10/29/08
Houston Calls – Josh Grigsby

Cathy: For the record, can you state your name and what you do in the band?
Josh: Hey I'm Josh and I play the drums.

C: How would you describe your band to someone who's never heard your music before?
J: We are a pop-rock band who isn't too concerned with the 'scene' and what the latest style of music to hit is - we write songs we love and have a really good time playing them. Our music is fun and caters to all different walks of life.

C: In a couple days, your new album, The End Of An Error, is coming out. Do you have a personal favorite song off of the new album? If so, which track and why?
J: By the time I answer this it will be out, but my personal favorite is “Life Won't Wait” - because when we got this track back from the studio it sounded better than any song this band had ever recorded and sparked our excitement in finally having out sophomore release.

C: It's been 3 years since your last album came out. Can you list 3 (in honor of each year of no new material) major differences between A Collection Of Short Stories and The End Of An Error?
J: It's smarter, wiser, and definitely more mature. It may take a few more listens to sink in - but it definitely beats out A Collection Of Short Stories.

C: What led you to decide to have Mark Weinberg produce the new album?
J: Stefanie, one of the owners of Drive-Thru, suggested him because of the work he had done on the Ace Enders record. We listened to his stuff, heard many good things about him, and really took a liking to his enthusiasm on the project.

C: Earlier this year, you posted a song on your Myspace called "Bush League Baller". How come that song didn't make it onto the new record? Do you have any plans to release it in the future?
J: It did! It's called “Life Won't Wait” - and it's tweaked a bunch. But we were tossing around the idea of releasing the demos for this record separately or as a deluxe version of the record... who knows?!

C: If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
J: I would kill to collaborate with the guys in The Appleseed Cast over on The Militia Group. That band was, is, and continues to be, my favorite band of all time. They just blow me away musically, and every song they have just takes me to another place - and I feel that's what music should do - and so they kill it for me.

C: In a couple days, you're heading overseas to go on tour. What are you looking most forward to on the upcoming tour?
J: Well I'm sitting in Brighton, UK right now answering this and I was looking forward to the amazing kids in this country and I have thoroughly enjoyed being here and hanging out with You Me at Six and Farewell and the amazing UK fans we have and have made from coming back over here!

C: What is your favorite country to tour in? How do fans of Houston Calls differ from country to country?
J: My personal favorite country is Australia. It's just downright beautiful and one of a kind - although they have the worst beer ever. The HC fans in every other country seem to be much more receptive and excited to see us - which makes sense because there are such few trips to those places unlike the US.

C: What, in your opinion, is the biggest problem with the music industry currently? If it were all up to you, how would you try to fix it?
J: There are so many problems that it's hard to name the biggest. But I know my pet-peeve is definitely the fact that there are a group of labels / websites / clothing companies / etc that all are intermixed and dominate pretty much the entire genre of music that we are desperately trying to grow in. It's somewhat unfair to hardworking bands who may not know the right 'people' and get in with the right 'companies' - which makes it easier for small bands to go straight to the top passing bands (like us) who have been at it for years. But hey, just makes us want to work harder and as far as we're concerned, we'd like to think our music speaks for itself.

C: What bands have you been listening to lately? Are there any smaller bands that you think should be getting more recognition?
J: I am in love with the new Copeland (You Are My Sunshine) as well as Kings of Leon (Only By The Night). Underoath (Lost in the Sound Separation) has been spinning quite a lot. I also want to give a shout out to Joe Crawford, Kim Crawford, Mantis, and Enzo who play in a sweet band from North Jersey called The Tonight Life (www.myspace.com/thetonightlife) check them out!

C: If you were stuck on a deserted island with no food and no one but your band members, who would you eat first and why? I know, morbid question, but it needs to be asked. Trust me.
J: Okie. He's our resident Asian of the band - and who doesn't like a little Teriyaki Chicken? Human flesh can’t be much different cooked up.

C: Closing statements?
J: Thanks for taking the time to read this, thanks Suburban Roads for interviewing me, and thanks to all of you for supporting our band - please don't hesitate to pick up our brand new record The End of An Error out NOW on Drive-Thru Records - I think it's our best stuff to date and we'll be playing a bunch of new tracks out with The Morning Light and Brighten in November in the mid-west as well as in the Northeast in December. We love you all! Too badass.