Interviews

Band Interviews: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

SKRATCH: When and how did the band form?

RONNIE: The band formed approximately four-and-a-half years ago. We were on a couch in [my] trailer. We used to sit around and play video games.

SKRATCH: What are your major musical influences?

RONNIE: As a band, we're into all types of music, everything from Boston, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd.... We don't take any type of direct influence; we're kind of fans of music in general. I like Peter Gabriel, […] Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON…early punk rock and more modern stuff like early Weezer (I consider them punk) and Green Day ([I listened to them] when I was 14 or 15 years old).

SKRATCH: Who are you listening to these days?

RONNIE: I've been listening a lot to the new Thrice album, VHEISSU, wearing that out profusely; 30 Seconds to Mars, [and] an up-and-coming band called Monty Are I.

SKRATCH: What does the name "The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus" signify?

RONNIE: In all honesty, it's an arbitrary band name. It was at a time when we weren't too concerned about band names or genres. It's more of a joke, almost. We took the music more seriously than the band name. Basically, we were more concerned with getting people to listen to the music. It'll at least make people listen once.

SKRATCH: Which is your favorite song to perform right now, and why?

RONNIE: My personal favorite to perform is "The Grim Goodbye". It's the darkest, longest song. It's when we let go, let the rock flow through our veins (so to speak).

SKRATCH: What's the craziest thing you've witnessed on tour?

RONNIE: I've seen a lot of car wrecks. I've seen a lot of cars blown up, full-size deer […], and people getting pulled over [by the police] and being clubbed with nightsticks.

SKRATCH: What do you think is the average age of your fan base?

RONNIE: It's very difficult to calculate. We have a wide variety of ages listening. There are people in the crowd…A certain percentage is 30 to 40, and [some are] 12 and up. They all do their own thing. I haven't noticed a specific age in our fan base.

SKRATCH: Did you get a chance to meet anyone cool, like heroes or bands you look up to, at South By Southwest and Bamboozle?

RONNIE: As a band we met a lot of cool bands. Touring with Tomo Milicevic with [30 Seconds to] Mars. They're one of my favorite bands—to hang with them was a huge deal. Ran into Kenny [Vasoli] from The Starting Line, he's really, really, really cool—they all are.

SKRATCH: Is there anyone you're looking forward to meeting on the Warped Tour?

RONNIE: Yes: NOFX. I'm a huge fan.

SKRATCH: What do you say to the folks out there who say bands can't stay true to their music when they're on a major record label?

RONNIE: Usually the people who say that aren't actually musicians. "Learn how to play an instrument," that's what I say. Our label (Virgin Records) has been extremely open […] We're a very opinionated, very assertive band. We tell [Virgin] what we want.

SKRATCH: The song "Face Down" deals with a pretty harsh topic: domestic violence. What made you want to write a song dealing with such a heavy subject?

RONNIE: "Face Down" is about my family, my personal story. I write all the lyrics, and the only thing I know how to do is tell the truth—so I write about my friends, my family. We're very real, as far as lyrics go. I haven't been a singer for very long, [and this is] just how I do it.

SKRATCH: Were you surprised to learn what a large role image plays in the promotion of your music, or were you always pretty image conscious?

RONNIE: Believe it or not, we dress like we dress every day. I'm always wearing jeans and a T-shirt; I don't dress up for shows. We're not caught up in all that. It's just not who we are.

SKRATCH: Oh, come on. But you all have such great hair! Who does it?

RONNIE: It's all on the fly […] Everybody in Florida has good hair.