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

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Jerry Joseph: I’m F***ing Happy

“I don’t think I have personally, in my heart of hearts, conceded,” says Joseph. “I tell people, ‘Ya know man, it’s not about being successful anymore,’ I always say that, ‘It’s just about being grateful that I have a job.’ But fuck that. In the back of my head I’m like, ‘Maybe this record is the one.’”

And he’s not the only person who believes fame could arrive at any moment. For as long as Joseph has been in the game, someone has been dangling the carrot of success in front of him. To this day, when he wants to make a record, he doesn’t have to use Kickstarter and if he wants to tour Southeast Asia (as he did last year) or the Middle East (as he will later this year), someone funds it.

There are still people in Joseph’s corner and many of them, including him, thought that Stockholm Syndrome would be the breakthrough. But after two albums, including 2011’s Apollo, which barely made a blip on the music radar even though it was very good, and several tours later, the band fizzled out.

Schools was busy with Panic, Louis with Mule and McFadden and Ingram had a lot going on as well. But Joseph put almost all of his eggs in that basket. He gave the band excellent material, put The Jackmormons on hold and stood on a soapbox screaming, “This isn’t a side project.” But that’s exactly what it turned into and the toll on Joseph was heavy.

“I think everybody thought it was going to be fucking huge,” he says about Stockholm. “Watching that fuck up—I don’t want to admit it—was probably as difficult for me as anything. All this money, all this effort and it’s all gonna go down the fucking tubes. Why?”

It’s a question that Joseph has asked himself countless times: Why? Why not me? But something has been happening during the past few years. Friends of Joseph’s see it in his demeanor and fans hear it on the new album in songs like “Thanks and Praises,” “Mile High, Mile Deep” and “Temple of Love.” Joseph seems to be finding a bit of peace and compassion in his later days. Maybe it’s the Bikram yoga, AA or the bond with his family, but he seems to finally appreciate what he has instead of longing for what he doesn’t.

“I haven’t had to suck anybody’s dick to play my own music and I get paid for it,” he says with a smile. “I’ve got three beautiful children and a baby on the way. I love my wife and she’s gorgeous and seems to love me sometimes. I have some really good friends around the world. I’ve seen a lot of the world and I’m OK. It’s turned out fine—or more than fine.

“Who would have thought that at 50 is when I’d finally figure it out? Life’s short and it doesn’t mean if you say the wrong thing to me I’m not gonna break a fucking bottle over your head, but at the same time, it’s a fucking gift. It’s this big gift and I need to learn to say, ‘thank you’ more.”

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.