If His Mom Traded Babies With The Random Lady, Would He Still Be A Lovely Lunatic?
An In-Depth Interview with Justin Pearson by: Chrissie E. Pietrowski
As a kid he used to sing to his dog, pretending to be in a band. Nowadays, Justin Pearson doesn't have to pretend anymore. Currently, he is the vocalist for ALL LEATHER, a noise-core band, featured on DimMak Records as well as his own label, Three One G. This label is based out of his hometown of San Diego. Three One G has quite an impressive roster, featuring bands such as Arab On Radar, The Black Dice, The Blood Brothers, Camera Obscura and Das Oath to name a few. A real-life Jack-Of-All-Trades, he's also been the bassist for The Locust and bassist and/or vocalist for other bands including: Holy Molar, Head Wound City, Swing Kids,The Crimson Curse, Some Girls, The Bloody Beetroots and Struggle. He's also collaborated with several artists including Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Jimmy LaValle (The Album Leaf).
Pearson playing bass in The Locust
Pearson on Jerry Springer
On top of all this, he was featured on an episode of Jerry Springer. “I'm into rock n' roll and I love the rock n' roll lifestyle. Stuff happens, ya know?”, he said on the show. He was on the “Secrets Come Out!” episode about people who, what else, have been cheating on their significant others. In this episode, he's there to tell his girlfriend Alisia that he's been sleeping with her roommate, “one of the people I'm sleeping with” he clarifies. He goes on to say, “You understand, I go away on tour a lot and you're always pissed at me and thinking that I'm sleeping with everyone or whatever. And when we go on tour, stuff happens.” Typical Springer shenanigans ensue. He even blows a snot rocket and puts it in his pocket and flips off the audience in response to their disgust. The other person he's cheating with? A guy, of course! The guy (Scott Beibi) and Justin kiss and then Scott says, “I have some surprises for everybody. Justin, I've been sleeping with Alisia (Justin's girlfriend)”. Everybody is beating everyone up, in typical Springer fashion. I remember watching this episode when it came out thinking, “God, this guy is an asshole!” When asked if he's going to be monogamous after this fiasco he simply replies, “I live to rock and I rock to live.” Not only does he do all the things that I previously mentioned, he apparently can also juggle boning three people at the same time. Of course, we all know that it's fixed. When I asked him about this, he said, “It was a joke that was properly executed.” Classic!
So, it's only fitting that this very crafty punk adds another one to his gigantic list - author. His autobiography, From The Graveyard Of The Arousal Industry was published by Soft Skull Press in May of this year. His autobiography has gotten tons of praise from music industry big shots like Steve Aoki who said, “Justin Pearson is a phenomenal artist, songwriter and now author. Stories from his childhood, to touring in his bands, and running his label Three One G, this book is filled with experiences that we can all relate to at different times in our life,” to filmmaker John Waters who said, “Showbiz never looked so violent yet cheery, chaotic yet level-headed. Justin Pearson is a lovely lunatic who writes with kindness even if he’s describing being in the middle of an on-stage brawl. He may pick the wrong girl and never be able to escape the mayhem in his personal life but he still seems kind of perfect . . . in a twisted way,” according to Amazon.com.
Pearson, who just celebrated his birthday today (August 20), had some time to spare and gave a very in-depth (stories about his childhood to what he's doing at the moment) interview with me. I've always been a fan of his work and am honored to call this lovely lunatic who I once thought was an asshole, a friend!
Chrissie: Favorite subject in school as a kid? Why?
Justin: As a kid, I favored ditching. I was a huge fan of splitting and going to Zia and looking through records and going to the local metal t-shirt shop and trying to rip off Samhain and Septic Death shirts. However, I was a fan of art class and history based on the heated arguments I got myself in. My scholastic interest picked up once I got to community college, where some of the social bullshit that kids tend to be submerged in lightened up. And then, I was drawn to political science, speech and humanities.
The first instrument you ever picked up – what was it?
I got this piece of crap black acoustic guitar when I was maybe 6 years old. It was huge.
Out of all the music projects you've been in, what would be your top 3 favorites and why? Which ones were your least favorites and why?
