10 Quick Ones with JOE GRAH of JIBE – October 2017

According to a recent press release: “Jibe, the Dallas TX alt-rock juggernaut is back with Epic Tales of Human Nature. The long-awaited full-length concept album was recorded at Orb Recording studios in Austin, TX, produced by JIBE and Matt Noveskey (Blue October), and mixed by Grammy award-winning producer/engineer, Toby Wright (Metallica, Alice In Chains, Korn).  Epic Tales of Human Nature reflects a fire and intensity lacking in today’s world.  From beginning to the very end, this 13 song masterpiece takes the listener on a journey of uncontainable highs and devastatingly toxic lows, a story all too familiar with the boys in JIBE.  Their current single “Release” is at radio now.” We get singer Joe to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, his influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We really put everything we had into writing and recording Epic Tales Of Human Nature. Each and every song serves a unique purpose in conveying the band’s highs, lows, and personal struggles to achieve a unified vision. The lyrics contain endless clues and imagery that elude to this endless path we’re all on in our pursuit of overcoming the human condition. Each listen allows the individual to engage and discover hidden gems via self-interpretation. I spent quite a bit of time and money on the art for this album and hid all sorts of gems in the artwork as well.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Growing up I had an extensive album collection and always spent time in my room listening and singing along. When I was in my teens I wrote poetry and played drums. After attending a rock concert and watching the singer hang from the lights, jump off the balcony, crowd surf, and connect with the crowd on a religious-like level, I instantly knew my true calling.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

My musical influences are so vast and diverse it’s really hard to narrow it down, however, I’d have to say that the ones that directly influenced my performance and vocal style would be, Bob Marley, Soundgarden, early U2, early Pearl Jam, the Doors, Janes Addiction.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Chris Cornell (RIP)

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Passionate, intense, emotional, energetic, chaotic, pure, real, and reflective.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Releasing the thoughts and feelings most people keep pent up. Connecting with people on a higher level through recorded songs and live performance. When ten different people have ten different ideas about what the song is about.

7. 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 tend to throw something in the pot, stir it up, and consume mutually. I’ll cook a little, Corey and Todd get the drinks, Toby breaks out the acoustic.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Producing other up and coming artists, helping them realize and achieve their inner vision & true potential.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

When I left the band I was heavily sedated and hopped up on drug-induced head-trip. Although I wouldn’t change the past because we wouldn’t have made this incredibly rewarding album, in hindsight, I definitely could’ve handled things way fucking better.

10. 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?

The Beatles (Revolver-Abbey Road) Their experimental years, Pink Floyd (Dark Side Of The Moon) obviously an intense situation, Bob Marley (Exodus) as spiritual can get you get.

Thank you for taking the time to ask me these insightful questions.

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Category: Interviews