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T<\/span><\/span>he Title<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Just for clarity\u2019s sake \u2013 is Eraserhead<\/span> the title of this specific record or is that the name of the project? In other words is this a Jimmy P. Brown II solo project or is Eraserhead the new incarnation\/alter ego of Deliverance? Semantics, I know, but readers always ask about this kind of thing as you are aware.<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Ha! No worries. It does kinda cause a little confusion. This is my solo project! Eraserhead is simply a little inside joke, as I came out of the bathroom from a haircut, my hair was standing straight up and Jon and Manny called me \u201cEraserhead\u201d \u2026 so it kinda stuck as a nickname \u2013 I ended up calling the album ERASERHEAD<\/span>. But, it is a Jimmy P. Brown II release.<\/p>\n \n Doc: And along those same lines, what is the significance of Eraserhead<\/span> as a title? Anything to do with David Lynch\u2019s creepy film from the 70\u2019s? And if so, in what ways?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Eraserhead<\/span>, as with most of Lynch\u2019s movies, are some of my favorite. But it had nothing to do with the title of the album, nor is it the name of a band, it\u2019s the name of the album.<\/p>\n \n \n The Project<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Tell us how this project came about and the process of selecting the musicians?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: I always choose the musicians with care, as much as I am able to. When I am after a certain sound, I want to deal with those who make those sounds rather than someone who simply mimics sounds. Know what I mean? Jon Knox and Manny Morales are simply one of my favorite rhythm sections I have ever worked with! So, when I wanted to work in a certain direction, I called on them. I was fortunate enough to have secured them both for this recording \u2026 I never have to direct them! That is a key component in working with musicians. They just make the sounds you are hearing in your head. Much like for my Jupiter VI project, Movable Walls<\/span>, I could only hear Jeff Ceyba on guitar. His playing needs no directing, only let them feel what they feel. When I work with musicians, I only offer them my songs and ask them to lend their interpretation to what I wrote. That\u2019s what Manny and Jon do when they hear the songs. It\u2019s quite wonderful.<\/p>\n \n Doc: In what ways did the songwriting process differ this time around? In what ways did it compare or contrast with the Deliverance writing process, or even from Jupiter VI?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Songs come out of me as a result of emotional upheavals I am going through. This particular album was brought out of despair from life choices and where I was living. You can hear sadness, joy, pain, fear, all of those emotions there. \u00a0With the thrash incarnation of Deliverance, my writing is very one dimensional. I don\u2019t mean that as a knock on myself or the genre, it\u2019s just the way I see it \u2026 Metal is aggression! Always has been, always will be. But when you can go beyond that scope and unlock the doors and pass through, you are no longer held by those bars!<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n The Sound<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Granted, I\u2019ve only heard digital files up to this point, but this record sounds amazing. As much as the first two Deliverance albums remain seminal points in the history of Christian metal, I have to confess that I have always really loved Stay of Execution<\/span>, Learn<\/span> and River Disturbance<\/span> because of their original sound and progressive vibe. Stay<\/span> was just a huge departure, but it worked on a deeper level that took some time to appreciate. I am interested in your thoughts on what lead you to move in a creative direction (with Eraserhead<\/span>) that echoed back somewhat to those releases?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: The \u201cCreative Years\u201d of Deliverance were my seminal favorite of my writing career. I guess it would only be fitting to harken back to that time \u2026 especially since having Jon and Manny with me.<\/p>\n \n Doc: The sound\/mix on Eraserhead<\/span> feels fresh and organic.\u00a0 Is there anything different about the recording process than what you\u2019ve done in the past?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: The only thing different is where we recorded it. Otherwise, no sampling, no mass manipulation of tones or sound replacing of any sorts. The sounds you hear are pretty much as they were recorded in the studio. That\u2019s where the real work took place. Mic placement, choice of mics and preamps, compressors, etc. I feel these elements are felt throughout the album and I enjoy the tones more than any other album I have recorded so far.