Relix - Features - Jerry Joseph: I'm F***ing Happy

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Jerry Joseph: I’m F***ing Happy

Having interviewed Joseph more than a dozen times throughout the past decade, traveled through Europe on a tour bus with him and spent many hours in his company stretching from hard drinking nights to sober, Red Bull guzzling ones (he’s been completely sober since Halloween 2008), I can assure you, “a good time” is not the first term that comes to mind. He’s a hot headed, contradictory, opinionated Lebanese-Syrian-Irish-Catholic with a serious Napoleon complex and a tiny fuse. He’s also one of the most intelligent, well- read, loyal, talented, caring and interesting people I’ve ever met.

“People love Jerry,” says Schools. “He can be a very difficult person to be with, but it’s worth it.” In management offices and inner-band circles, this is the knock on Joseph: too difficult. “I always laugh about that,” says Joseph, “I think difficult is in how much you’re getting paid.”

And he’s right, when Van Halen require all brown M&Ms be removed from their candy bowl or rock stars throw tantrums for any number of reasons, it’s deemed “part of the deal,” or perhaps even quaint. There’s simply too much money on the table for managers or venues to complain. But when Joseph, or any of the other musicians out there playing bars and small theaters, blows his top, the profit margins are way too slim (if existent at all) for anyone other than those who genuinely appreciate his music to put up with it.

There’s a strong argument to be made that without the turmoil that Joseph and artists in general create, there wouldn’t be any music. “I’ve got a guy that helps me with management stuff,” explains Joseph. “He says to me the other day, ‘I don’t know if I can deal with all the drama.’ And I’m like, ‘Is it art?’ And he says, ‘Yes, I think at this point, Jerry, you are an artist.’ Then it’s all fucking drama, because I don’t know anybody that makes good art that’s not dramatic on some level.”

Earlier this year, Joseph released his ninth Jackmormons record and 25th record overall (including live efforts and EPs), the double album Happy Book. Inspired by the recent death of his father and birth of his son, the songs swing dramatically from dark to light and at various points, like all his best material, deal with God, sex and drugs on some level.

“I think it’s getting better,” says Joseph about The Jackmormons. “That’s a pretty pretentious thing to say, but I feel like the music is getting better. The writing is getting better to me. And maybe that’s the reward, that because I didn’t get millions of dollars and I don’t have the new Audi commercial, it’s also not sucking more. That might be all there is—that might be the end of the story.”

It’s true that a lack of success and comfort has kept Joseph hungry, forcing him to work hard for every dime and angry enough to continue to create primal, vital rock and roll. And perhaps integrity is all he gets for it, but it’s also possible, as Schools likes to think, that Joseph could triumph in the end like many artists before him have—well after his days on Earth. But Joseph is not ready to give up on the here and now just yet.

Comments

There are 8 comments associated with this post

PHansen November 13, 2012, 17:49:25

Damn! I didn’t get to see Stockholm Syndrome and I really wanted to. I have a few audience recordings of them and I still listen to them quite a bit when I want that edgy-jamband sort of sound. Hopefully that band is revived at somepoint, I would love to catch a show of theirs. Good article/interview btw.

TMWSIY parker November 14, 2012, 17:10:04

Thank you for this fantastic interview/column. It is one of the best things I have read on Relix in a long time and one of best JJ interviews I’ve ever read too. As I long time fan of the Jackmormons, Denmark Veseys, Stockholm Syndrome and every other incarnation, I really do hope for bigger stage & success for Jerry as well as continued happiness. He deserves it more than just about anybody. Again, thanks for the great column.

Conrad November 14, 2012, 20:01:41

Jerry is the man and completely under-appreciated. Love reading about him and enjoy listening to his music even more. Well done on the article, hopefully it turns more people on to the genius of his songwriting and the unparalleled passion he spits onstage. “Let the bygones, be gone”. Go get ‘em, Jerry.

Chicoavenue November 14, 2012, 23:58:04

Love his music (jackmormons & Stockholm)! Recently saw him & I totally dig how every song is an intense, rocking journey. overall the music experience is positive/redemptive, but if you’re looking for only happy la la, these songs are much more than only that. he’s not afraid to hold up the mirror & delve the dark sides. I can appreciate the layers and for yrs am befuddled as to why people don’t get it. Thanks for the article…never knew about the California roots.

Chris November 15, 2012, 12:52:52

Jerry is easily he most underrated, under appreciated musician of all time. his shows are always amazing, and the Stockholm shows were great. I caught 5-6 of them. Truth is people can’t handle the truth he talks, and he’s too intense of a performer for most. their loss and our gain! Make the 300 mile drve to NYC anytime he’s there. Especially “North.” His music is the soundtrack to my life and I still listen to him just about daily. Left everyone I knew behind, sinking in their own addictions and moved up north to VT. Found out just how big I am. Was lucky enough to have a friend that worked for Jerry and turned me onto the J’mos about 15 yrs ago.

peterjkraus November 15, 2012, 14:15:17

I first saw Jerry and Little Women open for Burning Spear in the 80´s, thought he was very hot shit back then and still think so. Right on, Jerry. We´re still with you.

Sharon Sullivan November 15, 2012, 21:36:06

I have been listening to Jerry’s music since the 80’s. The words and music have always taken me outside myself and connected me to pain, hope and faith more than anything in this world, and perhaps way beyond this silly existence we have on earth. I have said for the last few years, as I travel all over the country to see him and give us truth and guide us to the inner parts of our soul, that he deserves to make enough money to do every damn thing he wants to do, live in whatever luxury he chooses, and be appreciated for the brilliant, beautiful person he is. I would gladly dance in a big stadium if it meant he “made it” the way he wants to. My life makes sense becasue of his music and that’s a gift none of us, who really “get it”, can ever repay.

colin November 15, 2012, 22:44:49

My personal favorite, Screamin’ Annie was a Little Women hit everytime they played the Bistro in Logan back in the 80’s. Jerry has a heart of gold but he weras an iron mask. Carry on brother, the world will catch up to you soon and you can suck it in like a briny oyster.