An Interview With The Dallas, Texas Alt-Rock Band, JIBE!

Posted On 25 Oct 2017

By : Leah

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Tag: All Access, All Access Music Group, Artist Interview, Epic Tales of Human Nature, JIBE, release, Uprising

Jibe, the Dallas TX alt-rock juggernaut is back with “Epic Tales of Human Nature” (released on October 5th, 2017). The long-awaited full-length concept album was recorded at Orb Recording studios in Austin, TX, produced by JIBE and Matt Noveskey (Blue October), and mixed by Grammy award-winning producer/engineer, Toby Wright (Metallica, Alice In Chains, Korn). “Epic Tales of Human Nature” reﬂects a ﬁre and intensity lacking in today’s world. From beginning to the very end, this 13 song masterpiece takes the listener on a journey of uncontainable highs and devastatingly toxic lows, a story all too familiar with the boys in JIBE. The single for Release is currently at radio.

Arriving from Dallas with a resident quartet composed of vocalist Joe Grah, Toby Bittenbender (guitar), Corey Tatro (bass), and Todd Harwell (drums), JIBE consistently built a solid touring career since they assembled in 1994. Disposing stalwart tunes of alternative rock magniﬁed by Grah’s vigorously melodic vocals, JIBE display their better commands on extreme and alternate effect settings. Only one year after forming, the Texan crew released their ﬁrst record, Live at Trees.

The album marked their impressive ability and offered them a growing popularity at the local music scene, solidiﬁed by 1996’s JIBE, their self- titled second album. The band’s considerable following was then consolidated by their consecutive performances as the opening band for groups such as Toadies, Fastball, & Creed. In 2000, and after yet another intense touring season, the Dallas team released their third record, In My Head, achieving regular airplay at various alternative & college radio stations. Underlining their increasing prevalence, the song “I’ll Meet You Half Way” landed at the No.1 position on KXUL in Monroe, LA, where it would stay for several weeks.

In 2002, the band entered Reeltime Studios in Denton, TX with producer Eric Delegard to record their eponymous fourth release, Uprising. Uprising captures twelve dynamic rock tracks exploring JIBE’s reckless, melodic artistry.

After 11 years a part, The band is back stronger than ever and ready to engage as the boys ﬁnd their center in an uncertain universe.

JIBE are:

Joe Grah – vocals

Toby Bittenbender – guitars

Corey Tatro – bass

Todd Harwell – drums

Stay Connected to JIBE Here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/JIBEONLINE/

Learn more about JIBE in the following All Access interview here:

Thanks for your time! Where does this interview find the band today? Is there music playing in the background? What is it? What is one song that you are all loving right now? What is a song that you all disagree about loving right now?

Hello, I’m in Laurel Canyon, located in the West Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. Sacred Love by Bad Brains is playing, it’s off the Rock For Light album. H.R. actually tracked the vocals over a pay phone, from jail, ROCK! The rest of the band is in Dallas.

How does 2017 so far compare to last year? How differently did you all approach this year then you did 2016? What all are you most excited about for 2018?

Our brand new full-length concept album Epic Tales Of Human Nature, a year and a half in the making, came out. We became affiliated with new management, label, etc. Original drummer Ben Jeffries left the band. Longtime friend and musical associate Todd Harwell (Doosu, Flickerstick) officially joined us. We cannot wait to begin touring in 2018, ultimately sharing our music with the world.

Can you recall the moment you all realized that you could really make music together and be this band? Why do you think your name truly represents this group and the music that you create? Where did your name come from in the first place?

When we first got together, there was an instant click, a hum, we share a certain frequency that interconnects us. JIBE represents harmony and accord, the ability to overcome individual separation and share a common goal or path. I found it in an old-school dictionary, it’s the third meaning, it doesn’t exist in any of the newer dictionaries. The Mandala effect is a powerful drug…

I always like to ask artists how their hometown has been an influence on the kind of music they make and really what kind of a band they are today. So how do you think your hometown has affected you and the music that you create?

