An Interview With The Las Vegas-Based Alt-Rck Band, LEATHER BOUND CROOKS!

Get to know the Las Vegas based alt rock band Leather Bound Crooks!

Check out the video for their track, “Delivered” –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc5lYGaS11o&feature=youtu.be

The video, inspired by actual events from the book “Lessons Learned: An Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Life” by Brian Scott Sherman, follows the lead character after he gets into a car accident and ends up in a purgatory like scenario where he is forced to reflect on various stages of his life. The video was filmed in downtown Las Vegas at ZAPPO’s CEO Tony Hsieh’s Airstream Park and at the Artisan Boutique Hotel.

“Delivered” can be found on their debut album Breach which was released on July 30th.

Leather Bound Crooks formed in 2011 in Las Vegas, NV. Working their way through the local music scene and various lineup changes over the years, Leather Bound Crooks evolved into the 4-piece it is today, crafting catchy hooks and powerful lyrics for each and every song. Their forthcoming full-length album Breach was written, recorded and produced through real life trauma, heartache & closure. With the help of author Brian Sherman, whom the band collaborated and co-wrote 3 songs with, they crafted lyrics that speak to those who have dealt with personal battles and come out alive. Paired with heavy leads and an alt-rock rhythm, Breach is an honest attempt from Leather Bound Crooks to represent experiences unspoken in most mainstream songs today. 

Learn more about Leather Bound Crooks in the following All Access interview-

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day?

Thanks for having us. Hopefully Pabst Blue Ribbon is on tap. Haha. 

Now that we are well into the 10th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 is treating the band so far? What have been some goals this group has had this year? How close are you to reaching them? 

2019 has been a lot of fun. We just independently released an album (Breach) and a music video (Delivered), two major goals we have been looking forward to reaching, but some upcoming 2019 goals include a vinyl release, 2 additional music video releases and for us to get around the US a bit to share our music live, just to name a few. Everything is going well with that and hope to share some dates soon. 

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on? What is the significance behind your band name?

I remember my first time playing with LBC and instantly bonding with the music, message and overall idea. -Remy

The band itself has had quite a few member changes, in fact Jaba is the only remaining original member and he created the band’s name in 2011. Leather Bound Crooks represents someone in a straight jacket, like an old school one with the leather straps & brass buckles.

To keep the genius hushed away in a padded cell, so the world wouldn’t know of the secrets he could tell.

How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? If not, what do you think does influence this group?

I’m born and raised here and believe it or not, Las Vegas used to have a huge alternative rock scene. Rock & Roll has always been a huge factor in my life, I mean, I was a 6 year old listening to Black Sabbath, CCR, Pink Floyd & many others. -Jaba

Vegas is a lot different then my hometown in California. Artist come together to lift one another up here and it’s refreshing. I feel a certain connection to this city, not just because of the music and arts scene, but because this is the birthplace of LBC and all the inspiration for creating with these guys started here. -Remy

Let’s talk about your newest single “Delivered.” What was the inspiration for it? How would you say that it prepared listeners for your new album, “Breach”?

The inspiration for Delivered came from the book Lessons Learned: An Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Life by Brian Scott Sherman. It’s a great intro to Breach because although it’s about struggling with relationships, substance abuse and suicide, it also has an uplifting resolution to stay positive believing the green grass will come. 

What was it like making the video for “Delivered”? Where did you get the idea to have it be based on the actual events from the book “Lessons Learned: An Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Life” by Brian Scott Sherman?

Making the video was a lot of fun, working with Dalton Campbell of tiny desert films was an honor and we couldn’t have had a better team. We had a few hiccups like the van getting stuck in the sand and a couple of flat tires, but we pushed through and couldn’t be happier with the results. The idea came about after meeting Brian and learning of his story, we teamed up to co-write 3 songs together, Delivered being one. Then came the video. 

While it’s difficult to pick, can you choose a few of your favorite songs on this album and talk about their inspiration and how they got to be on “Breach”?

Burning Bridges Like I’ve Walked On water, Not You, On My Way, You Are The One, Long Little, Now Is The Time, Man it is difficult to pick. The inspiration of these songs much like the others came from a need to express what I’m dealing with, whether it’s to get over heart break, grieve, motivation, all for myself to keep going. It’s a form of expression & I’m a leaking cup. -Jaba 

How did you celebrate the release of “Breach” earlier this month?

We did a few different things. First we had a listening party inside The Studio at the Palms where we recorded. Then we played a release show at 172 inside the Rio Hotel and on stage with us was Amanda Marks (violin), Ashley Lampman (vocals) and Jimmy Duckery (Saxophone). This was especially cool because they all recorded parts on Breach and having them all there on stage with us was really fun. Then on the day the album digitally released we all met up with our recording engineer (Pat Hundley) at his private studio to all stream the album for the first time together. Oh, and Jaba popped a bottle of champagne and shook it all over the place like he won the World Series, but you have to do that otherwise you’re not really celebrating, right?

Generally, how do you guys go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately? 

It’s kind of a mixed bag. Sometimes a full song is brought to the table for us to elaborate on but most of the time we like to feed off each other in a group setting and write music as a band. 

I always like to ask bands if you all hang out socially apart from the music? In other words, when you aren’t working on music, do you guys enjoy hanging out for fun?

We hang out at least once a week. We all consider each other brothers & best friends.

How do you feel that this band has grown through the years? What has remained the same? 

This band has grown so much over the years. The sound gets bigger & the vibe gets stronger. The message has always been the same “spread the love”

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

Writing and recording is always fun, but doesn’t compare to performing songs on stage where everyone can experience them. This is where songs really come to life and where we feel most at home. 

What do you think makes for an ideal show? What has been a favorite show of yours in the past? Any favorite venues?

An ideal show is Energy. Energy, Energy, Energy. If you don’t have it, the crowd won’t either. Our last show at Rock 172 inside the Rio Hotel & Casino was one for the books. The place was packed, energy was high & the vibes were right. Also the lineup was amazing. BunkHouse, Rock 172, Brooklyn Bowl, are a few of our favorite Las Vegas venues.

How has social media impacted this band? How often are you all on your different sites interacting with fans? How have you been able to utilize it through the years?

Haha, social media has impacted the world. Some for good, some for bad, same goes for us. We’re on every day. It’s the main way we stay connected with our fans. We do giveaways and other fun stuff on there. Social media is a constant evolving organism that has no signs of slowing down.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

Music brings us joy. If we we’re to not express ourselves through writing and composition who knows how we’d cope. So yeah, it’s definitely an escape, but mostly an expression. 

What musicians have really been inspiring you since you first started making music? 

Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, Ben Gibbard, Dallas Green to name a few. -Jaba

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

I hope the message listeners get from Leather Bound Crooks music is relief, relief you aren’t alone, relief someone might have it worse than you, relief there’s a solution. We hope what they continue to take away is that relief, passion, motivation, and answers.