Jurassic 5 – Interview

One on one with jurassic 5’s Charlie 2na!

Word is you guys spend a lot of time after shows with fans signing autographs and talking to fans.

That’s what it’s all about for us.

Do you find a lot of fans ask the same sort of things?

You get the same questions sometimes, but it is always different. Some people will ask the same question, but have a different spin or perspective on it. As far as lyrics and that, they interpret them the way they want and how they fit into their life. Me as an artist, I have a different perspective. Songs that I write, I may never have intended it to sound the way someone took it to mean. But the way they took it was so incredible then I can’t find anything wrong with it. That is great.

Stuff you grew up listening to as a kid you might not have understood it, but still enjoyed it. Now today you have different insight.

Exactly. That’s how it goes down. And I appreciate that. I love extreme lyricists. Some where down the line you are like ‘damn, I didn’t even know he said that’.

Public Enemy was that group for me. Some of the stuff didn’t make sense to me as a kid.

My father and my uncles were [Black] Panthers and stuff. A lot of what Chuck was saying I was hearing from them. So I got it. But there is still shit Chuck said that I don’t understand today. [we both laugh]

Working on tracks, is it always something different?

We think about making music and how it will work on stage. How it is going to affect someone when they listen to it. It’s always a challenge each time. We always find a different path, which we call songs.

When working on this record were you worried about trying to best the first record?

We wanted it to be better than Quality Control. We were thinking that. The sophomore jinx and you are only as good as your last record was motivation. So we just put our soul into it. We wanted a timeless piece of work instead of something that was a fad.

Was it a good pressure?

Hell yeah. At all times. It might not be a good pressure for some people, but for us it’s the fire.

How good is it to have the rest of the guys backing you up?

Power in numbers. [we both laugh] Really though. Truthfully, that is where the album title came from. Six of us backing each other up, that is power in numbers. Together we sail. It’s cool to be able to bounce ideas of each other. Sometimes it feels like there are too many cooks in the kitchen but you have them to help you discern what is good. You do have to put your ego to the side and sacrifice certain things for the good of the project. But we know this and except it.

Do you ever look at LL and wonder how he handles the pressure?

Honestly, sometimes it’s easier. You don’t have to answer to no one. Sometimes the record label, but being a solo artist is easier because there is no one to answer to but you. But all the criticisms come back to that one person.

So if he doesn’t break something off that is hot…

…then its on to him. One thing might slip through the cracks here for me, but the other guys won’t miss it.

Do you get a lot of fans asking you advice?

Definitely, at all times. I just answer the question as honest as possible.

Do you get a lot of fans handing you demos?

Yeah, and I’ll listen to them because that’s where the gemsare, its like going mining.

Has your method for recording changed since the early days when you guys were recording independently?

What helps us is that we have our own studio. The fact that we didn’t have to go to a big studio and waste a lot of money was great. We recorded Quality Control ourselves; Numarks bought a house and converted his garage into a studio. It worked out great. We could take a break and chill in the house and relax. It was great because we didn’t have to worry about studio time.

Are you always working on new tracks?

We work individually and together. We do sound checks; clown and we stumble on something that turns into a sound. The creative mode never really stops.

Who did you bring on the road with you?

Right now we are out with the Beatnuts. You know what is funny? Last night we were sitting on their bus and dropping a beat on us and I couldn’t front on it. I think some songs for the next record might be coming out of that, for real.

A lot of people make videos to pick up new listeners, what is your approach?

Our main objective is stimulating your five senses, maybe not smell that much, unless you are live with us. [laughs] But this brings it back to what we are all about; we’re just a bunch of regular guys. If ever we are multi-platinum and have million dollar houses I want a fan to know I’m just like the dude sitting next to him. We know everyone on this planet is equal regardless of the money and acclaim. We try to approach music as serious or attentive, whether videos or a live show.

What does it feel like sitting here talking and knowing someone out there is listening to your record and right now its inspiring them?

You know what is a trip? It feels amazing, but in order for me not to get caught up in it all I have to put horse blinders on. I appreciate every compliment or critique, any and everything that comes our way, but I still keep on moving. The only way to be focused is to keep moving. We never brag, because I know there is always someone out there better than me. I’m just happy to be able to be doing what we’re doing. I would rather have my product speak for myself. Once we let it all out it’s like creating a child and takes on a life of its own. It’ll be here still when we die. I don’t have any remorse for the cats that don’t put in the love and time into their music.

+ charlie craine