Fridae: Now, you guys are considered an indie band right?

 

J3T: (Lots of laughing) "Imma me tell you something, when we first signed to Interscope they said we were “Sell Outs” because we were signed to a major label, and then we had a few records where we were “Pop” and then we had a record where it was “Underground” and now we’re an “Indie band” so its like I can’t keep up with what these monikers are. I’m just making music with a lot of different fusions of Rock music but I don’t get into the details as to what kind of rock it is or what type of metal or hip hop. I look at it very simple its rock at the end of the day, it all comes from rock music."

 

 

Fridae: That’s right no gentrification, no cookie cutter boxes to be categorized in, music is music!

 

J3T: "It’s all emotion, that’s how I’ve always looked at it, you’re connecting emotionally with someone. How you choose to do it or how you format the sounds around that connection is up to you, with whatever you’re into, obviously sonically different records have different feels. The important thing is that its helping you to convey your emotions through music."

 

 

Fridae: Mmhmm, I agree. Where did you guys come up with the concept for the album?

 

J3T: "I don’t think we’ve ever done a whole concept record per say, we write songs that are kind of the glue of the record where there’s a staple for the sounds we want and then everything else you know I don’t think we’ve ever stuck to a plan where we’re gonna do this. There’s now way to keep track and its kind of a disservice because you might miss something if try to plan too much. We’re free spirited in there (the studio) we try to write songs and make the best of it." 

 

 

Fridae: That's cool good to know! How did you guys formulate the songs? Were you guys like okay we're going to write one day and then we're going to record a next day or did it just happen, here's some lyrics here's a beat.

 

J3T: "We start to write like any other band, with an acoustic guitar and singing. We try to get the skeleton down for the song and all the production stuff we do in the studio from that day forward. No two songs are exactly the same with how we construct them or write them. We start with the melodies, get the lyrics down, get the chord progression down and kind of build from there. There is no specific formula but people are always surprised that we write how we do because we are so beat heavy and add some industrial stuff. But, before all those things are in a song no matter who you are, it starts with some chords and a melody, gotta stick to that, stick to the basics and keep it simple. I was trying to figure out how John Lennon would write a song and get that as best I can, he is the best in my opinion. Beatles songs are very simple, a lot of songs are simple you just gotta get that chord in there and move from that point forward."

 

 

Fridae: I've noticed your music growth to this point from the first record. Honestly, from what I have this album is very cohesive and positive. It sounds like the best record Hollywood Undead has released to date for sure, especially track #6 “Nobody’s Watching” huge potential.

 

J3T: "Well, I obviously genuinely appreciate that. When you write a record and you are conscious of your peers, it’s a worrisome process because you really just don’t know how other people are going to feel. As a band, you’re always trying to move forward to keep it interesting for yourself and to keep it fresh but at the same time you don’t want to change too much to where you annoy the fans that have supported you. It’s a weird juggling act moving forward and new things but not overwhelming people."

 

 

Fridae: You guys still have the sickest beats, that's what's made you guys stand apart from the pack and drew me to cover your music.

 

J3T: "You know the beat is so important to a track, especially with the way your body responds to the music, we always put extra thought into that and try and come correct."

 

 

Fridae: Well you guys did a great job on this record.

 

J3T:  "Thank you! We really appreciate that."

 

 

Fridae: What advice do you have to give, to new artists who are trying to break into the industry?

 

J3T: (Sigh) “Man, you know it’s tough because the advice I give you today wouldn’t matter, it could be completely irrelevant two years from now because things are changing so fast. One thing I would say is if you want to do music, make sure Music is what you really really want to do. And, it doesn’t have anything to with thinking you're going to get rich or famous or all these other side-effects that may or may not occur. Nowadays, its so competitive that if you’re not working 24/7 on your craft, someone else is. Bands don’t get signed like they used to, a hundred or so bands were signed a year to a major label, now, it’s maybe eight to ten.

 

You have to make sure of your dedication, if you really believe in it as an art form before any other thing that might come along, because it’s a tough world to break into. You have to make sure its your passion not just “I want to be a Rockstar” so I'll start a band, you gotta believe in the art form. That would be the advice I give to anyone thinking of doing it. If you half-ass it, you're not going to make it anyway, might as well quit while your ahead. But, if you do believe in music, do believe in the art form and believe you have something to say, then just work hard and keep your head down, you could do anything you want.”