southernfriedmagazine.com - Interview with HOGJAW

SF: How old were you when you started playing music? Were you self-taught or did you take lessons early on?

Craig: I was 13. Self taught until I was 20 or so, and I took a couple of years lessons.

JB: I was 16. I wanted a keyboard for Christmas, and I got one. Soon I decided that I would be "cooler" if I played the guitar too, so I acquired one, and I was off to a slow process of self taught guitar playing. I never took any official lessons, but I will say once I met Craig, I stole every lick I could watch him play. In reality, I owe most of my abilities to him, we been picking on guitars for nearly 20 years now. Wow. I just realized how long its really been!

Jason: I guess it was in grade school. I taught myself but I also learned to read music and was a part of most performance activity through-out school.

Elvis: 16, self taught, took two lessons, read a lot of books and jammed along with cassette tapes.

SF: What were you listening to when you were growing up?

Craig: You name it. Kiss, Rush, Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, ZZ top and stuff like that.

JB: I guess what would be considered today to be "Classic Country" and "Classic and 70's Southern Rock". But once I really started getting into music from a player's stand point, it was Southern Rock, Metal and Country all the way up till now.

Jason: A major influence in my style came from Rock & Metal but I listen to everything I could attach my ears too.

Elvis: HEAVY F#@$#%$ METAL!

SF: Do any of you come from a musical family?

Craig: Yes. Dad played guitar, Grandma played piano and sang, two uncles played guitar and sang, all on my dad's side of the family.

JB: My dad played guitar for a while, my Uncle Harry is a guitar player, (BTW the J45 is the coolest guitar ever) and my cousin Bret is a guitar/bass player. Some other family members played stuff, but I'm not quite sure to what extent.

Jason: My Father "Bugs" used to be a solo artist for a short period of time, doing mostly acoustic guitar in the folk music genre back in the 70's.

Elvis: My older brother was in one of the best thrash metal bands this town ever had, Soothsayer.

SF: When did you know that music is what you wanted to do with your life?

Craig: As soon as I bought my first guitar. A Hondo Les Paul copy!

JB: I've always liked to fiddle around with instruments, but I would have to say within the last 5 years I've realized that I must do this.

Jason: I remember getting my first drum kit in 6th grade and I knew from then on I was born to rock and have stuck with that since.
Elvis: When I first saw Kiss on TV, I knew then what I had to do.

SF: What kind of work do you do when you're not playing music?

Craig: Commercial Truck driver.

JB: Currently, I am part owner of a video production company, and am an editor/camera guy/producer. Also, I am a gunsmith/machinist and welder for hire. Did that stuff for 13 some odd years! Guns were my life for a while…

Jason: I am a Journeyman Electrician.

Elvis: I am a Server Wrangler.

SF: Who do you think influenced you the most when you started writing your own music?

Craig: Early on, I was influenced by Metallica, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Dream Theater, progressive metal stuff, but, as I got older I got heavy into the whole Southern Rock thing, Skynryrd, Hatchet, Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, Hank Jr, ZZ Top, Allman Brothers, Blackfoot.

JB: This is a big answer to a short question. I've written stuff in my bedroom and recorded it since I was in HS. They weren't always real good, but I did it, because to me, it was better than wasting time watching TV or playing video games. Creating something from nothing, you know, is what I thrive on. As far as musical influences, Hank Jr. was the first musician whom I ever tried to play/write like. Of course, later on that list would grow into a range between Skynryd, CDB, and Metallica. I love the power of metal and the lyrical meaning behind "GOOD" country music. And finally, my cousin Bret is the one who really showed me the rewards of writing your own material, rather than just having fun with cover songs.

Jason: This answer could go a few ways, I am going to choose saying the first band I played in was with Craig our guitarist and he gave me a lot of influence to drive me/us to write some amazing songs for them and that particular group.

Elvis: The super fabulous freaky funky seventies and some metal.

SF: How many bands have each of you been part of before putting this one together?

Craig: I've been in three other bands. And in a couple other side projects.

JB: This is the first "real" full band I been in ever. Me and Craig have been writing stuff for years, for fun and enjoyment around the campfire. In 2004/2005 we wrote and recorded a bunch of stuff for a video project I was involved with, and that has helped set the pace for HOGJAW and our overall writing style.