<\/p>\n \n Doc: Your vocals sound better than ever. How did you decide to use your voice\/record the vocals in a more distinctive manner \u2013 in a way that would set these songs apart from what you\u2019ve done previously?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Thank you so much for that compliment. I was actually scared they wouldn\u2019t come out very well as I was dealing with a health crisis at the time for that entire year. In fact, I asked Eric Clayton to come and help produce my vocals because I wasn\u2019t hearing anything right at the time because of my emotional and physical state. Eric and I have been friends and musical soulmates for a long time. So, I knew he would pull things outta me that I couldn\u2019t imagine. Unfortunately, the 7-8 days he was there, my voice was weak and I wasn\u2019t really able to record anything but scratch tracks. But, we worked on a lot of ideas that I recorded later when he was in Germany. Then I would send him the tracks, and he would give me his input. Thankfully, we did get a lot of \u201cThe Watchers\u201d done when he was with me, and in fact I asked him to help with the backing vocals on that track which work wonderfully! Our voices blend very well.<\/p>\n \n Doc: Agreed. Well, there seems to be a movement in getting drums sounding like drums again and not over-processed machines. How did you accomplish that here and talk a bit about Jon Knox\u2019s performance and contribution on the record. He absolutely shreds during those fills on \u201cThe Watchers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: It\u2019s all about micing, placement in the room and compression instead of over use of EQ. Jon just did what he did as always. He is, simply put, amazing! And, I have to add he was sick most of those days we were tracking.<\/p>\n \n Doc: It is great to hear that this will be released on vinyl, because it just seems like the kind of recording well-suited to a more organic media. Other than inherent differences between digital and vinyl media, is there a separate mix for the vinyl, or is this a digital to analog copy in essence?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Mastering is done differently for Vinyl, but the mix is the same\u2026<\/p>\n \n \n Illuminate in a dark world<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Healing light searches to find<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I dedicate myself to rise<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Elevate My Mind – “<\/span>Memoria”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n The Songs<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: This has got to be one of the most diverse records you\u2019ve made in your career. And while all of these songs gel extremely well, I might single out a few for comment. (Feel free to expound on any of them, of course).<\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cA Story of Time\u201d \u2013 feels like a nod back to \u201cYou Still Smile\u201d \u2013 obviously a deeply personal song.<\/span><\/p>\n \n It very much is \u2026 just an expression of the way I was feeling about my wife. I had written that song back in 1999, but never recorded it other than in demo format \u2026 it was time.<\/p>\n \n \u201cIndecisive\u201d \u2013 did Jimi Hendrix have any influence here, LOL?<\/span><\/p>\n \n Oh Dear God YES! I had been listening to a LOT of Hendrix at that time when writing it \u2026 big Inspiration, even in the vocal delivery style. I think it came out as a nice tribute.<\/p>\n \n \u201cEntertaining Angels\u201d \u2013 the perfect cover song, as usual!<\/span><\/p>\n \n I cannot wait for Peter to hear this version. I am particularly proud of the way this song came out. I hope The Newsboys will agree.<\/p>\n \n \u201cStained\u201d \u2013 groovy riff, and that outrageous guitar solo!<\/span><\/p>\n \n Thanks, Bro. Lots of Zep and Sabbath feel to this and other jams on the album. Thanks for the nod on the solo. This is the first time I did not enlist anyone to play solos for one of my recordings. I really wanted to try and do it all \u2026 so, it\u2019s nice someone noticed.<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe Swell Lot of Thieves\u201d \u2013 another song with great grooves \u2013 care to elaborate on this one?<\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cSwell\u201d is soooo much fun \u2026 VERY influenced by the likes of Zeppelin here \u2026 minus the vocals of course. But, when it came to the solo, I kept asking myself \u201cWhat would Page do here?\u201d I believe it came out marvelous.