blackwaterjames
By
What is your name, and name your group/band/act?
- Im Chris James. The lead singer and one of the guitarists of Blackwater James.
Where are the artists from? What is their talent in the group?
- The band as a whole is based in Nashville, TN which has become a little less than the self-proclaimed ‘Music City, USA’ it claims to be…but it does have it’s perks. I was born and raised here in Nashville and for the most so was Todd Schlosser our kick ass drummer. Josh Burns, our bassist, hails from the lone-star state around Dallas. And Deanna, our guitarist, is from the deep south in southern Georgia.
How did the band get the name?
- The band originally started off as a texas-blues project called Chris James & Blackwater. Half-way through the recording process we realized that we had was more than a solo-blues project. It naturally morphed into a hard-rocking’ 70′s & 80′s influenced 4 piece unit. So feeling more like a band we just combined Blackwater and my name and it rolled off the tongue nicely, so we just stuck with it.
What (who) does your act/art consist of?
- Blackwater James consists of 4 members. I, Chris James, take lead vocals and guitar. Deanna Passarella also plays guitar, does BGV’s, and holds down some mean talk-box action. Josh Burns is the bassist and throw-down extraordinaire. And then there’s our tub-thumping, stick-twirling, Josh Todd dancing drummer Todd Schlosser.
How would you describe your music/art/entertainment for the public audience if they have never seen you before?
- Most people describe our music as half-way between The Black Crowes and Guns N’ Roses. There’s elements of all american blues based music in our style wether it be late 70′s classic rock, 80′s metal, blues, straight ahead british infused hard rock, some southern rock here and there, and a dash of early 90′s ‘grunge’. We try and keep it simple though, high energy live shows with a straight ahead rock n’ roll sound. Think of a modernized AC-DC that came from the south and hung out with Alice In Chains a little too much.
Give me some details about the group/act/art?
- What you see is what you get with Blackwater James…straight ahead rock n’ roll with nothing to hide. We live to do what we do and it takes up a large amount of our lives. So I guess what Im trying to say is the details are in our music.
How long have you been performing live or making art?
- All four of us have been playing since we were very very young. My first professional show was when I was about 10 years old. My dad, out of nowhere, told me to grab my guitar and get in the car. So I did and he drove us to this neighborhood dive where the house band was playing. He threw me onstage and said start playing. I was scared shitless but loved it at the same time and I’ve been playing live regularly ever since…it’s kind of a drug.
Where did you meet your group and how long have you been together now?
- Blackwater James has only been together for about 2 years, but most of us had played together in bands before. Todd and I played in a post-grunge metal band from 2000-2003 and Josh and I played in a retro-rock outfit from 2006-2008. Josh and I left the retro-rock outfit and met the next day to do something a little different. We needed a drummer so I called up Todd and the three of us met at Cracker-Barrel and that was sort of the beginning. When the blues thing didn’t work out, and we realized we needed another guitarist to fill out the sound, we went searching. Being in Nashville you’d think that would be an easy feat, but it wasn’t. It’s very hard to find a young driven guitarist that is into AC/DC, Free, Guns N Roses, and bands of that nature. We looked for about a month and Deanna Passarella found us. She was young, wanted ‘it’ as bad as we did, and she was by far the best guitarist we had seen in a long long time. We got together a few days after meeting and it was off to the races!
What has been the biggest challenge for you or the group?
- Our biggest challenge has been having to work in a market (Nashville that is) that is so heavily influenced by flash-in-the-pan music. We don’t get down on the whole ‘Im going to play my music poorly on purpose to be different’ bullshit. We want to play our music to the highest ability, and perform it well all of the time. A lot of the younger kids wont admit to liking our music but you can tell they do. It’s written all over their faces and behind there fedoras, girl jeans, and satchel bags.
You’ve heard of the term “starving artists” before, how do you cope with major obstacles?
- Our music is our escape so when we hit personal and/or band obstacles we simply play through it. We play and practice longer and harder until it all flows away. We work hard enough as a unit that when we come out the other side we emerge stronger than before. I’m not a big fan of the ‘starving artist’ thing. Im hungry and beer gets expensive.
