OMC: What was it like hearing your song, knowing millions of people around the country were hearing it at the same time?

JV: It was real f**king cool. Especially when I thought about how probably a very small portion of the PO5 viewership would have qualified as candidates to become true Yell Leaders fans. It was like a trick was played on all these mopey teenage girls to listen to the mighty Yell Leaders in prime time! Plus, I seriously didn't believe Sony Tri-Star was really going to use the song, until I heard it for myself.

OMC: How has the band's sound evolved over the years?

JV: We've really developed more of a vocal interplay between Mary and myself that I think is one of our signature aspects. Bobby has been much more involved in songwriting and guitar playing on the records, yet his style and my style has a lot of common ground. I've found it very easy to learn and play the guitar parts that he's written. I think stylistically the band has snuggled into more of a mature (not adult-contemporary), guitar rock sound, with lots of harmonies. I hate the "adult" tag that people feel they have to apply to the Yell Leaders' music. If the Beatles released "Rubber Soul" or "Revolver" today, it would be filed under "Adult Contemporary!" That's madness! I feel that we're pop music for people who appreciate what rock music can be, when it's not being too earnest and naive (see Creed, et al). To attempt to answer your question, I think we've helped to create a genre for ourselves: Yell Leaders music. File that under "Y," homes.

OMC: A related question. How much improvement has there been over the years?

JV: Tons. Not just as individual players, on our own instruments, but as a group "instrument." I think that one of the biggest shames of good bands is breaking up before they can reach their pinnacle as a unit. Some, unfortunately, stick around way after the fact. I feel like with the last two records, we've really started to hit our stride as an organic creation.

OMC: Some folks are likely to pick up the new CD, see it's titled "Noxajoy," and say, "What the heck does that mean?" Please help them out.

JV: I'll say this, if they go ahead and purchase the disc, take it home and listen to the lyrics of every song very carefully, then and only then will they grow to experience and fully understand that which is "Noxajoy." The secret is in the listening.

OMC: Amongst band members, who has the best taste in music and why?

JV: I do, because you asked me. Mary and Bobby would probably have different answers. We each enjoy things that we all like, but there are obviously some things that I listen to that the other two don't and vice versa times two. I think that over the years we've all introduced each other to bands or artists that we now share as favorites.

OMC: Ten years from now, VH1 does a "Behind the Music" on the Yell Leaders. How does the intro to the episode read? (Insert voiceover).

JV: "Up next on VH1: They started out as a quasi-power pop trio in the funky rust belt burg of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and after many years of slogging it out in the clubs, festivals and basements of the Midwest, they became legends! Stay tuned for this in-depth look at one of the most misunderstood, subversively sexy, and ultimately influential pop combos the world has never known. All this right after some lame, expensive commercial spots from Microsoft and Clearasil."

OMC: When the band calls it quits, what do you hope to have achieved? Have you already achieved it?

JV: We've written and recorded some very cool songs; things of which I'm very proud. We've worked in great studios with gifted producers and engineers. We've also played some great gigs in front of very receptive, clued-in audiences in many different states. I'm glad we've done what we've done, but is anyone ever completely satisfied? I'd certainly like to expand on the experiences.

OMC: Do you have any live shows planned for the near future?

JV: No

OMC: Can fans expect another Summerfest performance this year?

JV: Don't expect anything, and you won't be disappointed. I'd love to play the fests again this year. I've never had a bad experience at Summerfest (that I can remember).

To learn more about The Yell Leaders or to purchase their latest CD, visit www.theyellleaders.com.