Nov 09, 2008 23:30
As all Glassjaw fans know already, Beck established his own company from scratch. He deals with some of the biggest bands around such as Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, including merchandise for his band. He has a baby on the way and a new record people all over the world are waiting for. Today I find out the truth, and what is happening about the current situation of Glassjaw.
Justin greets me at reception and brings me straight into the offices of his company and shows me how Merch Direct is run. Everything is all done in house and he is very hands on. Throughout the day, employees are currently coming to him with general enquires and getting his seal of approval for designs.
After a tour around, we talk about the question which everyone is asking, when is the new Glassjaw record coming out? As far as he is concerned, he has done his part as he explains. October 1st 2007, Beck worked re-worked his busy schedule and put his life on hold so he could get a new record done. Manuel Carrero (bass) and Durijah Lang (drums) were on hand and completed their parts of the new record. Vocalist Daryl Palumbo had been in and recorded his vocals to the music on five songs.
The other songs which the rest of the band have recorded are just instrumentals. No titles, no names, just tracks. After explaining, Justin asks me if I was hungry and invites me for a drive down to the local Subway and grab some lunch. After picking up lunch, we arrive back outside Merch Direct and tells me, ‘This is your own listening party’ and plays me a 13 track CD of which could be the new record. None of which are in any intended order, just a mix of what is recorded.
The first five tracks which are the yet to be mixed, ‘Natural Born Farmer’, ‘Jesus Glue’, ‘You Think You’re John Fucking Lennon’, ‘Star Above My Bed’ and an untitled song in which I’m told the lyrics which were freestyled. These are nothing short but incredible to hear recorded. The instruments and vocals sound spot on but these are the only tracks recorded that feature vocals of singer Daryl Palumbo. The rest of the CD is pure instrumentals. My first impression after hearing these songs is that this has not been done before. Just like Tommy Carrigan’s (works with Justin, played in Silent Majority) recent statement, the songs have a very Latin, Spanish feel and sound amazing. The instrumentals are where Glassjaw’s music is at today according to Beck. He tells me that he had a lot of fun recording them with the other guys and feels this where Glassjaw is. The only thing missing though are the lyrics.
When we’re finished listening to the CD, I cant help but think feel that the first five tracks just do not go together with the other tracks. Beck informs me that these songs were written a while ago and this can’t see them being released on the new record. With regards to be put on an EP, he doesn’t think it would be right to release just these songs after all this time. The El Mark EP (released to coincide with Worship and Tribute) was not his choice. At this moment in time, he doesn’t know. Will the new record be released physically or digitally, he doesn’t know as of yet. The next question of will it be released on Warner, as much as Beck would like to put out the new record himself, it looks like it will be released through them. The instrumentals are where Glassjaw’s music is at today.
Why won’t he upload just one song online to keep everyone happy? It wouldn’t be fair to the fans. It works both ways, sure it would please a lot of people but after all this time to have one song on there, a lot of people would disagree and be disappointed that its taken years for them to have one song available.
The last time Glassjaw performed was earlier this year at the Give It A Name Festival as well as a warm up show in Cardiff and a one off in Dublin. Those shows will be the only ones this year and there has been no discussions or plans of anything coming up as of yet. Pictures did appear online of the band in a local Cardiff recording studio but we find out they were just there to practise and nothing was recorded. Anything new was recorded in Beck’s private studio at his house. Oh, and the mystery where they keep their gear? All at Merch Direct.
When walking back into the Merch Direct boardroom, we speak about Glassjaw previous material. Why do they not play songs such as ‘Ry Ry’s song’? They don’t like to play them, simple. The choices of the setlist, its all done on the spot. Beck also reveals his two favourite released Glassjaw songs are ‘Two Tabs of Mescaline’ and ‘The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports’ (both taken from Worship and Tribute, which is his favourite of the two records). When touching on the supposed re-mastered release of ‘Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence’, Roadrunner had approached him and said they wanted to re-release the record. In the end the two both had disagreements about nothing at this stage will be coming out. Will any Glassjaw albums be released on vinyl? (Especially considering the cover for Worship and Tribute is the record being played on vinyl) No discussions have been made.
