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In his down time from his job at Lawrence, com this past summer, Richard Gintowt and his band, OK Jones, managed to hammer out Push/Pull, a charming, sepia-tinged record that mixes the best of rock and Americana. On a recent chilly afternoon, Gintowt took time away from his search for a new drummer to talk about the new album and why it's better to be a front-man than a drummer. Staying too long, he almost missed band practice.
Q: OK Jones is a rock band with an indie sound, yet one that also employs a pedal steel guitar. Do you consider the band's sound more indie-rock or alt-country?
A: It's definitely more in line with indie-rock, we just happen to have a pedal steel guitar player. Besides, alt-country is a horrible label. It conjures up images of hubcaps and neon signs.
Q: Some of the songs on the new record, Push/Pull, are pretty dark and personal. Are they autobiographical?
A: All of the songs I write are grounded in everyday life, be it my own or that of someone I know. The songwriting just comes naturally; I guess it's therapeutic in some ways.
Q: There are a lot of guest musicians on the record. Are they all friends of yours?
A: Some of them are. Most are in local bands. Dan Kozak played the flute on the record - he's the guy who's always playing in front of Liberty Hall. I just went up to him one day and asked him if he'd come to my studio and play for a while. I paid him like twenty bucks an hour; he said he was happy to do it because that was more than he'd make on Mass. St.
Q: You used to drum for Ghosty. Why did you decide to quit to front OK Jones?
A: I always had the idea of fronting, and being OK Jones, but I got distracted by Ghosty and ended up drumming with them for five years. I left because there wasn't room in the band for two singersongwriters. Andrew (Conner) and I are both too hard-headed. When I'm in a band, I want to be the dominant musical force in the band, but I didn't want to replace Andrew when I was in Ghosty. So I left and focused on OK Jones.
Q: What is it like to switch from drummer to front-man?
A: It's great because I get to write and play my own songs, but there's also more pressure and responsibility. Now it's my ship to sink or swim - wow, sorry, two clichés in a row.
Q: Since you left Ghosty, they've had some success, signing with a label and putting out a record. Are you resentful at all?
A: No, I'm happy for them. I've gone to a few of their shows since I quit, so it's cool. Plus, I hope they're successful because they still owe me the 500 bucks I lent them to make their record.
- Dave Ruigh
Photo courtesy: myspace.com/okjones Richard Gintowt pictured in middle.