Backstage Pass Radio

S1: E5: Joey C. Jones - (Sweet Savage) - Stylin & Profilin (Remastered)

June 02, 2021 Backstage Pass Radio Season 1 Episode 5
Backstage Pass Radio
S1: E5: Joey C. Jones - (Sweet Savage) - Stylin & Profilin (Remastered)
Show Notes Transcript

This is the interview with Joey C. and Antonio Brazil calling in from Dallas Texas. 

 

Joey C Jones Master

Tue, 12/28 9:25PM • 1:30:31

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

band, play, song, joey, antonio, great, guitar, record, started, music, randy, houston, musicians, big, written, days, called, love, years, bandmates, Joey C. Jones, Sunset Strip, Whiskey, Troubadour, Shock Tu, Glory Hounds, CC DeVille, Poison, podcast, Backstage Pass Radio, Backstage Pass Radio Podcast, Randy Hulsey, Randy Hulsey Music, Randy Hulsey Podcast, Sweet Savage

SPEAKERS

Randy Hulsey, Joey C. Jones, Adam Gordon

 

Randy Hulsey  00:00

Welcome you guys. My guest this evening is one of the top front men in the nation is fronted bands such as Joey C. Jones and the glory hounds, pal Joey orange helicopter shot two, and the ever popular band sweet savage. And he went on to become Rock Royalty on the Sunset Strip back when hair bands were where it was at you guys buckle in, because I'm gonna have joycie Jones styling and profiling with me right here in the crystal vision studios. When we come back.

 

Adam Gordon  00:28

This is backstage pass radio, the podcast that's designed for the music junkie with a thirst for musical knowledge. Hi, this is Adam Gordon. And I want to thank you all for joining us today. Make sure you like subscribe and turn the alerts on for this and all upcoming podcasts. And now here's your host of backstage pass radio, Randy Halsey.

 

Randy Hulsey  00:58

Joey, good evening, buddy. Good to see you.

 

Joey C. Jones  01:01

Thank you, Randy. It's always a pleasure to see my longtime fan.

 

Randy Hulsey  01:04

I'm also joined by Antonio Brasil, the guitarist for Joey C. Jones. Antonio, glad you're with us.

 

Joey C. Jones  01:10

Thank you. Glad to be here. Appreciate it.

 

Randy Hulsey  01:11

Awesome. So Joey, I guess first and foremost, let's go back some years. Let's go back to Joey C. Jones, the kid? What kind of kid were you growing up?

 

Joey C. Jones  01:22

Well, unfortunately, I'm still a kid. On the on the outside. It is what it is on the inside. I'm eternally 13. You know, I was a kid I grew up as a damn hillbilly, believe it or not, for the first eight, nine years of my life. It wasn't run water part of those areas. But I watch a TV. I knew there was something bigger out there. And I was so fascinated just with things like watching the night show. And there are CNN type music on TV on flip out. And there was always music going on around me. My parents played acoustic guitars, records always spent in radios on there's just music around me at all time. So when I was a kid, I was in the music and sports. And I took an interest in girls at a young age very young age. Let's say I was I was a bit of armor. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  02:08

You got to be to be a rock star, you got to have some honor and write a little attitude. Absolutely. What age would you say that you really started getting into the music? Do you even remember? Like, what was his magical age that you're like, Man, this is? This is where it's at man. And this is going to shape my life somehow. I think

 

Joey C. Jones  02:29

honestly, I would say it was probably about kindergarten about five years old.

 

Randy Hulsey  02:33

So you knew what early? Yeah.

 

Joey C. Jones  02:35

Because again, music was around me from the beginning. And by the time I was in kindergarten, I was my mom was buying me 45 That crazy and Beatles albums. And that's how I don't get home from school and to spend records all day, especially in the winter when you're freezing your ass off in the southeastern Ohio hills. Nothing else to do is it's constant music around me at all times. Yeah. I knew what I wanted to do. Five or six years old. I had a plan in my head.

 

Randy Hulsey  03:02

You talked about being in the cold and whatnot. Where did you grow up specifically?

 

Joey C. Jones  03:07

Oh, boy, phone Ridge running and hillbilly Hill Jack? Right. It's Southeast Ohio, which is obviously still to this day. We're about the poorest part of America that there's still hungry children there which is breaking my heart, but it's just kind of that tri state area where it's Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, where the men are men and the goats are nervous as hell.

 

Randy Hulsey  03:32

There are some places like that in Texas too. You know?

 

Joey C. Jones  03:36

Like Antonio who grew up in Southern California, you know?

 

Randy Hulsey  03:41

No such no such. So you talked about the young years about sports, where you you were doing sports as a teenager, I know that we shared a little bit of a conversation last night about you know, basketball and that kind of thing. Talk to us about you know, what was your sport of choice? What were you good at?

 

Joey C. Jones  04:03

I my parents love sport as well. So I have to give them credit for me loving music and sport. She was a again back in that area. You can always find some people to get a game going when that baseball football, basketball, basketball was always my favorite. I love baseball. I grew up in massive Cincinnati Reds fan, which is close to the area where I lived in I got to go see a few games there. And it just it made me interested in it and I found out that I was pretty damn athletic. And honestly, when I was a freshman in high school or five foot nine, I could jump up a texter air, which is really weird for someone,

 

Randy Hulsey  04:39

your height, whatever they call that vertically challenged.

 

Joey C. Jones  04:44

I just loved it so much. Right all the way through school.

 

Randy Hulsey  04:47

Well, I'm six two, and I don't I don't even think that I could ever even jump up and touch the rim. So kudos to you for being able to do that. I didn't have that same ability in the jump category. As a teenager, the music started, you know, you were into it at at the kindergarten age, as a teenager, what bands were coming up or what were you listening to that really solidified your love for music, do any bands stick out at that 14 1516 year old age that really made an impact on you.

 

Joey C. Jones  05:22

And we'll get into that the first thing that loved me was the Beatles. And then after that it was all those super pop hits of the early 70s That just those things level me. But in terms of rock stuff, early Aerosmith, early bonds got ACDC. Of course, when Vaknin would come out, I just lost my mind. So I would say those three bands, you know, Steven taller bond, Scott, David Lee Roth, than once I've seen those guys, I've lost my mind. And instead of being in the full on bubble gum stuff of the early 70s, then like seven or six years ago, when I found the bond, Scott, and then Steven Tyler, and then Roth, and what was that seven, seven or eight when the first fan Annamaria. It was those three bands. And then of course, I'm lucky enough to have seen all those banners in those in their early years. Live. I met Bob Scott. It was freezing cold in Charleston, West Virginia. Vaughn Scott and Pat Travers show just about six months before Bob passed away. And it was so cold that night that there was no one in the back by where the bus was where it advantages. So my friends go around. So I'm gonna walk in there, there was no security and when I walked in, walk past two doors when the left push the door open that the boss got there with his bodyguard I think speed and then I blew my brains away. They lost your mind. When when Bob Scott and the rest of the band and the whole entourage was leaving. They let me walk out with my physio extended car freeze. And then I got on talking. I told you guys got to hang out.

 

Randy Hulsey  07:03

Don't ever doubt me Don't ever. Yeah, that's the story, man. That's an awesome story. And I had one of my good friends that did an interview with me several weeks ago, and I kind of asked him the same question like What influenced you? And he said, I had an older brother. And he bought a ticket with my cousin to AC DC. And we went back I think it was at the music hall here in Houston. When Bond Scott was with them. And two weeks later is when Bond Scott died. So he saw him right before you know, bond Scott passed and I I can't say this I've never seen AC DC live period is one of the few shows that I haven't seen. But especially with the great bond Scott, right, there you go. Let's talk about the bands that you were in that you've been in, walk the listeners through maybe as best of a chronological order of the bands that that you came up through to now.

 

Joey C. Jones  08:03

Okay, my first band what was I was in high school and there were the forfeit the four piece band and three of the guys were in the marching band. And they didn't like me at all just because I was a cocky guy with the long hair and all that they were very educated and doing better for their family a little better financially than mine. And I've seen them play a lot. And they were really good. And then I approached them to look guys can't say no to your music great, but you need a singer. And they let me in the band was called crew. So I was going to lead the parade. And we did all covers and we stood we could do the entire side of 2012 at around a while. And to get those those guys could play it and my voice was so damn hot. I was good, weak and narrow. So it started in high school. But when I was in third grade, I'm staying up a purchase family song in front of the class so that that was the first time I was in front of an audience. But 11th grade and we started playing after game dances and just in junior High's where the girls would scream and go crazy. Once I heard girls scream, I go damn. This This is better than getting an athletic scholarship to be the starting quarterback for Ohio State. It's better to be a singer in high school band and to be the best athlete

 

Randy Hulsey  09:17

so you say so you're saying you quit your job at the carwash to become a rock singer.

