Everything happened really fast for Nashville electropop band Five Knives. When musicians Nathan Barlowe and  Zack Hall first got together to write songs, they weren’t trying to start a band. “We were just trying to put it online to have fun,” Barlowe said. After bringing Anna McQueen in to sing, everyone started freaking out, telling them to start a band. Completing their lineup with drummer Shane Wise, Five Knives has since toured with Icona Pop, Twenty One Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins, has had two Top 10 Billboard Club hits, been remixed by everyone from Pretty Lights to Milkman to Dave Aude and nominated for a Grammy. On June 2, their debut album Savages will be released on Red Bull Records. Zack Hall talks to MySpace about Timbaland’s influence on Five Knives, blowing up as a band, and that tiff with Deadmau5.

Hometown: Houston

Current residence: Nashville

How do you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?

Punk rock with some electronic dance vibes.

How did Five Knives come together?

Nate and I met writing songs together for pop artists. One day we decided to create whatever we wanted. That's when Five Knives happened. We called Anna to come in a record the vocals and that's when we knew we had something. We found Shane, our drummer soon after that via a drunken drum solo he uploaded to YouTube.

Where did your name come from?

I wish we had a deeper story for it, but we just thought it sounded / looked cool.

What inspired your debut album?

Our new album Savages was inspired by fashion, magazines, psycho relationships we've had. All kinds of things really.

The single “Savages” is blowing up, I hear it everywhere now. What is it about?

“Savages” is about two people who love each other and will do anything to make it work but they are living in a poisonous relationship. No matter how hard they try, they ended up right back at the exact same place. They fight to make it work and at the same time fight each other like "Savages." In the end when they have "burned their love down," they are still in love like an addiction.

What was your biggest musical influence as a child?

When I was a kid I recorded “Big Pimpin” by Jay Z featuring UGK on cassette when it was in the Top 10 every night. When I filled the tape up I would party at my pool and ride my bike to it on repeat. Timbaland produced that one. He's the reason I make music.

If I had to pick [the band’s] musical influences I would say it was Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode mixed with some dope rap music.

Does living in Nashville influence your music?

When writing for Five Knives we've always had a worldwide goal in mind. As much as we love our hometown, with our sound we were always thinking big picture.

Who are your favorite Nashville bands?

Right now, it’s Self and Future Unlimited

Do you have a day job? How does it help with the band?

My day job is writing songs and making music so yea it helps.

If you were trapped on a desert island, what three things would you take with you as a band?

Sushi, vodka, and Red Bull!

I read that you had a Twitter beef with Deadmau5. How did that play out?

Honestly I've forgotten about that. Deadmau5 is always starting something with someone. We don't really care.