The Prozacs Interview!!
With J Prozac and Matty Prozac
How did The Prozacs get started?
JP I started the band in September 2001. It was a side project that eventually became my main band.
Were any of you in bands prior to The Prozacs?
JP Yeah, The GrandPrixx. That was my first band. We lasted about 4 ½ years with about 8 months over lapping The Prozacs. I wrote alot of the music and all the lyrics in that band…and of course sang.
MP Dangerously Happy for 4 years along with Sean.
JP And Andy was in The Strikeouts.
Tell Us About your band.
JP Well, It’s been a pretty revolving line up of members between 2001 and now. Dave was the original bass player who moved to guitar when we decided to make this our main project. He sang and wrote 5 tunes on the first album. He was in about 2 years and then had left over musical differences. He later had passed away…about 2 year ago…which was a very sad event. (he was only 23 years old) Colin was the bass player from 2002-2005….the longest lasting member. I guess it has a lot to do with commitment and a love for the style of music. We tour each summer and put out records. It seems to be a bit much for a lot of guys to handle I guess. Matty Prozac joined on almost 2 years ago on drums and has become my right hand man. Sean has been on little over a year on bass…and Andrew joined on 2nd guitar about 3 months ago.
Describe The style of The Prozacs?
JP I guess our style would be the more simple side of punk rock and roll. I think a good hook and catchy chords is always a must. I’m not to much for the weird chords and off-beat drums and all that. Much influence from Screeching Weasel/Riverdales and The Queers, Ramones and 50’s 60’s rock/dooWhop. We can go anywhere from super fast and edgy to the straight up pop/punk happy type stuff. Straight to the point, you know?
Favorite place to play and why-
JP/ MP Ummm…probably Palmer MA. Usually the backyard/hall shows. The kids around here are just great and totally support what we do. They always sing along and dance. It’s always a fun time. We really have no clubs that we play on a regular basis, so it’s hard to say any of the clubs would be a favorite. Other than the local area kids, we have some really great shows at the Webster Theater in Hartford CT. The fans are really cool, you just have to get by the politics of playing these clubs. We always have a great time in PA/OHIO with our buddies Johnie 3 as well!
Funniest thing you've seen at a show?
JP Boys wearing girls pants. The crowd after I have had 9 beers.
MP Myke from Johnie 3 stealing a big plate of chicken from the “Big Bands” food stash at the Warped Tour, and Jay playing in RI after 9 beers.
Craziest place you've played?
JP I would have to say at this art show in downtown Springfield. MA. We played in the art gallery in front of all these older people, playing after a jazz/blues rock type band with members of the areas well known band NRBQ. We were unsure weather to just do our thing or tone down and stuff. We just rocked and everyone seemed to have liked it. It was still weird.
MP I would say at Cox communications for a public access program. There were like 3 people there running cameras and that was it. Playing live at Hofstra university was pretty crazy to.
Are you on a label? If so, who?
JP Yep, Cheapskate Records from Schenectady NY.
Who's your favorite bands right now?
JP As far as what I am listening to….um…Weasel, Teenage BottleRocket, Mr. T Experience, J3, The Sheckies, The Apers and BigWig.
MP Screeching Weasel, Ramones, Greenday.
Who writes your songs and how are you inspired to write them?
JP I write all the songs as of now. Pretty much inspired by my life and the things around me more recently. The past few releases I have looked for ways to be creative and funny with many songs. Sometimes giving them a hidden meaning or something you gotta really listen to, to get it. The newer stuff has a little more of a tie in to my personal life and maybe lyrics that are a bit more relatable. It all depends on what the mood is I guess.
When you play at a show are you all serious or do you just fuck around??
JP/MP I would say it’s a bit of both. Sometimes it depends on the crowd or where we are playing. Sometimes the more straight ahead approach just rock thru the tunes with out to many stops. Other times we are just total retards.
What's your favorite song that you play right now and why?
JP I guess it would have to be THOSE PANTS WOULD LOOK BETTER ON YOUR SISTER. Besides the fact it’s a newer song that will be on the next album, it’s a bit on the edge with a direct slam. Sometimes to the kids at our shows even. Plus it is just plain fun to play!!
MP WHAT THEY SAY. It gives me energy when we play it and I think it’s one of our catchiest tunes.
What does it mean to you being in The Prozacs?
JP It means I have an outlet to play the music I wanna play, the way I wanna do it.
MP It shows me that I don’t have be in a totally popular band to have real fun time and appreciate playing music.
What do you do when your not playing?
