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| Ronnie Winters- lead vocals |
What has happened to the rock industry lately? I found myself asking this question after some recent artist interviews I
conducted. Back in the days of Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Metallica it went something like this; you fell in love with a band,
went to their show, banged your head until you were dizzy and then somehow made it home to live another day of worshipping
them from afar. It was easy, and it made sense to us. Musicians were put up on a pedestal by us and we looked up to our
rock gods gladly, only expecting great music in return. So where does the current rock generation get off talking to their
fans after shows and actually having a social conscious? Who the hell do they think they are?
I can tell you that one of these bands is The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and these five young men from Middleburg, Florida
have exploded onto the modern rock charts like a chemistry experiment gone terribly wrong. What's more, they've done this
while being nothing more than human and willing to share their lives with the world. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus consists
of Ronnie Winter - lead vocals, Duke Kitchens - guitar, piano and vocals, Elias Reidy - guitar/backing vocals, Joey Westwood
- bass/vocals, and Jon Wilkes -drums/vocals. Along the path of success that they have been blessed enough to walk this past
year, RJA found themselves doing something that the 'elder generation' have tried time and time again to accomplish with the
youth of America; they have managed to make them think about social issues and actually band together to do something about
them. Wait a minute, hold the phone! Did I just say that a rock band, whose eldest member is the ripe old age of 23, has
inspired our nation's youth to care about something more than the music? While that statement may seem like a fairy tale
to some, that is exactly what The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have managed to do with their debut album, 'Don't You Fake It.'
All too often it seems that people will latch onto one thing about a band and focus on it like it were a third eye on
someone's forehead. In the case of RJA, for awhile there it was the band's name. If they had a dollar for every time an
interviewer asked them why they chose 'The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' for their name or what it means, they likely wouldn't have
had to release an album at all and could retire by now. After the media took notice of the subject matter covered in 'Face
Down', the first single released off RJA's debut album 'Don't You Fake It,' the topic of domestic abuse was suddenly the one
and only thing they wanted to talk to the band about. I prefer to take a slightly different approach when talking with an
artist. I like to find out where they come from, what's important to them, and why they feel it should be important to their
fans. That was my plan of attack when I spoke with RJA's bassist, Joey Westwood, for an incredibly pleasant interview on
February 5th.
ROCK ON REQUEST: Thank you for an incredible show last night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wanted to clarify how long
the current members of the band have been together. I know that Ronnie and Duke are the only original members. How long
have you, Elias and Jon been part of RJA?
JOEY WESTWOOD: All of us have been together, with this tour that's going on now it's about to be two years. So basically
it's the two year mark for all of us.
ROR: The time span between when the current lineup was in place and when the band signed with Virgin was not that long;
about a few months, right?
JW: Yeah, well it was a little while. Like I said before, with the new members of the band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
was selling out shows in Jacksonville, and basically doing everything they could in Jacksonville, but there was really no
way to tour without any money around. After members changed we just kept it real in Jacksonville for awhile and didn't do
much, had no money to tour. Once a record opportunity came up we realized that hey, we could put out the music we want to
put out and tour the country for the first time, let's do what we can. A lot of labels passed on us, we passed on a lot of
labels, and we just kind of wanted to find the right deal so we could get our stuff out there. Virgin came up eventually
in November, we signed and we've been out on the road since then basically.
ROR: It seems like a lot happened for you guys very fast once you signed with your label. Your first album, 'Don't you
fake it,' went gold after only four months which is an amazing accomplishment. Does everything seem like a blur at this point,
or have you guys settled comfortably into the madness?
JW: Yeah, it's very, very cool and it's something that, not that we didn't expect or that we expected it; it's just something
that happened. We're just trying to roll with the punches, and just trying to keep up with everything. You know, we haven't
really had a break ever since we recorded the record. Everything that's happened we've heard in our van or on our bus, so
everything we're just kinda taking as it comes. I wouldn't necessarily call it a blur, just more of like, well everyone that's
out on the road with us, even like our techs and everybody, they're all good friends from home. We understand that we're
at this level of like a small success that we're very happy with; but at the same time we don't want to do anything but hang
out with each other and play shows, like do the small parts of it.
ROR: I hear that from a lot of bands, you know? That's their favorite thing to do, to get out there and play shows.
JW: Ah yeah, there's nothing better; especially while we're young. One of the best things about it is that we get to
meet all the bands that we love and the reason why we're a band on the road. So like, we're meeting our heroes and just crossing
paths with people that we love and we've met so many cool bands already. It's just kind of unreal.
ROR: That's very cool, to be able to do that. I know that you first toured with 30 Seconds to Mars, I believe that was
the first big tour that you did right?
JW: That was like the second big tour that we did. The Starting Line took us out. That was the first major tour we
did. Our first stop was in Northern Virginia. Right after that 30 seconds took us out. Then we were fortunate enough to
land a lot of shows on Warped Tour. Warped tour was cool for us. We're the kind of band who loves Warped Tour. We'll be
doing it again this summer. They asked us to come back, so like this summer we are definitely looking forward to it.
