The Judybats Gets New Wings
10 questions and answers with Jeff Heiskell
One of the most unheralded and under rated bands of the 90's, The Judybats rode out of Knoxville, Tennessee on a fresh smelling saddle of southern tinged alternative pop, led by the lyrically poetic and vocally eccentric Jeff Heiskell. And it wasn't until after the release of the band's fourth album FULL EMPTY, that Sire records decided to pull back the reins, bringing the proceedings to a sudden halt. But this band did leave it's mark. A stellar debut, NATIVE SON, got the band some sudden attention. While its follow-up DOWN IN THE SHACKS WHERE THE SATELLITE DISHES GROW, remains one of the best alternative pop albums of the 90's. But even with much critical success the band got little airplay and sold few records. Finally, Sire decided to give the third album PAIN MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL, a bit of actual support which resulted in the band's first and only mini-hit, the easy and sweet 'Being Simple', which spent a few weeks on Alternative Radio's top 10. But one mini-hit does not a career make, and within a couple of years the Judybats quickly disappeared, and were sorely missed.
Afterwards, Mr Heiskell released a record with some of his pals under the moniker Doubter's Club a few years later. Quite a bit different than the Judybats sound, it turned out to be that band's only effort. And then Jeff took, what he calls, a 'centrifugal sabbatical' from the music world, and cleared his head.
And it seems the time off did him well. Newly energized and ready to go, Jeff Heiskell is back with the all new Judybats '00. The faces are new (Reed Pendleton, Rob Bell, Doug and Mike Hairrell), but the sound is very familiar. Twelve tasty tracks that convey the same moods of the old version of the band, while possessing an even brighter energy, fill the record to the rim with brim.
Jeff had a few minutes to correspond with Pop Palace between short tours, to share a little more info straight from the horse's mouth. So MJ O'Brien decided to take him up on it.
At what age did the music bug bite you, and how did you learn your craft?
JEFF: The music bug bit me in my mid-twenties. Blame early Joni Mitchell records. As for craft: singing in a children's choir when small, writing poetry which eventually became lyrics.
What were you like in high school?
JEFF: I was a walking potential suicide in high school. My two emotions were rage and sorrow. I lived in rural central Florida; my afternoons were spent on horseback. My family was in the wholesale plant nursery business; I had my own nursery and an employee at age 16. I had few friends, being frightened by most people, and preferred the company of animals, but I often hung out with the high school rodeo trash. Once I attended a weekend rodeo school in which I displayed an amazingly natural ability at the sport. The first time I rode a bull, the bucking strap disengaged, I slipped up onto the bulls neck and rode him for fifteen seconds by hanging onto his ears. Bull was angry as hell, with me finally flinging myself off at the urges of onlookers, I barely escaped by sprinting for the wall. Then the bull turned and proceeded to force himself through three sets of cattle gates in order to get away from the arena. See there! Coulda been a rodeo star.
But instead you became a Pop Star.. haha.. So what was the major label experience like during the Judybats four album run?
JEFF: Big record label experience?: eventually disasterous. One is working for a large corporation not the least bit concerned with artistic integrity: a hit single is the only imperative. A shallower bunch of people one will never encounter. Best thing about being on a major: results when they were forthcoming.
How was it financially, and were there any horror stories?
JEFF: Financial stability factor: poor. One must have a huge record and besides, incoming monies are from publishing and performances only. Supposedly the last straw in Peggy Hambright quitting the original band was when the incredibly phoney dyke product manager suggested that she lose weight. I've not asked Peggy if this is true, having heard the tale from Johnny (former guitarist). But imagine that it is true. So much for women's solidarity.
So what have you been up to these past few years since the last Judybats album?
JEFF: I formed Doubters Club, which was the result of Judybats bassist Paul and drummer Dave convincing me that the Judybats was a lost cause, that I needed to work with them only. At the time I dissolved the band, I had entered into a terrible depression. This depression was brought about by my writing and rewriting a screenplay based on an unfortunate incidence during my adolescence (hello, Carlos Santana). After a year or so of Doubters Club work, Paul and Dave slipped off to Nashville with all of the equipment to form another band; with me left with nothing but a microphone... and not even its cable. This new project of theirs has proved unsuccessful (got tiny record deal with Reprise, did a record that sucked long and hard that was never released, got dropped). During this period I worked for some years in the loss prevention department of a credit card processing company. Resigned finally, due to the stressful nature of an impending promotion to Escalation Representative. A stint as a self-employed landscape designer, etc.....
So then how did this new version of the Judybats '00 come to be?
JEFF: Reed and I were looking for someone with whom to demo three songs we'd written. Once together we enjoyed the vibe and all, then began writing and performing together. Originally, the band was SHOHO,but comparisons to my old band resulted in our decision to resurrect its original name.
What's the most exciting aspect of the new Judybats?
JEFF: The ability of everyone to sublimate their egos - this is very important in a group setting.
How was the studio experience, recording this new album?
JEFF: There is little of a studio experience to tell. These songs were intended as demos initially. 'Shine' and 'Full Forward Angel' were recorded in a basement studio in a tiny outlying community halfway to Dollywood.
With so many pop songs written about girls, what roles do your relationships play in the songs you write?
JEFF: My songs, with the exception of perhaps three or four, are an exploration of one relationship or another. They are about men though. I don't do girls.
What lies ahead for the band?
JEFF: Future plans are to concentrate on shows in the Northeast. The band no longer performs in Knoxville, its music scene being something akin to a junior highschool. We are writing new songs; plans are to record another record in the Fall. Last night we worked up a Paul McCartney cover which will appear on a CD compilation due out in September. (other artists are Foo Fighters, World Party, Ben Fold's Five, etc). Judybats are doing the 'Love In Song' from Venus And Mars.
Pop Palace certainly wishes them the best of luck.........
The Judybats latest album can be purchased at their website:
www.judybats.com
or e-mail
elyons@radio2000.fm (Elaine Lyons)
Special thanks to Jeff Heiskell
June 2000