Dallas is where we came together and it definitely helped shape our sound. With bands like Toadies, Pantera, Reverend Horton Heat, Course Of Empire, Tripping Daisy, the Nixon’s, Bowling For Soup and so many others coming up before and around us, diversity’s always on our palette. We constantly toured from the beginning, so we weren’t home a lot, the constant playing together along with perpetual movement defined the end result.

How do you think this band has grown and really chanted since you first formed in 1994? What has remained the same?

The past was a haze riddled with toxicity and misunderstanding, we truly understand how to respect and listen to one another, not taking each other for granted.

Let’s talk about your latest single “Release.” What was the inspiration for it? How do you think it introduces your album “Epic Tales of Human Nature” to your fans?

“Release,” as all of the songs on ETOHN, is a very personal song that deals with the battle to remove the weight that presses down on us all. We’re born to be free, our wings are not meant to be pinned down, battered, or frayed.

I understand that you all spent 11 years apart and then got back together to record this album. How did you all keep busy during that time away from JIBE?

Besides being haunted by the void created when I left the band, I recorded and toured in the Island Def Jam band Loser (with John 5 of Marilyn Manson & Rob Zombie), South Of Earth (with Geno Leonardo of Filter), I Am The Wolf, and Dead Girls Don’t Lie. Toby played in Zayra and Overscene, Corey played in Down-Low & Whisky River Gamblers.

How was putting this collection together any different than the making of your previous albums? What had changed since you had been a part?

We always had the live thing down, but with ETOHN we finally mastered the art of making a real studio album. A lot of time and effort spent creating a concept that tied the entire record together, from the songs to the artwork, everything feels aligned and in place, a first for us.

Do you have plans to play out live this fall a lot in support of your new music? What has been a favorite show of yours in the past? What do you think makes an ideal show for JIBE?

We’ll only have a few shows left for 2017. Next year we’ll begin our world onslaught of endless touring. Gas Monkey Live in Dallas is a phenomenal place to play, we’ve had insanely fulfilling show there. having a receptive group of people tapping into the moment with us creates an ideal situation where anything can happen, and usually does.

With the summer over now, what was your favorite part about it? What was something fun that this group did or tried for the first time?

Playing live together this summer was exceptionally fun, we’ve been exploring new ways to present the band live and have found a really satisfying central ground where the band can really connect with the crowd. We began utilizing video screens, our LD, Sean Cagney is a fucking genius, he’s taking us to new heights.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being in this band gives you the most joy in life today? Do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these hard times?

The temperature in our society as we know it is definitely at levels we haven’t previously witnessed. This is merely a symptom of the Universe we’ve created around ourselves, when we’re ready, we have the power to dream and change. As artists, it is our duty to reflect the truth as we interpret it, anything less is inconsequential and meaningless.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Is there anyone that you would still love to work with in the future? What would be a dream collaboration for this band?

We have been affected musically by everyone from Bob Marley to Slipknot, it’s the bands that change the tide that really excite us. When an artist arrives within their path, achieving that precious hum, that moment of effortless clarity, a oneness with the Universe, that’s when the world truly hears the music. We would love to collaborate with anyone in their moment.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

It’s never too late to find yourself, getting lost is only half the journey. Surround yourself with what you love and let it love you back. Don’t settle for anything less than what truly feels right. We’re all beautiful, capable creatures of possibility ad creation. Connection is the key to self discovery…

What advice would you give to a band just getting started? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

Listen to your inner voice and stay true to your core. You can flex without breaking, but breaking creates energy.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about the band or your music?

We’re extremely grateful to have an opportunity to share with the world our reflective path. We look forward to connecting with all of you.

Thank you for your thought provoking questions, it was a pleasure.

-Joe Grah

About the Author

Leah Brungardt joined All Access Music Group in August 2011 and has been enjoying getting to know a new side of the music industry ever since. Having worked to promote radio stations in the past, seeing what makes a successful radio hit has been a thrill. As a lover of all genres of music, working at All Access Music Group is a perfect fit for Leah, and she loves learning about up and coming musicians as well. Most of her friends have come to rely on her for new music.

LÉON at Kilby Court!