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \u201cEgo\u201d \u2013 song reminds me of a heavier version of Saviour Machine\u2019s \u201cCarnival of Souls,\u201d especially that guitar tone\/melody in the softer section.\u00a0 Feels a bit like a song that could have been on Learn<\/span> or Stay<\/span>. <\/span>Just a really great song. Talk a bit about the lyrics and what you are trying to convey here. (See video)<\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cEgo\u201d is a song about realizing one\u2019s self \u2026 sometimes taking a look in the mirror and not liking what we see \u2026 who and what we\u2019ve become. \u201cEgo\u201d separates us from everything and everyone important \u2013 to your spiritual life, to the friends and loved ones around you. Again, it\u2019s about realizing those things you have to change \u2013 inside first, then the rest will follow.<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe Watchers\u201d \u2013 this will likely become a classic \u2013 it\u2019s like Queensryche meets Saviour Machine \u2013 those dual vocals with you and Eric are sublime, and those insane drum fills during the solos section.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Thank You. I guess I don\u2019t hear either of those bands in this song \u2026 I hear my writing. But, I don\u2019t take it as an insult since I am a giant fan of the \u2018Ryche and Machine. Yes, the end of the song hearing me and Eric say \u2013 \u201cThe End of Man\u201d \u2013 Yeah, it really gives chills \u2026 even to me, and I am singing on it LOL. The song itself being a commentary of how the Watchers (the angels mentioned in the Book of Enoch) view us. Yeah, it\u2019s a haunting song and I think it\u2019s the perfect closer to the album.<\/p>\n \n Doc: Absolutely. So what are your favorite musical moments on the album? Oh wait, scratch that question. All of them right? LOL!<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPMII: LOL \u2026 That\u2019s funny \u2026 I have to say the interplay between the 3 musicians and how we worked with each other to complement one another. Those are the moments that get me \u2026 like the mid-section of \u201cSwell\u201d or the solo section of \u201cEgo\u201d \u2026 parts that just work.\u00a0 And they just happened \u2026 we didn\u2019t work for hours on them, they were musical magical moments caught.<\/p>\n \n \u200b\u200b<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis world needs an enema\u201d<\/span> \u2013 Jimmy P. Brown II<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n The Lyrics<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Your lyrics have always been an important part about what makes the music so meaningful. We live in a musical world that doesn\u2019t even care about this anymore because the music has become so loud or distorted? Not only have you delivered an album full of heavy, rhythmic tunes, but your words sing forth with truth and clarity \u2013 much needed in our world today. What role and emphasis do you ascribe to lyrics in general?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Lyrics are the most important part of the song. I think the music is there to support and help what is being said through the lyrics \u2026 even if the lyrics are gibberish, if that makes any sense. A lot has been lost that way unfortunately in modern music. We\u2019ve dumbed it down, and not on purpose. I think people are just not as well read as they used to be. They don\u2019t know poets and writers any longer. They only know personalities and celebrity. It really is a shame. We used to sit and talk and quote \u201cFrost, Blake, Dickenson\u201d\u2026 now, its dog singing videos on Youtube and cats farting. This world needs an enema.<\/p>\n \n Doc: And as a follow up, from a lyrical standpoint, which song or songs from Eraserhead resonate most deeply with you?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: All of them.<\/p>\n \n \n I stained the water clear…<\/span> – “Stained”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n The Saviour Machine Connection<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: How did the collaboration with Eric Clayton materialize? I believe you have worked with him in the past, correct?\u00a0 I remember seeing the Desperate Cries And Windows Eyes<\/span> tour back in \u201893 in San Antonio and that was just an insane show.<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Eric did backing vocals with me on Stay of Execution<\/span>. I did backing vocals on Saviour Machine I<\/span>. We\u2019ve been friends and mates since 1991. It was just a natural inclination for us to work on something together again.<\/p>\n \n \n \n Doc: Cool. Aside from his guest performance on vocals, what other roles did Eric play on Eraserhead<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Eric, as I mentioned, assisted me on vocal production. As well as lending his wonderful backing vocals to \u201cThe Watchers\u201d and \u201cDigital Postage Stamp.