"We've improved in every way we could," Van Camp says. "We've become better musicians, better songwriters, and gotten better at playing live. So we're less afraid. We can do whatever we need. We feel like there are a million possibilities. Plus, we're seen less as kids and more as just guys now. I like that a lot."

The Crooks are skilled, certainly. They've put in years. Those who fake it piss Van Camp off somethin' rotten. "People that act like they have more talent than they actually have, I'm not into that," he says. "It's alright to act like that if you can back it up. I don't really get pissed off about much though."

Bloody hippy. Good think the Crooks dig playing around the Motor City. "I love Detroit music," Van Camp says. "I love the energy and the attitude of Detroit. The music that comes out should have that attitude. I've been seeing a lot of bands now that don't really have a Detroit attitude, which is disappointing to me. I don't want to rip on these bands, but it just seems that there's a lot of more pop and less of the Detroit grit. It seems that Detroit music these days is not really Detroit music. There are a few bands. I don't know, I guess it's just the times. There are still tons of shows going on every night."

The Crooks play the Lager House this weekend and it'll be the band's last show as a trio as they are adding Kyle Schanta, of the Sights, to the lineup. Van Camp says that's the natural next step. "We want to take it to the next level," he says. "I'd like to be playing places like the Fillmore. I think that we have the talent to and we're young enough. I see good things."

Typically, Van Camp ends on a positive note. "I've been feeling pretty good about everything."

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