Awe, I can’t answer this. There are elements of each thing I have been part of that means something to me. Some of the players in some of the bands are closer to me, or I’d even consider family. But, there is also the fact that some of the things I have been part of in the past don’t really hold up musically. So, it’s all over the place as far as the pros and cons of each project. Obviously The Locust is on its own level in my book as it’s been something that I have been part of for over a decade.
The Locust - Favorite moments, favorite song(s), favorite concert(s)... least favorites & why?
There are so many favorite moments and concerts, over the years. I can’t really pick one, or even a few. As for favorite songs, I'd say the newer material gets better and better to me. Not that I don’t like the older stuff, but I guess the band grows as we grow. I'd rather progress, or mutate than be stagnant like bands that just continue to write the same thing over and over.
Typical questions – Influences? What are you listening to lately? What inspires you to create your various artistic projects?
Questions like this are so vague and well, a bit hard to answer. I'll try my best here. I’m influenced by everything from music of the past to food, to street art, to current politics, to class issues, to my mother. As for what I have been listening to lately, honestly I typically listen to NPR. But, I stumble upon great stuff here and there… Paper Mice, Illstm, Rats Eyes, Kill The Capulets. As for the inspiration question, it coincides with the influences question. Same exact answer. Social politics are probably the most relevant thing that would inspire me, personally.
Favorite artists that you've collaborated with?
Gabe Serbian, Eric Allen, Nathan Joyner, Bobby Bray, Sal Gallegos, Joseph Karam, Jung Sing, Christopher Sprague, Mark McCoy, Rockey Crane, Jose Palafox, Dylan Scharf, Eric Wood, Nick Zinner, Jordan Blilie, Chris Hathwell.
Anyone you'd like to collaborate with that you haven't yet?
Off the top of my head, I’d love to do something with Zach Hill, Mike Patton, Ichirou Agata, Travis Ryan, Jeff Schneider, Shahin Motia, WT Nelson, Marnie Stern, Maria Daniela Azpiazu, Mathangi Arulpragasam.
What inspired you to write a book?
Initially, it was a mix of long drives in the van during tours, encouragement from John Waters and a memory like an elephant.
Can you tell us what this book is about in somewhat detailed form?
It’s a collection of short stories that pertain to my life, in linear order. Anything from when I was born and some lady tried to get my mom to trade babies with her in the hospital, to starting a riot in Australia, to getting married and divorced all at once.
According to your blog about the book, your father was murdered on Halloween. I'm so sorry to hear that. My dad died (he may have killed himself, it's a mystery and his mom killed herself) so I'm kind of familiar with this sort of thing. He had a messed up life. But, did this effect you in anyway? I mean, obviously, right? But can you tell me more about this? It's okay if you don't want to. How did your family cope with this? Has this effected your music? If so, in what sense?
I think there was no coping really. My mom turned to alcohol abuse. I was twelve and had to grow up way too fast. So while I was avoiding getting beat up by skinheads, jocks and my mom's boyfriend after my dad’s death, I decided to start a band based on the real ethics that raised me were rooted in punk culture.
Your book has gotten a lot of praise! Congrats! Knowing that you're getting so much praise, does this make you want to write another? And if so, what would it be about?
I’m not a writer, per se. So I’m a bit skeptical to write. However, after the, “Burning Fight” book came out, I'd like to instigate something from a perspective of people who were actually part of the musical community. With books surfacing based on the musical community that I am from, be it bands, or even album design like we have been seeing, I think that I could orchestrate something a bit more relevant and with more substance, not to mention historically correct.
A little off subject here, but sex/relationship advice – Best advice you can give to all the single ladies out there that are lookin' for love in all the wrong places? Best advice to give for the boys (same thing)? What's the worst thing a girl/guy can do to get the opposite/same sex's attention? What's the most successful thing to do?
I’m probably not the best person to ask. One, I work at a gay club and trip out of promiscuity, self-destruction, and gender identity. Socially, I think humans are doomed. At least in Western culture. For me, I have a horrible track record, dealing with fuck heads and even getting married and divorced. But at the end of the day, I somehow lucked out. I have an amazing girlfriend that is perfect for me. The interesting part is, I was not looking for a relationship nor was she. But it found us, at the exact right time and it worked. So my “advice” would be wait for luck, or chance, or circumstance. But don’t hold your breath.
What do you think of music today? Pop music? Hip hop? Rap? Any favorites? Any ones that you really despise? Why?
