Army Of Freshmen – Interview (Feb 2015) with Chris Jay
I recently caught California’s Army of Freshmen supporting Lit over here in the UK. With a seriously energetic live shows and a love of the Rocky films all part of their repertoire, I decided it would be fun to catch up with singer, Chris Jay for a bit of a chat about the band and of course those movies…
Hi Chris, thanks for chatting with us. You’ve just finished a UK tour with Lit, how was it for you and which shows really stick in your mind from this tour?
It’s cliché but London because the club was inside the 02 Arena, so it pretty classy. You’d be surprised how much a clean dressing room, backstage and decent dinner can do for morale on tour after night after night in sticky, dirty, shower less shitholes. Plus it was the biggest show of the tour by quite a bit on a Saturday night, so the energy was pretty amazing. Normally London shows live a little to be desired but this was an exception. Oh, and I’m forgetting about our solo show in Leeds, small underground place filled with close personal friends who’ve supported us for years, that was a special night.
I caught you at the Southampton date and was impressed by the pure energy on stage you have, how would you describe an Army Of Freshmen live experience?
Energy. We really, really pride ourselves on putting on an energetic and fun show. If we’re not having a good time how can you expect the audience to?
Do you enjoy playing over here in the UK?
Absolutely. We’ve been over there 10 or 11 times at this point which for a band of our size is pretty amazing. I honestly feel that I’d put a good UK audience up against any audience in the world.
How do the shows here differ from those in the UK and also how about in places like Japan?
Well Japan is by far the most interesting because in between songs they’re silent. It’s bizarre. They’re rocking out during the show and then you could hear a pin drop. It’s kind of cool actually but definitely strange the first few times out. Japan also feel like you’re on another planet for the first day or two you’re there, that’s always pretty amazing.
You’ve also played festivals like Groezrock and Sonisphere, which have been the most fun and is there any festival you’d really like to play and tick off your bucket list?
Summersonic in Japan. It was our first out of country show and we’re literally the smallest band on a bill with a laundry list of famous bands. It was really a dream come true. Like stepping out of the back and white into the color part of OZ. As for bucket list, we’ve never got to play in Australia, so a festival like Soundwave that they have there would be great. Reading/Leeds would rule too but they don’t seem to get many bands like us on the bill anymore. Lots of the hipster stuff. Really want to go back to Japan too.
You’ve toured with a load of bands like Zebrahead and Bowling For Soup, which bands have been the most fun to play shows with?
I think you just named them. Bowling For Soup. We toured with them a lot from 2003 to 2008. Just the best guys. We learned so much from them. Especially how to treat other bands when on tour. Those guys always have their dressing room door open. Always passing out beers. Inviting you on their bus. Making you feel welcome. You’d be surprised how many bigger bands don’t do that. On top of that their shows are just so much fun. There’s tons of other bands we love to play with but when it comes to “fun”, I think Bowling For Soup is pretty hard to beat.
And what’s the craziest thing that’s happened when you’re on tour?
Not to cop out on a good story or answer but there’s been so many things. Touring in its self is a fairly crazy concept so naturally that leads to some crazy situations. Off the top of my head, signing a kid’s prosthetic leg as he hopped on one leg, as his had mom suggested, at a race track stands out as pretty crazy. A post show party in a midwest redneck bunker that where guys were putting out cigarettes on their chest and we were encouraged to do condiment art on the wall, that was pretty crazy. Getting invited to a N’Snyc member’s house after a show and having him show up intoxicated and watching Harry Potter in his private movie theater. That was crazy. Having Chuck D from Public Enemy join us impromptu on stage at a outdoor show in our hometown that was crazy. Meeting one of my heroes, Mr. T, at a copy shop in LA were we had parked our RV before a show in Hollywood with the Aquabats. That was epic. There’s so much. The really good ones are probably not printable though! Statue of limitations and what have you.
Your sound gets described as pop punk. Do you think that fits?
No not really. I love pop punk, we’ve been called it, I think there is an element but we’ve always felt more like a rock band who write pop songs than a punk band but I understand if we’re put in that category. I’m glad “pop punk” isn’t a dirty word anymore though. The new pop punk movement is great in my book.
You’re pretty unique in the fact that you have a double keyboard in your sound, which isn’t seen to often in the pop punk world, what was the inspiration behind that?
A band called The Hippos. They were a major influence on us and I feel a sorely neglected band historically speaking. They had keys and we loved their sound. Early on, Owen played keys as he still does but Aaron and Dan played horns. Dan however played piano and we realized that we needed to change it up, Aaron and Dan we’re not long time horn players and we thought we could be tighter without horns so Aaron took the guitar from me allowing me to really be a frontman and Dan hopped on the Moog and that was all she wrote. Ultimately a great decision. Don’t think we would have had the success we did if we hadn’t changed it up.