 

Joey C. Jones  09:24

It's fine, because the carwash was a pushover.

 

Randy Hulsey  09:28

Alright, so after that, where did you go after that vandalize?

 

Joey C. Jones  09:32

After that I I moved to the big city, Columbus, Ohio. I got out a little time to move to Columbus, Ohio. And I was going to cover two bands and again I got lucky I found a really talented players. So the first one we were found in assassin and the second one has been called babyface. And I learned so much from all from other members of those bands. Some of them were a little older than me and they had been doing stuff. And then after that I'd have to hire come to Dallas and that's the mainland crew. Smooth Randy St. John started sweet savage. After sweet Savage, it was shocked to, to shock to it was CC for about six months this develop. And then it was Josey Jones and Gloria down. And then Crabtree and various versions of the Joey van and the best thing about that is the guy that sat next to me now, it's taken me years to have a great one incredible snare but Antonius voices beyond belief. So that was in the high school bands. We savage shot to glory gnomes, Crabtree or helicopter and various versions of the job?

 

Randy Hulsey  10:39

And Was there ever any of those bands that were your favorite? And if so, why was it a favorite for you?

 

Joey C. Jones  10:47

It's so hard to pick a favorite app because the app is

 

Randy Hulsey  10:50

so different, right? They're all different.

 

Joey C. Jones  10:54

Every sound was different, every person that and the bandmates personalities were different. But again, I've just been so lucky even since the 11th grade to jump on board with good people, talented people just I'm not a massive superstar. But there are a lot of massive superstars who are honest and someone says, How did you make it? Well, I got lucky, is what they say. Well, I can say that I got lucky on another level. With the 10s of millions. I got lucky in a different way. Especially with with Anton

 

Randy Hulsey  11:26

Well, yeah, you're blessed to be surrounded by great musicians. And I heard you say something to Antonio, about me play and Gerry Rafferty, you you saw that guy, that's great. But here's the thing. You know, I'm probably the most humble musician in the world. I'm good enough to go out and sound pretty good. I see guys like Antonio play in even my son who's playing with me on a lot of my shows now. And I'm nowhere near the guitarist that these guys are, but I do well enough. And I sing well enough to go out and get paid and do it. But I never professed to be the greatest out there for sure. So thanks for the kudos on on the song that was great coming from somebody like yourself. Were you ever go ahead?

 

Joey C. Jones  12:12

I'm sorry, you. You're very humble Randy, but you do sound good. For me. I find it very hard to be humble.

 

Randy Hulsey  12:24

Oh, wait, you're kidding. Right. You know, you have to have some kind of arrogance and confidence about you and everything you do. Otherwise, people will tend to walk on you and you don't you got to demand the respect. And part of that is having the arrogance and the cockiness but backing it up. And I think that I've seen that the confidence in you, I'd call it confidence. You might call it something else. But you know, you're good at what you do. And you can back it up. Were you ever an instrumentalist? Was it always just a singer? Or did you ever play guitar? Did you ever dabble with any, any instruments along the way? Talk to us about that.

 

Joey C. Jones  13:05

Yeah, when I was eight years old, my mom bought me a Dremel kit and I started taking drum lessons at 40 miles an hour hills, funny place to do it. And my drum teacher broke my arm. This is you're not going to be a drummer. It kind of crushed me. Now, I do play guitar. I played to write songs. Okay, good. On a riff guy or player, I just play to get my melody ideas together, you know, just little chord progressions, and then I turn it over to someone like Antonio, who can just take my basic ideas a little further.

 

Randy Hulsey  13:39

So you play like me, is what you're saying. Just good enough to get

 

Joey C. Jones  13:44

you where you are better. I've always been a melody guy. Now he's popped into my head and done scrapper. So okay, here it is. Turner's cylinders array,

 

Randy Hulsey  13:53

and you know what, in, in all fairness, it takes guys like you it takes guys like Antonio, you have to have a bass player, they all have their role. And if everybody knows their role in the band and contributes from there, that's what makes a great band at the end of the day. It's not one person that's making the whole band. It's a collaborative effort. And I did the band thing back in the 80s when you were in sweet Savage, and a lot of people ask me now why, why don't you play in a band, you know, you have a nice voice and you play guitar. And I'm like, I'm the only one that wants to deal with my attitude. I want to play the songs that I want to play when I want to play um, I want to play the shows that I want to play, and I want to take all the money home, right? I don't want to share that with anybody. So that's my reason. That's my reason that that's why I'm a solo artist these days. Was there a vocalist along the way? And you spoke about bond Scott and I'm sure Steven Tyler your Aerosmith fan. Is there a vocalist along the way that you looked up to as a performer and that you kind of just said you know if I was going to Be one guy, I would be that guy. They're not that you aspire to be somebody else. But we've all had that one musician or multiple musicians that we would love to be like,

 

Joey C. Jones  15:11

as a dream came true for me. I would it would be being able to be 70s version of Steven Tyler, which was the best, the best rocker in history. 70 Jasmine. So imagine the performer that's even taller wasn't 70 of Robins Anders. If Tyler Zander had a invocate, I wish they would have been me. It's great manager and

 

Randy Hulsey  15:34

you know what's funny? What's funny is Oh, my I, you know, I'm looking at this outline that I wrote for your show, so I didn't forget things. And it I reminded myself to ask you about who you looked up to as a vocalist. And then right under that it says, I would have to think that Robin Zander is somewhere on your list. So I had a feeling that Robin Zander was in there some somewhere without a doubt. I could just detect that in the way you sing. Not that you sound like Robin zander. But I don't I don't know. I don't know why. But Robin Zander pops into my brain when I think of your singing and whatnot.

 

Joey C. Jones  16:13

Thank you for saying. Thank you, buddy.

 

Randy Hulsey  16:17

You moved from Ohio. You left the music scene in Ohio. When did you come to Texas? You went from Ohio to Dallas? I think you said what year were we talking about there? Do you remember the year?

 

Joey C. Jones  16:30

Yeah, that was 1984. The year that atoning his favorite band band in particular at record at random St. John already lived in the Dallas area. Lane and Chris Sheridan left, Columbus first came down that Randy St. John, I really didn't even form that band. I kind of got lucky and God got asked to be in it. So for that I credit Wayne Sheridan for sharing arrange date, John. I think actually what happened was they just couldn't find anybody down here. They called me from Ohio. So I came down here and I prefer those guys for that, of course, John Boozman Maccabaeus management for booking the hell out nationwide. Yep.

 

Randy Hulsey  17:09

Before Gotcha 84. Okay, that's about the year that I was graduating from high school. So I would have to think that you are probably right around 1920 years old around that time. Interestingly enough, Randy St. John, I, he comes to some of my shows, from time to time I see him and his lady there. Not too often, but I do see him and I've been hoping, you know, with the whole COVID thing. I don't have a way to get in touch with him unless I see him. But I was hoping that at some point in time I bump into him again, and I can share a talk on my show with him and whatnot. We live not too far from one another here in the Cypress Houston area.

 

Joey C. Jones  17:48

Yeah, I will have him called contact right now. That would be great. So

 

Randy Hulsey  17:51

what's your take on the music that you're hearing these days? Are there any favorite artists of Josey? Jones today? And is there a I know you're a rock guide? But is there a favorite genre or a new genre for you because I've always been the rock pig myself, you know, all the all the bands that you've mentioned is what I loved growing up. And I realized later on when I got into playing out as a solo act, you can't go in and just do one genre you have to you have to span multiple genres. So I really have gotten into this Americana genre as of late and I wanted to find out from you like it has your head always been rock and roll? Or have you ever thought well, you know, I might try to do something in that genre or talk to me a little bit about that. And the stuff that you're hearing today if there's anything appealing to you or not.

 

Joey C. Jones  18:43

Yeah, I'm sure that Antonio is much more up to date with music time reading via music world then he can fit in the palm of my hand and it's been like that since I was a kid. I love what I love is the kid with the bubble gum stuff British Invasion, mid 70s Rock eyes that I mentioned since then I really haven't been blown away by anything. It's it's weird. I'm very shallow in every facet of life but my music world is always fit in the palm of my hands never really expanded. Except for wasn't the kid I really am heard anything new that allows me to experience I guess I should maybe pay a little bit of attention. It's kind of a beaten?

