on Stress are releasing Cop Light Parade on September 2, the long follow up to their acclaimed ‘05 debut, Moonlight Girls. CLP is RIYL Wilco, the Replacements, REM and damn good, midwest, alt-country rock and roll.

We sat down with the group to talk about the new album, the Boy Scout Oath and the best place to buy coasters…

What’s new with you guys?
Things have been going really well for us lately thankfully. We spent a long time working on this record with hopes people wouldn’t think it sucked. So far we’ve had great responses from everyone who have gotten early promos. We’re feeling good!

You’ve been around the scene for a while now. What’s the best thing about the Minneapolis sound right now?
I think the best thing about the MPLS sound right now is that there really isn’t one. You’ve got your twangy shit, you’ve got your rock shit, you’ve got hip hop etc…People in this town love music and that’s cooler than any one sound. Not to mention how could you not be impressed with a town that’s got Romantica, the Hard Left, the Glad Version and Six Mile Grove?

What’s different about Cop Light Parade than your previous releases?
I would have to say bassist Jim Soule and guitarist Chad Wheeling. Neither were on the first record and they kick some ass on this record. Jim’s harmonies set this album apart from the last record and Chad’s guitar solos would embarrass even Marty Mcfly.

What was the recording process like?
It was a pain in the ass. We worked long and hard on this record. We recorded, re-recorded, lost members, had bloody fights, ate stale Pringles and then argued for weeks about which reverb sounds better on the cowbell.

What’s the title track about?
“Cop Light Parade” is about all the ways that people don’t take chances. They live their routines waiting for things to end but ultimately the only thing that ends is them.

Tell me about your upcoming CD Release show?
Our cd release show is gonna fantastic. It’s September 5th at the Fine Line. The fact that Romantica, the Snaps and Slim Dunlap agreed to play this thing makes us excited like our first day of boy scouts.

Where can we buy it?
The album will be available at Cheapo on September 2nd and also online at www.cdbaby.com. Buy five of those bitches. They make great coasters.

High on Stress play their local CD release show at the Fine Line Music Café on September 5th, 2008 with Romantica, the Snaps and Slim Dunlap.