Jason: Well everyone has brought ideas into the group but mostly we write together as a band. When we first started out, it was mainly a jam thing and JonBoat and Craig had written a few songs together (pre-HOGJAW) – I would say that was the foundation of where we are now…

Elvis: I've been in 3 or 4.

SF: How does the writing process work in your band? Is everyone involved?

Craig: Everyone is totally involved, but I will say that JB contributes the most in the creativity.

JB: We all bring good stuff to the plate, and we have an ability to just Jam with one another, it seems to come naturally, perhaps because of our long history. I will say, this project has certainly pushed me into a new creative realm, and I am finding that there is more to it than music alone. The lyric writing part is new to me. And I love it. I try to keep it all real as possible, pulling from my experience, and/or about stuff we like to do. I know there will be folks who are into it. I been around them all my life, they are real too.

Jason: First song I wrote was in 7th grade with this kid I jammed with – it was horrible! I do not think I'd ever want to rekindle or rehash a new version of that anytime soon. (heh heh heh)

Elvis: First, we get together and open some whiskey and beer. Then we plug in, and when we stop, we wrote something....damn near ever' time.

SF: What was the first song you ever wrote either individually or with someone else? Are you still playing it today?

Craig: It was a song in early 90's with our bass player DD and Killer, our drummer. We had a progressive metal band called Kyrin. We don't play it anymore.

JB: I don't remember, but its probably on one of the dozens of cassette tapes I got in a box from my old 4 track deck I would spend countless hours rolling tape on. Drum machines, keyboards, and guitar. I learned how to multitrack early on. Never sang much though. That came way later. Like, here with HOGJAW.

Elvis: I don't recall.

SF: The song "Cheap Whiskey" is really interesting. Was that something you were just fooling around with and decided to record? Sounds like something you could pitch to the Cohen brothers for a movie soundtrack.....pretty funny, but it's great! Lyrically, you pretty much covered every ingredient you need for a country hit....or some backwoods mountain music!

Craig: Yes it was, totally spontaneous, lots of whiskey drinkin' involved with that one.

JB: "Cheap Whiskey" was the product of one evening's drunken creativity. We had everyone here, some other friends, and 2 big ass tubs of cheap whiskey. To put it simply, we started strumming acoustics and found a melody. From there, we just had too much fun playing the chords and makin' up lyrics. Finally, I had to scribble something down that we could remember. Next thing we know, the trusty old 4 track that I had forever was pressed into service and we ended up with that song by 5AM.

Jason: JB will be right on the money with this one – all I can say is cheap whiskey!!

Elvis: "Cheap Whiskey" is the counterpart to HOGJAW, 'rotten country' we call it sometimes.

SF: Have you done much touring around the states or are most of your gigs pretty close to home?

Craig: So far pretty close to home, but were getting ready to do some traveling. As soon as we can get some time away from our real jobs! lol!

JB: We've only played around Arizona so far, but when this record is done, I'm pretty sure we're hitting the road as much and as far as we can.

Jason: I personally spent a decade playing around this fine country of ours. HOGJAW has not had an opportunity as of yet, however, we are a young band and most of our concentration is building a good following in our own town before we make that leap. Plans are by the end of summer we'll do a mini-tour through the South & Midwest.

Elvis: HOGJAW has yet to leave AZ.

SF: If you were able to choose a venue to play, what would it be? Who would you like to open for?

Craig: I'd like to play at the Crown King Saloon, a very small town in Arizona, with Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels and Molly Hatchet, know anyone that could set that up?

JB: I really couldn't say where would be the best, but I would love to play with Hank Jr/ III or Skynryd or Marshall Tucker or Clutch or CDB. Hell, there's too many folks I would like to play with. I just hope I could keep up with them!

Jason: Madison Square Garden, NY in 1977 with Skynyrd. Unfortunately, they never were able to play the show and we do not have a time capsule.

Elvis: Anyplace on Beale Street in Memphis, or 6th Street in Austin. It would be great to open up for Hank III or maybe the Dale Watson band.

SF: I noticed from your website that you don't have a record contract. How close are you to getting signed somewhere?

Craig: We don't have the record all done yet, but when it is, we will send it to some folks who are waiting to hear it.