 

Randy Hulsey  19:23

Well, it's it's kind of it's kind of interesting, because like I said, as a solo artist, you have to be a little diverse. Because I'm doing cover mostly cover stuff. And my wife Terry is always after me, you know, you should learn this from you know, 2004 and I always make the joke. I turned off the radio in 1989 and I didn't listen to the shit again. Right and because I know the whole the you know the hair metal was going out and the grunge was coming in. And while I love the Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam, I think they're all wonderful groups. That wasn't my genre that was wasn't my scene. You know I think one of the bands for me that came out and has a big Led Zeppelin influence you guys might have heard of them but this Greta Greta Van Fleet Band, I think they're a bunch of kids out of Detroit that sound really cool these days. But how about you, Antonio, I haven't spoken a lot to you. What were influences for you as a guitarist? What music were you into and whatnot?

 

Joey C. Jones  20:24

Well, I grew up my dad was a guitar player. So I had music in the house. And you know, I think if I went to pick out a guitar player that made me decide my my dad could do the country guy who's a, who is a southern southern country, Southern California country guy like the like. sideshows are like Merle Haggard and bucho ins and all those guys out there, and California country stuff. But when I heard a Frailey blade from Kiss, as a little kid, I you know, I've always looked at it as rock music. It is an entertainment industry. So for me to be entertained by this massively show, that was kid and they had costumes, they were bigger than life and a Fraley was such an imaginative play player. That kind of played like Robin Trower, you influenced by Robin Trower, and a lot of New York Dolls type players and and you played a Les Paul, that was like my guy. And I could kind of start learning how to play like them. But then, of course, Van Halen came along and changed everything. And you got to tell the backyard story. The tape the limo ride, this is going to freak you out Randy tell me level. So my older brother like what you're talking about that introduced me to a lot of other bands. So kiss was introduced to me by my brother. And Van Halen was a band that he would listen to. I never really paid attention at that time. I was an actor in California. That was a kid kid actor. And I was doing a play with this girl named Alison. She became my friend. And she's like, Hey, do you want to see my brother's band play? And I was like, Sure. Okay, so get with your mom and whatever. Well, I go over to her house. And there's a limousine outside. And we went in the house. And I saw a picture of kid from the wall. And I was like, Okay, this is it. She said, Yes. My brother's bands, Britain and my brother's friend, Gene Simmons. And who are we going to see? Well, it was Van Halen. Wow. I was a kid. My very first concert, we're getting a limousine, we'd go to the LA Coliseum. It was California Jazz Music Festival. I got out of the car. I was waiting backstage with her, which was outside of course to limousines drive up. David Lee Ross, just out of one. Eddie Van Halen gets out of the other, they have a girl in each arm. And I was like, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I don't care.

 

Randy Hulsey  23:00

That's all you got to learn three chords on the guitar, right?

 

Joey C. Jones  23:05

So I picked up that I picked up the guitar and started playing after that. But I'd say that, you know, kiss and Van Halen for a kid that was in you know, elementary school and middle school like I was at that time it was there was a thing that Nick carried me over but sure out of everybody I think that changed me musically as I've gotten older, I would have to say key decks which is a big huge huge and that was guitar here is painted with keen Texas pitcher on it and they signed it all I'm such a big fan of there. And and follow those guys forever and ever and ever. And they kind of helped me service the song and, and really, you know, because in the 80s and stuff is great time for musicians and everything. But there was this big thing to write the, the technical lead guitar player and all this and then when I heard King, Dex and 87 and 88 on their first album and then of course on Brechin. They were serving the songs what I call so they were they did whatever they could do to, to write a beautiful song. Exactly. And and then carried over with everything. And when Joey and I think that that's kind of the stuff we like to do.

 

Randy Hulsey  24:25

I remember the song over my head off the gretchin album and as a as a young I call I say I was a young I'm certainly a young guy then my wife and I had just gotten married and I took up a part time job. I was an IT guy for a major oil company here in Houston. And I took up a part time job at sound warehouse if you guys have ever heard of that record chain back here today, and that particular that particular one was on the corner of Westheimer and dairy Ashford here in Houston. And Doug used to be in the store all the time and I got to know him when I was working there for the short probably four or five months that I was there but in my autograph memorabilia room upstairs because I spent many years in professional hockey as an official I've collected on the you know, autographed and signed memorabilia over the years. And up in that room. There's actually a Gretchen. I think it's Gretchen goes to Nebraska or something like that. Don't that signed by him when he came into the store? So I still have that in that room up there. Yeah, interesting.

 

Joey C. Jones  25:33

Yeah. Another band, Joey. And I share in common that we absolutely love jelly. Jelly fish only put out to record. And that was just some really, really cool Mark writing out hot music that came out in the early 90s. And just really, really, really cool stuff. I don't know Calvin cannot 92 is probably one of the greatest cohesive songwriting I've heard.

 

Randy Hulsey  25:59

I'll have to check that out. Because I've heard that name drop from somebody else. Just recently jelly fish. I don't even remember who, who mentioned them. But it's somebody that I very much respect in music. And I figure you know, my mindset is, if they like them, then I need to at least give them a shot and listen to them. Right. So I'm gonna have to put that on my, on my to do list. Thanks for sharing that story in the I guess the other question to you be in a big ace Fraley fan, I have to ask you, did you ever put a smoke bomb on your guitar? And

 

Joey C. Jones  26:32

I try not to ruin a great guitar. Well, but you know, I mean, we do I dressed up for Halloween. And I mean, really? I love them. Sure.

 

Randy Hulsey  26:46

Sure. Well, it's a I can tell by the face and the hair that it never blew up on. Yes. So that's a good we all we all have to experiment with the smoke bomb for sure. So tell me what band were you in when you ran into CC Deville from poison? And were you not in a band? Were you in a band? How did the whole CC Deville thing come about?

 

Joey C. Jones  27:10

Okay, when was in Hollywood 8586 87 Poison arrived at the same time, sweet DaVinci. And that was when they have Nashville has their guitar. So it brought Bob and rocket prior CC in there. And then CC joining. I was just friends with all those guys bottom left them they were very nice to me. I'm not going to take credit for their success by any means. But I was able to turn like incredible late blessing count powers or under that band account help blow them up over an alien. And I was able to turn him on a couple other people to help him a little bit as well. Again, I have nothing to do with it their Success Weekly, but GCI started getting really close. And I knew that he wasn't happy with what was going on in the band. Brett wasn't happy with him. They are worrying all the time. And Bob and I are out of trance because Bob Bob married my neighbor now. So Bob and Bill just started contacting me and this was 1990 They started contacting me regularly and Bob dolly and put a studio in my heart getting one of my dad publishing. Anyway, so again, I was close the night the MTV Video Music Awards debacle happened with a train wreck one of those songs Yep, I got a call at 5am my time on the stage is Rick urato What will it take? California is a little close to all this money now send me a check for this and fight Nakamoto talk. Well he did and he started put a plan together and either left poison or Vaseline. Let's talk about that. But he started doing everything that he said he was going to do and I'll put a great man together. So I went there once it was just me and him talking the second time I went out his car my pee in the lake right Jimmy bang and see see how that's quite a quite an advantage and he later moved into these towns all they had was a chair an old lamp in front of the dog. Wow. But anyway so when I showed up in second Carmine keys in a browser sabotages letter Jimmy vane Deep Purple do this is quite a mix of the three of those guys you got poison guys in the film and do deep purple and and all the stuff that comedy is scratching my head so and they learned some of my songs that we hadn't written anything yet so I'm like damn I got Carmine Jimmy day playing my stuff and Carmine you overplays drastic. So anyway, that lasted for I don't know about five or six weeks and all of a sudden, CC and karma Jimmy couldn't come to any final financial agreements, you know, everybody needed a bunch of money upfront to make sure the situation was good. So all of a sudden, Carmine and Jimmy leave, and I'm like, 550, what's next? So he's literally paraded every 80s, early 90s bass player and drummer you can imagine through there, and none of them were worth shit. I'm sorry, pardon my language. Excuse me, none of them more prepared ended up the S word.

 

Randy Hulsey  30:29

You're good, you're good to go.

