lauren stern has got red on her…
I have to admit, back in my high school days, I was a huge fan of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Before the band got super big with their huge hit ‘Face Down,’ I was falling in love with their first LP ‘Don’t You Fake It.’ I even saw the band put on a great performance at the Bamboozle Festival in 2007, well, at least until a huge fight broke out and I almost got hit. Anyway, after my high school days, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus kind of fell off my radar. Not because of anything the band did, more so because I was busy exploring other genres of music.
Recently, I rediscovered the band and was completely blown away by their new sound. They totally matured since the last time I heard them. Overall, I was pretty impressed with what I heard of their last release ‘Am I the Enemy.’ After hearing some of these tracks, I’m definitely going to make sure I’m keeping tabs on them from now on.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ singer Ronnie Winter was cool enough to sit down with me to talk more about their new video for ‘Am I the Enemy,’ becoming independent, and their plans for the rest of this year.
Pop-Break: I’ve always wondered this so I’m just going to come out and ask it. What’s the story behind the name Red Jumpsuit Apparatus?
Ronnie Winter: We were really young, between the ages of 17 and 19 at the time and I thought it was funny…. You should have seen the other suggestions!
PB: I’m not going to lie, you’re new video for ‘Am I the Enemy’ scares the hell out of me, but I got the point of what you were trying to portray. Was there anything in particular that inspired the images in the video?
RW: The images in the video are referencing the current political turmoil in the US right now that is on the minds and hearts of most people here in America.
PB: A few years ago you decided to part ways from Virgin Records and go independent. What was your reason for leaving the label?
RW: Virgin and Red Jumpsuit had a good run but after so many personnel changes on the labels end we felt it would be better to work with a team that would stay consistent over the years.
PB: Am I the Enemy was the first album after you guys went independent. Were you nervous about it’s reception?
RW: Am I the Enemy continues to make our fans and us happy. The reception has been as expected, most people love it.
PB: The first time I ever saw you guys play was at the Bamboozle Festival in 2007. I haven’t really seen you on many major festival circuits since then. Was there any particular reason for that?
RW: We are older now and pick and choose the best time for touring and shows. Family is and has always been our priority so sometimes festivals or tours don’t coincide with life.
PB: You guys are on tour right now with my good friends Patent Pending actually. Which city are you most excited about playing?
RW: We had a lot of fun with Patent and have been fans of the band since meeting them on Warped 2006. As always our hometown show in Jacksonville is the one we look forward to the most
PB: Are you going to focus on touring for the rest of 2012 or is there a new album in the works?
RW: We have tours lined up until December, after that it’s back to the studio!!
