Glassjaw
 
Origin: Long Island, New York, USA
Years Active: 1993-Present
Label(s): Warner Bros.
              RoadRunner
 
Members:
Daryl Palumbo - lead vocals (1993 - present)
Justin Beck - drums, percussion (1993 - 1998), bass (1998 - 1999) guitars (1999 - present)
Durijah Lang - drums, percussion (1998 - 1999, 2004 - present)
Manuel Carrero - bass (1999 - 2000, 2004 - present)
 
Discography:
Albums
2000
  • Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence
    • - Producer Ross Robinson
    2002
    Worship and Tribute
    - Producer Ross Robinson
    2008 ~
    Title tbc
    - Self Produced
     

     

      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Long Island resident Justin Beck is the brains and musical talent behind Glassjaw, although this is not widely known. One of the two founders of the band Beck has played each instrument in the band at some point during its life. Beginning on drums, moving to bass and then lead guitar after the departure of various members. He is the co-founder of US band merchandise company Merchdirect, who produce branded wear for names such as Taking Back Sunday, Rufio, All That Remains, and his own Glassjaw.
    Known for being highly opinionated, honest and open Beck speaks to Verse One exclusively about the bands upcoming release, its dynamics and the current line up. As well as his views on the music industry as it stands now and where he sees it going, a long with Glassjaw’s place with in that world, and the place of other bands surrounding them at present.
     
    It’s been 6 years since your last album, that’s a long time in the making. People are going to be expecting a lot.
    This time round you’re doing the whole lot yourself - writing it, producing it, engineering it – are you a little worried that people are going to turn around and say its not been worth the wait?
    First and foremost, Glassjaw was always a hobby for me and my buddies. There was never a goal set or an expectation to be met. Some people like spelunking [the pastime of exploring caves] Others like fishing. I like playing shitty music.
    That being said, people enjoying what we’ve done has been both amazing and also a blessing. But at the end of the day, it’s always going to be a personal hobby that others happen to appreciate. 
    The wait was never intended but since there was never a master plan, to me, it feels like everything has moved at the right pace. As far as writing, recording, producing and inventing the cure for cancer, this is always the way the band has been. It’s always been me and Daryl spitting out ideas and giving you the end product; Glassjaw.
    For this record, our good friend Jon, who I run a production company with, is on board on the recording tip. Homeboy’s ears are choice so I know he wouldn’t let us put out a lesser product.
    The equation has always been the same for the past 14 years. It seems like the public just never picked up on the dynamic of our band, but it’s been right there the whole time. So if anyone’s upset with the end product, that’s fine with me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  If you enjoy or hate the new product, both Daryl and I will gladly take the responsibility. At the same time, if you have enjoyed or hated the last 14 years of Glassjaw, Daryl and I will graciously take the blame for that as well.
    The line-up has constantly evolved, but the dynamic will always be the same.
     
     
    You have said in previous interviews how you hate all the false hype that bands now-a-days build before an album; teaser samples, youtube videos etc. Glassjaw are a band that is shrouded in mystery, vague release dates, uploading strange/random tracks onto the myspace page etc…causing ripple effects around the net and music news pages etc.
    Now you being the business mind behind Glassjaw, and as much as you say all the above is unintentional, is part of it because you know that it all adds to the whole image of the band, and it builds up a buzz and interest in people wanting to dig and find out more, and you know that it may reflect the success of the next release?
    I’d love to take credit for being a hype master, but in all reality these things are just natural impulses.
    Me want cookie.
    Yeah, so I fucking walk downstairs and eat a fucking cookie.
    Any songs, any beats, any snippets of a baseline that you might come across on the Internet are just momentary impulses. And the elongated waits between the impulses I would attribute more to my ADD and busy schedule more so than me reading a douche bag A&R 101 book on how to be a hype man.  As far as people taking the so-called clues apart and trying to decipher the hidden meanings, it’s basically like your horoscope. If you want to find meaning in that shit, you do.
     