 

Joey C. Jones  30:32

So let's see, do we need a bunch of young guys that nobody knows that are hungry, that they are going to isn't going to be all about the money, as their energy will do this do as well. And all of a sudden, it turned into Chris Torok and the Adam Hamilton. Adam Hamilton is now a list producer. He occasionally calls me thank you, is it still good to meet? So all of a sudden, and Hamilton Crosstourer actually to develop me, we started rehearsing writing songs, tecni, come up with the song Broadway. And things started going down and put me in terms of certain people that was living analysis reviews. And the fact that there's a lot of, I'll just go and say, I love girls and stuff. But when you're hanging out with Ron Jeremy, he's bringing girls that are like 18 years old up there and hanging out all the time. Normally, it would just be something to be thrilled about and dive into blah, blah. Yeah, can't do it. So I just started freaking out all the crazy stuff that was going on there. I'm not saying I was a saint, my name is not blue lily white. I started talking to Chris Rock man him like, we need to split. Give me six months, I will get some some kind of a record deal. It may not be Interscope, but I will get a something. And they trusted me. And I put off I got to do like four months. And the company was wonderful to us. And there were a lot of veterans from RCA Records that was part of that company. And they everything that they were saying that they said that they were going to do and then we picked up Craig Bradford and Les Hamilton. I mean less characters and everyone but less moved into my house in the Dallas area. And we were just so close. So that's how the glory.

 

Randy Hulsey  32:22

Yep. I think you said you played with CC for blood. About six months. It was a short stint right? Yeah. And then what what did you guy? Broadway was one of the songs that you co wrote together, right? Yeah, were there others that maybe I've heard that UNCC wrote together as well? Or was that the only one that y'all

 

Joey C. Jones  32:44

Yeah, that was the only well we were actually doing some of the stuff that I had recorded the Nielsen Xander CC and learn that stuff and some other stuff that I come up with. Real quick before I get the best thing about living with CeCe was Sam Kinison and his wife were going through a terrible separation at that time, there was a beat on each other going to jail. So Kennison moved in with Cece, okay, it was worth spending up for days. The same kids receiving stopped, he didn't character around the clock. That guy would stay up for days without sleep. I couldn't do that. Wow. But he would get all welled up and I'd say alright, Sam, I'm gonna dial up a friend of mine, and I'll give Kennison a little information on who they were and what and what they did. In terms of like got that column up in front of you do I usually with all the things again, that is the best thing about it. The back to your question, Randy. I'm sorry, I'm always all over the place. That's fine. Those are massive head injuries are too much weed.

 

Randy Hulsey  33:48

Well, it's always it was it was cool to see some of the old pics magazine pics with you and guys like Bret Michaels and Janie Lane from Warren, tell us what the old days on the Sunset Strip were like, like, you know, as anybody that follows or has followed rock over the years, the 80s are synonymous with the Sunset Strip and Hollywood and for guys like myself, who never got to play on Sunset Strip at some of the places that you play. Tell us what the old strip days were like in your own words. Or what you remember the strip days being like back in the 80s

 

Joey C. Jones  34:31

Believe it or not, I have I've forgotten any of that.

 

Randy Hulsey  34:35

I'm sure you haven't

 

Joey C. Jones  34:36

much fun. Okay, so sweet savage right up there late at the same time as Porter and at that time all the record companies were considering that the hair bands and really signing me that they were just considering it for what it was like it is you know, it was amazing because there was the combination of all the local bands, all the local fans or the bands that just frequented the strip. And of course, seven days with there's tourists out there. Now the streets were packed. Actually Did you know The rooms are kind of small via whiskey capacity about what 400, Roxy Roxy was maybe $400, maybe 302 Or maybe 300. But the street even attempting to get to do your job was a challenge. Yeah. And it's wonderful because everybody was dressed up, whether you're in a band, and you really couldn't tell who was in a band and who wasn't because they all dress the part, right? Yeah, there were guys who worked a lot of at auto parts stores that the hair up and a hat and then when he would go to the strip to make one and you couldn't tell exactly. But the energy was unbelievable the energy of all the people the enthusiasm. It was just just the absolute incredible period. And I know I could speak for everyone who was involved with that none of us will ever ever forget

 

Randy Hulsey  35:54

that here. And it'll probably never be the same like that again. You know? I mean it. I don't know how it could be. But back in those times in the mid 80s. In Hollywood, Los Angeles, was there a favorite place that you played when you were out there? Is there one room that you say, Oh, that was the room.

 

Joey C. Jones  36:14

The best room actually, it wasn't in Hollywood, it was in and we're speed it over in the mountains called the a country club. That is a big place, you get probably 1800 1500 in there. So it's wonderful to play there because all of a sudden you're playing in front of close to 2000 people versus 400. Not not not that the whiskey bizarre is the Rajni. And tuber of fun. It was a blast. Country Club in receiving was great. And speaking the whiskey in New Year's Eve 2018 and 19 Antonio, and I've been playing the whiskey and it was great to go back and do that again. Is the crowds were great inhabited. The sidewalks were empty and like. Sure, sure. The girls were so beautiful in those days, man. Yeah,

 

Randy Hulsey  37:00

I grew up in those days. I know. I know. I certainly know what they look like for sure. And I'm sure that it was just magnified for you guys out there being in that scene and whatnot. Were you guys living in LA? Or were you commuting back and forth at the time? Where were you taking up residence at that time?

 

Joey C. Jones  37:20

Okay, again, we went up there. Kind of bought the middle of 85 Just because John boobs from America Day management folks out there. And at that time, our promo photos alone the promo photos of sweet challenge were so good because this now I'm gonna go ahead and say that I want to talk about who I started that that whole damn look, it was sweet sandwich. If anybody wants to credit anybody else. Disconnect your buzzer, you're wrong. And that I actually figured that a lookout when I was really young, I was fascinated with hair and makeup and makeup almost double check my hair. They were looking at me with over the net. And this was like, you know, 819 80 or something. So sweet savage started that a whole look. And so by the time we arrived, Randy in California, our promo photos that are posted everywhere, and people knew us we're like, damn, this is great. And we were are selling out, you know, 2000 feet rooms in Houston. Now first time there were a little skeptical. And maybe these locals were outdraw knowing that the buzz about us was incredible. And then we moved out there and very early 1986. And we recorded the record with Dan strum and Sam and Dan and stayed up there off and on until late 1988.

 

Randy Hulsey  38:37

Dana strum was the bass player. I'm trying my old memory. I'm trying to jog it back to he was a bass player. Wasn't he playing with Bob Rock in a band? Does that sound familiar to you? Absolutely. slaughter was it slaughter.

 

Joey C. Jones  38:58

Now it wasn't and in speaking about Iraq, I love him so much. And he gives me a lot of credit in his book on the one who turned him on to Vinny and Dana Strom. And thank you, Bobby, for the memory that for including me in your book and putting my photo in your book. Thanks. Thank you, Bobby. I love you. Yeah, Dana. Dana was a hustler. He was a guy that found Randy rose for Augie. And he produced a Saturday thing and he's looking for a drummer and he want to steal ran St. John and we can't lose Randy. So I got a quick and Bobby popped into my mind and Bobby got the gig and Bob is still working the day that I love it.

 

Randy Hulsey  39:41

Yeah, and I think he was he's a Houston boy from what from what is that? Right. He's from Houston, right? Yeah. And I think the story with him was something like an I probably get a sister's name or I think it was Pam or something. But he was teaching drums at h&h or something here in Houston and got the opportunity to audition with Vinnie Vincent and I think either his sister gave him a van or gave him 400 bucks. And he jumped in the van drove to California, California and out of like 400 people that audition for the Vinnie Vincent invasion, who was the former guitarist of Kiss, he wound up getting a gig and I think that's the story, but maybe you can verify that my, my knowledge is accurate there.

 

Joey C. Jones  40:27

I'm not sure how many people audition, but I knew that if the instrument has seen it, stay in play, obviously. VHS tape, I knew that there's no way that there was anybody else. I mean, who else the body? Body did? Yeah, yeah. Those guys just made the right decision. And then of course, Bobby went on to do other huge projects as well. They're still at, and Bobby rock will be doing it. When he's 80. If he so chooses to. Definitely that dam. And his body is easy. Body's in incredible shape. And I'm the biggest Bobby fan.

 

Randy Hulsey  41:07

Well, his his arms were as big as my legs. So I do I do remember that he was a well built dude, for sure. Tell me about the current lineup. What do you have Antonio there with you. You're your guitarist. Now tell me about? Who is Joey Jones playing with now? What is the band look like? Who's your bass player who's the drummer?

