Music Interview with Family Wagon

 August/September 2009 Edition

Photo by Veronica Presley

By Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA

This next band’s beginning can be traced back to the basement of their university's science building. What is remarkable about the band is their unique sound that mixes elements of blues and 1960s Rock-n-Roll into their overall sound. Add the wonderful talents of the band’s members and Family Wagon is going to take music lovers on a fantastic ride. Tracks like 25 Years Down and HI Hi Goodbye showcases the band’s enormous ability to create music full of enriching lyrics, melodious tunes, and strong raw vocals. In this exclusive interview with the band, Family Order gives our Webzine the 411 about the band. Enjoy!

Isaac: What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?

Family Wagon: Our band is Family Wagon named after our bass player's van. We picked a name when we got our first show together about two years ago. I (Bryan) thought the guys were joking but it seemed to stick.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

Family Wagon: I think most of our sound is blues and classic rock n' roll. We like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, and more contemporary bands like mewithoutyou, My Morning Jacket, and The Black Keys.

Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Family Wagon: We've been friends for a few years now. Everyone heard about each other from someone else saying "you gotta meet this guy he digs what you dig". It turns out they were right.

Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Family Wagon: Family Wagon was formed two summers ago in the Chemistry building at our university. We didn't have anywhere else to jam but Ryan and Gareth knew some teachers there so we had a space to practice late at night. Later on, we were kicked out of that building for disrupting the reproductive cycles of the science animals and insects.

Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?

Family Wagon: We haven't gotten involved with a label yet, I'd say we're open to anything. Playing and promoting as best you can can bring great things so we're hopeful we can achieve that support system someday. Just gotta keep at it.

Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

Family Wagon: Everything is relative to cost for our band. We're all working and trying to go to school and get by, so scrounging for chords and strings and guitars is difficult. If it makes noise we'll play it. Ryan has held onto some vintage fender guitars for awhile that his dad restores. Bryan, our drummer, borrows and makes 'frankinsets' and just beats them to shit. Gareth's bass is just a thing for him to abuse so I would say there is no brand loyalty in our band.

Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Family Wagon: We've performed in Temecula and all over San Diego. Venues like the Beauty Bar, Soma, and The Stage. Our favorite venues depend on who we are playing with and what kind of crowd comes out. We love to play with The Pheromones, Writer, The Fling and Heavy Glow because they are all rad dudes.

Upcoming shows:

Aug 27 2009 7:30P Humphrey’s Band ShowcaseSan Diego, California

Aug 29 2009 7:00P Falling Whistles Benefit Show w/Lee KochOcean Beach, California

Sep 11 2009 9:00P Tin Can AlehouseSan Diego, California

Late Sept. 9:00P Soda Bar (EP Release Show)San Diego, California

Dec 19 2009 8:00P San Diego Film FestivalSan Diego, California

Photo by Veronica Presley

Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

Family Wagon: We play the songs we have recorded over the last couple of months but we are always working on new stuff and frequently try 'em out on occasion. Along with that, we have a couple more originals and some covers like Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix, Jumpin' Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones, Have love Will Travel by the Sonics or recently The Black Keys, Five to One and Roadhouse Blues by The Doors, and Come Together by the Beatles

Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

Family Wagon: We all try to pitch in and write music, lyrics or ideas and most of us focus on our own instrument for that process but Bryan has been doing solo stuff (myspace.com/bryanbang) for a while and is really gifted. We simply write about things that affect us, are fun, or come out of Gareth's hallucinations after going 50 hours without sleep. No doubt we will keep evolving as the process continues, but who knows what kind of topics we'll come upon. Hopefully nothing about our house pets.

Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?

Family Wagon: It comes to us like a thief in the night. We can't sit down and churn out a hit we have to be moved by something and chew on it and then it just starts happening.

Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

Family Wagon: Right now we are practicing in the music room of our University and that's pretty cool. We love to play music so we jam just as hard as we do in shows and sometimes we just turn the lights out and go nuts. Sometimes we all switch instruments and try to make a spontaneous song. Usually it is pretty bad but freakin hilarious. Practice times normally come about based on the alignment of all our crazy schedules. Whenever we can make it work.

Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

Family Wagon: Well I think we are still finding our sound and our EP's are evidence of that because they are very diverse. The music is evolving to hone in on all of our strengths but it still responds to the feeling we get from the music. If we don't have that exhilarating feeling after the song we'll dump it pretty soon.

Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Family Wagon: I think the biggest challenge is just getting the right type of people to hear us so we can progress and move up. We feel like we play a great show every time we're on a stage and so we feel like our time is coming. And hopefully someday we'll be able to rock everyone's face off.

Isaac: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Family Wagon: I don't know if is exactly fame and fortune. I think we're all after that freedom musically and the feeling we get from playing. We'd like to tour, see some land, and take some adventures before we get old but we are loving life right now. Do I think we are good enough to make it? Of Course.

Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Family Wagon: You can always find an amazing singer, guitarist, etc. What make good bands is the cohesion and the unified goals they have. If you love the people you make your music with, it's much more satisfying. Also, long hair is always great.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Family Wagon: Go to familywagonmusic.com for all information, music, and special deals. Also sonicbids.com/family wagon for booking.

Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Family Wagon: There is a pack of loyal fans that we have had from the beginning. We are so grateful to them and we hope they know how much it means to us every time they come hang out and support us.

Isaac: Any last words?

Family Wagon: Check us out!