ROR: Your first single off the album, 'Face Down,' has done incredibly well on the charts. At the end of last week I
believe it was still the #3 song in the country at Alternative radio. Do you think the deeply personal lyrics and video
that went along with the single is having a strong impact on keeping that single at the top of the charts?
JW: Yeah, I think the whole idea basically. You know, it's nothing more than, almost like a positive message. It's
like a statement kind of. It's something basically out of left field that people aren't used to getting, just because a lot
of songs aren't very up front with that. There's just this whole controversy about, "Who's Red Jumpsuit," and "What's
that song about?" I think it's just kind of out there and people get mixed emotions about it, and I think that's kind
of the reason it's still doing well. We just filmed a video for 'False Pretense,' our next single. It's not the same idea;
it's a little different, you know what I mean? Once this comes out it's going to be a cool reaction to see what people think
about it.
ROR: You just released 'False Pretense' as the new single. With 'Face Down' still getting tremendous airplay and the
video still going strong on MTV and FUSE, do you worry at all that the new single and video are going to get lost in the shuffle?
JW: Yeah, but like I said before, just the kind of people we are...not taking anything for granted, we don't mind. It
could get lost in the shuffle, but at the same time if even 10-15 people catch it and like it then cool. It's like a win/win
situation for us. If this doesn't go to the top of the world none of us in the band are going to care too much, but if it
does then great. Who doesn't want their band to be doing well? We put a lot of work into it. The day of Bamboozle we had
to leave early and drive out to the set and were there for a full day's period, from like the early morning until the late
night. We all did our part in the video and it took a very long day of work. We're just excited to see what people think
about it.
ROR: I want to talk to you about the current tour you are headlining, the Take Action Tour. Can you tell the readers
of Rock On Request what the tour is all about?
JW: Basically, the Take Action tour, the best way to put it is that it's overall a positive tour, a positive message
so that when these kids come out to the shows they get more than just bands playing a show. They actually get some knowledge,
some simple facts about suicide and prevention, and stuff like that. 1-877-youthline is the number sponsoring this thing
and there is stuff like PETA there. It's basically a way to showcase that music can bring other things around. We don't
just want to play a show every night and then whatever, the show's over; it can bring people together. It's like back in
the Woodstock days of, "We're here for a reason, so listen up and do your part." If everyone does their part the
world would be a better place.
ROR: A lot of artists take part in tours that benefit specific charities or causes. What sparked your interest in being
a part of the Take Action Tour, and why did you feel it was important for all of you to actually be certified crisis counselors?
JW: It's just important because we're in a situation where we have had slight success and we don't want to let it just
go to waste. We don't want to have this and just eat it all up. So now we have the opportunity to be like, hey, we are five
young men who can take an opportunity and do something great with it.
ROR: On January 31st Ronnie spoke on Capitol Hill about the Take Action Tour to advocate passage of the Paul Wellstone
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act. And back in October RJA partnered with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
for a fundraiser. When the band was formed was there a conscious decision to be a part of raising awareness for these specific
issues?
JW: Not necessarily. Even when 'Face Down' was written it wasn't done with the intention of being a single. It was
just one of the songs that Red Jumpsuit had. Once we decided it would be our first single, then obviously things like that
would come with it. We didn't always expect great success when it first started, then once it happened we were like, "Okay,
this is happening guys...this is real; let's do what we can with this." After that we just did everything we could to
help out.
ROR: Ronnie writes some deeply personal lyrics, and he's said many times that all the songs on 'Don't You Fake It' were
inspired by events that have either happened to him, someone else in the band or someone he knows. Have you had a lot of
fans come to you with stories of how your music has impacted their lives because they have faced similar situations?
JW: Oh yeah, all the time; like every night. Especially Ronnie, he's had a lot of people that can relate to that. All
the time people e-mail us, which is very cool stuff. It's a positive way to think about where we're at, but in an opposite
way; not being egotistical.
ROR: It seems like it didn't take you very long to generate a loyal fan following locally when the band first started
playing gigs, and your success since signing with Virgin has been steady and fast. Since most bands have to struggle for
several years as before finally making it, why do you think your music appealed to your core fan base and labels so immediately?
JW: You know, I'm really not sure. There's just this vibe about Red Jumpsuit. We all played in different metal bands
and hard rock bands in the Jacksonville area. This was just something where everybody in this band was trying to do something
different. We wanted to do something like the bands we used to love, just doing things we feel. Then these songs came along
and we just don't lie about anything. Everybody knows that there were other members; it wasn't like it was a big secret or
anything. We wanted to tour, like I said, so we just started touring and put out our record and people started getting it.
It was just something that came with the flow. It was great because people really liked these songs. We were just like,
"Let's keep touring and hit as many towns as we can to show as many people as we can." We recorded the record in
November and for over a year now we've just been out on the road, for like 15 months.
ROR: You guys must be exhausted at this point.
JW: Oh yeah, but we're having a great time. Every night is a great time. It's definitely worth it. We can't stay home
our whole life.