 

Joey C. Jones  41:31

You know, Tony and I started auditioning people in February of 2020. It took us a while. We went through a lot of people, a lot of drummers and bass players, dealing some health health issues, and she stuck with me. And right now we're proud to say that we are playing Metallica nice day Pro, the other guitar. And we have Jeff combs on bass. And we have Danny horn on drums. And it's taken about 13 months to get this right. And we we missed the window a little bit for the reopening of everything. But we will be there soon. We will be out there sooner. That the settlers is absolutely fabulous. And this is the most excited I've ever been about jumping back out there. It's been a while since Antonio, I've done shows again do do to my house COVID, etc. Yep. So honestly feel the same way I did. When I joined my first high school band. I'm that excited again?

 

Randy Hulsey  42:31

Like a little schoolgirl. Giddy, right? That's, that's a good feeling. I mean, that's the feeling that you got to have to get out there and really put on a good show. And what what goes into finding these, these musicians because it's been so long since I've been in a band. I know. Culture is part of it. You have to have guys that you can look at and say he's a lot like me. He's like my brother like we can do this. That's part of it. The other part is musicianship. Do they suck? Are they good players? Like what were you guys looking for? In a drummer and a bass player and another guitarist?

 

Joey C. Jones  43:08

Again, it was a big challenge for us because there are there are plenty people in the Metroplex there in other areas that know who Tonio who's that know, Antonio and I, but that mean that, uh, we know them. So I first started just, you know, thinking of people that we knew, and people were just showing up on prepare, which is always the toughest part of got to be prepared or to go audition. And we can't really find anyone who was prepared. And you know, other issues, people who are dealing with children or wives and jobs and stuff that that was taking up too much of your time. Again, we finally got lucky within the last one month and we're okay now. Auditioning is brutal. Yeah, finding the right people. Is somebody alcoholic or drug addict? You never never know.

 

Randy Hulsey  44:01

Yeah, well, well, and there's no time for that if you're going to be successful as musicians, there's no time for all the shenanigans that come along with that the you know, the, the crutches that people have like drugs and alcohol and relationships and all that mean relationships are fine if they're not toxic, but sometimes relationships are just as bad as the the addiction part, right? They just get in the way of being productive. I don't miss that about the bad days, but I do remember them all too well.

 

Joey C. Jones  44:32

Putting in a lineup together is tough enough as it is and we've been in a pandemic for a year as well. So, that kind of puts a lot of the times just like going in I started playing together as a result of hanging out in de Belem and knowing mutual people and all that kind of kind of socialization, and having spent a year in hibernation like we have, you know, it makes it that much harder. So yeah, with that and everything else on top of rabid fans and Nick is definitely added to that as well. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  45:04

Well, Joey, I know, I know the challenges that you've been through, and we'll leave it at that. But it's good to see you. You You look great. It's even better to hear that you guys have new players and then you're getting back out there. And and you're ready to, you know, smash some faces with some good drive and rock and roll. I mean, that's, that's awesome. Kudos away for that. Yeah. Absolutely. And tell us about the involvement with Rick Nielson of the band, cheap trick, you know, I've seen pictures of you and Rick, in the studio. I knew there was a connection there. But in your own words, tell us how did you find Rick, how did Rick find you? What did he do for you? What was the involvement?

 

Joey C. Jones  45:48

Okay, so first of all, I have to credit my bandmates in shock to check out the last parents and we're so good. We were really good band and friend of ours had sent some of our music to Marshall burl Melton Burroughs nephew, and I would love to talk that about Marshall but I can't be doing that anymore. So Marshall heard our music. He came came to see us play and he brought Tom warmer. And you know warm was the hottest thing on seven lakes seven days. And we've been shown Tom warmer was front center jumping up and down. The nets are my fan. This guy for his Cheap Trick record. Watch jumping up and down. Anyway, so Tom Warren, one of one of the quarter million dollars just to get started. In terms of you know, it wasn't a front loaded record. We are going to show you that. Sajjad just kept telling worshiper Look, man, this is crazy to have to commit to a quarter million dollars from go. It's just wrong. I go let's get written out in a Robin Zander and Marsha Berlin's me. Like I was crazy. And he goes on those guys are not producers, they're great resistance are those are not producers. Trust me on this, contact them. Let's find out what they want. And he was unwilling to do it. And I will not budge ago, I'm not taking one damn step forward with this project. And I was being an actual because I was lucky that you know, anybody wanted to spy on us and work with tough getting record deals in the late 80s. In fact, it was 1990. So he agreed to contact him. And $40,000 versus a quarter of a million dollars. Wow, that's a total

 

Randy Hulsey  47:34

pennies on the dollar in comparison, for sure.

 

Joey C. Jones  47:38

And so Rick Nielsen came to see us in Houston at backstage club. And, and for me, I never mind I've been nervous about doing any show, except for that. And I don't get nervous about shows at all than any other scene and I'm looking at their stage right and that little balcony area. And there's Nielsen on what they're trying to show off from the desert. Nielsen doesn't get excited about anything. So Nielsen agreed to do it. And all of a sudden, we're off to just north of Rockford, Illinois, which is cheap, for example, to do some rehearsal. And we ended up recording the record in Milwaukee of all places. Why would you think of Milwaukee because there was a studio there called ad production, right across the street from the iconic sister hotel. And still to this day experience studio I was ever, you know, back in the day, those were the days of that, you know, $750,000 Mixing hospitals that were 10 foot wide. Yep. So again, we did pre production with Rick Nielsen, and I kept telling Marshall burrow and Rick just like I look, there's about two or three of our shot Tucson that I would love to report. How about we do about 10 cheap tricks on that no one ever and notes and lovely idea, obviously. But Marshall burrows fused, he wouldn't budge. But we did but Rick Nelson gave us two songs. I can wait all night. No, we needed to dream. And now that and then unfortunately, Randy, I have to get negative here. We were 90 about 85% finished with that recording 85% Finished. And we were drastically over budget over the $40,000 budget. Because Brittany was such a perfectionist is why we went yeah, so all of a sudden come up with some more money for those guys or the project wasn't going to work out and Marshall burrow refused to put up any more money and cheap tricks management can add him and he wouldn't budge. So we ended up with a with 10 songs that were about 85% completed. There were three of them that didn't have backup vocals and Britney Nelson gave us a rough mix of everything. And of course I've turned turn that into putting it on Best of Joey records excetera it's still I'm not bitter about anything Robin Zander does the bank and focus on like legally say that now we're not saying anything. We're gonna do some plays guitar on about five or six of the track, it's only as her debt is below the wavelength. And I did get so much out of that. Obviously bragging rights myself and my damage are the only act that written us and Robbins Dan or everyone in the studio with a total produce, obviously they've done stuff that other people are directly producing it. To me, it's a little small piece of cheap trip history. And to me, that means more than anything in the world during a book free, right? You're saying hi, thank you for a cheap trip, every trick in the book. And then there twice.

 

Randy Hulsey  50:49

Google Awesome. Awesome. Well, I've always been a big Cheap Trick fan. I think of all the acts that I've ever seen along the way. I probably see well, I take that back. They're probably the second most viewed act that I've seen. I've probably seen them in concert, six or seven times. I would say the number one that I've seen is zebra. Big Band out of Louisiana. It's speaking of Louisiana, I think so I'm doing an interview with Steve Blaze tomorrow night of Lilian X. And, and, and I think he's got ties to burl as well if I'm not mistaken and rat, so that's interesting. I'll have to talk to him a little bit about that tomorrow. And I I didn't want to go have

 

Joey C. Jones  51:34

Stevie Blaze. I love you. Stevie was the first of two people who set our music to Marshall burrow. So I Oh, Stevie so much. Stevie. I love you. I need to buy the best dinner. I hope that I've you you do with showing down soon. In fact, Antonio and I will do a show with Randy, you booked anybody willing to act Jonah Tonio and our man, we will be there.

 

Randy Hulsey  51:58

I'm only gonna charge you 39,000 Not 40,000 that you had to pay. So I'm giving you the discount bro. I would gladly I would gladly. If I could be a part of setting that up, I would take I would do it as a labor of love because I love both of the bands. And I had that conversation with you the other night. It's like, I have nothing to gain by this podcast. Nothing monetary is just the love of being able to talk to guys like you and Antonio, hear your story, expose the music and hopes that if you get five more listeners or 10 more listeners out of this, that's 10 that you didn't have yesterday. So anyway, so I wanted to expose the listeners to a few of the cuts from I guess different bands that you played in. We'll come back and talk a little bit about the three clips they happen to be some of my favorite clips. So I don't know that you necessarily agree that you're that they're your favorites or not. But they're mine and it's my show so I'm going to play these clips. The first one is a song called Broadway and we'll come back and chat just a little bit about that.

