BandwagonOK: Now the lineup of the band
has changed from its original form. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
Ben: Yeah man. Jesse and Nathan left because
they wished to pursue different things in their lives really. Jesse was wanting to focus on his college studies so he can
go to MIT (he got a 33 on the ACT his first try) and Nathan found religion again, I guess, and wanted to work on his
christian rock band. So Jesse picked Jared out and said he wanted Jared to replace him and we highly agreed. It means
something for Jesse to say someone is a badass on the guitar because he is so good. And our replacement drummer, Dave,
who recently just left the band because he's a dickhead, called us and asked us if he could try out and we liked his style
and we used him in the studio. So, currently we are drummerless but no need to worry about that because Nathan and our good
friend, Scott Young, (formerly of unideity) have been filling in for us.
BandwagonOK: How do you feel about Jesse
and Nathan's new directions? Are there any bad feelings between anyone?
Ben: There are no bad feelings between
us and Jesse or Nate...we respect their choices and support them through everything they do.
They are and always will
be brothers. They're actually planning on coming to the show on Saturday. [Editorial Note: Saturday Aug 30th @ Buzz's
Subs]
BandwagonOK: How do you feel about the
direction the band is going? Do you think that the new lineup will make the band stronger?
Ben: I am enjoying the direction the band
is going at the moment..it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out over the next few months. I think the lineup is stronger
in the sense that we are all dedicated to this, and nothing else really comes before what we want to do with this band.
BandwagonOK: And what is that? Where do
you see the band going? What do you want to do with the lineup?
Ben: I see the band playing A LOT more
regional shows in the next 3 months (I'm not predicting, I already have them booked *laughs*) and I want to take
this band all the way. We have nothing else really to do because this is all we are good at and i know Ryan doesnt want to
organize tampons at Target for the rest of his life in the health and beauty section *laughs*
BandwagonOK: Speaking of day jobs, at
this stage the band can't rely on shows alone to make their money. Who in the band has a job and where do they work?
Ben: Only Ryan has a day job as of now
*laughs* and he works at Target. Jared and I get odd jobs here and there but nothing that is "real" work. Ryan works
hard and he busts his ass so he can support himself, I respect him highly for that.
BandwagonOK: You said earlier that Jered pulls his
influences from 80's guitar. How do you think this will affect the classic rock sound that Lazarus IV has established?
Ben: If anything it will broaden it, because we
still have our grooves and that is what we are wanting to really capture.. our ability to groove and play solos that
have some real balls to them.
BandwagonOK: Does Jared play on the new
album?
Ben: Yes he does..all the songs on the new album
BandwagonOK: What information can you give us about
the new album?
Ben: What would you like to know? *laughs*
BandwagonOK: Well
for starters, does it have a name yet?
Ben: Yes it does and it will be released at the
show on the 30th. The album is titled 'Three Fingered Bar Chords'
BandwagonOK: How many tracks does it feature?
Ben: 5 tracks...its an EP
BandwagonOK: How does the new album sound both lyrically
and musically? Are there any changes from the previous albums?
Ben: Major changes than the previous album, both
musically and lyrically. Music wise, its just ballsy. Theres not really a slow song on the album. Its all in your
face rock. And lyrically we have a lot more to say then in the previous albums. The previous albums we played songs that
sounded alright regardless of a style, so we were very well deversed from that point, which allowed us to really buckle down
on what we thought we have a good crowd response and really get people into our shows. Lyrically the album says a lot more
about how we feel about out situation, and in politics really. Its got the basis for a great rock cliche.. we
write about sex, politics, our struggles, and just bad ass rock-n-roll.
BandwagonOK: You brought up politics...many bands
are afraid to do so these days due to backlash like what was given to the Dixie Chicks...
Ben: I respect the Dixie Chicks highly. They
didnt give a fuck what anyone thought. They spoke their mind and power to them. They could be commies for all I care,
as long as they stick by what they believe.
BandwagonOK: Politics has been a part
of music since before it was popularized by the seventies punk rock bands like the Clash and the Ramones. Do you feel that
politics should be involved in music or should there be a 'Seperation of Rock and State?'
Ben: There should never be a separation when
it comes to rock on any subject and I feel the more people try to censor rock, the more people are going to sing about
things that are being censored.. all it does is fuel the fire. Its the main reason why rock got famous from the beginning..people
like Johnny Cash and Elvis. Rock's first rebels.
BandwagonOK: When the band went on hiatus, it was
felt by many people that the scene had severely been crippled. How do you feel about the status of the music scene in Norman
right now?
Ben: *laughs* Well, I dont know really.
Norman has always been a fickle town when it comes to it's music scene, we have always tried to give back to the scene and
end all the bickering between several bands because all it does is hurt the bands in the end. People need to remember they
arent famous yet so they need to support each other and not be so competative. As for us leaving the scene and it being crippled, I
dont know what to say about that, other then the fact that i havent heard anything interesting come out in awhile, which is
never a good thing. Then again, it was summer and everyone was either on tour or reforming everything so they could
get things together for the school year. The scene really picks up when OU is in school because the towns population increases
about 75,000 people.
BandwagonOK: Are there any bands in Norman at the
moment that you have your eye on? Any other bands that you really support?
Ben: Yeah there is actually! That band that Kasi
and Kelly are in..
I have gone retarded at the moment and cant remember their name.
I feel
terrible about it too... because they are very promising.
BandwagonOK: Hi-Strung?
Ben: Thats the one! Great group of people! Also
another band from Edmond i like a lot is SoCoe. But other then that, no band that has caught my eye recently. I
dig all the local greats like Hosty and stuff, but then again I'm rather selective in my choice of music.
BandwagonOK: SoCoe played at the last NebFest if
I remember correctly. They got a great response.
Ben: Yeah they did.. Fabulous band... I can't
get enough of those guys.
BandwagonOK: Speaking of NebFest, what do you have
in store for it? When and where can we expect it to take place again?
Ben: I've been giving it much thought and due to
the fact that
1. The Legion wont allow bands to rent it out anymore due to the metal scene and
2. It takes about 6 weeks to plan it out. I dont know really, all I know
is that I plan to do it though by the end of 2003 at the latest because it's something I want to keep doing. Uniting
the bands of our scene is always a special thing to do..and when it goes through it goes through...