Beck at this point shows me his office. Complete with fish tank and a few boxes of Glassjaw signature Nike Dunks. Once answering a phone call, Beck pulls out a box of old mementos from his past. He shows me old pictures, including one of him at a day camp when younger (where he met Daryl) and lots of old flyers for previous hardcore shows. Old Glassjaw stickers and various pieces he made up and Kinko’s when younger and old fanzines he would run and take pictures for. One folder even contains an old track listing for The Impossible Shot demo. Unlike Glassjaw fans that try and grab any piece of Glassjaw memorabilia when possible, Beck doesn’t have everything ever produced with their name on it. Daryl is the one who keeps everything.
After this, Beck shows me the new line of Glassjaw merchandise due to be released soon. Sticking to the basketball, varsity motive - Est. 1993 New York etc. The pattern I notice in what Justin Beck does is that everything produces is original. An example, the New Era Glassjaw caps, which other bands are starting to produce, (on the sticker on the cap, it even states, ‘Providing Bands With Original Ideas since 1993’). The reoccurring ‘88’ pattern which is printed on various items he clears up is not a reference to Hitler, regardless of an interview from years ago where he stated it means ‘Heil Hitler’. Beck tells me that Daryl was always obsessed with the number 8 going back to his early days. If they were driving and saw the number on a licence plate he would say it. When spotting cases of various band DVD’s, I ask if there was plans of a release. Nothing has been recorded except their Give It Name appearance from this year, which he is trying to get hold of.
Once we walk back into the office, I just wonder how Beck doesn’t let little things stopping the record from coming out get to him. Just by spending time with him so far and as he’s said before, Glassjaw is a hobby; it’s not his life. He is not a rock star, he doesn’t wake up every morning and hope today is the day Daryl will call, not at all. Justin Beck runs his own successful business, has a wife and child on the way, when it happens it happens, at this point in time nobody knows when anything is coming out, as far as he’s concerned there is no good reason why there shouldn’t be a release by the end of this year, regardless of the fact we are approaching November. Beck has cleaned his side of the room, so has Manny and Durijah. People can point fingers and assume whatever they want all day long but it’s not going to accomplish anything. Its pure and simply just a waiting game now.
Today for what was intended to be a standard interview, was a completely wrong interpretation. The previous week, I managed to speak to Justin Beck on the phone to see if he would be willing to conduct an e-mail interview about the current situation of Glassjaw. After being gracious enough to agree, I am e-mailed saying he would much rather speak in person at his office, Merch Direct.
As all Glassjaw fans know already, Beck established his own company from scratch. He deals with some of the biggest bands around such as Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, including merchandise for his band. He has a baby on the way and a new record people all over the world are waiting for. Today I find out the truth, and what is happening about the current situation of Glassjaw.
Justin greets me at reception and brings me straight into the offices of his company and shows me how Merch Direct is run. Everything is all done in house and he is very hands on. Throughout the day, employees are currently coming to him with general enquires and getting his seal of approval for designs.
After a tour around, we talk about the question which everyone is asking, when is the new Glassjaw record coming out? As far as he is concerned, he has done his part as he explains. October 1st 2007, Beck worked re-worked his busy schedule and put his life on hold so he could get a new record done. Manuel Carrero (bass) and Durijah Lang (drums) were on hand and completed their parts of the new record. Vocalist Daryl Palumbo had been in and recorded his vocals to the music on five songs.
The other songs which the rest of the band have recorded are just instrumentals. No titles, no names, just tracks. After explaining, Justin asks me if I was hungry and invites me for a drive down to the local Subway and grab some lunch. After picking up lunch, we arrive back outside Merch Direct and tells me, ‘This is your own listening party’ and plays me a 13 track CD of which could be the new record. None of which are in any intended order, just a mix of what is recorded.
The first five tracks which are the yet to be mixed, ‘Natural Born Farmer’, ‘Jesus Glue’, ‘You Think You’re John Fucking Lennon’, ‘Star Above My Bed’ and an untitled song in which I’m told the lyrics which were freestyled. These are nothing short but incredible to hear recorded. The instruments and vocals sound spot on but these are the only tracks recorded that feature vocals of singer Daryl Palumbo. The rest of the CD is pure instrumentals. My first impression after hearing these songs is that this has not been done before. Just like Tommy Carrigan’s (works with Justin, played in Silent Majority) recent statement, the songs have a very Latin, Spanish feel and sound amazing. The instrumentals are where Glassjaw’s music is at today according to Beck. He tells me that he had a lot of fun recording them with the other guys and feels this where Glassjaw is. The only thing missing though are the lyrics.