 

Joey C. Jones  53:39

We're getting closer now maybe

 

Randy Hulsey  53:59

so one of my favorite songs that you do there and I just learned on on the show that that was a co written with Cece, I did not know that. So was there a particular meaning behind the song? Can you tell us how that song evolved with with you and Cece?

 

Joey C. Jones  54:15

Yeah, and also I added Adam Hamilton was in on that one as well. Yeah, you know, again, when Adam and Christoph rock and I were playing with etc. We weren't really fishing to come up with songs because he was a great physical or mental state at the time and we were doing some of the stuff that I had already recorded or whatever, that you know, Cece and I just started the idea. And I don't know the lyrics and the whole attitude of everything going on, but it just came it just came to our mind. Got a credit CCN and for that as well. You know really well when it comes to lyrics and stuff. I don't really have anything figured out. I just melody I start with Melody. Melody Come First I can write a melody and melody is actually telling me how many syllables that I can use in each word what I can do is measure and that that was it. I become a better lyricist since the days of Broadway song that I'm proud of that song and people like it and thank you so much for including it on on backstage radio.

 

Randy Hulsey  55:22

Yeah, and you know, I I've always been told that you're either a lyricist or you're a lyrical airhead. You can either write songs or you can't write songs. I fall somewhere in between there I think for me, because I was never a full time musician like you guys were I didn't take songwriting serious I've written my own songs. I've dabbled with that. I've recorded some but I've never you know I've never put it out there in the public eye it's just been my thing. But I'm more of a cover guy because that's people don't want to hear my stuff at this stage of my life they rather hear brown eyed Girl by Van Morrison and some old stuff by the Eagles and and Gerry Rafferty right so that's the stuff that I play. But the next tune that I'm going to play is one that you just recently sent me and of all the ones that you sent me this one just popped for me we'll listen to it and then we'll come back and chat about it just like your head turn off your baby the vocals are spot on there bro. Like when I heard this I said and I told you this but my first thought was this song is radio ready to me. Maybe Maybe it's just my taste in music but the the harmonies the background vocals the musicianship is all there The song has a great hook. And I know that you said I don't know where the songs come from. Sometimes they start out with a melody but is there something that may be inspired hangover girl for you? And you can plead the fifth on this but a particular person I mean, what was in your mind when when you came up with the lyrics for the song? Okay, I want

 

Joey C. Jones  57:59

to credit Antonio, Brazil and Kristian Baird also the CO writers of this. The best part about this song Randy is the backend vocal. And that is all Antonio. I can't do anything without in these days.

 

Randy Hulsey  58:13

So yeah, see, I made all those nice compliments not even know and Antonio was a part of that. So Antonio perfecto. I love it. I do love it for sure.

 

Joey C. Jones  58:25

Yeah, what's what's, you know, Antonio, Christian, and I figured out the arrangement. Those lyrics just they just came to me, they're a little bit of a story behind it. It doesn't include one girl. It's just like so many girls that I've known over the years, who were friends or possibly in a relationship with whatever, that just, they would go out, planning on not getting torn up and falling down and all that stuff that always ended up happening to them. And it's just sad. It's like, there's nothing wrong with turning getting drunk. But you know, having to have somebody carry you out, put you in your car. I just find that sad. It's still going on these days. Sure. There There are young ladies to get taken advantage of by God because you know, the girls are run drunk. And they wake up the next day and they hate yourself for what they did. And it causes depression and stuff. So any girls who love to party you weekend warrior girl, you don't have to get so drunk that photo on herself or have to be carried out of somewhere. And if you do get reported drunk, I have one of mine Estonia shows we're gentlemen. We will even make sure that you get home safely that it shits about girls who make bad decisions and it's not who they are inside. It just happened to

 

Randy Hulsey  59:38

Yeah, I agree. And that's a great that's a great public service announcement because I know myself, and I'm sure I speak for Joey and Antonio. We've never gotten a rip roaring drunk and fallen down anyway. So we want to make sure that everybody else listening out there stay safe. So the last clip that I'll play here is a song called summer song I think I stumbled across this on youtube I don't know I saw you play it live but I think before the concert pub North when you were here in Houston some years back I had seen it and fallen in love with it on YouTube and then you're kind enough to give me a CD at a previous show where you were in town even years before that and it had summer song on it and I you know went on let my kids listen to it and they would they were younger than of course but they always say Hey dad, turn on summer song we want to hear summer song so we'll play a clip of that and then come back and chat a little bit about that one as well.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:00:37

never fades away in the sparkle stays that turns around your summers it was the first

 

Adam Gordon  1:01:30

Jane hold up

 

Randy Hulsey  1:01:40

love that tune as well. When was that? When was that song written? How old is it?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:01:45

Wow, that song was written in 1987. I left sweet savage briefly. And my manager had a big house up in the Hollywood Hills and gave us the house my name my bandmates night called pal Joey, Randy St. John Shane Simpson. And at that point, I said I gotta become a better songwriter. So all I would do all day was listen to this radio station in LA my room was called catered one on one. And all they played was 60 the best songs of the 60s and 70s. And they kept lemonade do a break. I can say this now because decisions are one on one play your favorite song or songs? Okay, somersaults. And then they kept playing croto Song bubblegum songs, whatever Beatles and bactine came up with it was just simply listening to that the the progression is in 50 million other songs. Nothing fancy about it, but it has hard spirit meaning to it. Love it. It's been recorded for different time. You just played a snippet of the perfect version of it, which is the one that was recently done. That version airs less than two years old. Less than two years old. The glory house. That was the glory house version. Okay, Craig Bradford, les Ferritic, Christopher Hamilton and myself. It was engineered and produced by a producer Adam Hamilton. So again, I want to give all the credit to my bandmates that I've just mentioned, for that version of the song is also recorded shot today a great version of the song with Rick Nielsen. Rick Nielsen did a great production job on that. The other versions of that song. I'm not crazy about this kind of rough demo.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:03:28

Yeah. My pleasure. I like that version. I like all of them. I I have to admit, when I heard that one, I finally got it to download on my phone. And it's like, oh, this is interesting. I haven't heard this version yet. So last night or two days ago, when you first send it over was the first time that I got to listen to it. So thank you for including me on that. And I know that over the years you've rubbed elbows with rock me Rock Royalty. I'm gonna let's just admit it. I mean, there's Vinnie Paul, a Panthera who I remember back in the cardies days going to see you guys and Pantera was they weren't even pant. I mean, they were Panthera but they weren't even Panthera yet. They were Dallas, Texas based and up and coming. But they weren't the huge band then that they became later on Gilby Clarke from Guns and Roses, Warren Demartini from rad. Are there any big names from maybe the 80s that stand out in your mind as the musician's musician

 

Joey C. Jones  1:04:31

in terms of who I've worked with?

 

Randy Hulsey  1:04:33

Just in general, I think, either who you worked with, or maybe even peers?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:04:40

Yeah, of course. Yeah. Again, I've been so lucky to be friends with some people that have really done super well. I've worked with a few of them. Really, I hate to say this, we're gonna say I wasn't crazy about any of that. 80s hair, rock music. It just wasn't what I was into. And it's hard for me pick one of those guys out. It really is, again, the look the energy, I loved all that it's in terms of the music. I'm stuck in the 70s.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:05:08

That's it. That's fine. And that's interesting because I think when I know that sweet Savage was playing covers from bands like sweet and whatnot, was that was that the influence for you? Is that where it was that for you?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:05:22

We like? Yeah, earlier he mentioned jelly. Now you mentioned sweet. Those are the two most appreciated bands I've ever heard. Yeah, you know, again, when savage started just like the way that Panthera started and all the other bands who do end up getting over you happily cutters, for for status reverse. We started out in three, one hour set the night. And all of a sudden, you know, having said that you're looking at playing 42 to 48 songs a night. And some of the covers that are we done are kind of current we had to do that. But also may I think I've just established guys on a lot of my requests I wanted to do sweet we did. We did Saturday night by the Bay City Rollers. I love them. We just done a lot of songs like that. So again, it's all about who we were all influenced by her. And for me, it was just mainly seven.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:06:18

I do remember I was working over in the Galleria area in Houston back in those days and I was working a afforda a 4pm to 12pm shift in a computer room and I can remember getting off work on Friday night and just haulin ass over to cardi sweet savages play and we're gonna go check these guys out. And I remember on a few occasions and I was reminded of this last weekend when I ran into an old friend of mine at a show down in Galveston. She reminded me of this but you guys at the end of the night if I remember correctly used to do if you remember the DJ, his name was Ryan and you guys used to do like some AC DC stuff and Ryan would come up and sing with do you do you have recollection of that?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:07:04