Which bands have influenced the Army Of Freshmen sound?
The previously mentioned Hippos. They Might Be Giants when it comes to lyrics and melody, they’re still my all time favorite band. The first Weezer record which we all feel is masterpiece. Reel Big Fish. The Get Up Kids. I’d say there’s pieces of all those bands in AOF. But we’re all big music fans and listen to a ton of stuff but when it comes to our sound, those are some bands we owe a debt to or at least studied and learned from.
It’s been a couple of years since you put out your last LP “Happy To Be Alive”, are there any plans for a new album in the pipeline?
You make sound like a real long time! Happy To Be Alive came out at the very end of 2012. So it’s been 2 years but I still feel like it’s really new for a lot of people. Especially in the climate these days where no one listens to entire records. I really think there’s some amazing songs on that record that a lot of people didn’t get to hear. So as for making new record, it’s little daunting knowing that with all the time and money it takes to make a record, that most people, even people that like you, will only hear the song you make a video for. With that said though, I still love records and would love to make another one.
How does the song writing work within the band?
It’s very democratic really. Aaron or Owen or Kai usually comes in with a riff or an idea or a progression or a melody, sometimes it’s just a small part sometimes sometimes it’s more of a full song. Everyone sort of adding their own parts and structuring it together. It’s pretty awesome actually. While the guys are working on the musical aspect, I start working on lyrics to the melody they’ve got going. I just start writing away. Then usually go home and work the lyrics more. Work the story out more. It’s all pretty democratic. I don’t know a lot of bands that do it that way but it works for us. However it usually means we don’t write a lot as our writing requires full practices. I think the quality control is really high though as it’s not one dude writing every single part. We’ve always been about the good of the song not the writer.
So let’s do the cliché question, how did the band start and where did the name come from?
In all fairness anyone reading this probably knows this story so I won’t do the long version but I moved to California right after high school to do the solo music thing. I was a huge folk singer songwriter fan and thought I was gonna do that, played some open mics, met the dudes and the fake backup band I created, Army of Freshmen actually became a real band.
You moved from New Jersey to California, why the move and how different is the music scene between those two states?
Well I was coming out the grunge scene doing alternative music with my high school band, Yclept. The amazing music scene that popped up in Jersey with the Saves The Days and Midtowns and what not, that happened after I left. Maybe I should have stayed! In all honesty they’re both the same but at the time the music industry was a big deal in California but with the internet now and how much everything has changed. I don’t think you have to be in Cali like you used to, granted it helps in some ways but it’s not like you won’t get discovered if you’re not here.
You also seem to do a lot outside of music, I read that you’re a journalist by day, is that correct?
I freelance write for a local paper. Cover music acts that come to town. Occasionally some sports. Had a local music column years ago which was cool but now I’d say I write an article every week. It’s not a day job at all, I wish it was! Hard to make a living being a writer. I basically have a few super small jobs and I try to tie them together to survive. Older I get though, the harder it is to do. Got a lot of chips in the movie, Betting on Baker, that Aaron and I wrote. I would love to make a living writing and producing films that’s goal these days in terms of employment. Accepting I will never make a full time living with Army of Freshmen wasn’t the easiest thing for me. Perhaps I’m still dealing with it. The music industry just changed so much. So has the movie biz but I still think there’s some room to move there. We shall see. I have a habit of putting experience before finance.
What about the rest of the band, what do they do by day?
We’re all over the place. Dan is an IT guy for the school district. He’s a computer genius. Owen runs his family’s thrift store downtown. Real popular place. Kai is a heart specialist. Not a doctor mind you but a heart tester, taker care of dude. Solid career. Jimmy does nursing of some sort. Works weird hours. Aaron works a lot of random odd jobs like myself and right now is deep in trying to get our movie finished. I think he’d like to move into movies full time too. This first one has been a massive undertaking and post production is a nightmare but we’re hoping it pays off. We should know soon. It’s coming out this year. All the Freshmen are extras in it too and we use some Freshmen music, so if you like the band, you don’t want to miss it.
I also read that you’re a huge Rocky fan and appeared in the last Rocky movie, how did that come about?
Well that’s the best question, I’ve been asked in a while! I was in the last Rocky movie… sort of. In all honesty, I was just an extra in the crowd. I’ve looked but I’m pretty sure you can’t see me. I was only on set for a day and was up in the stands a bit but I maintain that the main reason I wasn’t used was because my friend who came with me, the bastard feel asleep during the filming! Like they’re gonna use the footage of a dude sleeping during the climax of the film. I still haven’t forgiven him for it. Regardless it was amazing being there. Spent the early years of my life telling everyone Rocky was real and not fictional and sitting there watching him in the flesh, well it sort of proved my point at least to me.
