Emily Case: How did you get involved
in the Lassie Foundation and when?
Jason-71: Well I'm not exactly sure when that would be. My
first involvement was when
I was helping Wayne and Eric just by playing Bass for this
band called Lassie. 3 maybe 4 years ago. We actually
practiced in my parents living room. Wayne and Eric in
Tandem Battle Axes. High Karate!!! My recent involvement
came about during the recording of Pacifico in 1997. All
the arrangements were already worked out and most of the
music was recorded.
Except bass. It was for the most part a free for all. All
the music was there so I could slide all around without
really changing the song. It has become my favorite way to
record by far.
E. Case: What role do you
feel you play in the Lassie Foundation?
Jason: Not sure. Maybe just the bass player who makes
flyers with a fifth set of ears.
D. Reynolds: Where did you
get the name Jason-71?
Jason: It's actually a hybrid of my original company name
(DCX-71) and my name.
Things always evolve and change. Why not your name? I
might just start going by "panda".
E. Case: What are your
strongest musical influences?
Jason: As far as bands go:
• Medicine
• My Bloody Valentine
• Spiritualized
• The Mamas And the Papas
As far as People. I would have to say that Jeremy Wood and
Jeff Schroeder were the earliest personal influences. They
always were amazingly creative people.
E. Case: What other bands
have you worked with in the past?
Jason: The only things really worth mentioning are
• The Lassie Foundation
• Amnesia ( post Medicine off shoot )
David Reyolds: What was it
like to play with Brad Laner in Amnesia?
Jason: A very cool experience. It's just weird actually
playing with someone you look up to so much. For me
Medicine was one of the best pop bands ever. I feel very
lucky to have caught some of that post-medicine-wave.
E. Case: How and when did you
begin playing bass?
Jason: I was doing a lot of designing at the time but I
had a slow computer. I needed something to do to pass the
time while my computer did it's thing. Mouse in one hand -
bass in the other.
E. Case: Are you working on
any side projects?
Jason: Just trying to put all of my energy into LF.
E. Case: What is your most
memorable concert experience?
Jason: It would have to be when Jeff and I went to go see
Spiritualized at the Whiskey on the Pure Phase tour.
E. Case: What are your goals
for the Lassie Foundation in the near future?
Jason: Help in writing good pop songs.
E. Case: What do you do
outside of music?
Jason: Work my BUTT OFF for Pioneer Entertainment /
Animation Division :
I'm doing Video boxes, DVD's, Posters, etc...
D. Reynolds: Your album
covers are terrific, why don't you do more of that?
Jason: I've been asking myself that same question. I've
got the time.
-Fidnet
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IJeff Schroeder
Interview
BY
Alyssa Johnston
December 28, 1998
Between Eric Campuzano's
crazy schedule and my busy one, I was in a major predicament trying to
find a time when we both were available for the interview. We finally
connected after he returned from a trip to Nashville last week. There he
had been mixing Satellite Circle's newest project, which he also
produced. The interview is rather brief, but Eric has a way of saying of
covering wide topics with few words. |
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Alyssa: How did you begin working with the Lassie
Foundation?
Jeff: I originally began working with the Lassie
Foundation as an outsider--I helped Eric C. work out a few ideas he had.
This was pre-California. After Wayne and Eric C. completed the
California EP, they asked me if I wanted to help them out by playing
guitar in the live version of the Lassie Foundation. Of course, I was
delighted to. From there, the
Lassie Foundation evolved into a full-fledged rock and roll band, with
five equal members. It is, by far, the best band I have ever been in.
AJ: What have you been involved in musically in the past?
Jeff: The only other "real" band I have been in
was the Violet Burning. I played in the VB from late 1992 to early 1997.
AJ: Are you involved in any side projects?
Jeff: Right now, I'm not involved in anything else
other than the Lassie Foundation. In the future, I would love to produce
an album by our drummer, Frank Lenz.
AJ: What's the band environment like?
Jeff: Like I said earlier, the Lassie Foundation
is the best band I have ever been in, and that includes the best working
environment. First and foremost, we are all pretty good friends, and
that makes a huge difference. Like all other bands, we have our share of
arguments and disagreements, but they always seem to get worked out.
Musically speaking, the band is working together more. For Pacifico,
Eric and myself--with the help of Andy--worked out most of the song
ideas on 4-track before we recorded them. 90 percent of Pacifico was
never played as a band before we recorded the songs. The album was
really created in the studio. Now, we are trying to play the new ideas
as a band before we record them.
AJ: Did you write any of the songs for Pacifico or the upcoming album?
Jeff: On Pacifico, I wrote the music for "Crown of
the Sea." I also contributed parts to a few others. For the new album,
I've written the music to one song, "Shogun", and have a few more ideas
on 4-track. One new song has been pretty much written collectively.
AJ: If you could work with any band, who would it be?
Jeff: The Lassie Foundation.
AJ: What do see in the future of the LF?
Jeff: I see writing and recording more songs and
hopefully, some sort of recording contract. We're keeping our fingers
crossed.
AJ: What can you tell me about the upcoming album?
Jeff: I think [on] the new album we feature less
of the noisey guitar theatrics. As of late, I prefer playing with a much
cleaner guitar sound and letting Wayne's voice be the main instrument.
We are trying to extend the sound of the Lassie Foundation. But to be
quite honest, we've only written a couple of songs, so I can't really
give you a clear answer.
AJ: Where do you see the band a year from now?
Jeff: Playing our first show in Paris, France.
AJ: What do you do outside of music?
Jeff: I spend most of my time outside of music at
school. I'm a student of Comparative Literature at California State
University Long Beach. Besides rock & roll and school, I spend the rest
of my time with my lovely girlfriend.
-Fidnet
Interviews
Andy Prickett & Eric Campuzano
Jason 71 & Jeff Schroeder
LF Self Interview
Lassie Foundation (homepage)
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