1. What is your stage/band name? Does it have a special meaning?
Where does it come from?
Jaymz Dare is my stage name it is from respelling my first name James and the Dare part of my name came from two things. First I have always been a huge fan Elton John. He got his name from his music his buddy’s Elton Dean & Long John Baldry. And I love Elton’s song “Dan Dare” “ (The Pilot of the Future)” so I borrowed that and the fact of daring myself to this music from start to finish with pretty much just me. Also the daring lyric subjects of some of the songs I do.
2. How would you describe your music to people? (This is not a
short answer. Discuss it. Please include information regarding genre/style/lyrics/etc)
I use Electronic Synthesizers as my foundation for most but it also could be piano as well. It has a big sound with hooks in music or melodies or with arrangements that take twisting turns. Some of it can be humorous some can be serious. I really love the Heavy Metal rock guitar chords in there also some acoustic guitars. I am open to just about any kind of instrument or style to explore. I would consider the general flavor sounds modern but you can hear influences from the late 70’s Rock to 80’s New Wave & 90’s. I use Punk and Alternative Emo attitudes and throw in some Hip-Hop.
5. Were are you from? Where do you live? What is your musical history? (Please be
specific. Include cities, dates, etc.)
I was born in El Paso Texas. As child I can always remember music playing in my house also always in my head. When I was 10 I was tested for music aptitude as well as my sister. The teacher took my sister as a student of the accordion but turned me down but that did not stop me.
After several audition attempts in the school choir they took me in when I was 12. As a teen I became a big fan groups like “The Jackson 5” then to” Elton John” to “Deep Purple” always attempting to mimic them. I could do a pretty good imitation of “The DeFrancos” hit “Heartbeat” My Dad who was an electronic guy in the Army was always tinkering with stuff so I did as well with radios, stereos, always trying to get a bigger sound from them. My German spelling was not to good so after nearly setting the house on fire because I left the German made Grundig Stereo on for days, I knew music was my calling. When we moved to San Diego in 1976 I was hanging out with my cousin Amir Derakh who is like a brother to me. Later Amir went on to the groups “Rough Cutt” “/ Jail House” / Orgy / Julien –K / & Chester Bennington ‘s group “Dead by Sunrise”. We were making music / sound FX / and imaginary trips with cheap Radio Shack electronic project kits.
I got my Electronic certification in High school was planning to become a Sound engineer for music groups. That is when I met my great friend Ralph Howl who was a guitar player composer. He egged me on to become a keyboard player, I explained to him that I was told by others I have no talent for music; he replied “nonsense you can do this”. So I went out and got a Micro Moog Synthesizer rapidly learning and have not stopped since. In the 80’s I formed a group named “ERTH”. We were sort of a “Thompson Twins” meets “Oingo Boingo” meets “Thomas Dolby”. I did some crazy stuff like running slide projectors shows in the background while playing / stage FXs / Modified Synths it was pretty cutting edge for the day. We became pretty popular in San Diego at one club called “The Spirit Club” which is now named “Brick by Brick” ERTH became band of the year 1986 also we were awarded song of the year with “Market Place”. In that same year we self released our Vinyl EP self titled “ERTH”. 1987 we got into a national collage radio competition as one of the 5 finalists and were offered a MCA recording contract. After a few years of playing around the So Cal with some great shows at Clubs like The Roxy / Club Lingerie / Spirit Club / Bacchanal / Mirage / Halcyon / ERTH called it quits in 1990. 1993 At this time I was writing a new bunch of songs that received interest from Award winning top Producer Robert Metzgar of Capitol Management. After the proposal he offered I entertained the idea of becoming a country music songwriter but after careful contemplation I chose to stay with what I do best. I took theses days of more learning grounds of this craft called songwriting. As I approached the new millennium I always wanted to write songs with my cousin Amir.
A few years ago I got into this situation by writing songs for my cousin’s group ” Julien-K”. Here is the link to their quote; http://www.julien-k.com/about/about-14 . Since they are songwriters as well & there were so many songs that I wrote, more then they could use, I said to myself what am I going to do with all these song ideas? My close friend Erik Brault suggested that I take up the fine art of singing myself. I told him “are you crazy I never sang lead before” he replied in a similar fashion like that of my old friend Ralph did in my early days, “ No No No you can do this”
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4. Have you recorded any CDs/albums? EP's? (Which studios? Who
produced them? Please provide dates/names of albums and/or popular tracks)
Vinyl EP-“ERTH” produced by Peter Kordel & ERTH songs “Market Place” & “Introspection”
Recorded at Circle Sound studios San Diego Ca. self released 1986
“Jeffology - Jeff Beck Tribute” 1996 CD played keyboards & synth solo on song “Goin Down” Produced & Engineered by Amir Derakh recorded at MT Studios
“Crossfire -Tribute to Steve Ray Vaughn” CD 1996 played keyboards for the song “Dirty Pool” Produced & Engineered by Amir Derakh recorded at MT Studios
A night At the Opera CD 1999 Engineer / Producer recorded at Santa Sophia Church for church fund raising.
