band - Joecephus and The George Jonestown Massacre interview w/Joecephus 12.27.07
Q. Who are you and what do you do?
A. Joe "Joecephus" Killingsworth - Vocals, Guitar, sometimes bass.
Q. How did you decide on, Joecephus and The George Jonestown Massacre for the
name of the band?
A. I had a heavy rock band that was gonna be called The George Jonestown Massacre
but at the same time I recorded a funny little country song and sent it to a local radio
station under the name of Joecephus and the Dope Smokin' Good Ole Boys. The song,
Quittin' Time ended up getting played every morning for 6 weeks on a morning radio
show on local Memphis station Rock 103. The dj's would always just say it was by
"Joecephus". So when we started to do gigs we were playing both country and the
heavy stuff and decided to keep the Joecephus in the name so people would know
we were the guys that had done Quittin' Time.
Q. How long has the band been together?
A. The band started about 2 1/2 years ago. Right now it is me and a revolving cast of characters which at this point consists of Mike Cobb on bass and John "The Massacre" Adams on drums.
Q. What can we expect from the group in 2008 and beyond?
A. Going into the studio to record an e.p. in Feb called "Tater Twats". It's gonna be country versions of some of the heavy songs mixed with a couple of live songs. Also planning on going into the studio with W.S.Holland (Johnny Cash and Tennessee Three drummer) to record a couple of songs as soon as we get a time figured out. Then it's off to hit the road for shows then start work on the next full length cd which the songs are already wrote for which as of right now is called, "From Hell To Tennessee".
Q. Who would you say is your biggest influence both musically and non-musical?
A. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Black Flag.....Sam Peckinpah...they all made it happen there own way.
Q. Where can our readers find your CDs?
A. Cd's are available on our website www.jk47.com and at Goner Records in Memphis.
Q. How is the Memphis music scene these days?
A. There is no scene in Memphis. Which is one of the reasons we try to play out of town as much as possible. I've met people that have moved to Memphis to start a rockabilly/psychobilly band then have to break the news to them that the rockabilly scene was born and died in the 50's. There is way more of a scene for the cowpunk/rockabilly/outlaw country style of music in Texas and California.
Q. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about Joecephus and The George Jonestown Massacre?
A. Just go to www.jk47.com and find out when we're coming to your town and be sure to check out the show and to request our cover of Willie Nelson's Bloody Mary Morning on Outlaw Country Channel 63 at www.sirius.com/outlawcountry
( www.bannedpromotions.com/joecephusinterview )
- J Sohn, BannedPromotions.com
Check out The Audio Nut with J Sohn
Mondays 8-10pm Central @ www.scrubradio.com