     
    As a band you appear so out of the industry and maybe a little detached. Probably more due to the long breaks than anything, but you don’t really stick to the norm that regular bands do – you know, sign to a label, tour, press, album, tour, press, tour, album… etc. It is more just you doing your own thing and not really caring about anyone else. All this of course though adds to the appeal of Glassjaw.
    Do you wonder that you don't have fans who really love your music but more love the idea of you and all that you are about?
    When bands come through my office or I meet a young aspiring musician who tells me that they’re going to drop out of school, quit their jobs and tour full time, I think they’re fucking crazy. There’s a stupid metaphor I give all my peers that goes a little something like this:
    Would you put your entire life on hold to go hang out at the local bodega [a local store similar to that of a corner shop] to play Lotto day after day after day for just one hour a day? Now, for the other 23 hours, you did nothing but fantasize about the ultimate combo of numbers that you inevitably can’t nail down because winning is odds and luck, combined. Are you willing-slash-fucking stupid enough to take that gamble? Most people would say hell no, that’s the stupidest fucking thing. But when you combine vanity, a sense of entitlement and a spoonful of delusion, you get these suckers to sign on to put their entire lives on hold for the chance to be a rock star.
    It’s all good and romantic to say it’s your fucking art, but the truth of the matter is, you’re not a fucking artist. Picasso is an artist. You’re a fucking lazy pussy waiting for a hand-out.
    The point is, if you maintain a humble balance in life of your loves and hobbies and being a responsible person, you’ll appreciate your talents that much more. And when the odds (Lotto numbers) land in your favour while being a hard-working humble person in society, go for yours and cash the ticket in.
    The problem is people abandon common sense and it’s so easy to circumvent reality and use I’m an artist as an alibi when it just boils down to laziness.
    In this day and age, I totally feel that you can be in a successful band, write great music and still have a normal life. Basically, don’t fucking live like a rock star until you get to that point; which most likely ain’t gonna happen.
    That being said, that’s the mentality of Glassjaw. We’re not working on someone else’s clock. It’s spontaneous.

    You’ve described the rest of the band, bar Daryl, as cast/line up – is that how you view the rest of the members; that they are just there to fill a role that you and Daryl have written for them?
    We are definitely blessed to have two players like Manny and Durijah who help us facilitate our shit. And I’ll be quite honest. In the past 14 years, this is the first time that I feel our music is being articulated the way it was intended to be played. Surgeons, mother fucking precise ass surgeons. That’s how I feel about Manny and Durijah.
     
     
    Daryl gets a lot, well most of the credit for the band, for one being the front man, and that’s a natural thing, but secondly there is always so much about his Crohn’s. All attention is usually focused on him. How does it make you feel that you’re not the one getting at least 50% of the credit you deserve?
    Let’s be honest, I’m 5’6”. I belong to one of the most hated ethnic groups in the world. I grew up in a normal household. I never got shot. I’ve never been arrested. I haven’t drank or done drugs since the age of 13. Come on, what the fuck is there to write about? Me paying my taxes and being a responsible adult? That shit’s not cool.
    As far as the spotlight on me, I really don’t care for it.  It’s not that important to be praised. But to be altogether excluded is another gig. 
    Pretty much, I’ll give you another metaphor. Imagine if you had the largest family reunion ever and everybody from across the world came down to this family barbecue. You did your fade up, your shoes are crisp, your car is looking fine, rims gleaming. Chequered tablecloths going off, people are shooting videos, taking photos, all this shit to commemorate the date and the accomplishment of this special occasion that everybody was a part of.  Imagine going through that photo album at your auntie’s house two weeks later, eating the leftover macaroni salad with your boys. You go through the photos and you’re not there.  Maybe you get a glimpse of your right shoe if you’re lucky enough.
    It’s like that.
    Sure, I’ll live. But it can be insulting. 
     
