Interview with Jimmie’s Chicken Shack frontman Jimi Haha

They have shared the stage with bands such as Live, Creed, and Everclear. They have toured the United States and Europe as a headliners, they have sold millions of records, and they have scored top ten hits with songs such as “Pushing the Salmanilla Envelope” and “Do Right”. Now Jimmie’s Chicken Shack is back with a new release titled Fail On Cue. After numerous personnel changes and a return to Fowl Records the band has crafted an album that is sure to please long time fans. Jimi Haha is in top form as he belts out his humorous often sarcastic trademark lyrics the band has become known for, especially on songs like “Mutha Luvas”, “Another Great Idea”, and “Radio Song”. I was fortunate enough to speak with Jimi about the band, the new record, and life on the road.

The name of the band Jimmie’s Chicken Shack came from the Harlem restaurant that Malcolm X used to frequent before he became Malcolm X. What was the reason behind this name choice?
Jimi: The original line up of the band was Jimi, Jim, Jimmy and Che’. We thought it was a funny name that people would remember and loved the idea that Malcolm X hung out there before he was “Malcolm X”. He was known as Red at the time; Charlie Parker also worked in the kitchen with Red Fox.

Your brand new CD titled Fail On Cue was released on April 15Th. Now that it is complete how you do feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome? What can fans expect?
Jimi: I wasn’t sure how I felt about it when we were writing and recording it. Once I heard the final mix I really loved it. It goes all over the place. It was nice to have no one telling us what we could or could not do. It is our first self-produced recording and I think we will do it again.

What was the writing process like for this CD, Fail On Cue? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
Jimi: Some songs were written by me and some were initiated by Matt our guitar player. He gave me tons of ideas and there were a few that were just undeniable and easy to write to.

Your lyrics are infused with heavy detail and raw emotion. What is it that normally gives you inspiration when writing lyrics and is there a theme or themes behind the writing of the CD Fail On Cue?
Jimi: Not sure why people write what they write. I guess it is always a catharsis. I imagine I write best when I am at my wits end with a certain subject. It might be love or politics or some inane experience but I tend to just let words happen on their own. The best plan is no plan. On the songs that Matt wrote the music to, I would just listen to them over and over and then let the words materialize without any intention of my own. I guess it’s a kind of channeling.

Are there any tracks on the new CD that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
Jimi: I really like “Good At It” and “The Quiet Ones”. It depends on the day or the moment. I don’t tend to skip any songs when I listen to it so that is a good sign.

Fail On Cue was released on an independent label after having previously been signed to powerhouse labels such as Koch and A&M. How has that affected the band?
Jimi: I think I just feel more of a sense of freedom. There are no criteria to fill. So every personality can come out, honestly and unbridled.

Do you feel you have had more input into your project from start to finish? Did you feel you were able to express yourselves creatively enough?
Jimi: We have all of the control. Oh and yes.

You guys have been in the business for a long time now. How do you think the internet and sites like MySpace have impacted the industry and your band?
Jimi: It’s a great marketing tool. It definitely doesn’t hurt.

Do you think that downloading of songs helps or hinders the artist?
Jimi: It’s hard to say. I guess in ways it’s good because there is so much availability. At the same time I feel like musicians are, in some ways, considered the hookers of the art world. Some songs get labored over for years yet people treat it like it’s not worth a few bucks to pay for it; I never go to bars and expect to drink for free. It’s good and bad. Actually it just is, and if you are going to play music it’s just one of any things you have to accept, get used to, and try to capitalize on.

Can you offer any advice to any of the younger readers who may be reading this out there and are trying to etch out a career in the music business?
Jimi: No, not really. Advice is futile in “art” just do it. It will weed you out if you don’t have to do it. A friend of mine once said, “if you want to be a professional musician, don’t. if you have to be a musician….then…be it. And deal with it.”

The band keeps things interesting thematically. Can you talk about some of the subjects you tackle on this record?
Jimi: It’s always love, politics, self actualization and discontent.

When you are out on the road anything can happen and often does. Can you think of any disastrous events that happened while out on tour?
Jimi: Not really. We crave the train wrecks. It is a great motivator and makes for good material.

How did you solve the problem?
Jimi: Realize that it’s not a problem and just an aspect, and then learn to love it like you invited it into your house.

When you are on the road for a while I am sure you see and experience many different things you might not even have known existed. Are there any stories that stand out in your mind as being exceptionally strange or odd?
Jimi: Humanity is the oddest thing I have ever encountered. It never bores.

Life out on the road can be very difficult. What keeps you going on those long drawn out tours?
Jimi: Crossword puzzles, being able to shut off all rational parts of your brain, conversation.

Do you have any inspirational stories that have taken place on the road that you would care to share?
Jimi: I don’t really like reliving anything. I don’t like seeing pictures of moments that have already occurred. I don’t like listening to live recordings. I think they should happen once and then be left to float away into the endless space that radio waves travel. There have been inspirational times and perspirational times on tour but I always look to the next show. Every one of them gives us something more to hold dear or hope to forget. Just being able to do what we love to and need to do is the most inspirational thing I think all of us will ever experience. Oh but there was that time when we…  [ END ]