John Mayer, Jaded Sun
Posted on 3rd Oct 09 by Robert O Connor | 
0
Eband wants to make it in their home town before they make it anywhere else.
After years of nu-metal and emo kids hanging around the central bank in Temple Bar, it looks like things may be about to change. Thanks to the efforts and comebacks of bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Journey it seems hard rock might be about to raise its drunken head from the floor once again. For the first time in almost two decades, there are some interesting rock bands starting to appear on the scene. On the international stage, golden era rock bands are going through a major revival with obvious examples of AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and many more, while closer to home we’ve produced The Answer, Stillroom and Jaded Sun, one of the most exciting groups this country currently has to offer.
Formed in Dublin in 2002 the band has been writing, recording, releasing material and touring ever since. They initially had a big hit with their first single, RAW in 2004. The song even broke records for downloads. Shortly afterwards, the band turned things around and went a more ‘hard rock’ sounding route. Their second EP, Falling on the Fears achieved massive amounts of critical acclaim in 2005 and saw the band going on to support Nickelback and Bon Jovi on Irish soil. The band relocated to Los Angels, the home of their sound, to record their first full length album. Gypsy Trip was released in 2008 and was a great success with Nick Horne from Planet Rock calling it “the best debut album” he’s ever heard.
Now the band are about to release their third single, Higher, head into the studio and prepare for the future. Lead singer John Mayer was kind enough to talk to Drop-D before a show in Spain and tell us how the lads are feeling these days.
The Last time Drop-D spoke to Jaded Sun, Damien Kelly (Bass) was telling us none of lads knew each other before starting the group. “Well, this is the first real band I’ve ever been in”, explains John. I was in a group as a kid but that was just messing around, plying Guns N Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I didn’t even realize I could sing at the time”. Asked if he’s noticed a difference between the groups, John replies “Ah Jesus a phenomenal difference ya” (laughs).
Drop-D: When Raw came out, it could have been compared to an Aslan track but your new album is closer to Aerosmith. What led to this transformation in styles?
John: That’s right yeah, well I think the Aslan thing came from me. I listened to a lot of Aslan when I left the other band I was in. I got into a bunch of different groups and they were one of my favorites. Between that time and meeting this band, I suppose I started to sound a little bit like Christy (laughs)
Drop-D: Can we expect the same change on your next record or have you started writing anything yet
John: I think we’ve found ourselves ya know. We’ve shown what we’re good at it and I think that’s because we didn’t go searching for it in the first place, it just happened. We played together and that’s what came out so I don’t see a reason for changing it.
every band wants to make it in their home town before they make it anywhere else
Drop-D: Have you started writing anything for the follow up yet?
John: Yeah, we’ve a couple of tracks written and we’re planning to record a four track E.P. first, see how that sounds and then hopefully start on the next album.
Drop-D: Your voice has been gathering as much acclaim as the music in reviews. Can you tell us abit about your influences and how you started singing?
John: Ehm, I’d have to say Christy Dignam again. When I was younger there was the likes of Axl Rose, Faith No More, Pearl Jam different bands like that. Now a days it would be more like The Beatles, John Lennon and, oddly enough R.E.M.
Drop-D: Very different styles among that bunch and it’s very hard to hear the Lennon / Stipe influence in your sound.
John: Yeah I know that (laughs), I just went for it and that’s what came out, I enjoying do it. I know it sounds abit strange sounding like I do and listening to John Lennon (laughs) but that’s just how it comes out.
Drop-D: To record the album you worked with people like Richard Mouser (Weezer & Dream Theatre), Chris O’ Brien and Jimmy Coup (Andrew WK). Did they have much of an effect on the final sound of Gypsy Trip?
John: Well, Richie would have yeah. The EP we did, Falling on the Fears was done with Chris O’Brien when we were starting to get into heavy rock more. It was good and we liked it at the time but we thought the recording could have been abit better.
Drop-D: It’s very brave to change sounds the way you did. You had a very big hit with Raw, which was much more stripped back and then suddenly you went hard rock. Did you ever think it would be easier to stick to that sound that kick started your careers?
John: Well we still have some quite soft songs but that’s just the way we write and we’ll always have a few. We didn’t really chase anything, just that’s what came out. We didn’t set out to be rock n roll or anything else, it just happened and we went with it.
Drop-D: Did you find recording in LA helped the songs find their natural home?
John: Well, yeah I think so. Richie Mouser is a great guy and he helped us a good bit and taught us loads about the recording process and even song writing so yeah, it was a great help.
it doesn’t seem to be kicking off as much in Ireland as it is in other parts of the world
Drop-D: Any stories you’d care to share from the Strip?
John: Ohh, ehm..no, not really. Not ones I’m gonna tell you anyway (laughs). It was all work, work, work (laughs). I think we should just leave it at that.
Drop-D: Did ye get to play any gigs while ye were over there?
John: Na, no gigs unfortunately, just a lot of recording. We haven’t managed to play any shows in the States yet but hopefully next year.
Drop-D: You’ve recently been touring around Europe and you’re currently over in Spain, how have thing been going so far?
John: Ah the crowds are great, the venues are packed. We’re selling tonnes of CDs and t-shirts and having a mental time. We’re going to France next and we’re going to record the four track EP while we’re there.
Drop-D: Will you be working with any of the same producers as before?
John: No, totally new guy. We were playing in this venue a few months ago and we met this guy who owned his own studio. He recorded some of our live stuff and it sounded great so he asked if we’d be interested in recording some stuff with him and we’re going for it.
Drop-D: Are you including much material from the RAW and Falling on the Fears EP in your set or are you just concentrating on Gypsy Trip?
John: We play just one track from Falling on the Fears called Do It Again, and that’s it. We’ve a couple of new tracks in there aswell and one or two covers. The rest is all from the album.
Drop-D: You’re returning to Ireland on October 9th to headline the Village. Have you anything special in store for your homecoming?
John: Nah, not really (laughs). We’re back to play a few shows around the country so we’re just hoping they go aswell as Europe.
Drop-D: What do you think of other new wave Irish Rock bands like The Answer and Stillroom?
John: Well I have a lot of respect for the Answer. They’re a hard working band.
Drop-D: Do you think the revival in older bands, such as AC/DC in recent years has helped bring a crowd back to rock n roll in this country?
John: Well it is yeah but it doesn’t seem to be kicking off as much in Ireland as it is in other parts of the world ya know? When we were in Holland and Germany there, they really love it. It’s really starting to come back big time over there. Even here in Spain it’s the same.
Drop-D: Would you ever consider moving somewhere else in Europe to try and make it?
John: I’d say yeah, it would be harder to do it in Ireland so you never know what could happen. Really though, every band wants to make it in their home town before they make it anywhere else.
Catch Jaded Sun when they play Ireland this October.
October 4th – The Chasin’ Bull – Bundoran, Co. Donegal
October 9th – The Village – Dublin
October 15th – Baker Place – Limerick
October 17th – An Cruiscin Lan – Cork
Jaded Sun MySpace
Tags: Aslan, Falling on the Fears, Guns N Roses, Gypsy Trip, Jaded Sun, John Mayer, RAW, Red Hot Chili Peppers
