Post by benjamin lee adams on Jul 30, 2011 23:10:25 GMT -5
The first stop of Timeout Tour 2011 is in beautiful San Diego, California. We were lucky enough to be able to hang out with the lead vocalist and guitarist of SHEX. We’re sure you’ve all heard of them by now. The relaxed atmosphere of the band’s bus was made more chill by the calm demeanor of 20 year old, Jacen Wright. After downing a case of Monsters we were ready to start the fun; including a glimpse of loneliness on the road and a poke toward yours truly and my obsession with Mickey Mouse.
You’re about to get ready to kick off the Timeout Tour. I know that you guys have been on a few smaller tours but this is pretty huge. How does it feel?
It feels awesome to be able to connect with a much larger crowd and get our music out there, you know?
Have you been able to meet or chill with any of the amazing bands out here? I heard that you and Bryceson Downs from Process Grrr! are longtime friends. Is it a relief to be about to travel with someone you’re already close to?
Yeah, man. Some of the bands here are signed to same record label that we are so we all kinda know each other. From seeing them on other tours and in the studio we have all just become friends. Of course, like with any other group of friends there are some that don't get along. Me and Bryce get along though. SHEX was signed in 2007 so we had been under the label for about a year before Process Grrr! was signed so me, being the nice guy I am, kind of took them under my wing and showed them the ropes. Their first tour was with us so we became friends quickly. It’s a huge relief that we can all just kick back and chill and if we do something stupid or pull a prank, we know they won't get offended.
Speaking of being on the road, what is it like being away from your loved ones? I know that SHEX’s latest single, “Inventing New Problems,” was taken directly from how lonely being on the road can feel. What do you do to keep positive?
It's hard. I finally was able to bring my best friend, Cadence, this year because our merch guy had an emergency right before tour started. I'm always emailing, tweeting and Facebooking everyone and I try my best to call my mom every day.
It’s important to do your part to stay connected. I like that. When you do have free time what do you guys, as a group, enjoy doing together? Any late night movie marathons?
Aw, man, we do a lot of things. We have a pranking war going on with all the bands. Some of us get together and play video games..Oh, and Cadence would kill me if I didn't mention this. At least once every two weeks a group of people get together and we have a Disney marathon. But you know about those.
We’re not talking about my obsession. Tell me a little more about this prank war. What’s the craziest thing to be done and who planned it?
Um, well there have been a lot. One of the funniest for me was when Bryce, from Process Grrr! came out on stage, when we were playing a set, wearing only his tighty whiteys and started dancing. I didn't really notice at first until the crowd came running towards the stage trying to get on it. We had to stop and get him off before they could get past the security. The guys from The Ready Run and Tickling Rumor spray painted the manager of Ghost on the Altar, Mercy’s, golf cart. And one I will never forget was when someone, we still don't know who, stole all of Cadences' movies. She was hysterical for days until they returned them.
So to say the least, the tour so far has been interesting and it hasn’t even really begun yet. We’re still at the first stop. Is there any particular city that you’re really looking forward to?
Orlando, Florida, most definitely. I might not have the crazy obsession you and Cadence have but I really want to go to Disney World and even Universal to the Harry Potter world thingy.
Last and most important question, if you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
Wow. That’s hard. Um, maybe invisibility. Or maybe a shape shifting thing. I think I like the shape shifter one.
That about wraps it up with Jacen Wright’s view of life on the road with his band SHEX. Their new record, ‘Fate & All That,’ releases in stores next month. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for their music video, ‘Inventing New Problems.’
© July 2011 Benjamin Adams
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