“ORGY” Vapor Transmission 2000 sessions played Synths & Piano Produced by Josh Abraham & Orgy Warner Bros/Reprise
“Transparency”- Music by James Kinney 2001 self released Composer & Producer for Santa Sophia church fund raising.
Julien-K –“Death To Analog” upcoming release 2009 Co/Wrote & played on the songs “Stranded” & “Forever” Produced by Amir Derakh & Ryan Shuck Mixed by Tim Palmer.
Composed, Performed & Produced - 2008 Jaymz Dare self titled release.
Dec.2009 Remixer for "Circuit Freq" song entitled "The Filth" on Beat Port under the name CV-IN remixer.
5. Major influences that can be heard through your music, different
genres and bands. Please be specific.
There are really too many to include but here some:
The Electronic part of my music is influenced from bands like: ELP / UK / Pink Floyd / Genesis / Yes / Jan hammer / Missing persons / Ten CC / The Who / Depeche Mode / Peter Gabriel / Jarre Goldfrapp / Stix / Sneaker Pimps /.
The Guitar stuff is lot from bands like: Orgy / Boston / Maroon 5 / New Order / Rush / Yes / Queen.
Drum part of my stuff is influenced by like: Terry Bozzio / Phil Collins / Peter Gabriel / Orgy/ Massive Attack / Gorillas / Beasty Boys / Sneaker Pimps / Tricky / Rush / Led Zeppilin / NIN
Piano stuff is : Elton John / Beatles / Cold Play / Radiohead / Keane / Pj Harvey / Tori Amos / Throw in some New age and classical as well.
Vocally influences are : Sinatra / Elvis / Beatles / Tears for Fears / Genesis / Led Zeppelin / Depeche Mode / Cold Play / Keane / Peter Gabriel / Elton John / Beck / Korn / LinkinPark / Ozzy / A-Ha / NIN / Orgy / Pink Floyd / Story of the Year / Queen / Yes / Ice House / Slim Shady.
6. How do your lyrics/music reflect the overall message you want to get across to your fans?
I like to use subtle color with words & music so the interpretation can be open to many views.
I would like to say that even though some of the subjects are sometimes heavy, I use inspiration from poetry, books, art, photos, family experience, landscapes & of course world events. Some of the poetry, art & photos come from my good friends Geoffrey Turner, Erik Brault, my brother Chris Kinney (Sake) & my relatives the Lynch family. I also like to have a sense of humor as well with my songs. Over all I like to project a positive image.
7. Are there any particular songs/albums that are especially important to you/your band. Why?
I would like to give a brief explanation about the songs on my upcoming CD since this is the first Jaymz Dare release.
“ Mercurial” is about how we sometimes are never happy were we are right now always wanting to be somewhere else. Searching for that one adventure for nirvana is a gift for sure. We as humans have this great ability to place ourselves somewhere else, it can also be a double edged sword.
“Rock Paper Scissors” is a fun child’s game turned into a story about a fictitious realm or a fictitious commerce trying to be overly helpful to give away too much; but with a high cost to the participants.
“G-Crises” is a little instrumental about the gas situation & green earth issue & to little green to go around.
“Mama Loves The Cars” is fun little song about being addicted to our lifestyle. Mama is the main character playing us citizens.
“Cyber Aliens” This is song dedicated to Chris Hansen of Date Line NBC who does great work and service to our communities to protect our kids from predators. My two young nephews Joey & Jovanni Balistreri helped to inspire this song.
“Ticking” is a personal song about all the loved ones that my family & I have lost. If I may use Buddha’s quote “All Life is sorrowful, Love is the burning point of life, the greater the love, the greater the burn”.
“Surface” is a song came from a rebuttal poem to another poem that was presented in a false way.
“Night Blooming Cereus” what a wonderful flower to open for only one night then be withered & dead by morning for sure a rarity. I think sometimes people can imamate that flower in way, for one night can be journey of a lifetime. We think this very beautiful flower has such a short time? A real refection about ourselves.
