This week, GTS sat down with Threadless' resident rock star, Bob Nanna. We talk about the magic of MySpace, upcoming music projects and foreign brews.

GTS: Alrighty folks, we're back with another awesome installment of Gettin' The Skinny. Today's guest is the Threadless' magical maestro, Bob Nanna. How's it going, Bob?

Bob: it's going very well. crazy busy though. CRAZY. i'm going to steal a much funnier person's quote and say recently i've been tending to and managing about 30 spinning plates.

GTS: From the all of the photos and blogs, it's safe to say that everyone had an awesome time at the meetup. Did it live up to the hype?

Bob: Totally. Through being here and especially doing all of the Tee-V travelling, i've gotten to know a good amount of the users and it was awesome to see em all here again in one place. I can't wait for next year.

GTS: How did you make the transition from Hey Mercedes to Threadless?

Bob: Well technically Hey Mercedes broke up in 2004 and I started working here in late 2005. But there is a good story here... and here it goes: An old band of mine regrouped to do a tour in 2004. On that tour i met someone in Florida who was planning on moving to Chicago... Once the tour was over and HM broke up, i started doing a bunch of solo tours. In November 2005 during a break from touring, i decided to look for temp work to pick up some extra money for the holidays so i sent out a myspace bulletin. My friend from Florida, unbeknowedst to me, had moved here and was working at Threadless. She mentioned they were hiring temps for the holiday sale so i came in and started packing. After a month in the warehouse, i was asked if i wanted to work here full time. With no tours in the near future and my love of this place (and an impending medical issue), i said 100% yes. So yeah. Woohoo myspace.

GTS: Who knew MySpace could benefit mankind in such a way?

Bob: i sure didn't. so i always bring that up when people pshaw myspace. alhtough honestly i like facebook a ton more nowadays.

GTS: Aside from your kick ass co-hosting gig on Tee Vee, what do you do @ Threadless?

Bob: set up the Loves challenges and other various promotions. I'm the press contact for when people need photos or interviews done. And as you mentioned, i'm heavily involved with Tee-V. I also handle the newsletter. And i also order the coffee. The latter being the most important part of my job.

GTS: A critical job for sure. Any word on upcoming Loves challenges?

Bob: Firstly, how great was Loves Drawing?! 788 submissions. Holy cow! There's one to be announced on Monday with the craziest grand poobah of goodies you've ever seen.

GTS: Yeah, the Loves Drawing comp is/was crazy! If my numbers are right, it's the most popular Loves comp to date.

Bob: 'tis.

GTS: Madness! What have you got in the works music wise?

Bob: Well i've been writing a new City On Film record for the past 3 years. I have one song almost done. jk. i've been doing a lot of touring lately - Europe last year! - so i'm only playing local shows now with the intention of concentrating on actually writing new stuff. I'm also madly interested in starting a new band and have made a few strides recently to do so.

GTS: Nice. Will this new band be similar to your City on Film work or something completely different?

Bob: Something completely different. That's my only stipulation.

GTS: Do you have any tips on how to overcome writer's block for all of the struggling songwriters out there?

Bob: I have 2 tips - The first one is to just start writing. Sure, you have writers block so you know whatever goes down on the paper will suck but at least you'll get started and that's the hardest part. Write about your ceiling - the strange discolorations, the noises above - or something like that and you'll get going in no time on something you feel proud of... Number 2 - if you just can't think of ANYTHING, then start reading or listening to music and escape the worry for awhile. Something might spark up. I find that going online is the worst thing to do in those circumstances as well. That's just putting it off.

GTS: Excellent pointers. What's the best part about working @ Threadless?

Bob: The people. Working here is like the best excuse to hang out with your friends all day. We work together like friends and sure, we argue like friends as well, but it's truly rewarding. I didn't hang out with ANYONE at my previous real job. SO little in common. I couldn't wait to leave every day. Here i end up staying late pretty much every day... usually playing ping pong.

GTS: You lucky bastard! What are some of your recent favorite tees?

Bob: I loved Vampire, the Si Scott tee, Animals with Eyepatches, and Coffee Cloud. I've been wearing Deforestation a lot lately.

GTS: I asked fellow bloggers to submit some questions for you to answer. Can you dig it?

Bob: yes i can.

GTS: The first question comes from jess4002: What is the most memorable/awesome Christmas present you have ever received?

Bob: A drum set. I was REALLY young - maybe 5? That started my decline in to the seedy underbelly of life as a professional musician. At least for awhile... It also started me on my ongoing journey to provide my parents with constant headaches.
Literally and also "what-are-you-doing-with-your-life?" figuratively.

GTS: Aren't parents awesome? little m asked: Tell me aobut your nerves before, during, and after performing a set.

Bob: I still get terribly nervous before shows and can't really talk to anyone. Since I sing i'm always concerned about losing my voice too. The remedy is: at least one beer and a LOT of stretching. During & After is cake. The nerves are gone. Parents ARE awesome, btw.

GTS: tracerbullet wants to know: Did you get called Banana a lot growing up? Because if you didn't, those kids really missed out on an obvious nickname.

Bob: Surprisingly not so much. Or maybe i just tuned it out.

GTS: Here's a good one from andyg: If you could only pick 3 albums to listen to for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Bob: The Lemonheads "Its a Shame About Ray" - Bob Dylan "Blood On The Tracks" - and probably... Aloha "Here Comes Everyone" - all three are perfect start to finish.

GTS: Lemonheads FTW. stubby43 posed this topical question: How badly will the collapse of the leahman brothers affect the world economy and can goverment actually do anything to prevent a world depression?

Bob: I love pizza.

GTS: Yes, pizza is good. Bob, it's time to play Pick One. I'll present you with two choices and you pick one. Let's dig in.

Bob: yes let's.

GTS: #1 - Carnival Fun: Bumper cars or the Ferris wheel?

Bob: ferris wheel. i've always hated the bumper cars. too aggressive and not romantic.

GTS: #2 - Guitar Wars: Acoustic or Electric?

Bob: Acoustic. With electrics, you need to carry around heavy amps as well.

GTS: #3 - Morning Ritual: Sleeping in or Rise and Shine?

Bob: I used to be all about "sleeping in" but now it's "rise and shine" - i get a lot done while everyone else is asleep! less distraction.

GTS: #4 - Which Watch: Wrist or Pocket?

Bob: I can't get into wearing watches so i just use my phone. i guess that means Pocket. But without the pompous chain.

GTS: #5 - Cheers for Beers: Foreign or Domestic?

Bob: Foreign. Out of my top 5 beer choices, 4 are foreign.

GTS: #6 - Best Way To Break It Off: In Person or In a Letter?

Bob: The best way? In person. My preferred way? The phone.

GTS: #7 - Golden Oldies: Aerosmith or AC/DC?

Bob: AC/DC by a landslide.

GTS: #8 - Game On: Wii or PS3 or XBox?

Bob: Wii. For Rock Band alone.

GTS: #9 - Halloween Warfare: TPing a Tree or Throwing Eggs at the House?

Bob: TP. Eggs are too messy. Plus they are delicious when scrambled with cheese and mushrooms.

GTS: #10 - So Fly: Zipper or button-up?

Bob: Zipper. With button ups, they always still look a little undone.

GTS: Bob, thanks for sitting down with me (I was sitting this whole time, not sure if you were but anyways). Any parting words for the folks at home?

Bob: Do your best and don't worry.