When we’re finished listening to the CD, I cant help but think feel that the first five tracks just do not go together with the other tracks. Beck informs me that these songs were written a while ago and this can’t see them being released on the new record. With regards to be put on an EP, he doesn’t think it would be right to release just these songs after all this time. The El Mark EP (released to coincide with Worship and Tribute) was not his choice. At this moment in time, he doesn’t know. Will the new record be released physically or digitally, he doesn’t know as of yet. The next question of will it be released on Warner, as much as Beck would like to put out the new record himself, it looks like it will be released through them. The instrumentals are where Glassjaw’s music is at today.
Why won’t he upload just one song online to keep everyone happy? It wouldn’t be fair to the fans. It works both ways, sure it would please a lot of people but after all this time to have one song on there, a lot of people would disagree and be disappointed that its taken years for them to have one song available.
The last time Glassjaw performed was earlier this year at the Give It A Name Festival as well as a warm up show in Cardiff and a one off in Dublin. Those shows will be the only ones this year and there has been no discussions or plans of anything coming up as of yet. Pictures did appear online of the band in a local Cardiff recording studio but we find out they were just there to practise and nothing was recorded. Anything new was recorded in Beck’s private studio at his house. Oh, and the mystery where they keep their gear? All at Merch Direct.
When walking back into the Merch Direct boardroom, we speak about Glassjaw previous material. Why do they not play songs such as ‘Ry Ry’s song’? They don’t like to play them, simple. The choices of the setlist, its all done on the spot. Beck also reveals his two favourite released Glassjaw songs are ‘Two Tabs of Mescaline’ and ‘The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports’ (both taken from Worship and Tribute, which is his favourite of the two records). When touching on the supposed re-mastered release of ‘Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence’, Roadrunner had approached him and said they wanted to re-release the record. In the end the two both had disagreements about nothing at this stage will be coming out. Will any Glassjaw albums be released on vinyl? (Especially considering the cover for Worship and Tribute is the record being played on vinyl) No discussions have been made.
Beck at this point shows me his office. Complete with fish tank and a few boxes of Glassjaw signature Nike Dunks. Once answering a phone call, Beck pulls out a box of old mementos from his past. He shows me old pictures, including one of him at a day camp when younger (where he met Daryl) and lots of old flyers for previous hardcore shows. Old Glassjaw stickers and various pieces he made up and Kinko’s when younger and old fanzines he would run and take pictures for. One folder even contains an old track listing for The Impossible Shot demo. Unlike Glassjaw fans that try and grab any piece of Glassjaw memorabilia when possible, Beck doesn’t have everything ever produced with their name on it. Daryl is the one who keeps everything.
After this, Beck shows me the new line of Glassjaw merchandise due to be released soon. Sticking to the basketball, varsity motive - Est. 1993 New York etc. The pattern I notice in what Justin Beck does is that everything produces is original. An example, the New Era Glassjaw caps, which other bands are starting to produce, (on the sticker on the cap, it even states, ‘Providing Bands With Original Ideas since 1993’). The reoccurring ‘88’ pattern which is printed on various items he clears up is not a reference to Hitler, regardless of an interview from years ago where he stated it means ‘Heil Hitler’. Beck tells me that Daryl was always obsessed with the number 8 going back to his early days. If they were driving and saw the number on a licence plate he would say it. When spotting cases of various band DVD’s, I ask if there was plans of a release. Nothing has been recorded except their Give It Name appearance from this year, which he is trying to get hold of.
Once we walk back into the office, I just wonder how Beck doesn’t let little things stopping the record from coming out get to him. Just by spending time with him so far and as he’s said before, Glassjaw is a hobby; it’s not his life. He is not a rock star, he doesn’t wake up every morning and hope today is the day Daryl will call, not at all. Justin Beck runs his own successful business, has a wife and child on the way, when it happens it happens, at this point in time nobody knows when anything is coming out, as far as he’s concerned there is no good reason why there shouldn’t be a release by the end of this year, regardless of the fact we are approaching November. Beck has cleaned his side of the room, so has Manny and Durijah. People can point fingers and assume whatever they want all day long but it’s not going to accomplish anything. Its pure and simply just a waiting game now.