“Sophisticated Filthy” a funny song inspired from one of the Poems by Erik Brault a story of uneven life meeting an even more unbalanced situation where if don’t stop to observe around you just might miss an echo.
“Market Place” originally wrote with my first band ERTH. A fun song about hanging out at the malls.
“In The Unusual” love song dedicated to my wife Janice.
“Cloud Touched” living in the moment.
“Superman” doing something on your own that you believe in is a tough trip, many people do this bravery everyday and go completely unnoticed.
“Kissing Goodbye” A tragic story of losing a loved one in an accident. How life at that moment can become so distorted you can barely cope. All you see is the loved once removed from life, dressed with a morticians touch in a eerie unease. Co/written by Erik Brault & Me Dedicated to my cousin Justin Lynch & Christine Rathke
“Playing With Toys” last song on the CD dedicated to my Veteran friends Ralph & Kaye Howl / Geoffrey Tuner / plus all people serving in our armed forces. This song will be available for a free download to them. Basically is about being away from your loved ones during a deployment and the longing to get back to them.
8. Any big upcoming events or shows, CD Release parties etc...? (Please provide
location/date/time)
9. What live performance experience have you had? (Any industry
showcases?) I have through out the years I have played in many clubs & festivals.
10. Quick Facts. Please list anything noteworthy that you or your band
has accomplished in the music biz. Major gigs, festivals,
licensing deals, label recognition, radio play, record sales, etc...
In my early days I was in band with Veronica Freeman we co/wrote many songs together. She now has her own band metal band “Benedictum” www.benedictum.net
My first thing I composed that made it on a major release is the Guitar melody lead for the song
“Never Gonna Die” by “Rough Cutt” it was released 1985 on Warner Bros Records and played by my cousin Amir Derakh that was their best selling single. You Tube link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yck1IjIhAf0
ERTH was the opening act for ” Meat Loaf” in Tijuana Mexico “Club Iguanas” in 1989 it was a real thrill meeting Meat Loaf & Pat Thrall.
On the song “Goin Down” reached number 7 on the charts in Spain 1996
2003 I scored three Video commercials for AMA motorcycles / Kawasaki / Avon Tires /
1999 Received Platinum record recognition of thanks from the band “Orgy” for help on the Album “Candyass”
11. Any upcoming albums, videos, features in magazines, etc...?
The self-titled “Jaymz Dare” will be available soon.
12. What sets you apart what makes your act original different...?
I think the fact of doing the entire album myself from start to finish including engineering / mixing / performing / production / CD design / & mastering. Having the unique life experience of an Electronic background along side with Classical Piano Training. As my music composition style I think you find that the sounds are big sounding usually with some kind of underlying atmosphere droning through an ambiance. The music can be quirky and heavy it which transfers into a timeless fashion. Some songs may have a familiar sound or melody that will twist into a different place. I do a lot of play on words with my lyrics, which can be funny or serious. I think there might be a song for everyone on this Album not by design it just sort of turned out that way. I know now days you do not hear to many Instrumental breaks & solos often but I like to use them, I think they become part of the song. I don’t do long fade outs in my songs; they all have some kind of ending.
13. History on the band...how long together, individual members,
specifics...? (Include names, ages, interesting facts, etc.)
I would like get band members soon as I have my CD ready.
14. What are your immediate music career goals? (In the next 5
years.)
To get my music to as many people as possible.
15. What are your long-term career goals?
To keep working on my craft & to keep writing & performing quality music for as long as I can.
16. Plug your music. Where can the masses purchase your disk
and downloads?
Right now just on www.myspace.com/27694834 I’m sure there will be a jaymzdare.com soon.
17. Message to the fans?
I do music because is great therapy for me, I just have to create something constantly. Being ultra sensitive is a real trip; I don’t know what else to be but an introvert trying to get out just for a chance to touch the center.
Hey I really appreciate the fans so much they make me love to communicate music. And I also really appreciate people that would take the time to explore and delve into the depth a song as I do.
Do not let anyone or others tell you cannot do something. As the Chinese proverb says ” The person that’s says it can’t be done should not interrupt the person doing it”.
18. What did we miss? Is there anything else relevant that you want
in your bio?
19. Where can the masses find you? (web site, myspace, pure
volume facebook, etc?) www.jaymzdare.com www.myspace.com/27694834 e-mail jwkmosart@gmail.com