JUDGE JACKSON
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 10:20PM Scott had the distinct pleasure of talking to Todd McTavish and J.J. Garcia from the soon to be powerhouse that is Judge Jackson. They discussed everything that is Judge Jackson, from the struggles of being an independent band on their own label (Curtis-Joe Records) to the what it feels like to have one of their song’s played on nationally televised primetime programs for millions to here. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Judge Jackson.......
I love this band, the southern grunge...it’s straight up rock –n-roll.
That’s exactly what it is...a good ‘ol boy (J.J. Garcia) from Indiana takes it over the top...you know, this band has been together since 1995. We’ve only started to gain momentum in the last four years. It has a lot to due with J.J.’s managerial skills. We actually just finished our next record.
Can you give us a little history...how you got to where you are now?
Basically, the band started in ’95...just me and the guitar player (Lee Jackson). We actually named the band after his father, who was a judge in Texas...very similar to Lynard Skynard and their gym teacher. Then we had a few line up changes...since then, we just finished our fifth record. Also, we’ve had a few songs licensed for TV...they have been featured on My Name is Earl, and also a racing show Victory Lanes. They also played a couple of our songs on the past Super Bowls. It’s just straight forward music. We will come and kick your ass, and you will love it. We try to make this a day job, and I haven’t had one in three years, because I’m doing what I love...writing music.
Off of your self titled album, “Stand Up,” is a hard rocking song...and another one of my favorites is “Hanging On...”
I also love those songs...they are just real honest songs...
Top to bottom, it’s a great album...a great mix...
A lot of the songs are indeed radio friendly...we were driving to a show in a rented van, and “Hold My Hand” came on the radio...I thought one of the guys put the CD in the CD player...I couldn’t believe it...
How would you say the band has evolved?
In our first few albums, we were that “LA” band...always out partying...when we finished One Diamond, the transformation started...we sobered up...and we got a grip and we realized this is what we want to do. Scott you listened to the right album in Judge Jackson at just the right time. It was like a rebirth of our musical lives and it just gets better from there......wait to you hear this new album in the next two months or so.
You guys don’t have any major label now...
No we don’t! We are looking for help...we are totally in house.
When you guys go on tour, you are funding it yourself, correct?
We are funding it ourselves...we have our own rigs, trailer, etc...we have kept the investors out of it, and funded it our self...I’m very proud. No doubt though...we could use a little help to take us to that next level...
And that’s what we are trying to help you do...
I can’t thank you enough for that!
I know you are on the brink of hitting big...
It’s great to sit back and watch the Super Bowl and hear one of our songs on TV. Or go to the NASCAR channel and hear your music...it’s starting to accumulate.
How many bands can say that they have shared the stage with BuckCherry?
We had the pleasure to open for them at Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals...also we opened for Cheap Trick...a gig that will stand up in my mind. Then we did a show in LA and opened for a band named UFO...in which every person was there to see them...the place was packed, and when our 60th minute was up, we won over the fans! It was great...also; Jason Bonham played drums for that show (UFO). We have fans today because of that show.
Is there a band out there that you are dying to share the stage with?
There’s so many...any band that’s doing it...we’ve done a lot of opening shows! Nickelback would be fun to do...could you see “The Judge” opening for them? (LAUGHS)
What’s your favorite song that you’ve written?
There is a song called “Amazing” on One Diamond...I think pound for pound, that is my favorite. Songs are like kids, you can’t really pick a favorite though...
You mentioned acoustics somewhere...do you typically do an acoustic set?
We do an acoustic as much as possible. That is the reason I’m in it. I love sitting around camp fires jamming out. Every one of our songs was originally written acoustically. Sometimes we do a whole set acoustically...it depends on how mellow the crowd is.
We thank you for all of your time...if there is one thing you could tell your fans, what would it be?
Get ready, we are coming to your town!
Can you give us a brief history of how you (J.J. Garcia) got into Judge Jackson?
I met the guys years ago...I was playing in a different band (Stone), and we were on the same bill. After our set, they played, and I thought they were awesome. They were a breath of fresh air...so we went and brought them beers and showed our camaraderie. We just became friends. Then the band I was in broke up, just separated...as that happened, Judge had a falling out with their drummer, and things just happened. Being a fan before I joined them was huge for me, and here we are. Things are just history now.
You came in on the self titled album?
Yeah...they were at a point of change, and they exhausted everything to get that record done, and I got that call. They were ready to tour, and I was like, “Let’s make it happen.” We put the pedal to the medal, and put ourselves out there to a bunch of different markets...new fans, FOX, so on and so forth. That FOX phone call was like some shit from a movie...we were on the NASCAR channel for almost two years...there were also a lot of different promos. That marketing really helped us out, and helped the self titled album.
Like Todd was saying, you all are self marketed...
Yeah...we’ve had many meetings, phone calls, and dinners with people. In the end, we came to the conclusion that we are going to do it. We will see if anyone comes to the table, but until then, we are running our business. We will do everything we can, in house. We know who we are targeting, and we love the artistic freedom.
What’s J.J.’s favorite song to play at a show?
Well, I will break it down like this...certain markets for me have certain songs that I like to play. There are songs I love to play for the military ( “Lift the Bottle”), and there are others like “Stand Up” that I love to play to a packed room at a club.
Like Todd was saying, many nights you all went to open, and there were fans that were there for the headliners...but at the end of the night you won them over...
Yeah, I’m not going to sugar coat it. People have come up to me and flat out said, “We aren’t here for you.” And then there are people at the end of the night that come up and our like, “Wow, you blew us away.” We get both sides of it. You might love it or hate it, but you are not going to forger about it (Judge Jackson).
A lot of people say rock n roll is dead, but you can’t say that about this album...
If people are saying that, then they apparently forgot to tell us because we are bringing it.
What do you want to tell your fans?
Thanks for all the phone calls, emails, Facebook, and My Space...we appreciate it.
Judge Jackson is straight up rock-n-roll. They run the gamut of the musical spectrum, they have their ballads and they have their guitar shredding rock anthems. If you are a fan of rock at it’s purist form then I would HIGHLY recommend you give The Judge a listen. Trust me......it’s worth it!