ROR: How much do you think the internet and sites like Myspace have helped to promote RJA and increase your record sales?
JW: Definitely a lot. Myspace is the way for a lot of bands, and most likely all bands today to have their music up
there; even bands that have been around since long before Myspace even existed. We're on Myspace now because it's basically
the easiest way to share our music with the whole world, with anybody who has an internet connection. We definitely put that
to our advantage and put some songs up. You can put like four songs up. We just like do what we can with it and try to
make it as cool as we do. We try to make the page look the best for new fans to see it, change it up all the time. We just
try to keep it interesting.
ROR: Speaking of your fans, there seems to be a growing trend with bands these days where they spend more personal time
with their dedicated fans after shows. Is that something you guys already do, or do you see yourself doing this in the near
future?
JW: Oh yeah, we definitely do. We usually don't have it set up like an autograph session or anything. We just have
nothing to do after the shows besides hang out. So we'll just hang out and go to the merch table, or just like walk around
and go to the bar, go have a drink or something like that. All we want to do is hang out so we just hang out and, of course,
people see us and hang out with us. It's cool, we don't make it like an autograph time, we make it more of like a hang out
and stay around as long as you can, as long as the venue doesn't kick you out.
ROR: What's next for RJA after the Take Action Tour?
JW: Yeah, right after this tour is actually going to be the first time we're going overseas. We're heading over to Japan.
ROR: Wow, wonderful.
JW: It's very, very exciting for us. We're going to play a couple of certain radio shows over there, rock shows, for
probably a lot of people that don't know us; but if anybody does that's going to be incredible.
ROR: When you think about that, it's only been a couple of years that you guys have been going through this and you're
already going overseas. Is that a mind blowing thought?
JW: Yeah, it's definitely mind blowing. But if there's even a few people over there that respond to us it will be well
worth the trip.
RANDOM QUESTIONS WITH JOEY WESTWOOD
ROR: Does anyone in the band have any annoying habits that the other members want to just kill him for?
JW: (laughs) Well, our drummer Jon Wilkes has this thing that we call "A Wilkes." It's basically (laughing),
it's hard to explain. There's almost no way to really explain it. It's basically a purely, almost slightly borderline idiotic
comment that's almost so unreal you think he's kidding. Then you realize he's not kidding. We call that "A Wilkes."
That's pretty popular.
ROR: I love these little details. Who spends the most time on their hair? I have my guess, but I'll let you know what
it is after you tell me.
JW: (laughs) Well, I don't think anybody in the band washes our hair on a normal basis. I don't know. You know, Elias
and Ronnie have the longest hair, but I would say Elias for sure.
ROR: I was going to say Elias. That was my guess.
JW: Well, you know he has naturally great hair.
ROR: If your doctor told you that you only had 1 week to live, what three things would you make it a point to accomplish
during that week?
JW: Okay, the first one is a little normal I guess. I'd definitely travel the world that I haven't seen. Everybody
should. Everybody lives on this earth and you should make it a point to see everything you can, you know? I would do that
and then the second thing, I don't know, it's kind of corny I guess; but we all have girlfriends in the band, but it's like
girlfriend time is important. But I have to think of a better third thing. Let me think. A week to live...just a week?
ROR: Yep, just a week.
JW: This is seriously, definitely a thinker.
ROR: I like to stump you guys. Something that maybe you haven't accomplished in your life that you just have to do before
you die.
JW: (dead silence for several seconds)
ROR: Is it evil of me that I enjoy when I stump you guys?
JW: No, it's good. I mean, honestly, I'm not the kind to get stumped. I'm not even trying to hold anything back.
I'll tell you what...here we go. One week to live, one of the things I'd have to do is for Red Jumpsuit to get together a
show with The Police and Pink Floyd. I would make it happen. If I had a week to live I'd make it happen.
ROR: That would definitely be worth the price of admission.
JW: Then I would die and I would be stoked and I'd be like, whatever.
ROR: Then you could go with a big smile on your face.
JW: The whole band would definitely die a happy band if we could do that. If I could get Queen too, but nobody beats
Freddy Mercury, you know?
ROR: Well, Joey, I'm done unless there is anything else you want to tell the readers of Rock On Request. Is there anything
that you want to share?
JW: Yes, definitely. One thing that we definitely make it a point to share is that we've been on the road touring since
we recorded our record. There hasn't been much down time for us. We see your faces every single night, and for all the people
who have been there we just want to honestly say thank you, because that's all we do. We just play shows every night; that
is our life. So to all the people who come out every night and hang out every night we want to say thanks. We all appreciate
it more than you ever could imagine, because we're all just young kids like the kids at the shows. You guys make us feel
incredible.
ROR: That's a nice thought to stop on. I just want to say that I really appreciate all that you guys do. I see all
the hard work that you guys, and your guitar and equipment techs do. So congratulations on all your success. I wish you
much more of it. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with Rock On Request.
JW: Thank you. It was a very cool interview by the way.
ROR: Thank you. I appreciate that.
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