Twenty Questions with 100% ROCK MAG – Johnny Craig, Slaves, August 2014

Shane | 26 August 2014 | Reply

Twenty Questions with 100% ROCK MAG – Johnny Craig, Slaves, August 2014
By Shane Pinnegar

Johnny Craig, ex-Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance and Ghost Runner On Third singer has a new band, SLAVES, and they’re touring Australia in October. We tossed a handful of questions at him to see what he had to say.

1. What will you be playing on the upcoming tour?

As of right now we don’t have the entire set list picked out but we are gonna be playing all the songs on the album that don’t have features, if that makes sense.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?

To be honest I can’t remember the moment I knew I wanted to be a singer… I just know ever since I can remember it’s all I have ever wanted.
3. Who are your main five musical influences?

Tool, Dream Theatre, Drake, Boyz To Men.. that’s 4, sorry!
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

LOL – I would love to have DRAKE on anything I’ve done… I’m pretty obsessed!
5. Who would be your dream band, living or dead?

I would love to work with Jim Morrison from The Doors. He was just a fucking badass to me.
6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

We get this question a lot and it’s hard to answer… I would say if you came to our show or listened to our CD, you would walk away with the thought, ‘damn a lot went into that record or show!’ We just pour it all out on the CD and the stage.
7. What’s the coolest thing that a fan has ever done for you?

Brought me a PS3 after my crazy ex broke into my house and stole my shit.
8. Any tips on how to keep in shape on the road?

I don’t even know if I’m in shape [laughs] but I guess I try to stay away from the fast food and bullshit like that – and drink lots of water.

9. What’s the best thing about being a muso?

Music is what I need to live. It’s what I wake up thinking about. It’s what I go to sleep and dream of. It’s the air I breathe. The love I feel from it is insane – I believe it can save anyone.
10. What’s the worst part of touring?

I can’t really think of one bad thing [laughs] – I love this life style. Without touring I wouldn’t be here today.
11. Who was the last legitimate rock star you met in person?

NO clue… Coolio and Ice T?
12. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We all get the drinks in! When we are hanging out we try and just chill and not play all the time… get a little break in! As for cooking [laughs] that’s funny! What’s the dominos number again?
13. Which act would you like to just give up and go away?

I’m not gonna say any names, but they rhyme with ‘Emarosa’ LOL!
14. What would the band’s superpowers be?

Ex-ray vision. [Editor’s note – I’m not sure if Johnny intended the X to be Ex, as in ex-partner, so I’ve left it in for you to make your own suppositions!]

15. If you could make one band reform, who would you pick?

No idea.
16. For the tech-heads, what equipment do you use?

All of our guitars were crafted in San Luis Obispo, California by the amazing people at Ernie Ball Music Man. I use a Shure Beta 58 Wireless microphone system. Tai just started working with Heart Custom Drums and he also plays TRX cymbals.
17. If you weren’t a muso, what would be your dream job?

Race car driver!!
18. If you were made ruler of the world, what would your first orders be?

I’d have someone order me the best chicken nuggets from wherever! LOL
19. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

NO idea – but think of how sick it would be to go back and chill while The Doors were laying some shit down… how awesome would it be to see that shit first hand!
20. What, for you, is the meaning of life??

MUSIC!! Fuck everything but music!
SLAVES – Australian tour, October 2014

8th – Amplifier Bar, Perth
9th – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
10th – Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
12th – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
15th – The Brightside, Brisbane