Interview With Jared Weeks Of Saving Abel
Posted: March 18th, 2008
Contributed By: Chris
TuneLab Music: Your self-titled debut hits stores last week. How would you go about trying to convince someone to buy your album instead of another new release?
Jared Weeks: Easy answer. If you like good music…. You’ll love Saving Abel. Our music has a real sense of familiarity that most anyone, regardless the age can relate to, it has a real comfortable EDGE that draws you in and has you singing before the song is finished. Like any Eagles album, you could put it in and listen all the way through without missing a song!
TL: The album was produced by Skidd Mills who also produced your self-released EP. What kind of impact did working with Mills who has also produced a number of other artists have on the band?
JW: HA! Aboard the Saving Abel bandwagon, Skidd is the brains behind all the madness. Knowing his background and who he has worked with in the past, the band and I were thrilled to be working with him. Skidd’s impact on us was definitely a positive way to start our careers. We are really looking forward to the next 2 albums he’s going be producing for us.
TL: What track from the album do you feel best represents Saving Abel?
JW: Well to me, one of the songs on the album “Drowning Face down” represents Saving Abel the best, because it kind of brings me back to the time frame when the EP album was in the creating process, and we spent endless amount of hours in the studio. All the stress and pressure of being in the studio was starting to pile up and the song was a result of that. I’m really glad it turned out as well as it did. It’s one of my favorites!
TL: You shot a new video for “Addicted” last month. How did that go?
JW: The video shoot was great! We shot a total of 12 hours on the video in one day. Yes, it was long and tiring, but the band new what we had to do to make the video “TV” worthy. Director Anthony Honn was a really professional guy to work with and LOL! The band and I believe he did a superb job on making us look cooler than we are in reality ha! I really think the fans are going to be impressed.
TL: With the video channels rarely playing videos these days, do you think music videos have kind of become obsolete?
JW: Obsolete? No. Harder to find and watch? Yes, but we still have other alternatives like the International Music Feed, FUSE, and even MTV 2 are still kicking the video scene. Ha! Hopefully the reality shows won’t get the chance to keep these guys from bringing us the videos we want see. Reality shows killed the video star! If any of the fans would like to pre-view Saving Abel’s new Addicted video, it will be posted on www.playboy.com which I think is great. Saving Abel and Playboy what a great networking tool.
TL: With the music industry being what it is today, were you hesitant to sign with a major label like Virgin?
JW: Not at all. Of course you always have to look at the details and the fine print before you sign anything these days, but hey!, they rarely give million dollar record deals these days to upcoming bands. So, we did what we could with what we had and continue to progress forward from there.
TL: You toured with Days of the New in January. What was it like touring with a band that you grew up listening to?
JW: The Days of the New tour was Great. There were many times when Travis Meeks was on stage singing Touch Peel and Stand, where it kinda brought me back to the time in 8th grade, on the way to the local YMCA to play ball. All my friends and I used to jam out to it all the time. The RED album, since the tour has ended has definitely become one of my favorites.
TL: Is touring the country in a van with five other guys all you thought it would be?
JW: HA!!! Actually you never really know the answer to that question until you have done it. I can tell you this….. Showers are hard to come by, BUT they are essential to a clean van smell. I recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to travel the nation in a van. DO IT, you will be surprised what you will see, find, and Smell! LOL!
TL: You’re currently out with Sick Puppies. How have these shows been compared to the ones with Days of the New or Evans Blue?
JW: It’s great hanging out with the Sick Puppies, There shows are so vibrant and energized. Reminds me of all the kick ass times we had on the Evans Blue tour with Nuerosonic and Framing Hanley.
TL: The Sick Puppies tour runs through April, any idea who you will be touring with this summer?
JW: Well we’ve been told recently that 10 Years is next in the making. We will go on a short run with those guys, but maybe if we do well enough by the end of that tour, we are hoping by then 3 Doors Down will knock on our door. To me, nothing would be better than 2 Mississippi bands touring the nation. Cheers! To 3DD
TL: That’s all I got… anything you’d like to throw in?
JW: Closing Remarks: If any of you guys get the chance to see the Sick Puppies, Saving Abel and Dropping Daylight tour, by all means do it. Also we have 4 lap tops on this tour so any of you guys would like to chat with any member of Saving Abel send us a shout out on www.myspace.com/savingabel we would love to talk. Remember the album hits stores on March 11th Thanks guys. God, Guts, and Guitars!
Comments
Comment from Nate
Date: March 19, 2008, 5:53 am
The contract they talk about surprised me. The amount of money and apparently 2 more albums to come. I think Saving Abel is a rising star in the rock scene. Sounds like they have the support and resources, so if they fail, its time to look in the mirrior.
Comment from pen
Date: March 19, 2008, 9:13 am
I really can’t say I care much for this album. It’s like Hinder x2, and honestly, I’m getting tired of bands where the only topics on their mind are women, sex, and parties, usually at the same time. There must be something a little bit more profound to write about? I mean, that’s why bands like Chevelle and Taproot are so great. They don’t write about obvious things. This guy gives props to Days Of The New and 3 Doors Down, but has either band ever written a song like “Addicted”? Don’t think so. But you know who has? Hinder, and another “Get Stoned” is really the last thing active rock needs right now.
Comment from Nate
Date: March 19, 2008, 2:25 pm
angry little elf, aren’t you
Comment from mattjames1708
Date: March 19, 2008, 3:46 pm
i dont think alot of bands talk bout sex at least in rock,maybe rap but not rock,hinder, buckcherry and aerosmith are about the only ones i can think of and now saving abel.
Comment from pen
Date: March 19, 2008, 7:33 pm
I didn’t say just sex though. I mean the whole over-the-top mentality that bands seem to be popping up with since Hinder and Buckcherry’s success. Stereoside is another, and I didn’t really care that much for them either. Buckcherry is really the only one I can stand, and that’s only because they do a better job at it than anyone else. Personally I like bands that are a little more cerebral or at least demonstrate a little more ingenuity.
Comment from Cfw828
Date: March 24, 2008, 4:37 am
I actually grew on Addicted, but for me, the rest of their material doesn’t stand out because of what Pen said.
I personally think Dropping Daylight is more worthy.
Rev Theory is another example of a band that is going to be the next Hinder and Buckcherry.
I loved their sound on Truth is Currency and I’m OK with Light it Up, but I wish that they would continue and expand on Truth is Currency.
Comment from pen
Date: March 24, 2008, 9:53 pm
I don’t like that Rev Theory’s new bio disses their first album. That shows a complete lack of confidence in their music.
Comment from Nick
Date: March 25, 2008, 4:01 am
all i can say is that i don’t care how many bands try to embody this “throwback” style of rock that is becoming more and more prevalent because i absolutely love it
hey, it might not be groundbreaking stuff, but its high octane, emo free rock thats easily enjoyable and i say the more the merrier
but i see pen’s points and i gotta agree, lyrically there needs to be a revival
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.