Everyone loves a celebrity so what advice do you have for the youth of today?
- I would say to think for your self and not let anyone tell or show you how or what to believe in. It seems the older I get there is more access to information and less drive to seek that information. Always do your research and find out things for yourself.
What does your family think of your performance and do they support you?
- I come from a family of musicians so they’re all about it. I guess I’ve kinda taken over the family business as it were.
Thinking back, did your family carry on the same musical/artistic interests?
- My dad is a big Jazz guy. I didn’t quite get into his record collection but he taught me to appreciate and understand music from a technical stand-point. My mom was a product of the 70′s and needless to say I dove head-first into her records. She showed me Aerosmith, ZZ-Top, Blue Oyster Cult, King Crimson, etc. But yes my parents were both musicians and we all connected musically.
Do you have your own favorite type of music and is it any different from what you play now?
- My favorite music is straight up rock n’ roll. Silvertide, Rhino Bucket, Velvet Revolver, Snakepit, JET, Stonegods, Buckcherry, Motley Crue, and Guns N’ Roses. I do appreciate all music but the only other genre that I really listen to on a regular basis is blues. Lightning Hopkins, Albert King, and so on.
Do you have other interests or talents you would like to share with us?
- Nope not really. I used to box, but music has taken a lot more of that time. Plus, it’s hard to play guitar when your hands are swollen from fighting.
What has been your strong influence to continue performing?
- Probably my family. They push me to do well and I want to thank them by doing just that. It’s hard to make a living playing music and we’re almost there, and there’s nothing better than getting paid to have fun.
Does anyone in particular influence your artistic/musical talent?
- Aside from the music I listen to not really. Music is a pretty personal thing so most of that influence comes from my past experiences, relationships, and inner-workings. Although there is is one person that influenced me to start playing and his memory is always with me. My best friend and bassist the late William Hinds. He fed my appetite for music when we were kids and pushed me a lot. Everything I do is in his memory. I want to be successful for him.
Who does most of the song writing/art/literature?
- We write the music and lyrics equally and in a group setting. One of us will introduce a riff or melody but the band as a whole will take in a completely different, and most of the time a better, direction. We are consistently writing and coming up with new material. Once the music has been written and arranged we write the lyrics to suite that song. We let the music dictate what the song is about and just roll with it.
If you had to change one thing about your music/group what do you feel would be the best change to benefit the group overall and why?
- No change at all. This is by far the best group I’ve ever been involved with and I wouldn’t change a damn thing. We are all driven and motivated and love playing music with each other. It’s always a good time with Blackwater James.
Have you ever had any strange or stalker type fans that you are aware of?
- Not yet, bet we’re planning on it. Our fans are awesome and they do so much to help us out and spread the word. Fans are fans even if they’re stalkers. I guess thats part of the risk you take being in a band but it’s worth it. Plus I guess fanatics will always buy your merch right???
While getting ready to perform have you ever been interrupted by fans who snuck in to the dressing room/rehearsal?
- We try not to do the backstage stuff. The people who pay our salaries cant go backstage so why should we. Hanging out and meeting our fans and making new ones is one of the best parts of being in a band. When we’re at a show we’re upfront with the crowd hanging out and watching the other bands.
Tell us about your most embarrassing moment if you care to share it with us?
- I did dislocate my left knee on stage once. That was more painful than embarrassing, but I hit the floor like a sac of stones and the band thought it was just part of my act. Once they figured out I wasn’t joking they stopped playing and helped me up. I finished out the show on a stool…not very cool when you’re playing metal.
What has been the most bizarre thing (thrown) on the stage with you? How did you react?
- Someone threw a pad-lock at me once. I reacted like any normal human being would if they were hit by a solid-metal projectile hurled at them traveling at high velocity…I fucking screamed! Then I told the dude I would kick his ass after the show was over and I couldn’t find him. Oh well, I guess you have to start somewhere.
What is your wildest story with the group?
