Travis McCoy needs a new car

Gym Class Heroes are a perfect young alterna-pop band for the Naughties. The multicultural collective from Upstate New York offers a prescient blend of hip-hop, rock and cuteness in its hits, from the bounce of “Cupid’s Chokehold” and the pants-off dance-off “Clothes Off!!!” to the vibrant threads that make up “The Quilt,” the band’s latest album, which features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Estelle, The-Dream and even Daryl Hall.

GCH’s lead singer/rapper Travis McCoy phoned us while on the road in England to talk about the significance of quilts and why we shouldn’t be expecting any duets from him and his girlfriend, “I Kissed a Girl” singer Katy Perry. [Note: This interview took place prior to McCoy and Perry's recent breakup.]

Why did you call the album “The Quilt?” It sounds like an old ladies’ sewing circle.
The “Webster’s Dictionary” definition talks about a quilt being something made up of different fabrics and textures, and I think the record sonically touches on a bunch of different genres. There’s some straight hip-hop and songs that are more rock, and songs that have a reggae vibe. And then there’s songs that sound like they were produced by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. I feel like each song has its own identity and personality, but they’re all on this one record and one ride, so “The Quilt” was the perfect title.

Fans are probably going to start bringing you quilts to shows.
Oh, they already have! Tons, actually—I think I’ve got six at my place right now.

It’s like the modern equivalent of throwing panties on stage.
There’s one quilt on my couch that this girl made—and I don’t know how she did it, but there’s pictures that we’ve taken with her and that she’s taken at shows that she has stitched into it. It’s cool that people have caught on to the concept [of quilting] and have brought on this whole new vibe. I have a quilt that my grandma had for years and it’s tattered but it’s one of my favorite blankets. The fact that this girl put pictures and memories that she’s had with us into this quilt is just amazing. We have the coolest fans ever. Countless, countless amounts of cookies are brought to the show as well, which doesn’t hurt. So I’m going to start writing songs about all the new sneakers I want. Our next record is going to be called “I Need a New Car.”

You must be specific about what you want, or you might get a lemon.
I’m not picky.

Daryl Hall is a great guest on the album. Was it surreal to work with him?
He’s been my hero since I was a kid. Him and my dad were like the only two dudes that I looked up to. The first time I met Daryl it was definitely a weird encounter. I was nervous and all geeked out but he broke the ice and made things easy for me. My hands were sweating!

Last year’s tour was called the “Daryl Hall for President Tour.” What kind of country would we live in if he were president?
Aside from wanting to let people know that I’m the biggest Hall & Oates fan in the world, I did it just to show that with a little bit of compassion and a little soul in the White House, I think things might go a little easier, you know?

You also have some other interesting guests on the album, and they’re all so different. How did you decide on them?
The-Dream’s record was my favorite record of last year and I still listen to it a lot this year. The minute I heard it, I wanted to do something with him. It wasn’t because he is the hottest producer or wrote [Rihanna’s] “Umbrella”; I wasn’t concerned with that. I just knew he was talented and wanted to see what he could bring to the table. And then working with [Miami producers] Cool & Dre, we just hit it off right off the bat. We have a lot of similar musical influences and likings. Dre happened to call Busta after we finished our first track together and played it for him over the phone and [Busta] stood up and shouted that he needed to be a part of it. And Estelle’s a good friend of mine.

Do you ever amuse yourselves on stage by doing covers?
All the time—we’ve been doing “When Doves Cry” lately.

Does anybody ever ask you to do “I Kissed a Girl?”
[laughs] No, no. But I always get asked if me and Katy are ever gonna do a song together. My response is always no. We’re not Sonny and Cher!