Hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky where the bourbon is sweet and the women are mean, Sleeper Agent, comprised of Tony "Tutone" Smith (Guitar, Vocals), Alex "Kidd" Kandel (Vocals), Justin "Keyser" Wilson (Drums), Josh "Junior" Martin (Guitar), Scott "Saga" Gardner (Keyboard, Synths) and Lee "Grizzlee" Williams (Bass), is this year's "IT" band. Suffice it to say if you don't get behind this band on their ascent, you'll never catch up.

With their gritty garage style, Sleeper Agent puts the rock back in Rock and Roll. Their first effort, "Celabrasion," produced by Jay Joyce (Cage the Elephant, The Whigs) and recorded at Nashville's Tragedy/Tragedy Studios, has charmed fans and critics alike, who've dubbing them a massive band. We couldn't agree more.

Their first single, "Get It Daddy" has hooked national airplay in top cities like New York, Chicago, and Providence, and is picking up more cities much like Pac-Man gobbling up the pac-dots.

"Celabrasion" introduces us to Sleeper Agent's own sound trifecta--Southern-fried blues, Brit pop, and a smidgen of glam. Perhaps years of horror movies and Sci-fi influence has finally caught up with the quintet. Whatever the case, if you took the three components and threw a shot of whiskey, (and I mean the good stuff, no rail Banker's Club here), on it and watched the fire engulf the air, you'd have what Sleeper Agent is selling-- A good time. Big hooks, shameless riffs, playful lyrics. Sleeper Agent is to rock and roll what Dick Dale was to surf music--synonymous.

antiMusic caught up with Alex from Sleeper Agent on break from their tour schedule. They'll be touring in support of "Celabrasion" throughout the fall so be sure to check them out if they stumble upon a venue in your town.

antiMusic: Talk about your recent successes. How do you measure them against your expectations?

Alex Kandel: We're just very grateful for any amount of success we achieve. We still set goals for ourselves, but as long as we're working hard I don't think I'll ever feel disappointed. We get to make music.

antiMusic: What is your best successes to date?

Alex Kandel: Hard to narrow it down to one thing. I think this record is our greatest success so far. Regardless of how it is going to be perceived once it's released, I'm very proud of it.

antiMusic: Talk about getting hooked up with the Weezer Cruise?

Alex Kandel: I still can't believe it's happening. Last summer King of the Beach was my jam. And I've grown up with Weezer's music to the point that I can't pinpoint ever "discovering" them. They've just always existed to me.

antiMusic: What is your best on-tour story?

Alex Kandel: Scott in a cheerleader suit.

antiMusic: How would you describe your music?

Alex Kandel: It's music that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's intended to be fun.

antiMusic: If you could share the stage with anyone in the world, who would it be?

Alex Kandel: Ronnie Spector. She is an amazing performer.

antiMusic: Where are the best fans so far?

Alex Kandel: My biggest little fan is a sweet little girl in St. Louis. She draws the boys and I pictures, and sings along to every single song. I adore her. But Portland knows how to through down for sure.

antiMusic: Critics seem to enjoy your music. How do you think Celabrasion has been received in the general population?

Alex Kandel: Too early to tell. Guess we'll see when the album is released and people can get their hands on it.

antiMusic: Talk about making the album. What difficulties or challenges did you have to overcome?

Alex Kandel: Very few actually. The only struggles we had at that time had nothing to do with the recording or creative process. They had more to do with making personal sacrifices to just have a chance at making this career possible.

antiMusic: How does it showcase your talent?

Alex Kandel: The album is a reflection of our live show. Not the other way around.

antiMusic: What does everyone bring to the table?

Alex Kandel: We all work for the songs, not for our own individual parts.

antiMusic: Who does the songwriting?

Alex Kandel: Tony will bring the bare bones of a song to us and then we work it out together. I'll never understand in a complete sense how he gained such an incredible understanding of melody and what makes a song a great song.

antiMusic: What was the biggest risk you took in writing the album?

Alex Kandel: Writing the album. Haha. At the time we didn't even really have it band. It was Justin, Tony, and myself. We met Josh the day we went into the studio. Definitely a sink or swim situation.

antiMusic: How do you handle creative differences?

Alex Kandel: We just talk it out. We know everything about each other. Before Scott or Lee or anyone says their opinion about a song or a setlist I can usually predict what it is.

antiMusic: Is Celabrasion a complete body of work or a cluster of singles?

Alex Kandel: It's a complete body of work. The songs exist in their own world, but there is a flow to the album for sure.

antiMusic: What is the overall theme of your Celabrasion?

Alex Kandel: Celebration. Abrasion.

antiMusic: Does "Celabrasion" achieve the goal you set out for it to do?

Alex Kandel: The only real goal I had for it originally was a U.S. release. I just want people to have it.

antiMusic: Pick a favorite track and give us the backstory behind it?

Alex Kandel: Far and Wide is about what I went through in that quick transition from high school student to a touring musician.

antiMusic: "Get It Daddy" is getting a lot of attention. Can you talk about the inspiration behind it?

Alex Kandel: The title comes from a sexual encounter of a friend of ours that went awry.

antiMusic: What producer would you like to work with in the future?

Alex Kandel: I love Jay Joyce. I can't imagine working with anyone else.

antiMusic: What, if any, kinds of risks/changes would you like to introduce to your music?

Alex Kandel: I just want to continue to push myself vocally.

antiMusic: Who/what is your muse?