Justin Pearson Interview

Justin Pearson, bassist for such acts as The Locust, Some Girls, and Head Wound City, took some time out of his incredibly busy schedule to answer some questions for the Backyard League. Our discussion covered topics including GLBT rights in American, veganism, as well as independent music.

American elections are often marked by poor voter turnout. How would you address an individual who doesn’t vote-whether that decision stems from apathy or a feeling of marginalization by mainstream politics?

I’m not sure how to answer this. First off, I don’t feel aligned to be what one would call an American. I don’t identify with that term. Second, this is not a democracy. There is no representation what so ever for this country’s residents. You have the two evils to make you feel that you are getting a choice. What it all comes down to is rich white men functioning as puppets with labels such as Democrat and Republican. Frankly, I could give two shits as to who wins; they are the same suit as far as I’m concerned. Call me apathetic, but it’s the truth. I vote, but not for president candidates. More for local props and social issues that I feel are important. We could do a whole other interview just on this and the fricken’ Bible-belt middle America. I could go on for ever about fat, ignorant, institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic humans that are set in their ways. Then I could go on for ever once more and talk about how the election was fixed and altered twice and this pathetic attempt at a voting process makes me want to puke.

Do you think popular media, such as NBC’s Will and Grace, that features gay characters in prominent roles, are playing any kind of part in changing perceptions regarding the American GLBT community? What else do you think can be done to remove the stigma surrounding the GLBT community?

Some Girls

Hmmm, I’m not sure of the social impact of such actions. However, I do feel that times are changing. To me, it seems that the modern day civil rights are what we are seeing in relation to the fight for legal same sex marriages. But the fact that the issues are being brought up is a start to a step in the obvious progressive direction. As far as removing a stigma, well I don’t know if it will ever be removed. Look at how people of color are still treated in fricken’ year 2005. It’s a sad thing.

What are some issues you particularly care about and feel aren’t being adequately addressed in political discourse? In a society dominated by a few news conglomerates, do you think independent media outlets can serve as means to educating the population—if only fractions—to the reality of these topics?

Well there are tons of issues. A big one is the fact that there are not a lot of independent media outlets. We are bombarded by the Foxes hearing about Brad Pitt and all the yellow soccer moms who are rooting for their murderous husbands out and about. Conglomerates such as Clear Channel, with their blatant fascist antics, are looked over and even people as big as Howard Stern couldn’t put a dent in the media machine with his rampage he was on in the last few months. But I’m not sure where to take this answer.

How did you get involved with veganism, and how long have you been practicing the lifestyle? What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in presenting vegan ideals to a society that is hooked on fast food? How have you dealt with negativity regarding your decision to practice veganism?

I became vegan by getting into the political side of hardcore in the 90s. Hearing bands like Downcast talk about PETA and animal testing got me to seek out information on animal rights. I became vegan when I was 15 and a few years later started working at health food stores and food co-ops furthering my knowledge on veganism and health related issues. I don’t see any negativity with veganism aside from people like my grandmother and step grandfather busting my balls about how I’m so skinny and need to eat some meat, but I look at them and see how out of shape and unhealthy they are and laugh. I think things like the film Super Size Me made a pretty big impact on society.

How effective of a medium do you think music is in spreading strong sociopolitical messages? Also, do artists have a responsibility in terms of the topics they discuss in their songs?

Well it’s up to the artist(s). Music can carry a message and some might not. Also any art is open for interpretation. For me, I think that things I have been involved in reflect society and are influenced by the world I love in. There is this famous qizzy quote talking about how society influences music and its up to the musicians to set society straight.

When writing the lyrics for a Locust song, is there a conscious decision to present the messages in such an abstract fashion? Are you trying to satisfy your own artistic interests while simultaneously challenging the listener to dissect the lyrics?

Well, three of us write the words, so you might get three different answers if you ask each of us. But for me, it depends on what I’m trying to convey, what I’m trying to express and the reaction I am looking for. I like to write so the meaning is not black and white. I guess you can say with a little flare. I love to use metaphors and deliver a message with a more artistic manner. I think it’s safe to say that The Locust is not looking for the lowest common denominator in lyric writing. We will leave that for the Linkin Parks out there. By having complexity or creativity in the words that we use in our
songs, I think it also creates a thought process in the ones who read what we are saying. That is the most important part in the lyric writing, to get people to think.

How does your approach to writing vary from your various projects, say Head Wound City in comparison to The Locust or Holy Molar? How much conscious outside influence goes into the writing process?

Well first off, the members in the projects will influence the writing. Also the time fame for bands like Holy Molar and Head Wound City compared to The Locust makes a much different outcome. I think if Head Wound City had more than seven days to write and record we would have created something different. But I guess that is the nature of the project and that is the beauty of it as well.

What kind of gear do you use when you play? Are there any differences in the equipment you use when playing in your various bands?

The only difference for me from band to band is with Some Girls. I tend to not use as much effects as I would in The Locust or Holy Molar. The music for Some Girls is much more straight forward. I do use some effects from time to time, but nothing too flashy.

There seemed like there was a sharp progression between Plague Soundscapes and Safety Second, Body Last. Does the evolution of the Locust’s sound stem mostly from experimentation, or are there thematic ideas that the band wants to pursue?

Justin Pearson and his bandmates

Who wants another Plague Soundscapes? Not us. What we created on Safety Second was from the subconscious, we didn’t set out to do something drastically different. We just wrote and when we were done, it turned out to be one ten and a half minute song.

It seems mainstream culture has really started focusing in on the hardcore music in recent times, where do you see the scene heading in the future? Do you feel there is greater emphasis on fashion rather than on substantive music? What are some bands you really respect right now?

I tend to not give a shit about where marketable culture is heading. Maybe I should, with Three One G and all, but I’ll leave that to the fools. Anyone can polish a turd and sell it to the masses if you have the conglomerates backing you. As far as bands that I really respect: Orthrelm, Melt Banana, Get Hustle, Wolf Eyes, Das Oath, Daughters, Fantomas, Upsilon Acrux, and many, many more.

What are some of the major differences you notice in the hardcore scene in San Diego compared to Orange County or Boston, Massachusetts?

I could care less about scenes, especially with labels such as hardcore.

How do you feel about the downloading of music? Do you think it can serve as a viable medium for increasing an independent artist’s recognition, or does it have a more detrimental effect?

Well, yes to some extent, but at the same time, its sort of frustrating for me when Three One G will shell out a grip of cash for a recording only to find it on the internet for free before we can even sell one copy to start to recoup what we put into the release. So its sort of double sided for me. Either way, I can’t do anything about it.

You’ve collaborated with a number of prolific musicians, such as Wes Eisold and Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Are there any musicians you’d like to work with on future projects?

Man, tons. Here are a few: Mick from Orthrelm, Jonathan and Zack from Hella, Agata from Melt Banana, anyone from Fantomas, Chris Hathwell from Moving Units.

What are some of the activities your into, outside of touring and your responsibilities with Three one G?

Home restorations, reading, cooking, hanging out with my pup.

Any parting comments or words of advice?

Nope. But thank you.