Gabe Gross
11/15/06, 12:42 PM
From Jim Ward, lead singer of Sparta:
How is everyone doing now that the album has finally been released?
Everyone is great. Thanks.
What sets Threes apart from Porcelain and Wiretap Scars, musically and influentially.
I think that the time we took to construct it led to a greater depth.
Is there anything the band has set to accomplish with Threes?
I would like for things to grow and evolve.
Since the infamous tear that made At The Drive In separate entities, how does the band deal with continuous comparisons and contrasts to your former band mates?
Try to ignore as much as possible.
Does this effect the way you approach the music for your fans?
No, I write what I write. I could never assume what people want, even if I could it would be horrible to play something you created for other reasons other than your own.
If they had to describe the new album in one word, what would it be?
Pathways.
How has the addition of Keeley Davis and the departure of Paul Hinojos changed the band and how did it feel to have Paul leave Sparta for the Mars Volta?
Keeley is a great person and an amazing musician. I have learned a lot from him and we write really well together. I think our band is better than it has ever been, line-ups change in bands sometimes. You just hope you grow, and I think we did.
While writing for Threes, what albums were in heavy rotation?
I like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's last record. I listened to it a lot while I worked, and Z from My Morning Jacket—old Americana stuff too.
What's your favorite song on Threes?
“The Most Vicious Crime”
Of Wiretap Scars and Porcelain, which song is the worst?
Couldn’t tell you, every song means something to someone so I don’t see it that way.
Unlimited budget, dead or alive, name your dream tour.
Beatles, Radiohead, U2
What does "P.O.M.E." mean?
Paris of the Middle East, it refers to Beruit.
Jim, where do you draw your lyrical inspiration from? Do you have an agenda or message that you want to express before the songs are even written?
Some lyrics are from life experiences, some are fiction, I don’t have a specific agenda, no.
When asked about a possible At The Drive In reunion, what do you normally say to press and what is the actually possibility of that?
No chance, ever.
Are we reading into it too much, but why is there record called Threes? And could you explain the artwork, meaning and artist?
Threes is a reference to the number 3 being important in my life. A lot of intersections happen involving that number, this record was a big changing point for me. The artwork is left to be interpreted by the viewer, you get a lot of interesting ideas form folks, I like it.
And finally, what is your favorite film about Gladiators or ancient roman combat?
Don’t know, you ever been in a Turkish prison?
How is everyone doing now that the album has finally been released?
Everyone is great. Thanks.
What sets Threes apart from Porcelain and Wiretap Scars, musically and influentially.
I think that the time we took to construct it led to a greater depth.
Is there anything the band has set to accomplish with Threes?
I would like for things to grow and evolve.
Since the infamous tear that made At The Drive In separate entities, how does the band deal with continuous comparisons and contrasts to your former band mates?
Try to ignore as much as possible.
Does this effect the way you approach the music for your fans?
No, I write what I write. I could never assume what people want, even if I could it would be horrible to play something you created for other reasons other than your own.
If they had to describe the new album in one word, what would it be?
Pathways.
How has the addition of Keeley Davis and the departure of Paul Hinojos changed the band and how did it feel to have Paul leave Sparta for the Mars Volta?
Keeley is a great person and an amazing musician. I have learned a lot from him and we write really well together. I think our band is better than it has ever been, line-ups change in bands sometimes. You just hope you grow, and I think we did.
While writing for Threes, what albums were in heavy rotation?
I like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's last record. I listened to it a lot while I worked, and Z from My Morning Jacket—old Americana stuff too.
What's your favorite song on Threes?
“The Most Vicious Crime”
Of Wiretap Scars and Porcelain, which song is the worst?
Couldn’t tell you, every song means something to someone so I don’t see it that way.
Unlimited budget, dead or alive, name your dream tour.
Beatles, Radiohead, U2
What does "P.O.M.E." mean?
Paris of the Middle East, it refers to Beruit.
Jim, where do you draw your lyrical inspiration from? Do you have an agenda or message that you want to express before the songs are even written?
Some lyrics are from life experiences, some are fiction, I don’t have a specific agenda, no.
When asked about a possible At The Drive In reunion, what do you normally say to press and what is the actually possibility of that?
No chance, ever.
Are we reading into it too much, but why is there record called Threes? And could you explain the artwork, meaning and artist?
Threes is a reference to the number 3 being important in my life. A lot of intersections happen involving that number, this record was a big changing point for me. The artwork is left to be interpreted by the viewer, you get a lot of interesting ideas form folks, I like it.
And finally, what is your favorite film about Gladiators or ancient roman combat?
Don’t know, you ever been in a Turkish prison?