What is it about the Rocky films that you love so much and which one (if you had to pick one) would be your favourite?
I love everything about them. I love underdog stories and Rocky is the ultimate one. I love a good odd couple love story and Rocky is that as well. I love boxing and of course, Rocky is the best boxing movie ever made. I’m from South Jersey so Philadelphia is the closest big city and it takes place in Philly. I’ve been to the places in it. Grew up seeing concerts at the Spectrum where the first fight supposedly took place and his statue is in front of it. Lastly it truly does have one of the best soundtracks of all time. My favourite is the first. It’s my favourite movie of all time. It’s perfect. A moving work of art. I don’t say that jokingly. It still can give me goosebumps and still make me tear up at parts. With that said though, I don’t disparage the other ones like many do. Rocky 2 is one the best sequels ever made and very underrated. I’m friends with a pro boxer named Francisco “Chia” Santana, welterweight contender actually, great dude and anyway, we always throw quotes back and forth from Rocky 2 not the first one which surprises a lot of people. But if real boxers get behind 2 and it speaks to them, that’s got to mean something. Rocky 3, I mean Mr. T and Hulk Hogan in their prime. Things get a little less dramatic but it’s the perfect 80s movie. Rocky 4 well, hell it ended the cold war! Probably my least fave but I find a lot of people like it the most. Rocky 5. I think gets a bad wrap and Rocky Balboa aka Rocky 6 has one of the best speeches in all of the Rockys when Rock is talking to his son. A great piece of writing, people forget at the end of the day, Sly is great writer. Lastly they just filmed a Rocky spin off about Apollo Creed’s grandson I think. Should be interesting, I’ll go see it. I was seriously considering flying to Philly to try and weasel a part as an extra but I held off.
For me Rocky V is the weakest in the series, what’s your take on this?
Like I said I think it gets a bad wrap. I saw it in the theater as a little kid, my mom took me, God bless her heart, I still have the ticket. Watch it again sometime. It’s good! I was also a Tommy Morrison fan and he did a good job. Rocky back in the old hood, the street fight at the end is great. I know it takes it heat but I think it has a lot of heart. Like I said I saw it in the theater and people cheered. I just think they did so many Rockys and they all did well, naturally they have to bash the one that didn’t do as good. Sly himself said it’s his least fave but that’s probably cause of the box office receipts.
OK, back to music, how do you feel about the resurgence of vinyl as a format?
Wait, we can’t keep talking Rocky? Just kidding. I love it. I got into vinyl when it was dead and not cool and I’m glad I did cause I got to get such deals on records no one wanted. Now records that sold for 3 bucks are like 30 dollars. But I’m so glad to see the format be given new life, as much I hate how music has changed, one thing I love is seeing kids buy vinyl. The art, the sound, the collecting aspect as opposed to files on a computer. It’s a commitment. It says you’re a real music fan. One of my favourite places on earth is Amoeba Records in LA. It’s like a supermarket of vinyl. It’s literally like church for me. Kai and I always said if we ever strike it rich, we’re going to Amoeba with a thousand dollars each and getting busy!
How do you deal with the downloading issue?
I’ve laid down my arms. I surrender. Selling physical music is over with the exception of vinyl to collectors. Hell, selling online music is almost over. Just go to Spotify. How can you ever pay for a record online again? The culture has changed for better or worse. It’s a double edged sword though. I can’t imagine telling myself one day, I would be able to listen to any song in the world instantly for free. I would of thought it was heaven. So I consider it purgatory!
Do you feel it’s still important for bands to have record labels these days?
Unless they have a decent amount money that they will give you to record or promote or tour, I don’t think labels mean shit anymore. Anyone can be on iTunes and Spotify and You Tube. You only need a label if they have big pockets to get you on radio and force feed you in media.
How about the online presence, what’s the best place for people to check you out?
Facebook or Twitter is the best. Same for the movie, search Betting on Baker.
So, what’s next up for Army Of Freshmen?
We’ve been chill since the UK Tour in November. Hopefully start writing again. I miss writing with the guys. It’s such a simple and pure joy. Love to record some new material next year then get back to the UK in the fall. That’s the ideal situation. We shall see. You always hold the hope, a big festival or tour or opportunity will come but these are strange times.
Any final words you’d like to send out to the people here in the UK?
Huge thanks for chatting with us, hopefully we’ll catch you here in the UK again soon! You’ve been very good to us and an important part of my life and the band’s career. I would gladly defend your country’s honor in a bar fight unless that bar is in the UK… because you don’t need me… you fuckers can fight!
www.facebook.com/armyoffreshmen
(Feb 2015)
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.