Our Interview with J. Roddy Walston
You can literally do anything in a Cracker Barrel
Somebody recently asked me to explain how J. Roddy Walston and the Business sounded after I wouldn't shut up about one of their songs called I Don't Wanna Hear It. Usually I have to think about my explanations for a couple of minutes before I conjure up some half-baked description that involves 5 bands and multiple pro-creation metaphors.
But with J. Roddy Walston and the Business it is easy: Fucking Rock n. Roll at it's roots..
Guitars. Bass. Drums. Piano. And swagger. The songs are well thought out, well written and contageous. What else do you need?
The bands 6th album Essential Tremors is coming out in a couple of weeks and I was fortunate enough to virtually sit down with, J. Roddy Walston. We talked about ducks, women, buised vocal holes and much much more. Enjoy.
J. Roddy Walston interview GO!
Syffal: What is the most annoying question you get asked in interviews?
J. Roddy Walston: Do you think rock and roll matters?
Syffal: Do you think rock and roll matters?
J. Roddy Walston: No, but if I spend enough of my life playing it I can die poor and lonely.
Syffal: How many times a week do you get confused for the dude on Duck Dynasty?
J. Roddy Walston: Most people compare us to the Mighty Ducks movie actually.
Syffal: That explains your 'Flying V' stage formation.' So, who is The Business? Please list them from least muscular calves to most muscular calves. And tell us what your favorite personality quirk is for each band member.
J. Roddy Walston: Billy Gordon: deep snuggler
Steve Colmus: doesn't like veggies cause they make his tummy hurt.
Logan Davis: only movies he has ever seen are "police academy 2" and "police academy 3"
Syffal: CRAY! I like to snuggle while watching Police Academy. Maybe we can arrange a pajama party.
Essential Tremors (coming out 9-10) is your 6th album. That's a lot, bro. As a savvy veteran what piece of advice would you give to yourself when you started shit up in 2002. Well, other than to invest in flannels and skinny jeans. That's a given.
J. Roddy Walston:
- Use a shorter band name.
- Start touring sooner.
- Marry for money.
Syffal: As a father, one of the tracks I connected to on Essential Tremors was Boys Can Never Tell. But what started out as an optimistic song turned to pessimism? What is the story behind this one? And why did it make me fear women?
J. Roddy Walston: Women are dangerous. If men were able to survive without them we could just be coffee and meat driven water apes. You know happy! That's why you are scared of them.
I don't wanna give to much of the back story other than to say its a blend of a couple of true life happenings that all revealed the pain of finding out the conditions of unconditional love.
Syffal: I'd retort, but my wife would kill me.
There are a couple of times in 'Heavy Bells' (Free Download here) when your voice reminds me of Captain Beefheart. How many cartons of smokes did it take you to perfect that throaty howl? Or did it develop naturally.
J. Roddy Walston: Guess it depends on your definition of natural. Not to get to medical or graphic, but I've done alot of things that have bruised my vocal hole. None of those things I would consider to be unnatural, only God can judge that.............................................Smoking is not one of those things. That causes cancer.
Syffal: That sounded SOOOOO dirty, but thanks for the PSA.
I'm one of the few writers at Syffal who is not a washed up musician. Thus, my face isn't as wrinkly, I have never gotten a STD and can not relate to the vigorous touring schedule. I'm always fascinated to hear the things we, the fans, take for granted about touring like having to shower at truck stops, making sure at least one person is keeping an eye on the van to prevent theft, going days without ejaculating because lack of privacy, etc. What can you add to this list?
J. Roddy Walston: You can literally do anything in a Cracker Barrel.
Syffal: Some of your songs are pretty sensual for a man who doesn't groom his body [I assume]. If you were to make me a 'getting it on' mix tape, which 4 songs from your privates collection would you choose? One for each of the bases I round on my way down to Climax Town.
J. Roddy Walston: First: Robert Palmer - Pressure Drop from Pressure Drop
It's a cover. It's fun to dance to. Just have fun with it. The night is young.
(This song could be replaced with Nick Lowe. "I love the sound of breaking glass" from "Jesus of Cool"
Second: T Rex - Cosmic Dancer from Electric Warrior
This song is by a man who understands gender is a metaphysical way. Drop the needle on it and throw out the safe words.
Third: Ike and Tina Turner - Whole Lotta Love. Find it. This will teach you things only Persians have known in the Past.
Home: Led Zeppelin all of Physical Graffiti
White guys doing James Brown loud and fast and slow and heavy. This is the same thing as a wedding vow. Legally and spiritually. So show this record some respect.
Syffal: Last question. SYFFAL started as an outlet for friends to share music with each other. We love it. We live it. And we procreate to it. In the spirit of sharing shit and yelling about said shit to the masses; who are you listening to right now and why should we check them out?
J. Roddy Walston: The Trillions. They are located at a point in the middle of a triangle with the sides being the Strokes/Led Zeppelin/early Radiohead. They rule! They have one record out but they are In the studio working on new stuff right now. Listen here.
Sports Bar. Rowdy rowdy pop music. One of the only guys I know that likes "songs" as much as I do. There is a chance they smell worse than us. They have bigger beards. They have an album called Tyler Perry's Sports Bar. Listen here.
Shovels and Rope. (also Cary Ann Hearst solo stuff) these guys are my guys! I cry when I see them live. Listen here.
Pujol. We toured with those duders and they are just super musical and have great songs. Find the demo version of Psychic Pain. Listen here.
I like King Tuff alot too. Listen here.
Syffal: Thanks bro. I love your shit. Let's get together sometime for some racquetball and pedicures.
J. Roddy Walston and the Business's new album Essential Tremors will be out via ATO Records on 9/10. Go get it.