Interview — Jungle Juice

Skratch Magazine

With a newly released full-length album titled Jungle Jamz and a string of show dates in the Little Rock area, punk/hardcore group Jungle Juice hasn’t got much to worry about. Stan, Jake and Ted have been influenced by the likes of the Beastie Boys and Operation Ivy. Jungle Juice took some time out from making a name for themselves in Arkansas and spoke to Skratch Magazine about what you can expect from Jungle Jamz.

Skratch: What spurs your songwriting?

Stan: Anything we experience really. I get lots ideas when I'm in the shower. Or drunk.
Jake: Just hanging out and living slow.
Ted: Shit that really stirs us up whether it pisses us off or makes us really thrilled


Skratch: Many artists get emotional or passionate about certain topics? What gets you guys going?

Stan: We get pushed around by the cops a lot, I fucking hate the police. I think it comes natural to me to write about shit like that and other shit that pisses me off. I have a lot of built up aggression and anger. I do mean a lot. I'll be completely grey headed by the time I'm 25.
Jake: I have a lot of hatred towards a lot of people and things, so I guess that and my own close-minded opinions.
Ted: What really gets me going is whatever's on my mind or whatever I have a certain passion towards.


Skratch: What in your music differentiates yourselves from other bands?

Stan: We don't really strive to sound a certain way; we just play what we'd like to hear. Many kids are like ' oh, this band is sick, let's sound EXACTLY like them'. We try not to fit into an exact mold. I want people to be able to hear one of our songs and be like 'oh, I know that, that's Jungle Juice'.
Jake: Exactly. Although we do have a lot of the same influences, we don't try to be our favorite bands.
Ted: Yeah, we never write to try to sound like a certain something, we just jam and pick out what we like and put it in a song.

Skratch: What genre do you describe your band as? What is the funniest description you've heard to date?
Stan: I guess you could say punk hardcore. I've heard us called "party hardcore" or some stupid shit like that.
Jake: We are a punk hardcore band. And I've heard a bunch of stupid bullshit.
Ted: PUNKhc


Skratch: What ice cream flavor best represents the band's overall personality and why? Come on, give us the scoop here!

Stan: Anything that leaves you with an awful taste.
Jake: Well we all have lots of different interest, ideas, opinions, etc., yet they all clash and are the same so I guess if you just throw a bunch of different flavors together, then it would probably taste like shit, but that would be us.
Ted: I agree with Jake. Shit ice cream.

Skratch: Does anyone have kids in the band? Who is the mom or dad in the band and why? Do tell!

Stan: No way, dude. Not at all.
Jake: We're all still really young and wont be ready to settle down and have kids for awhile.
Ted: Rumor has it that our vocalist Stan has a kid by his ex. Hahahaha but not me or Jake.

Skratch: Lyrically, what are your goals and where is your mind currently?

Stan: I love our newer stuff we are writing, lyrically, it's a great improvement. Our first demo we wrote super fast, and just to throw some shit together, and oddly enough, we had a great response. But we're taking shit to a whole 'nother level. Our goal is to finish up our full length, right now. Then, bigger things.
Jake: Like Stan said, in our newer stuff you can really feel the more pissed-off, don't give fuck attitude that we all have. I think we are all in the same mindset right now which is a great thing.
Ted: If you ask anyone around here they'll say my minds in the gutter. My goals are to tour and release vinyl.... ASAP


Skratch: Do you have a need or desire to be signed in the future? Any candidates or wishlist?

Stan: Ha. I've never even fathomed that. But it would be cool.
Jake: It would be nice, and it seems like a possibility. But honestly, right now we're just having fun with things.
Ted: As long as we get our shit out and have fun, then I'm pleased. But if we ever happen to get signed to a label, I'd probably prefer Deathwish.

Skratch: Where are your favorite cities or states to play music in and just to play in?

Stan: We love almost anywhere in Oklahoma. It's a Midwest state just like Arkansas, where we are from. I think the kids there are hungrier for stuff, they don't get exposed to as much as the East or West Coast, so they savor what they get. However, nothing beats the hometown shows, without a doubt they're most fun.
Jake: Yeah, hometown shows are definitely a lot of fun, but I like to travel and see new things and meet new people so I do like going out of town to play. We all like playing Oklahoma a lot because the kids give us a good response and always make us feel welcome.
Ted: Yeah we have a lot of fun in Conway, AR, which is close to home and Tulsa's a lot of fun as well.

Skratch: What would one expect when seeing your live show?

Stan: Haahaha. Well, our first ever show, was a local battle of the bands. I guess the woman who ran the show didn't appreciate us too much, kicking us off stage and banning us from ever playing there again, after two songs. I think our lyrics were too harsh for her taste. So for sure a lot of cussing.
Jake: Just lots of kids having fun and getting the mic. This is what I see from the behind the drumset.
Ted: Hopefully a goddamn heart attack.

Skratch: Any magical rituals or beverages before your live show you care to share with us?

Stan: I drink a lot of Monster energy drinks or something of the sort. I always end up regretting that afterwards. I have a weak stomach. Another thing I do is I just sit down focus, and stare off into nothing, going through our set in my head. I guess you could consider that meditation or some shit. I've been told that's creepy, though haha.
Jake: I just listen to chill music, like Bob Dylan and Regina Spektor before a show. Then right before we play I play stuff like The Mongoloids, New Lows, Rotting Out in my head.
Ted: I just try to act as if its any other day or my nerves will get worked up and I won't be able to focus which could end up in me fucking up the set.

Skratch: Would you ever sell the rights to your music for a commercial or TV show? What's your favorite TV show now?

Stan: I don't think anyone could ever make a show that could truly capture the magic of Jungle Juice. Ha. Or maybe when I get accepted after submitting my audition tape to "The Real World", then that'd be perfect haha.
Jake: Really all I watch is cartoons.
Ted: Squidbillies


Skratch: Any special love interests?

Stan: Music > girls. Girls are nothing but trouble. Hahaa. That's what they've always been to me. But gettin' dome is sweet. Yeah I said it.
Jake: SATAN. hahahah. I'm always talkin and walkin and walkin and talkin.
Ted: Stan's sister hahahaha.


Skratch: Your next live shows are?:

Stan: We're playing a couple of Arkansas dates in march, but not much, we're preparing and recording for our new EP.
Jake: A few shows here and there. Right now we are writing and recording our new full length. It should be ready sometime this spring. We aren't playing many shows right now because we are working on that. But I can't wait to get back into it.
Ted: As of right now, we're focusing mainly on writing as much new stuff as possible. When we get all that shit covered, we're booking as many house/pool/roof/floor/outside/garage shows we can get.

Skratch: Last words/final thoughts/Anything you would like readers to know about you?:

Stan: Keep on the look out for our new shit coming really soon. Everyone check us out. myspace.com/junglejuicehc. Oh yeah, we should be coming to a town near you very soon so let us play your living room, and party at your house, and sleep on your couch, and drink your booze, and raid your refrigerator.
Jake: If we play in your town or close, come hang out, not just to see the show, but like come hang out afterwards also. We are just normal dudes that like to hang out and have a good time.
Ted: I'm 16 and know too much for my age.

To sample the juice for yourself, visit www.myspace.com/junglejuicehc.

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