July 16, 2005
Houston Calls – Jarret & Kenny

This interview was done with Melissa of 4AM Magazine.

M = Melissa, C = Cath , J = Jarrett, K = Kenny

M: Can you first introduce yourself and what you do in your band?
J: I’m Jarrett and I play bass in Houston Calls.
K: I’m Kenny and I play guitar in Houston Calls.
J: Obviously.

M: What would you say the coolest thing is about your band?
J: Besides Kenny? Do you want to take that one Kenny?
K: I think it sucks. I think it’s cool that we’re all really good friends. A lot of bands say that, but we can actually say it and mean it. I’ve known Jarrett and Okie for the past 8 years. We’re all best friends. So that rules.

C: What should fans expect from your new cd?
J: Disappointment.
M: So negative.
J: A poppy, catchy, summery fun record. I think it’s a very summer record.
K: I agree. Summer record.
J: But hopefully it will work in the fall, since it does come out in August. I hope kids will like it. We’ll have to see.

M: What do you want to have accomplished when you are old and gray?
J: Two chicks at the same time? I hope I can make a living off being in the band, that would be pretty cool. I wish I could buy a home because I don’t have a home right now. Maybe having a home would be pretty cool, and lots of money and bitches, no. Just being able to support ourselves. It’s how we’re making a living right now, but making a living and having a home would be cool too. Maybe a pet.

C: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the band?
J: Kenny?
K: Umm.. ummm. Ummm.
J: I just like to hang out with my friends when I’m at home.
K: Just drink and hang out and play video games.
J: Me and Kenny are two big ones for video games. We’ll gladly sit and just play our own video games. We don’t have to go out or do anything cool. We don’t have to go to the bar. Just sit in and play video games. My girlfriend loves it!

M: What’s the biggest misconception about your band?
J: That we’re good.
K: I don’t really know the conceptions for our band, so I can’t say.
J: We’re going to pass on that one because we don’t know what people think?

C: If you could tour with any three bands, who would it be?
J: Rocket Summer, Hellogoodbye, Jamison Parker.
K: Green Day would be in there.
J: I think we should do Green Day, Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Bouncing Souls and us. Five band bill.
M: So if you did that tour, would you headline it?
J: No. I’d want to play first and get it over with, then drink all night and watch the other bands.

M: Okay, what’s the last piece of good advice someone gave you?
J: Always wear clean underwear. That’s what my mom said. That way if you get in a car accident and you die and they have to take your shit off, well, not your SHIT, but... yeah.
K: Advice? I don’t remember the last time someone gave me advice. Go to a doctor when I was sick? I don’t really know. I got advice from my parents to finish school and quit the band but I can’t say that’s good advice.

C: If you could punch any celebrity in the face, who would it be and why?
J: Well, I’ve never liked Johnny Depp, but I’m really excited for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I heard it sucked, so if it sucks, he would be number one. Other than that, Alex Trebec. I think he’s looking for a bruising. I think Alex is up there.
K: Who was the chick from…
J: Vanna White?
K: No. The sixteen candles girls with red hair?
J: Molly Ringwald?
K: Yes. I can’t stand her. But I don’t think I’d want to punch her. Maybe a nice light slap on the face.

M: If your band was on Survivor, which member would win and why?
J: Okie because he’ll eat anything that’s weird. Or Kenny. Kenny is good at building shit. Me and Tom would loose immediately, after like a day.
K: I can’t say Josh would be very good either though.
J: Actually yeah, I take it back. I think Josh would come in fifth, Tom and I would tie for fourth. You (Kenny) could rough it better than Okie. So I think Okie in second and you in first.
K: I’ll go with that.
J: Now if we were playing weakest link... Just kidding.

C: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring? You can’t bring any transportation to get off the island because that’s cheating.
J: Is there internet service on the island?
C: No.
J: So a computer would be relatively useless to me then. Is there any food or do I have to bring my own food?
C: You probably have to bring your own food. It’s a DESERTED island!
J: Well I don’t know what’s on the island!? Obviously I’m going to bring food before I bring a laptop. I need to know what was provided. Let’s say food was provided so it’s more of the personal items I would bring. I’d still probably bring some video games to keep occupied. Maybe like a bed to sleep on so I wouldn’t have to sleep on the ground. Obviously, a hot tub.
K: I would bring a couple books I imagine.
J: Books… *shakes head*
K: I’d probably bring a soccer ball or a football to play with.
J: You’re going to be stranded on a desert island, and you bring a ball with you?
K: If I’m going to be stranded I might as well bring something to have fun with.
J: Screw that. I want to bring naked chicks, gambling devices, and Gordie.
K: I would bring Gordie because he’s cool.

C: If you could choose any animal to be your bands mascot, what would it be and why?
J: It would be a snake so people don’t steal our shit. Because people are scared of snakes. If we had a snake that toured with us, no one would ever steal or van or trailer.
K: I would say a scorpion for the same reasons.

M: Well that’s all, so do you guys have anything else you want to say?
C: Closing statements?
J: Just plug the record. You can preorder it online on drivethrurecords.com, rushmorerecords.com, purevolume.com/HoustonCalls, myspace.com/Houstoncalls.