     
    The straight edge thing – a lot of bands and writers rely on drugs, or drink, and use them almost as their muse, and claim they wouldn’t come out with what they do if they weren’t high. Recently Travis Gym Glass admitted to just this. Do you ever just think I wonder what I could create if I had a sneaky spliff?
    I didn’t know drugs justified being an awesome karaoke singer. Those dudes don’t write songs. Aren’t they all borrowed? We have to take our clothes off? Get the fuck out of here. If homeboy is crediting drugs for that shit, pass me a glass of milk and a fucking apple.
     
     
    Where do you see things going now – obviously this album will be dropping soon – and then what? Another long break or do you have other plans?
    Right now I’d just be happy to finish up this record. I’m sure if it’s not a giant pile of shit, we’d love to play it live. Exact dates, plans, don’t know yet. But we’d like to anticipate that.
     
     
    Daryl is involved with various projects outside of Glassjaw, his other band Head Automatica and his part in New York music and art collective Cardboard City.
    What about you, have you thought about, or are you involved in more outside of Glassjaw and Merchdirect? Do you have anymore business or music plans? Which has more value to you, the band or your business? Which do you see as your job and which is your hobby or is it a blurred line between the two?
    Dude, this is a 12-part question, you fucking mother fucker. I’m getting confused.
     
    1. Yes I have. Shit, I got side projects for days. I have a gangster studio at my house. Anything’s feasible at any given time. Matter of fact, I am working on a new project called Dead Fossils. I don’t know how many of you got a disgruntled African American 58-year-old postal worker as your singer. Dead Fossils. Get there.
    2. More business plans, yes.
    3. Glassjaw and MerchDirect are equally valuable. MerchDirect is the ultimate hobby but since I’m dealing with people’s livelihoods, I have to respect other people’s time. But the fact that I get to call it my job when I fill out credit reports is awesome. It’s a creative environment with creative people and it’s something I wouldn’t ever want to change. 
     
     
     
    Glassjaw began a genre of their own almost, with Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence and Worship and Tribute. Listening to them now with fresh ears and current music in comparison you hear all these hints of new genres and styles, beats and riffs that almost sound rough there and have been worked on by other bands since to create this whole new style that you began.
    How does it make you feel to hear bands such as Alexisonfire who have clearly been influenced by you and adopted your sound and style, is it flattering, or do you just want to tell them to get their own ideas and vision and pay you some royalties in the process?
    Aaaaaaaaaawwwwwww shit, I feel another metaphor a’coming.
    Check it.
    You been up on your study game all year, acing grades. Last test of the year. Test starts. You kill it. As you get up to go to the bathroom midway through the test and the dirt bag behind you switches over your tests. Fast forward. You’re stuck in summer school hanging out with retards and fat girls. And that piece of shit that stole your test ended up getting a scholarship and is banging the prom queen.
    Know what I mean?
    I personally never heard Alexisonfire but I’ve heard a whole lot of other bands that people say sound like Glassjaw. So yeah, pay me fucking royalties because I know there’s at least four Beck riffs on any given album. Holla.
     
     
    From the beginning to now would you change anything you’ve done as a band, or even just yourself? Would you do anything differently or are you happy how things are moving now?
    I fucking hate when people say they would never change anything because it wouldn’t have brought them to where they are now.
    What a crock of shit!
    In regard to Glassjaw and all our business affairs, I would have fired everybody who we knew was a chump and a thief right from the jump. I wouldn’t have signed half the deals that were put in front of us. I would have opened my mouth and gone with my initial instincts. I wouldn’t have tried to be so democratic with my peers who were more anxious than myself to sign on the dotted line. And I would definitely put all those cliché ass clowns on blast.
     