JB: Well, first we got to finish what we've started, after that, We're goin' for it!

Jason: We have just have gotten out here with our music at the end of 2007 and there are interests. 2008 is a whole new playing field with self release of "Devil in the Details" coming in spring – we plan to see where things take us.

Elvis: We don't care so much about getting signed, when our music has reached it's audience and started turning heads, all that will fall into place.

SF: How would you describe your image and/or style?

Craig: It's all about campin, fishin, 4 wheelin, and drinkin. Generally having a good time.

JB: I'm just a redneck kid who never really quite grew out of it, so I guess that's why I spent most of my adult life messing around with guns, 4X4 trucks, guitars, hotrods, ATC's, and fishing poles. And some might say I look the part too.

Jason: I do not think we have an image but our style is what you hear…I know that is vague but we're not a fashion band we're dirty Arizona boys who like drinkin, 4 wheelin and fishin…. There's your image ladies & gents!!!!

Elvis: It's HOGJAW.....Southern Rock.

SF: You've spent the last couple of months in the recording studio. Can you tell us anything about what will be on the new CD?

Craig: Lots of goodness.

JB: A sampling of what means most to me/us. Music and stories about life we seen or know or heard about somewhere, sometime. And we tried to put a little throttle into it.

Jason: We have 10 songs slated for our first release "Devil In The Details" which are all sounding so good. It will include some of the songs from our "Cheap whiskey - EP" as we decided to wait and not print it to have a full length record.

Elvis: It's going to be the "Cheap Whiskey" EP plus 4 new tracks, released as "Devil In The Details" full length CD.

SF: What's in your own CD players at the moment, other than HOGJAW.

Craig: It's been mostly HJ, every once in a while I'll put in Hank or Stevie Ray.
JB: That's funny, you called it. I am always listening to stuff were working on. But I find myself playing old country and underground Southern Rock/Rock/Metal stuff. I try to stay apprised of what's going on out there right now too. There's great stuff goin' on.

Jason: Geez; George Jones, AC/DC, Dick Cureless, O'Death & Hank III.

Elvis: I have a playlist of hundreds of MP3s of all different styles including bop Jazz, Classical, Metal, Rock, Pop, 80's....whatever I like.

SF: Where do you see yourselves in the next 5 years? Have you set any particular goals for yourselves?

Craig: I see good things coming. Were working real hard, but right now the goal is to complete the record and start playing lots of shows.

JB: I see hard work ahead, but we are all ready to do it. Nothing comes easy in my experience, and so far I have learned much. I see myself fully discovering what I can do musically. And I got the best help to do it. The guys in the band are my favorite musicians ever. My goal is to continue to stay true to what ideals spawned this whole project, and keep writing more, as much and as best as possible. I want to leave my mark in the world of music for those who will notice it.

Jason: For me, I plan on jamming with these boys for a long while and where ever the road of destiny takes us we will travel it.

Elvis: HOGJAW wants to visit all our potential new fans, everywhere.

SF: What's the best part of being in this band?

Craig: Hangin' out with some great guys and making some kick ass music!

JB: That's easy. I'm still hangin' out with my High School buddies some 20 years later, and we are able to come up with music that inspires us, and we are truly proud of.

Jason: Good friends, good times = great song writing.

Elvis: Makin' music is fun, bein' with friends is fun, getting drunk and playing kick ass Southern Rock is a lot of fun. Fun fun fun.

SF: Is there anything you'd like our readers to know about HOGJAW that we haven't covered here?

Craig: Yes. I hope everyone enjoys our music as much as we do playing it for them.

JB: I would like to say, once we get on the road, and hit all these towns playing shows, I want people to tell us where the good local fishin' holes are! Have tackle and will travel.

Jason: If you made it this far in the interview….I give you kudos and applause for having a great attention span….thanks for reading and we hope to see you on the road. Stop by our page and say something….CHEERS!!

Elvis: HOGJAW has no pretensions, we do what we do and we love it, others seem to love it too. Have a drink with us, come see us tear a hole in the place and then have another drink with us. ;-)

For more information on HOGJAW check out their myspace page and take a listen to their music. I think you'll like what you hear!

www.myspace.com/hogjawband