Again, questions like this are way too vague. Asking something non-specific about something as massive as “music today” leaves me scratching my head wondering where to start. So I'll bow out here and if you want to be a bit more specific, I'll then answer. As for music to despise, well, there is a sea of that crap. Where do I start?
In the vein of music that you perform, what other contemporaries are you into?
My friend’s music, generally speaking, is what I’m into. However, I enjoy a lot of contemporary stuff, across the board. I think that my taste varies and well, that might be why I do stuff that is not so easily classifiable at times. I would rather not submerge myself in a genre or type of art and then produce something directly related to that. For me, I can’t stand when a new band is like, say a rip off of Joy Division, or Infest, or what have you.
When you are performing live, what song(s) gets you emotional? What song makes you laugh? What songs make you feel connected to your audience the most?
It sort of depends. For instance when Swing Kids played two shows about a year ago, I had never felt the emotions that I had during those sets. It was a weird mix of sadness, pertaining to the loss of one of my best friends, Eric Allen, as well as a emotional sense of insecurity since it was very odd to perform as that band again. Not only do I think the music has not held up over time, I feel that my contribution was poor, if that. But that was a rare occasion. I think generally I’m concerned with myself as well as the band as a whole, be it The Locust, All Leather, etc. I aim for a perfect set, as best as we can do it. I think that goes for the others that I work with in all musical projects that I’m part of. For the most part, the audience is not a consideration really. I find myself concerned with the actual performance and the audience perception, or reaction is second to that of the actual performance. However, I’m well aware of the band/ audience interaction that at times makes for a special moment, be it positive or negative. So if there is some sort of connection, it will factor into the million other tiny aspects that are all in play at the moment of the performance.
What's the weirdest dream you've ever had? The worst nightmare you've ever had? Have these influenced your writing at all?
I rarely remember my dreams. But on an occasion ill dream of my father, who has passed away. That is a bit odd for me, to have the interactions that I have had in dreams about him. However, as a child I had reoccurring abductions dreams over and over for many years. There were two of them that would repeat night after night, and would be exactly the same. As for influence of writing, dreams will not influence my writing. But at times I would wake up and have a beat, or riff, or lyric that I would have to make note of so I could remember at a later time.
Three One G Records. Amazing label. Tell me about some of the artists on your roster. Why did you choose them? (I'm familiar with and love all of them, but you know, I gotta know the deets!)
For the most part, Three One G is a family or community. It started from me realizing that labels were dicking me around with things that bands I was part of had released. Anything from getting ripped off, to art changing, to merch being made without any approval, and so on. So, I released an Unbroken 7” and repressed the Swing Kids 7”, both had Eric Allen on them, so show the start of a sense of “family”. Shortly after I found myself touring with The Locust and meeting all sort of like minded, and very inspiring artists and well, it all sort of came together over time and has continued for over a decade now.
What made you decide to start your own label?
A mix of labels like Bloodlink and Kidney Room in contrast to labels like Ebullition and Gravity.
What is new with you as far as your musical projects? What is new with All Leather? What have ya got coming up for it? Anything going on at all with The Locust? What's new with anything you've got going on? ((Doing my best to plug everything you're doing in!))
As of now, All Leather is working on new material, a new album I suppose. We are starting to work with a new member as well, so we will soon be a four piece. And all of us are learning and moving into uncharted territory. With The Locust, the band has taken a back seat as all four of us have taking on other projects, be it music, school, work, etc. but the band has continued to work on a new LP, which is moving along and has quite a lot of material demoed for it. That is if for the music stuff. Other than that, I have been talking with Jose Palafox about doing a speaking tour and I’m trying to wrap my head around the possibility of writing a book with him.
Typical question – Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you think you'll be doing? What would you like to be doing?
Honestly, I have no idea. I just hope that we will still be around then.
I hope you'll be around then, too. There are links below to most of Justin's work.
http://www.myspace.com/mrjustinpearson
http://www.threeoneg.com
http://www.thelocust.com
http://www.allleather.org
http://www.myspace.com/leglifterss
http://www.youtube.com/threeonegrecords
http://eviltwinbooking.org/events.cfm
---- EDITOR'S NOTE ----
This was originally written on August 20th. Sorry for the delay!
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