     
    So you’ve made enemies along the way? Is there anyone you would like to go back to and say look at me now. You know how bands always say when I was in school I was told I’ll never make I  – have you ever come across that, people who didn’t believe in you?
    If calling out people for stealing, losing your money and fucking up your life makes you the person making enemies, then yes. But I don’t think I’ve gone out of my way to take any food out of anyone’s mouth or intentionally disrespected anybody if there wasn’t a stone thrown first.
    School? Fuck school. Everyone in my school was driving brand new BMW’s and didn’t know shit about having a day job or breaking a sweat. I had to buy an ancient caravan off my dad with money that I got from working at the local kosher deli. I got clowned because I was a dirt bag, drove a shitty car and was blessed in my high school yearbook with the superlative of most unique. They might as well have put a dunce cap on me and called me a fucking asshole.
    Besides, the girl that I had a crush on is now a lesbian, so fuck that school.
     
     
    What is important to you now? Have your priorities changed since you began all this; you’re married now, has that changed how you work and function and what matter most etc? And you’re older of course, has the way you view what you do changed?
    Yes I’m older and yes I’m married but I wouldn’t say anything has changed for the worse. Life’s an evolution. You gotta roll with the punches. As far as my musical endeavours, my wife has been more supportive and more encouraging than anybody. Except when America’s Next Top Model is on. I’m not allowed to play the drums then.
     
     
     
    What’s your opinion the music industry at the moment and the changes you have noticed with in it during the bands 15 year history? Where do you see it leading and where do you see Glassjaw’s place in that?
    The change in the music industry is exciting, horrific, disgusting, cheap, and really fucking clueless. I would say its development is more like an erosion.  I think it’s a sad day when young artists have an opportunity, given the technological advances from production to distribution to promotion, to reclaim and establish rights that they wouldn’t have been able to have in the past, but instead, you get all these anxious little children that want a quick ticket. They just ignore their rights, cash in their measly chips, and perpetuate the label’s ability to exploit them and re-write history as if this junction in time never existed.
    So I personally don’t see Glassjaw involved in it, but just outside of it in the near future.
     
    Have you got anything extra special lined up for when you come to the UK, your appearance at Give It A Name is highly anticipated – how do you feel about appearing on the same line up as bands like Paramore, 30 Seconds to Mars etc?
    What do you think about them and your position on the line up? Paramore have been around for a few years and are headlining and you’ve been doing this for 15; who really deserves it more?
    Glassjaw hasn’t played as a band since November and Manny and Durijah are on tour with Saves the Day until about three days prior to GIAN. So with that being said, playing and not sucking complete shit will be fucking special for me. Fuck being modest. That’s some scary shit.  Definitely don’t want to come and ruin your expectations.
    In regard to those bands, I honestly didn’t know they were on these shows. I’ve been to fests where you had Pearl Jam, Sting, Glassjaw and some random white power band playing at the same event and people don’t necessarily associate the bands as being in the same world.  So as far as association goes, if you think there’s a connection between what I do and that Disney pop shit, you’re an asshole.
    Speaking of 30 Seconds to Mars, I was in the city the other day with my wife and we passed a poster for the new Jared Leto movie and I noticed that he’s a fat fuck. My wife told me that he gained the weight specifically for the film and she said, I kinda respect him for that. Not really, but you know what I mean. I said fuck that guy and we ate a healthy dinner in defiance of his latest endeavour. 
    It’s funny when bands befriend shitty bands and they have to take this oath to help perpetuate the idea that their new acquaintances actually have some talent. I find myself doing that once I meet a band but since I don’t know any of these assholes, I don’t make their merch and I don’t care to tour with them.
    I guess I’m kinda liberated in being the only honest schmuck out there who could say that cancer has more to offer the world than these fucking guys.
    Sorry. I’m a bitter dick. 
    As far as positioning, of course Paramore and 30 Seconds are going to play over us. So will My Chemical Romance, Gym Class Heroes, Hannah Montana, Fall Out Boy, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, The Jonas Brothers and those cocksuckers in Good Charlotte.
    What do you expect?
    Their singers don’t have Crohn’s.