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By JessPublished: September 10, 2009
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EmailPhoenix Always Rises: For those who aren't familiar with your history, how did you come together?
James J: Well I was playing drums with this band called Final Recognition who goes by some other name now and we were looking for a bass player. Someone in the band met James K and brought him into the band to play bass, even though he is really a guitarist. Anyhow, James K and I were the only two that really clicked and got along while the other guys were just on a different track. James K told me one night to come and listen to some of the stuff that he was writing and after listening to it we decided to leave Final Recognition and start our own thing.
Phoenix Always Rises: What made you decide on the name HUMAN?
James J: The Name HUMAN was something that James K had always wanted and so with little discussion about it we just decided to go with it.
Phoenix Always Rises: You have been compared to TOOL. What is like to be put in the same category as such a legendary band?
James J: To be compared to TOOL is obviously a real compliment of course. I would have to say personally that Danny Carey's drumming is definitely a major influence on me. We don't try to sound like TOOL on purpose, we don't try to sound like anyone, we just write what we like, or what we hear in our minds and our hearts. We really just write for our own satisfaction. If we sound like TOOL then awesome but if we can’t be placed in one genre either, then awesome to that as well.
Phoenix Always Rises: You are looking to book shows. Where are you wanting to play?
James J: Of course we are always trying to play the biggest venues possible, whenever possible. Some of the biggest venues we have played are La'Mours in Staten Island and The Knitting Factory in NYC. The bigger the place we can play then the more exposure we can get.
Phoenix Always Rises: Your songs always seem to have a story to them. What, if anything, do you want your fans to take from your music?
James J: As far as what we hope fans get out of our songs.......... Whatever they want to! I mean, most of our songs like you said, tell a story but also convey our personal opinions and feelings about certain topics like evangelists and or idiotic people who are only out for personal gain while they step on others. Our music is one way of warning people or just brings to light these undesired thoughts. I guess we like to shock our fans while making them think at the same time.
Phoenix Always Rises: You recently released an album titled "Tragic Paradoxes," what was the writing process for this album?
James J: James K wrote most of the music for Tragic Paradoxes before we even got together or at least he had some general ideas. His inspiration came from a few past relationships and the "Tragic Paradoxes" that usually accompany such relationships. I wrote lyrics to some of the songs on the album and we all kind of added our own tastes to each song which gives them a unique and rich texture that I don't think you find with too many other metal bands. Most of my lyrics are inspired from events in the world around me which I feel directly effects all of us, you know, the Butterfly effect. James K's lyrics are more inspired by personal events and relationships.
Phoenix Always Rises: Almost every musician has a key moment in their life where they decided they wanted to play music for a living. What was yours?
James J: I was always around music as a child. My father is a lighting technician and was a pyrotechnichian for a long time. He even worked with bands like KISS and Iron Maiden so I was always around it and loved it. I was playing drums since birth. I always wanted to play and be famous.
Phoenix Always Rises: In a world where piracy of music is running rampant, what can we as fans do to counteract the effects of it?
James J: Piracy has always been around but these days it is a lot easier for people to download your music with the internet and such. I think the internet is one of the biggest reasons that Piracy is so rampant today but not just because you can download a new digital version of your favorite bands latest single but because people are too God Damned lazy to get up off of their asses and go out to "SEE" a GOD DAMNED "SHOW!" If the fans really gave a damn about their favorite bands, they wouldn't take money out of the pockets of the people who enriched their lives with the music that they love. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like Lars Ulrich here but Fans have to realize that the support that the fans give the bands by going to live shows just isn't there anymore like it was when I was a kid. Hey Fans!!! Get out and go to a Metal Show!!!!!!
Phoenix Always Rises: What are your thoughts on the current state of music?
James J: The Current state of music at this time I think is in a developmental stage. As a music teacher I get to hear firsthand what the kids in middle school are listening to and what they like or dislike. I am surprised to hear that rap is on a decline and these Emo California bands which isn't really my cup of tea but at least from a writing standpoint I can respect it and at least the tonality and musicality of the style is enjoyable. I think as time goes by everything is cyclical and the call for something new and different might be just what we need right now so HUMAN will press on and try to forge a name for ourselves. With any luck and support for people who really truly enjoy good music, you just might be hearing us on all the radio stations across the country.
Phoenix Always Rises: Any final words for your fans?
James J: The only thing I have left to say is to fans of music. Get out there and support your local bands. Go to shows as often as possible, buy their albums, get the CD in your hands, and take time to look at the cover, unwrap the cellophane and read the lyrics, look at the art work try to get inside the mind of the band that you like. Immerse your self into that imaginary place that your music takes you to and really feel it. That's what it’s all about man, just enjoy it, and don’t worry about where you can get it for free or how fast you can download it, just enjoy it! See you out there.
Be sure to check out HUMAN on MySpace! http://www.myspace.com/thehumanband
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