JP Well, I run a small clothing company called LOOSE CLOTHING COMPANY, work full-time, ride BMX every so often and spend time with my son and best lady. I enjoy graphic art type stuff….and help many bands with logo’s and record layouts.
MP I work, go to school, spend time with my girlfriend and play on-line poker.
How does your families evaluate the fact that your musicians and not a banker or whatever?
JP My family thinks it’s great that I am making music. I know overall my parents would like to see me in a career job, but they are proud of my accomplishments. I guess it gets questioned though when the bills come around each month. The band is the farthest thing from being my JOB!
MP My mom says as long as I have a plan B, she totally supports me. Plus she says I look cut when I play.
What is your current evaluation of the current punk scene?
JP It seems separated and very clicky. It seems like a lot of the scene is out to help themselves and could care less about the togetherness that many bands shared in the past. It’s like a pack of wolves all wanting to be the king of whatever. Plus with all the trend setting mainstream music and Hot Topic type stores, it’s hard to find and support a scene of bands/people that have a true passion for what they are doing. The only way we can have a scene is by supporting each other.
MP It’s enjoyable when we get to play with other Punk bands. It was alot morefun about 5 years ago though. Things have changed.
Who are your musical influences (and please don't say Jonny Cash)?
JP Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, MTX, The Queers, The Abducted, The Lillingtons, Beach Boys, Ramones…you get the point.
MP Tre’ Cool, Chad Sexton, Teenage BottleRocket, Weasel and pop punk in general.
Any bands you really want to do a show with and why?
JP I really want to play with the Groovie Ghoulies and MTX. We just never can get on a Ghoulies show…even though I am friends with them and all that. The same with THE QUEERS when I think about too. Dr. Frank is just an amazing songwriter, although playing with them in the mid/ late 90’s would really have rocked.
MP Teenage BottleRocket, The Queers, Living End, Greenday and Hawthhorne Heights, (so I can throw a grenade at them and their fans)
Who's the craziest band you've ever done a show with?
JP Haha…the BLOODHOUND GANG. Hands down.
MP Bi-Anal Ham Sandwich
Has your style of music changed at all since the band started? If so, why?
JP Not really. It has progressed here and there, but it’s all pretty relevant I would say. Maybe a little more of an edge that before, but then it’s almost more poppy than the earlier as well. We are just THE PROZACS.
Favorite Band of all time?JP Screeching Weasel
MP Greenday
What are your general thoughts on the world today?
JP In desperate need of help and togetherness. We are so concerned with technology, money, power…that the basic qualities of life are totally ignored.
America started process that can't be reversed.
What's your favorite part of being in a band?
JP Being able to be a part of something that I was just a fan of at one time, and making a difference in other peoples lives as well.
MP Getting acknowledged by fans of dong a great job at something I love to do.
What are personal thoughts on the mentality of today's america?
JP I think that the government is beyond corrupt and that this country is emphasizing the “rich get richer” philosophy at the expense of the common, average American. We are at war, but at who’s benefit? Americas? I don’t buy it. I think that the overall view in society is also that of “who looks great” “who’s wearing and doing what” “what is HOT this month” and all that crap has just taken almost every last bit of individuality and creativity out of the youth in our country. Guess these are the kids that will grow up and run this “Land of the Free” in the years to come. I don’t know where I am going with this.
MP America has started a process that can’t be reversed in trying to be the police of the world. This country seems to feel it needs to be involved in everyones business.
What are your thoughts of the Warped Tour?
JP/MP Biggest corporate ass-fuck of a representation of the underground music industry.
When you look into the crowd, what would you say are the kind of people at the shows?
JP People that can’t get into our 21+ shows.
MP Deaf and blind.
What's the most interesting non-music thing about you that others may not know?
JP That I have a Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
MP That I am actually pretty smart.
How did you come up with the name The Prozacs?
JP Well, it was in a list of band names I was coming up with. One of those was “THAT PROZAC MOMENT” after the MTX song, but as a band name it sounded to…um….for the lack of a better word…EMO. So I went with THE PROZACS and it just stuck. Other possible names were THE ADDITIVES or THE FORGET-ME-NOTS.
What makes The Prozacs different from other bands?
JP/MP The fact that despite trends or lack mainstream success, we love what we do and will always stay true to that. It may not make us different per say, but far and few between at the least.
Anyone you want to thank?
JP Andry and Tyler, Jay @ Cheapskate Records, Timmy U, J3 and Chuck Hargis, my family and all those that have supported me thru the years.
MP Michelle, my parents. Jesse….and the people who enjoy our music.
