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Mar 08, 2014 By Under the Radar Staff Web Exclusive

For Under the Radar‘s 11th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to the important issues of the last year, as well as some quirkier subjects. Check out our current print issue and digital issue for surveys from My Morning Jacket, Foals, Amanda Palmer, Local Natives, Wild Nothing, These New Puritans, Lanterns on the Lake, Xiu Xiu, and Summer Camp.

Here are answers from Jason Reece of ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead.

Top 10 Albums of 2013

1. Kanye West: Yeezus-OH MY GAWD. THIS IS GENIUS. THIS IS PURE GENIUS. BEETS CARROTS BANANAS GENIUS!

2. Sheppard: Your Love Is Sweet-Massive hairing about and fretboard awareness. This band sounds like if Vampire Weekend smoked krokodil for the next 10 months and ate their arms off, then used their toes to master the guitar.

3. Britney Spears: Britney Jean-She is the ultimate master of disaster.

4. Black Flag: What The…-I love Greg’s fretboard awareness here…that theremin gets the blood a-pumping. This is hardcore, man.

5. French Montana: Excuse My French-If this is the future of hip-hop, count me in. So fresh and so clean!

6. 30 Seconds to Mars: Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams-Jared Leto is the man and I can be his woman any day of the week. Oh, those eyes and those shredding hands. He’s so dreamy. What a rock god! He definitely has fretboard awareness!

7. Miley Cyrus: Bangerz-Wow! Amazing! Holy twerk city! Praise Satan! The Illuminati even loves this lovely work of art.

8. The Wackadoos: Pump It Up-This band hails from Istanbul and is awesome. They shred and get ill on the mic. If you like Pat Boone meets Mumford & Sons, you will love this.

9. Black Veil Brides: Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones-Okay, these guys rock like a steamroller. They kick ass and have major fretboard awareness. It’s like a wrecking ball of extreme!

10. Walmart Associate Choir: Eyes of a Child-Happy holidaze and glad tidings. This is a great stocking stuffer! Trust me!

What was the highlight of 2013, either for you personally or for the band?

We rocked like we never had before. Gleaming the cube, finding that spirit animal.

What was the low point of 2013 for you?

Not getting that Grammy nod for our tireless work in the music community.

What are your hopes and plans for 2014?

To score the next season of Game of Thrones!

What are your thoughts on the passing of Lou Reed? Did his music influence you at all and in what way?

We’re going to miss him. Yes…he has been an influence in one way or another.

What are your thoughts on the U.S. government shutdown and the debt ceiling?

As in the wise words of The Vandals, “Anarchy burger! Hold the government!”

What are your thoughts on Obamacare, now that it’s being implemented?

Man…I need that shit.

What is your opinion on the extensive government spying on the world’s Internet/phone usage? Is Edward Snowden a patriot or traitor?

Dude is a patriot. Stupid motherfuckers trying to take all our privacy away…fuck that!

What are your thoughts on music streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio? Are they good or bad for musicians?

Whatever, fuck ‘em all. Nah, they’re cool, I guess.

Who was the first person to break your heart? Whose heart did you first break?

Beyoncé Knowles in the seventh grade—that girl is cold. I can’t remember.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?

Coming to high school in my underwear high on DMT.

Do bad reviews bother you and which negative review has affected you the most?

Nothing bothers me.

What moment in history do you most wish you could’ve witnessed in person?

The moon landing, so that I could say that it really happened.

What is your favorite word and why?

“Winebibber,” ‘cuz I drink too much wine.

What was the first R-rated (17+) movie you remember seeing and how old were you?

Kids. I was 12 at the time. Yeah…that movie is fucked up.

Where’s the most daring place you’ve ever had sex?

Okay, I’m done. See ya!

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