Yeah, absolutely. Ryan you stand. Singles. This is actually our backstage is where Orion fans. Okay, that was that was shot too. Yeah, Ryan could sound just like Brian Johnson. Yeah. I could do a good bond scanner process. So this is Brian guys got awakened literally you can close your eyes. I think it was Brian Johnson. So for for the audience. Here we are doing AC DC sound. We got two lead singers. One does the bar and one that does. Brian Johnson It was a blast. Yeah, that's a blast,

 

Randy Hulsey  1:07:38

for sure. And I know he wound up marrying this friend of mine that I met her name is Lisa. That's who I ran into at the show down in Galveston. And I told her that I had started up a podcast and I was gonna have you know, some of the old cardies people on and Joey, Joey C. Jones. And then we just started talking I said I remember when Ryan used to get up on stage and they do like a either a medley or a single song of AC DC and it was just like, off the charts on point like it was good shit. Right. That was awesome. It was awesome. So last time I saw you was at the concert pub north in Houston. What's on the horizon for Joey C. Jones and Antonio, is there talks or anything planned for coming back to Houston? Talk about any upcoming shows that you can specifically about Houston because I want to know, right for my own personal benefit, because I'd like to come out support you guys. And make sure that the listeners of the show know you're in town, and that we can get a support team a street team out there to support you guys.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:08:40

Thank you, man. Yeah, I think Antonio and I are new bandmates, and we were about 11 songs right now are 10 and the next two or three rehearsals we should be up to enough to where we have an entire set again we will we got a little late start because of the COVID a few other things I was dealing with the yes, you know, we have talked about LLS Ohio. My favorite city plan has always been a great friend of theirs, such as you and so many more. We will be used to since there's no question about it. We don't have a date yet, but it's definitely going to happen. That's the contact with a couple of wonderful Booker's down there and right now, I love all of you. And we cannot wait to play Houston. Probably where else live or similar FM 9060 or something? Yep. Yes. We will be there. Randy. When we do play there. We want to ask you to bring an electric guitar and an amp. We will set this up ahead of time and you're welcome to join us on stage and respond. We don't want to take no for an answer. We do this. Invite us to Beijing radio. And we are asking you to please do this for us. It would mean a lot a lot to me. Especially since you used to play summer song and listen to this part of your stern. Literally baseball. I owe you a lot Randy and I would like to pay you back

 

Randy Hulsey  1:10:03

I appreciate that

 

Joey C. Jones  1:10:05

be drinking anymore I've been drunk 30 Some years every time I play these I get rotten drunk not not anymore

 

Randy Hulsey  1:10:14

because you're hanging out with good people and you're enjoying yourself but yeah, I'll I'll bring the guitar and the amp and we'll just casually not plug the amp in and I'll just pretend because I'm not gonna play I'm not gonna play next to that that guy to your left there so anyway

 

Joey C. Jones  1:10:30

we will see you at loader and soundcheck so that we make sure that you are happy with your tones in front of the house and we can't take no for an answer that's your audio everyone is listening ready hold these will be on with us within eight to 10 months

 

Randy Hulsey  1:10:48

well that's probably the only way that I'd get somebody to carry my gear and to load me in without me having to do it is to show up and play a show with some guys like you so that's the part that I get the most tired of loading and unloading out and doing all that myself but real quick we're going to try to start wrapping up here a little bit I want to protect you guys time to Antonio wanted to shift a little bit over to you and have you taught because I'm a guitarist too I've got what you what you can't see I guess I could turn the camera a little bit but I'm whatever I'm a I'm a I'm a huge Taylor player Taylor guitars I'm more of an acoustic player these days than I am electric. But being a guitar player I always like to know what you're getting guitar choice let's talk about guitars first like is there one is there one guitar that is your go to guitar and if so why? Why is that

 

Joey C. Jones  1:11:43

guitar right here is cut and I bought it in 94 and it's been the target I've used for years and years I've been playing in bands since since I was a kid and it's been the go to guitar that I've always had. I did load it with EMG active because I like more of that the sound that it gets data but you know as you play more and more interior year around and play on stage for a while it gets really heavy well I love less balls I play less balls because of a spray right? However I switched to these limited bizarre I don't have one handy because but I love it because it looks down just like a Les Paul but it weighs about five pounds less. And I use those now. And then as far as what I play through I've been a 5150 guy for since about 95 and on Orange cabinet either two to 12 or 412 Orange I think they have more disease down I do like that well rounded down on the recordings that Joey and I did gather a great guy we worked with in his studio I was able to just try it but he has a huge amount of different kind of guitar stars I would never consider playing or bringing onstage but have a great tone and I would just switch off between some my dad was a big Fender Telecaster strat guy so yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:13:26

You see the you see the orange one hung in there on the wall look love the telly for sure. And I was gonna I was gonna say a couple of things about that Les Paul number one, I'll send you a $25 gift card if you lift that and there's a smoke bomb tape to the back of it and see if you can earn 25 bucks and then the other part of that is my son plays a Les Paul and then recently bought a Strat but I was interviewing a buddy who was in a very successful cover band called Rat ranch here back in you know in Houston like they went all over the place but one of the biggest cover bands to ever play in Houston and in His name is Brett Axelsson and he was talking about you know, I love the Les Paul, but I permanently have a shoulder dip because of that Les Paul because it weighs like 700 pounds it's a wonderful guitar but man are those things heavy and so I think he's he's a tele player now I think that's his go to guitar but what a great guitar but they're there they are very they're they're beefy guitars for sure.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:14:33

Oh yeah. And I mean probably will play you know any studios. We play Les Paul and it will be my thing but when you go out live, I grabbed these others is 100 a guitar, great sounding guitars active pickups really great. And and can can use those live and can survive the night without having that switch in my back anymore

 

Randy Hulsey  1:14:55

exactly without having to go to the chiropractor the next day right Talk to me just briefly about the pedal board. What does the pedal board look like for you?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:15:06

You know, what's funny is big long thing for forever trying to try to dial in the perfect sound. And I tried different rack mount things and, and different, just all kinds of different things. So I'll tell you, honestly, I just have this little iPod like type of pedal board with just a couple of nouns in there. And I'm mostly a direct guy, I get most of my down out of that 5150 And the guitars down then and I might throw a slash a core, and a little flash of a delay and for for a lead. But other than that, man, for me, the simpler, the less I have to worry about breaking down, the better. I like it. So I flagged you through this little paddle board. That gives me a little bit of course, a little bit of delay. And then the rest is stuff if you wanted to add a block yet it's that first step personally.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:16:08

I like that it's there's an old acronym called Kiss, kiss, keep it simple, stupid. And literally, sometimes the sound is just better just keeping it simple. You see some people with pedal boards that are like, man, you'd have to go to college and get a degree to work though things right? And there's just too much of it and it's watered down and it's just too much on top of too much. And I keep my mind simple. And it again, I think simple is better. So thanks for sharing the rig. With me being the guitarist, I had to make sure that I understood what you were playing there. So Joey, where can the followers and listeners find you on social media? How do they how did they buy your music? How do they where can they download their music? Can you can you talk to us a little bit about that?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:17:02

Yes. Okay. Very sweet savage fans shocked to fans of mine. Okay, demon doll records.com. There is a whole track. Sweet savage thing available. So original EP five songs and seven bonus tracks. And there's also the shock to have with because the 11 songs on the Shakti collection. And there's the best of Josey Jones volume on 21 songs which includes, I believe, five of the songs that I did with the excuse me five of songs that me and my bandmates recorded with Nielsen banners on there. And the latest one that just came out about a month ago. It was made available a month ago and I don't know how the business works. No more came out. Oh, it was dropped a month ago. That is the word it was dropped about a month ago. The best stuff I've ever done as far as a large amount of songs. If it was a day called Crabtree, I would have come up with that name. When it's called Josey Jones, the Crabtree sessions that is 17 songs. And those songs are much heavier, it's heavy stuff, it's still it's a haunting melody versus the pop melodies that are always on these early haunting melodies. So there's probably a total about 70 songs and total that you can go to demon doll records.com Okay, by you can buy the whole collection by downloads, whatever. And of course, there's always stuff streaming, all that says free anymore. You know, artists do not make money from music too much these days. Once you create art, it's free now. So those are the ways to reach to pick up the music The Madonna records.com And you can people can reach me Of course the Facebook thing. My The pros are going to get radio dotnet or are currently doing the Josey jones.com We have the Josey Jones ban on Facebook and everything other than that means I got to show up and take a bunch of attorneys time because I'm an idiot with this stuff. From day one toasters and alarm clocks bafflement, when it comes to internet it's like