- We were driving from Nashville to Lexington and it was around 7 pm and we were about 30 minutes into Kentucky. We decided to stop for a piss and some gas. We pulled off the interstate at what we thought was a gas station. I mean it had the lights on, had the pumps, it looked like any normal gas station with cars parked by the pumps. Once we got closer we noticed the pump hoses were tied off and all the windows were blacked out, and draped over the front of the building was a sign that read ‘Adult Book Store’. It was like the twilight zone.
What has been the worst nightmare for the group? How did you get through it all?
- Haven’t really experienced anything i would call a ‘worst nightmare’. We plan for the worst and hope for the best and thats all you can do. But I figure we’re a strong bunch and get through just about anything so bring it on!
What are your up-to-date performance plans? New releases? Tours? News?
- Lately we’re playing around the south-east pretty regularly and we’re playing this awesome festival in Negril, Jamaica called Rock Saga. We are so pumped about that it’s ridiculous! We are also planning on starting pre-production on our next album in August. Some other cool news is we will be in the next issues of Black Velvet, Passion Rock, and Power Play so if you frequent those publications check em’ out and look us up.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, either dead or alive who would it be? Why? (Name up to three)
- First and foremost would have to be Metallica. To still be kicking ass and playing as hard as they do for as long as they have is a definitely a career to look up to. It doesn’t get better for me than to hear them play ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’, and If I was on stage with them I would most likely shit my pants. Secondly would have to be Silvertide. Nick Perry is the best guitarist in the last decade and play with that dude would be a dream come true. Last but not least would have to be Guns N’ Roses and no explanation is needed for that, they simply kick ass.
What is the furthest show from your home that you have done?
- I’ve played in New York and out west a few times but nothing overseas. We will be playing in Jamaica this summer and will hopefully hit up the UK next year.
Have you been involved in any benefit performances? What was it and how did you become involved?
- We have played quite a few Autism Benefits here in Nashville an was hooked up with those shows through a great promoter/friend of ours Bonnie with Dungeon Promotions. The shows are always filled with a great vibe and the music is consistently awesome.
Do you currently have an agent, endorsement, record label, sponsor, etc.?
- The band has done everything on our own and with minimal help from outside representation, however we are always on the look out for a great manager and/or label. We will continue to do things on our own until the load gets too big, and the load is starting to tip. We do have two great guitar sponsors and are always adding more. We are currently endorsed by RS Custom Guitars and the new line of Kramer Guitars.
Is this your first interview or do you have some other articles/stories about you posted somewhere for public viewing?
- This is not our first interview and we have tons of articles, reviews, and blogs all over the internet. We’ve been in CLassic Rock Magazine, Strumm Magazine, Anti-Music.Com, All Access, The Silver Tongue, Just Press Play, Danger Dog Music Reviews, and plenty more. If you google Blackwater James a lot of the pieces will pop up but here are a few you can check out:
http://www.dangerdog.com/reviews_2009/blackwater-j
ames-2009-review.php
http://thesilvertongueonline.com/?p=1400
http://www.antimusic.com/reviews/09/First_Look-_Bl
ackwater_James_.shtml
http://www.justpressplay.net/music-reviews/38-revi
ews/6376-blackwater-james.html
http://www.allaccessmagazine.com/vol8/issue01/blac
kwater-james.html
Do you have any video links where people can see you?
- Blackwater James has our own youtube channel where you can check out some live performances, us goofing around, studio footage, and Josh’s hilarious band-updates. If you want to visit it please go to:
http://www.youtube.com/blackwaterjames
Do you have a website of any type? (Name all options)
-We sure do. We’re on just about every social networking and music site imagineable. And our blackwaterjames.com website will be up and running very soon. Here’s a list of a few:
http://www.myspace.com/blackwaterjames
http://www.reverbnation.com/blackwaterjames
http://virb.com/blackwaterjames
https://twitter.com/BlackwaterJames
http://www.americansongspace.com/blackwaterjames
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blackwater-James/226
46240861
If you would like to purchase Blackwater James’ self-titled debut it is available on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, and most other digital distributors.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/blackwaterjames
http://www.amazon.com/Blackwater-James/dp/B002EPTW
SU
