An Interview with Dramarama's John Easdale
What can you say about Dramarama and their dynamic leader/songwriter John Easdale that hasn't already been said. The band was one of the first modern rock bands before the format even existed.While time was not kind to the band in the beginning, their legacy has begun to grow exponentially over the years and looks to grow even more with time. So with that, take it away Mr. Easdale.
What was it like when you guys got started?
We were just having fun, playing in the basement of a record store we ran in Wayne, NJ, called Looney Tunez. No thoughts of making a career out of music, just enjoying ourselves!
> What happened when you signed with a French label, were there problems with an American label?
Our first two releases were D.I.Y., and the French label, New Rose, was kind enough to offer to put out an album in France. It came back to America as an import, and that's how it ended up on the radio.
> When did you guys sign with Chameleon and how did you feel about it?
We signed with Chameleon after we had recorded our third album, Stuck in Wonderamaland. It felt wonderful not to have to do everything ourselves!
> What was success like?Incredibly surreal...still can't believe it's all not just some crazy dream. Also, although we've been around for years, we've never been extremely successful financially...not complaining, just explaining.You have to sell millions of albums and t-shirts and tickets to make lots of money.
> What all happened with Jesse?
He quit the band about a week before we were scheduled to go out on another tour. In retrospect, i don't blame him, but at the time, we were angry! He lives in Canada now...
> Were there any label problems or anything like that around the time of "Vinyl?"
Oh yes, but it was both our fault and the labels. Having been Doing it ourselves for the most part since the beginning, we had very specific ideas about how things should be done, and weren't shy about sharing!Unfortunately, our bass player shared with a journalist, so a big article came out in the "New Times" weekly that featured him complaining about what a bad job they were doing...oops!
> When did you guys decide to call it quits and how did you deal with it?
In 1994, I was struggling with substance abuse, and the band was struggling with finding a place in the post-Nirvana world of modern rock. So we called a halt to the proceedings. It was difficult in some ways, extremely beneficial in others. For instance, I'm still alive and not completely burned out.
> How was "Bands Reunited" and did it fully inspire the three of you to reunite?
Actually, that experience started out wonderfully, but by the end of the evening, it was obvious that a bit too much time had passed to just pick up where we left off...there had been personality shifts, and some of us (okay, it was me) weren't willing to fall back into our old ways...we had committed to doing another concert, so Peter, Mark and I, along with the rhythm section I'd been playing with since the mid-90s, decided to fulfill that obligation. it was gonna be our last hurrah, but the response from the audience was incredible andoverwhelming, so we've soldiered on for another five years, with no end in sight!
> Are you still in touch with Chris?
Yes indeed, we are like brothers. He just has moved on from being a bass player, and has produced an award winning film, managed a lot of bands and hosts a weekly radio show on a big station out here in LosAngeles
> What is the status of the band as of now?We play as often as possible. We put out a new album in 2005, and are in the middle of recording another one.
> What are you up to now and how is the family?
My family is the greatest thing that ever happened to me, and they're all excellent. I'm happier than ever, still reasonably healthy for an old man, and in addition to the band I still do some freelance writing.
> Final question: Favorite song and least favorite song?
I love all my children.
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