 

Randy Hulsey  1:19:15

don't forget VCRs programming the VCR

 

Joey C. Jones  1:19:20

either you know impose them in tune this time or pay people whatever it is but yeah, I'm learning more about it but again, demon records comm Jo Jo T. Jones on Facebook govt Jones ban on Facebook. Where else isn't getting anywhere near from the merchant you know, we got new Joe's merchandise past and and and T shirts robot.com K RMA I nk robot.com And it's got some exclusive Josey Jones shirts and hats and stuff embroidered hats that Joey and I got together on my A graphic designer and it was all and together and we wanted to have the longest time we really have this job. And I've been together haven't had any merchandise out. And so we talked about it and put out a karmic robot communist. We're going out more and more stuff there.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:20:19

Well, I'm gonna have to probably pass you some business because I was talking to a buddy the other day like, Hey, who do you know that does shirts and stuff maybe for, you know, Randy holding music or backstage pass radio. So I learned something new today about your business. Thanks for plugging that Yeah, and I've looked at the website, and I can't stress enough to the listeners out there, the importance of going out to demon dollar records.com. And to Antonio site and supporting the local musicians, the local merchants, right. I mean, these guys have to put gas in the tanks to keep going from show to show to record, I've been fortunate over the years to be able to go to a nine to five career. And you know, that's how I pay my mortgage. But the musicians do it because they love the music. And we the listeners have to support them. It's not a free effort by any stretch, they have bills to pay to. That's, I wanted to plug that good for you guys, because I'm very passionate about that. I think I think it's no big deal. I think that over, you know, there. Unfortunately, there's, there's musicians out there that are not ready to play live shows, and they go and get booked at these places and there and they tell the business owners, you know, I'll play for 50 bucks. And then the good artists that are out there that make a living doing this, they just bring the bar down. And these artists can't make a living playing for $50 for a three hour show. So it's important, I think that we support guys like Joey, and Antonio and all the musicians out there by buying a CD and merchandise and whatnot. So you guys, take good care of them. And Joey before before we take off, I was going to hit you with some quickfire questions that are always fun. And if if you can answer them with just like a, you know, a single answer, we don't need to go into like a dissertation or you know, a long talk about it. But if there's something that you want to elaborate on, there's one at the end that you might want to elaborate on. But let's jump into those and then we'll wrap up. So Beatles or the stones,

 

Joey C. Jones  1:22:42

beetle, they're the Beatles and nothing else matters.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:22:45

Van Halen or Hendrix?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:22:48

There.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:22:49

How about you on that one? Antonia? Oh, yeah, right. Yep. Yep. Summer, winter. Winter. About You, Antonio, go ahead. You you answer these as well. Summer, sir. All the way. Opposite. Opposites attract. I'm with you, Joey on this one. I'm, I'll take the cold or the cool over the burning heat any day. Joe, do you have a vocal mic? of choice? Is there something that you've you've sang through over the years and you're just sold on it like it? It's kind of I always say that. The joke is, if you start a Marlboro light smoker, you stay a Marlboro light smoker for the rest of your life. Or if you're a Coors Light drinker, you're always a Coors Light drinker. What's the mic of choice for you?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:23:36

The industry standard? Sure. FM 58. In recent years, Antonio and I have done some bigger rooms like 5000 and up and you know the there's always great wireless mics there. But I don't know. Diego. Yeah. Okay.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:23:51

Yeah, that's that's the de facto standard in the industry for sure. Any any vocal effects that you use on stage? Maybe some delay or nothing? Anything? Like?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:24:03

Unfortunately, that is always at the hands of the front, front of the house to engineer about a little delay a little slap back a little devil effect. That's all anything. Thank you, Lord for taking care of the rest. Yeah, yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:24:16

Well, I I've said many, many times, I was never blessed. With a nice tenor voice like you. I have a very well, I shouldn't even say that. I have a I have a decent baritone voice. It's in the lower register. So I can pull some things off that maybe you can't pull off but you can certainly do some things that I can't. And I think that the tenor voice fits in a mix so much better than a baritone voice because you have the nice highs, the lows and that voice just fits right in there in the mids and that you know, kudos for that that nice voice that you were blessed with for sure. So local shows or travel. Is there a preference there for you guys? You rather play local and go home are you good with either one. Travel Yeah, but you in turn a travel after. Yep. I think I know the answer for Joe. I'm not sure about Antonio on this one. But Joey early bird or night owl?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:25:14

Right out night out. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:25:16

I think I think me and my buddy Paul and maybe one other person in the history of music, or early birds, so all the other musicians are like night owls. They're just getting started at midnight, and I'm not one of those guys. Favorite place to play of all time. She's in Houston, Texas, Antonio.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:25:38

Yeah, I would have to say I agree with Houston. I've played the backpacker's.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:25:46

Kudos to Houston, their favorite song to play live.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:25:50

Honestly, I'm really loving the the newest stuff that was written by me and so as far as I know, it's new. It's fresh, but I still think it's the best I've ever sound. So I gotta go. I gotta go. I mean, that's

 

Randy Hulsey  1:26:05

our number one influential musician or band, either. Antonio, how about you?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:26:14

Exactly. Gotta be. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:26:19

greatest song of all time. I know. Everybody does that. I get the same reaction. Go ahead, Joey.

 

Joey C. Jones  1:26:27

Strawberry Fields for my job. That's the greatest song in history. And they're made of Hall songs that are right next poster, but it's it's got to be strawberry fields for me. Mine is tomorrow. And it's all good one. Yeah. The only song that I can say was written in one core and as a beautiful song Baby. James.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:26:53

Yeah, that is amazing. Yeah. Let's see. Besides Eddie trunk, greatest podcast of all time. Randy. You heard it first, ladies and gentlemen. You heard it first. Now that's kind of

 

Joey C. Jones  1:27:11

a second. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:27:15

He's just he's just been doing it a little bit longer than me. That's all. Now that's that's more of the funny the funny question there. But the last one I have? Is there a charity or something that you're involved in that you'd like the listeners to know more about?

 

Joey C. Jones  1:27:34

I've been asked to join the American Cancer Society because I just beat the hell out of can job though. Those that have never nothing. Near my farmer side. Ever since this happened. It was stage four, colon and lip. I knew I was gonna beat it. It kicked my ass. From observe away I went from ordinary to low 140s and bumped 150 Now, I feel good. It's been around a year and a half. But yeah. Be a part of American cancer fighter and do anything I can do to help respond.

 

Randy Hulsey  1:28:09

Yeah, and you guys definitely support that charity on on Joey's behalf. You look fantastic. I can't wait to hear the new stuff. Still got the muscles off. They're bigger than put those things away. Put those muscles away is a much bigger. Mine aren't even that big. I want to thank you for taking the time out. I know that. You can talk to a lot of people out there. I'm honored to have you on the show. It's been a special treat to have Antonio join you who I haven't got a chance to meet. I certainly hope to see you guys. Soon. If even if I'm up Dallas way, see you play in there or even have lunch with you guys someday. So thank you for your time the great performances and music over the years. I asked the listeners again to purchase Joey's music Demond doll records.com checkout, Antonio stuff as well support those guys. I asked my listeners to like, share and subscribe to the podcast as well as Joey's projects. Review the show, if you will. I think that good reviews will set the podcast apart from just the mediocre ones out there when people are really looking for some good interviews with great people. And as always, you can find the show on Facebook at backstage pass radio podcast on Instagram at backstage pass radio on Twitter at backstage pass PC and then on the website at backstage pass. radio.com Thank you guys for tuning in Joey. Antonio. It's been a pleasure. You guys stick around. I'll come right back to you. And we'll chat with you guys soon.

 

Adam Gordon  1:29:55

Thanks so much for joining us. We hope you enjoy today's episode of backstage Travis radio. Make sure to follow Randy on Facebook and Instagram at Randy Hulsey music and on Twitter at our Halsey music. Also, make sure to like, subscribe and turn on alerts for upcoming podcasts. If you enjoyed the podcast make sure to share the link with a friend and tell them backstage pass radio is the best show on the web for everything music. We'll see you next time right here on backstage pass radio