How did you guys get together?
In May 2002, Sprout [NJ native guitarist, and founder of the band] brought longtime friend and punk bassist, Tucker, on board. Tucker and Sprout, both from central New Jersey, had performed together in past years in separate bands. Shortly after this tight union, of what seemed to be inevitable since the day we met, vocalist, Liam, was discovered performing with his former band at the famous rock club, CBGB in New York City. The three of us had an instant chemistry both musically and personally which only grew more intense/powerful in the months to follow … Lightsey seemed to be the missing link from what our current three-piece, The*Pennyroyals [TPR], would go on to become … An Orange County Drum & Percussion endorsed drummer hailing from Hattiesburg, Mississippi who moved to NJ to join ranks with our rock outfit.
Who writes the music?
Liam and Sprout write the music, vocal melodies, and lyrics. Tucker and Lightsey write their bass and drum parts for the songs. The band collectively produces and arranges the material before going into the recording studio.
Where did you get the name of your band?
The name comes from the Nirvana song, “Pennyroyal Tea.” Not only were we huge Nirvana fans but when we discovered what Kurt Cobain was writing about in that song, combined with all of the interesting meaning and uses behind the word “Pennyroyal,” we became totally intrigued by the whole thing. I don’t think there is a day that goes by where someone doesn’t mention how much they love the name and/or references that Nirvana song.
Describe Tucker’s haircut.
We think it looks sort of Goth … It is a really cool hair style which he wears well. It definitely works for Tucker and we don’t see this look on too many people.
Name some of your favorite bands.
Thrice, Recover, Stone Temple Pilots, Wakefield, System of a Down, The Beatles, Rancid, The Ramones, Chevelle, Finch, The Used, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zepplin, The Police, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Slayer, Sugarcult, Incubus, Elton John, The Foo Fighters, MxPx, The Cure, The Smiths, Oasis, Jimmy Eat World, Blindside, Brand New, 311, Alice in Chains, Cold, Elliot Smith, The Ataris, AFI, Motorhead, The All American Rejects, Weezer and U2
How has Tucker’s modeling career effected the bands “dynamic”?
Commercially speaking, we think it has brought the band to a whole new level. The Guitar World, Guitar One, and Bass Player Ads that Tucker and The*Pennyroyals have done, exposed the band to a lot more of the music buying public and the practicing musicians out there in the world. We think it has served as an inspiration to many local bands who are trying to make music a career; watching The*Pennyroyals come up out of the music underground. It has also been a pretty powerful medium that we see as only being a positive way to promote TPR and our endorser Hartke/Samson.
I understand your drummer Lightsey is from the South. What were you thinking?
Lightsey is a great drummer who found us by pure luck. He answered an old classified “Drummer Wanted” Ad in Oct. 2002 that we were shocked he had stumbled across. He actually made a 20 hour drive from his home town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi to our rehearsal space in Northern, NJ to audition for the spot. So when our former drummer left the band this past Jan., we contacted Lightsey and he moved up to NJ within 2 weeks ready to rock and take on the world with The*Pennyroyals.
What’s up with the new EP?
The new EP entitled “Ovipositor” is an Enhanced-CD with a three minute video and seven new audio tracks available in Fall 2003 on the indie label, Rockout Records www.rockoutrecords.com “Ovipositor” is a driving rock album, switching between diverse tempos and melodies, that voices the band’s life struggles, relationships, love and death of family/friends. More information about the new release at www.pennyroyals.com
What’s the tour schedule?
he band is currently writing new material, playing regional shows, including the Vans Warped Tour in Asbury Park, NJ, and goes back out on the road to tour in the fall in support of the “Ovipositor” EP.. People don’t have to put up with it and won’t (remember the loops and samples?). Don’t be afraid to work hard, getting as much experience as possible. I’ve always said that there’s no short-cut to experience. Whether it’s in music or in life you’ve just got to live it. There’s no cheating on this one.
Good luck.
I understand there is a connection with Wakefield—what’s up with that?
TPR hooked up with the Wakefield [Arista Records] back in September 2002 at a local show in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Their management, Escolopio Music Management [EMM], was looking to pick up some new talent and we can proudly say that we were in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. We showcased for EMM, shortly thereafter in Waldorf, Maryland and TPR was picked up and managed by them ever since … We formed a great relationship with Wakefield and EMM, they are family to The*Pennyroyals.
What kind of guitar was that Liam was playing that time at The Downtown?
Liam was rockin’ an Ernie Ball Music Man Axis Super Sport at that show.
Sprout how did you get that awesome gold sparkle Les Paul?
I was really looking to pick up a blue sparkle [frost] Les Paul but found out that I had to order that custom, directly from Gibson Guitars. Apparently, the blue sparkle standard was out of print. At the time I felt like I was settling for the gold sparkle top [discovered at a Sam Ash Music store in Edison, NJ], but looking back on it, I realized I didn’t settle at all … It is a beautiful beast of an axe.
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