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \u201cI am grateful for mercy, faithfulness and love. Where would we be without these things???\u201d \u2013 <\/span>Jimmy P. Brown II<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n The Man<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Jimmy, you\u2019ve been doing this music thing now for over 30 years, you\u2019ve worked with a lot of great musicians, you\u2019ve been through a lot personally just doing \u201clife\u201d stuff like family, work, etc. What would you like to share specifically about how you\u2019ve make all that work? What wisdoms about life, in general, you\u2019ve garnered along the way?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: People and life are strange \u2026 I wish I had more wisdom to impart, but that is really all that comes to mind at the moment.<\/p>\n \n Doc: In what ways has your faith been impacted over the years? What lessons have you learned in this \u201cboot camp life that prepares us for the grave?\u201d (Such a great song by the way).<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Thanks for the nod to \u201cLearn\u201d \u2026 one of my favs. What is faith? Well, without action it\u2019s nothing. So, I guess the best thing I can say is this: I am grateful for mercy, faithfulness and love. Where would we be without these things???<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n The Future<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Where do you see your solo project going from here? Is this a one off or do you feel lead to keep things going in both the Deliverance camp and the solo camp?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: It\u2019s definitely not a one off \u2026 it\u2019s just the beginning. I am through hiding behind band names like Fearful Symmetry, Jupiter VI, etc. Its just Jimmy P Brown II \u2026 take it or leave it.<\/p>\n \n Doc: I\u2019ve often heard many talented and visionary artists (especially in the more progressive genres) state that they are better off and more creative when working with multiple projects and multiple musicians rather than plugging away with the same crew all the time. What are your thoughts?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: I know for me, I like variety. I have my own sound that I have developed with vocals, guitar stylings and production thumbprints. As far as the musicians, you choose the right tool for the job. Know what I mean? If I want this, I choose that \u2026 or if I can do it all myself and be happy (much like Prince recorded most of his albums) Either way, I just want the sound I am searching for to be found.<\/p>\n \n \n \u201cMusic is a gift to the world. Let them choose what to accept or reject. But don\u2019t put it in a \u2018members-only\u2019 box that you need access to get. Just put it all out there and let the world judge for itself. I think we\u2019d be really surprised by the results.\u201d<\/span> \u2013 Jimmy P. Brown II<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n The Scene<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Doc: Some in our scene have talked about a metal revival of sorts? I certainly think we need to see a focus on crafting meaningful music which is simultaneously executed with brilliance and with clarity of message. In this regard, what are your thoughts on the status of \u201cChristian\u201d metal circa 2018? Where are we going and what would you like to see change in order to make that happen?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: For me personally, I want the \u201cscene\u201d to end. I have grown weary of the separation, segregation and elitist mentality that has plagued the world of Christian music from the beginning. Music is a gift to the world. Let them choose what to accept or reject. But don\u2019t put it in a members-only box that you need access to get. Just put it all out there and let the world judge for itself. I think we\u2019d be really surprised by the results.<\/p>\n \n Doc: Amen to that. Final thoughts or words for the readers of Heaven\u2019s Metal<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: HM has been ours and my personal ally for 30 years. It\u2019s good to know you all still consider me a friend.<\/p>\n \n Doc: Thanks, Jimmy, for your time and for your music.<\/span><\/p>\n \n JPBII: Thank you \u2026 Many Appreciations. I also want to thank Matt Hunt and the Retroactive Records <\/a>Label for always taking risks, being at the forefront of anything that I do musically!<\/p>\n \n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/d7ac5b_517132de3d40499e8f3af8a36b5402c0-mv2_d_1680_1200_s_2-8.jpg\")
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