Just before The Bled hit the road on March 16 for a three-week tour, we caught up with guitarist Jeremy Ray Talley to talk about recent ups and downs with his band. The 29-year-old had just gotten out of the shower when he took our call. A musician’s work, seemingly, is never done.
The Tucson band is three-fifths new. Talley is an original member, with bassist Brad Murray, guitarist Robbie Burbidge and drummer Josh Skibar the newbies. (James Munoz remains the singer.) The hardcore ock band formed in 2001 and found success on Vagrant Records with “Silent Treatment” (2007) and “Found in the Flood” (2005); Vagrant also reissued the earlier “Pass the Flask” album. The band has joined huge tours—including Projekt Revolution and the Vans Warped Tour—and been overseas multiple times.
After coming back from a tour a few years back in debt, the band left Vagrant, Talley says. And though the members head out on tour with little money in their bank accounts, they’re hard at work on a new CD and have a pretty plum opening slot for The Used.
The tour swings into the Rialto Theatre March 24. (Hopefully you have your ticket—the show has sold out.)
How far along is your new album?
We are seven songs into it. We want about 14, which is about halfway to where we want to be before we find a label and a studio. I think we’ll find a new label...We just have to keep writing music we believe in.
What’s the deal with you guys not having your own web page?
We’re just using myspace since it’s central for everyone...You can upload pictures and play music and leave comments and all that stuff on there instead of paying someone to design and upkeep a page for you. Right now we just need to focus on being a real band.
You’ve had significant lineup changes, with the loss of three members. Who are the newbies?
(New bassist) Brad has been one of my best friends for years and years...(Guitarist Robbie Burbidge) I’ve known for a long time, too. We just wanted to be close. We didn’t have the time to build chemistry and see if things were going to work...And our new drummer (Josh Skibar), well he’s the only drummer in Tucson who is talented enough to fill (former Bled drummer Mike) Pedicone’s shoes.
You seem to be seeing everything in a positive light, so that’s good.
You learn to take things in stride. What have I learned? After losing three members...you learn to enjoy, just enjoy it because nothing is permanent. I’ve been in bands more that half my life.
What’s your favorite tour memory?
Our experiences with other bands and friends. Going overseas when all the bands want to have a good time...no drama or egos. Being on tour itself is awesome...everyone got along. You manage to find a way to feel at home, and that’s by being with your friends.
One of your band’s albums is titled “Pass the Flask”—what’s your libation of choice?
Honestly, I’m not a big drinker. I’m turning 30 in April. I guess...I like Jameson; I’m a whiskey guy. Makers Mark is always good...You know, classy whiskey.
